Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar — Restaurant in Galveston

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar in Galveston is a hidden gem that truly captures the essence of seaside dining. I am always on the lookout for establishments that combine great food, stellar service, and a relaxed atmosphere, and Nick's excels on all fronts.

The moment I stepped into Nick's, I was greeted by the vibrant, beachy ambiance that instantly made me feel at ease. The decor, a charming mix of coastal casual and contemporary flair, sets the perfect tone for a laid-back yet delightful dining experience. The friendly staff welcomed me warmly, showcasing a genuine enthusiasm for the menu and the restaurant's unique offerings.

I started my culinary adventure with their famous grilled oysters, and let me tell you, these were the best grilled oysters I have ever tasted! Each oyster was perfectly cooked, with a smoky char that complemented the briny sweetness of the seafood. Topped with a delectable garlic butter sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan, they were a true testament to Nick's commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients. The oysters were so good that I seriously considered ordering a second round!

For my main course, I opted for the Seafood Platter, which featured a generous assortment of fried shrimp, fish, and crab cakes. Each component was cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The accompanying sides of coleslaw and hush puppies were equally impressive, adding a delightful crunch and burst of flavor to the meal. It was a seafood lover's dream come true, showcasing the best of Gulf Coast cuisine.

I couldn't leave without trying one of Nick's signature cocktails, and the Beachcomber did not disappoint. This refreshing blend of tropical flavors was the perfect complement to my meal, making me feel like I was on a mini-vacation with each sip.

The service at Nick's was impeccable. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, making excellent recommendations and ensuring that my dining experience was flawless. They struck the perfect balance between being available when needed and allowing me to enjoy my meal without feeling rushed.

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar in Galveston is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience. Whether you're there for the best grilled oysters ever, the fantastic seafood, or the inviting atmosphere, Nick's delivers on every level. Five stars hardly seem enough for this coastal treasure – Nick's is a true standout in the world of...

Nick’s was good! We ate at the poolside bar which is technically Redfish Pool Bar but serves a smaller menu of Nick’s food (and also has a hot tub, fyi!). I was expecting like a swim up bar (given ‘pool bar’) but it was a regular outdoor patio bar with a pool in the same fenced area. We still could eat our food on the side of the hot tub though. The vibe was a little down if you’re looking for somewhere that’s hoppin, but it was nice if you didn’t want a lot of noise and people. We went on a Tuesday during happy hour (4-7ish). They had the same 5 songs (literally I know them all word for word now lol) on repeat the entire time we were there. We had the fried mozzarella and shrimp stuffed jalapeños for apps - both very scrumptious. The mozz is phenomenal & gigantic like everyone else said. I’d go back just for those 🤤 you can tell the mozz really is definitely fresh! The shrimp stuffed jalapeños aren’t as aesthetically pleasing, but are quite tasty! We didn’t think they tasted like they were out of the freezer at all…. Lol. And the bed of potato string things they were on were SO yummy. For entrees we had a Shrimp Po Boy & Pulled Pork Sliders (technically an appetizer but exact same as the Pulled Pork Sandwich… just mini). They were both quite good too! The buns on both were great too - grilled golden brown with butter 😋 We have enough leftovers for another meal lol. We got chips instead of fries with the Po Boy and they’re super salty but REAL good y’all. They make them there so they are warm when they come out - my fav. Their food presentation could maybe use a little improvement but the food all tasted great so I don’t care lol. For drinks we had a Strawberry Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, and an Old Fashioned. Pro tip - mix a White Claw with the Daiquiri - SO good. The colada was also great. He described the old fashioned as ok, but he’s quite picky with those lol.

My only complaint is that they give a set of plastic silverware wrapped in plastic to everyone to use for their meal (they used all plastic cups too - but I understand having to do that with the pool nearby), usually with places close to the ocean they’re particularly conscientious about plastic/waste reduction :( That is an area I could see quick easy improvement with but otherwise I’d recommend Nick’s/Redfish...

So disappointed. We wanted and table inside instead of outside so we waited. They told us to sit at a table by them because it was raining and the outdoor waiting seating area was taken. They said the wait for indoor seating would be about 15 mins. 10 minutes later, the same guy that put our name on the waiting list asked us to move because they wanted that table to add for a party of about 20 people, no problem. We waited and waited and quite a few people continued to be seated that arrived way after us. We asked the same guy if we were on the list, he looked and said oh I had another party by your same name, not so we were within 10 feet at all times when he called party names. He then asked if we wanted inside or outside, told him inside again. He acted like a chicken with his head cut off. He turned around and asked the question two more times after he clearly heard us. So we finally got our table, Inside!!. Took more than 5 mins before anyone acknowledged, several empty tables and a lot of employees walking around constantly. We are still fine, we are easy going and laid back most of the time. The fellow that put us on the list, was playing around with another working, skipping around at times.

Now on to the food. No sweet tea!!! Only served with apricot flavoring, my husband loves his plain sweet tea! Husband got a burger, got it and it was to come with "burger sauce" whatever that is, we'll no sauce on burger and dry! I got a Seawall Blt, grilled shrimp, Avocodo, bacon sandwich. No seasoning on the shrimp, all I could taste was like grill marks on seasonless shrimp that had no taste. Did not eat much of it, the more I ate, the more it seemed to grow in my mouth.

Never again. I never leave reviews but in this case I am for the all around extreme disappoint. I'm giving this a 2 only because of view and ease of walking from hotel room...