Half Shell Oyster House

Wow. Just wow. This place had it all. Great service, atmosphere, and excellent food.
The great service starts when you walk up to the door. The hosts held the door open, welcomed us with great smiles, and worked to find us a table quickly. We were seated after only a short 10 minute wait even though it was a busy Saturday.
The atmosphere is old downtown new Orleans feel. Elegant but not ostentatious. It felt like fine dining yet still a place we could take our kids.
The food was the best we have had since arriving on the coast 3 months ago. We had the raw oysters they were $ 15 a dozen but worth it. They were very large and the cocktail sauce tasted homemade. They were also served with lemon and crackers. We had draft beers and the selection is adequate. The beer was fresh and chilled. I had the uptowner which was a steak sandwich on a french pressed bread. It was awesome. There seasoned fries were great too. My husband got the blackened tuna sandwich. He said it was the best tuna he has ever had. Our kids got the popcorn shrimp kids meals and the shrimp was tasty. Give this place a try. It was well worth the extra money. I think it should really be a $$$ rating. Most of the dinner dishes seemed like $ 20 – 25 for an entrée.

Came here on a Thurs night and had the Orleans oysters and fried green tomato crab cakes, both very good. Linda was very nice server and the place got crowded quick so it must be a pretty popular spot. I can see this becoming a regular spot for me until I return to Colorado this fall.

Simply the best Biloxi has to offer! Cindy’s service was perfect and the dining experience was absolutely fantastic!

In need of oysters? This is your place! Seriously, from anywhere in the world… you have to try this place!
In a 10 hour period, we actually ate here twice, it was that good! Lovely bloody marys and nice Cajun Alfredo, but let’s get to the real review: the oysters.
Ever had chargrilled oysters? I hadn’t. And these were phenomenal… perfectly grilled with the most amazing, tangy sauce and some crusty garlic pieces. It also came with a side of bread… the second day they grilled the bread. Either way, use the bread to sop up the sauce, please! I’m salivating as I write this; go get some Orleans style oysters!
We also had Rockefeller style. I struggled determining which was better, but I think the Orleans style won the race by a hair. The Rockefeller were lumped with spinach and creaminess… soooo good!
If you are anywhere near Biloxi, you have to try Half Shell. And if you aren’t near, travel to the gulf and get some oysters!

Stopped in early evening to check out a menu since we just got into town last night. Saw this place had tons of reviews so we figured we had to check it out!
Andi was super helpful at the door telling us some different fun facts and having good conversation with us.
Then we met a gent named Antonio, he had us drooling over a burger combination that he said was «FIRE»
Def want to come eat dinner here while on this trip in town.
We came back later that night to grab a dessert to go, the bread pudding, cinnamon something or other, that was great!
Kinda small portion so def order 1 for each person. But the flavor was amazing, def pleased with this place!

They are known for their oysters. Great menu of seafood, steak and fish. Incredible sides, desserts, etc. I got seafood stuffed portabella mushrooms and crème brulé sweet potatoes. The flavor was amazing. The service was fast and waitress was very pleasant.

We stayed in Biloxi for a week. We heard from a doctor on Keesler AFB that this place was a must try. The restaurant is two stories. We sat upstairs.
Our server, Liliya, was very lovely and attentive. My husband and I started off with a dozen half shell oyster. They were delicious. For his entrée, my husband ordered the po-​boy with the fried oysters and shrimp with a side of gumbo. He said the sandwich was mediocre. I ordered the steak with a side of fried okra and jalapeño hush puppies. I really liked the hush puppies and the steak was very flavorful. It was cooked to the right temperature. I managed to inhale my whole dish and lick the plate clean. We ordered something called the chocolate obsession… Obsession something… My husband liked it. I didn’t so much since I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.
Definitely a place I highly recommend with that server!

We got there early (5.30pm), and seated upstairs without any wait. This was Friday night. Glad we did get in early, by the time we had finished, there wasn’t a table free and there were quite a few people waiting. Sam, our server was great. His suggestions and recommendations were welcome. Crab cakes to start were truly delicious and big enough for 2 to share. I went for the Grouper Lobster Oscar, sides of broccoli and Cajun Boiled Parmesan & Garlic Fried New Potatoes. The potatoes were so good, I ordered another portion. Washed this down with a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio, and all was well in my world. Superb eating experience, friendly staff and highly recommended. We may even go back again tonight!

Waiter was great. But, the fish was bad… It had a smell and a taste that, I believe the fish had been left out. When the manager came over she didn’t say much. That meal should have been taken off our bill. The other food was okay. Not great, but not bad.
I wouldn’t go back it is $$$. Felt more like the food was on a Red Lobster level.

The food was amazing! My husband and I ordered the oyster sampler to start off and finished with the seafood pot pie, salmon with garlic potatoes and cheesy grits. Food was AMAZING and the service was awesome. We highly recommend this place!!!

This restaurant was my first stop during my first trip to Biloxi. I like how there’s a bar upstairs and downstairs. I liked the friendly staff, nice New Orleans layout/​theme, and more importantly the food was awesome. Be sure to get some Royal Reds (shrimp) for an appetizer. I went with the cooked oyster sampler which was damn good and filling. I got a few of the tasty local beers to top it all off. Our bartender was very friendly and on top of her game making it easy to give 20% tip. The whole experience was pleasant and this is probably the best restaurant in Biloxi. Your time here will put you in a good mood to go win some money at the casinos.

Wow!!! We wait for a whole hour to be seatedand guess what? was worth it! the service was fast, We got the Baked oyster and were ok, but the gumbo was deliciuos! Snapper Deliciuos! Seafood PastaD eliciuos!!! Blackenned Snapper Deliciuos! Stuffed Portabellos Deliciuos!!! even the dessert was really good, Banana Cheesecake and Cinnamon roll pudding!!!
Great Food! Great Service!

Arriving in town for a few days for a convention, I looked forward to trying out the Biloxi seafood. My son did a legal internship here in 2002 and found the food in some Biloxi restaurants was almost as good as New Orleans in his opinion. Katrina changed most everything on the Gulf Coast so I was anxious to see how dining fared, ten years later.
Overall, the Half Shell is one of the best seafood places where I’ve ever eaten. Though every dish isn’t sublime, everything is solid and some dishes are exceptional. I ate there 4 times over the weekend figuring I might not be back to Biloxi for another decade and seafood like this is hard to find in the North Mississippi and Memphis area.
The downtown location of this restaurant is a two story affair with a large staircase.
My first experience here was for lunch on the way to the convention. I had a cup of gumbo as an upside for a charge. They handled my no rice request without much fuss. The gumbo was tasty and heavy on the seafood. I had a seafood stuffed portabello mushroom which was exceptional. I also had 6 oysters Orleans style. I must confess I don’t personally care for this prep too much. The hot sauce doesn’t blend well with the oyster and to me seems a bit overwhelming.
My next visit was for dinner and I had a caesar salad topped with oysters. The oysters were very solid but not the best I’ve had, somewhat smallish. Extremely large number of oysters though so I was well pleased with the value and preparation.
The next day I went for brunch and had a crab claw appetizer prepared with the Orleans sauce at the recommendation of the waiter– one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The sauce was cut with butter so it didn’t overwhelm the claws and the sweetness of the crab claws really makes this dish. I also had a crab cake topped with an egg and a cream sauce. Very nice but a little bit on the heavy side.
My final meal was for dinner on the way out of town since all the other high Unilocal rated places were closed on Sunday. A very pleasant meal to remember– I had the oyster sampler. The Bienville was particularly notable and probably the best version of the dish I’ve ever eaten, a smidge of crab really put it over the top. Rockefeller was good too and the spinach was cut very well so it was nice and creamy and not too heavy. The royal red shrimp were very good and buttery.
The only thing I really thought could use some more thinking was the Voodoo shrimp which were perfectly prepared but far too sweet. I think a mayo based sauce or remoulade would be better with just a hint of sweetness.

Great hidden spot. Friendly staff great on suggestion if your not familiar with the menu. Great food, atmosphere is warm and inviting. Would definitely come back when ever we are in town.

This place never disappoints. Our server (Britney) was awesome and so was the food. Though it’s not always on the menu, I ordered sautéed crab claws in Orleans sauce… Its my crack.

Went here to dinner last night we had phenomenal oyster sampler that was to die for a great bottle of Pinot Noir La Crème the crabmeat lobster and corn bisque was loaded with crab lobster & corn it was creamy and delicious also the Portabella seafood stuffed mushrooms were fabulous the atmosphere is awesome the staff are extremely helpful and pleasant our waitress Sarah was extremely friendly and I’d also like to thank the female manager that was on duty our eight-​year-​old little girl was not feeling well when she arrived she was courteous professional and Johnny on the spot thank you very much that’s what a manager should be, you guys are truly a hidden gem on the Gulf Coast!
Warmwst regards,
Mrs. Robinson

Just a short walk from our Biloxi hangout the Beau Rivage, we enjoyed our lunch visit. Aside from a bit of confusion in the host/​hostess area as to who should show us to our table this was a fun experience.
The DC started with the oyster sampler which included three each of Charbroiled Oysters, Oysters Bienville, Oysters Rockefeller and Oysters Orleans, it was a beautiful presentation with the oysters nestled in a bed of rock salt. They were plump and wonderful and would please any oyster lover.
I had the much touted Royal Reds shrimp served in a spicy Cajun boil and described as tasting lobster like. They were large and absolutely some of the plumpest and firmest shrimp I’ve ever had and do truly have a special flavor. They were really good but are served in the shell which I understand makes them more flavorful, but I’m not really a «peel and eat» kind of guy. Never heard of Royal Reds and any foodie certainly should try them at least once.
We shared a fried shrimp entrée which were breaded in seasoned corn flour. They were perfectly cooked and delicious but didn’t rise above any other well prepared fried shrimp. It did include two sides that truly shined; a nice size bowl of cheese grits, the deeper the south, the better the grits! But the real winner here were the best turnip greens ever. Full of pork flavor with just the right sweetness. If you like greens, don’t miss these!
Service was excellent and friendly. Heard another waitress tell her customers she had been there 30 years! It’s that kind of place.

While shopping in Gulfport, we wanted a seafood restaurant and I went to Unilocal for suggestions. This place popped up. I read over some reviews and said this will be the place we will try. We get there and had a few minutes wait, not too long.
While waiting, we ordered some drinks. I had a Bloody Mary. OMG! This was one of the best Bloody Mary’s I have had in a long time. It was mixed perfectly. Only problem I had with it was the liquid would not stay in my glass and I had to order more!
On to the food. We ordered the Orleans oysters which were divine. I was close to licking the darn bowl. For our entrees: My son ordered the Royal Reds along with French fries and new potatoes. The new potatoes were so good, I almost eat all of his potatoes. I ordered the Ribeye. Lord this steak could not stay on my plate long enough to enjoy. The Orleans butter that was on it made that steak pop! For my sides I had grilled asparagus with gorgonzola butter and the amazing cheddar cheese grits. All of this food makes you want to hurt yourself.
We were too full for dessert. However, you bet your bottoms I am going back to try other things.

Solid 5* experience. Reservations are a good idea. We had a 30 min wait for 2 at 745pm on a Saturday night. Ended up at the bah, and we loved it! Meredith and Evan gave us such personal, attentive service and even showed me, one who does not eat seafood regularly, how to peel the shell off of shrimp.
The royal reds were the highlight of our experience. They are meaty shrimp that taste just like lobster. Seriously! And I loved the sweet potato crème brule. A side dish and dessert in one… perfect. oysters were also wonderful. I would skip the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes with crab cake appetizer next time to save room for the royal reds.
Meredith made a nice skinny margarita for me. I also tried the pink pearl martini. It was sweet without being overbearing. Yum! The southern pecan beer is a nice nut brown ale.
Thank you Meredith, Evan, and the kitchen for making our first dining experience in Mississippi so memorable! We will be back. Yum.

I stepped off the beach and into the French Quarter, or at least it felt that way. The décor, the service, and the food were every bit top-​quality French Quarter Cajun restaurant.
My family used to enjoy McElroy’s. The legend lives on, but today’s players just do it better.
I would put Half Shell up against any New Orleans restaurant. That is how good this place is.
I highly recommend:
–Royal Reds
–Fried Green Tomatoes
–Sweet Potato Crème Brulee
–Shrimp & Grits
–Banana’s Foster anything.
–Going here over and over again.