Aquarium Restaurant — Restaurant in Kemah

I chose to have a momentous occasion with family and friends for the first time at one of my favorite restaurants in Kemah. The aquarium. I was completely disappointed and frustrated from the time I arrived until I left. Some of my guests even expressed that they would not return if I ever have another celebration here. Our RSVP was at 2 and of course we couldn’t be seated until at least half of our party was present which I understand, however after being seated specifically one of my guest later expressed that she had to go to the bar herself and ask for bread and crackers since food was not received until around 4:15. I visit the aquarium several times throughout the year in Kemah by myself since I am also a Landry’s select member. During our visit the manager did not at any time come over to speak with us or introduce himself/herself or ask if we needed anything, especially given the concerns already expressed. Instead, our waitress walked back and forth to mediate. As often as I visit, a manager has always and I mean always has come by to at least say hello and check on us. The impression I received from the start of this total experience was that all large party RSVPs have to go through the sales team which require a deposit to hold the RSVP. At the restaurant it was communicated to me moving forward to not go through the sales teams to avoid the very experience I encountered. There was just a lot of back and forth and he say she say, I don’t know why you were told that. They wouldn’t adjust the gratuity even though the agreement states that you can request an adjustment and to speak with management regarding such matters. After being seated I informed my waitress before my remaining guests arrived regarding an adjustment to the gratuity since I would be taking care of it. She asked what I had in mind, I told her and when our waitress returned from speaking with management it sounded as though their suggested amount stated in agreement was going to be the final amount required. It all felt very forced regardless of the total experience and not just my experience but also my guests. Suggested and automatic gratuity are not the same. Maybe that wasn’t the intent but it was all very contradictory to me. I don’t think anyone is entitled to gratuity based on party size alone. It’s based on the quality of service received overall. This was the first and last of any type of group celebration here. There is clearly a disconnect between the restaurant and sales and I just hate that it had to be on a day that was supposed to celebratory. I can only wish that my deposit would be returned but I know that won’t happen. I do have to note that our waitress was not rude in any way however this was still not a great experience and the absolute worst in over 8 years. I can’t say I won’t be back because I love the food but it will definitely be a while before visiting again. This rating and review is based on this specific experience and feedback...

I really wanted to love eating here. I am a big marine aquarium fan and was hopeful to see some cool fish and enjoy some seafood. On the way in, we were greeted alongside the stairway by some nice achilles tangs and other ‘difficult to keep, high-end fish’ in the cylinder tank. Pretty cool. Once inside the restaurant, it was empty (like three tables with people), (Tuesday afternoon) and we were seated right away. I immediately noticed in the large display tank, one of the show-piece fish, a large grouper was suffering from serious case of pop-eye (like his eyes were 2-3 inches out from his head). Then I noticed the water quality of the main tank over all was a little cloudy, or maybe the acrylic needed cleaning, not sure. During further watching, I could see many of the fish were scratching themselves regularly on rocks and sand to try and rid themselves of ich or something. Knowing what I know about the health of marine animals, this disturbed me a little. But I figured, I am ultimately here to eat, so I will let that slide and ordered the miso scallops and shrimp special of the month and my wife had the salmon. We both had caesar salads which were good. My wife’s salmon was good, maybe 7/10 on flavor scale a little over cooked on the dry side, but good enough. My shrimp was pretty good maybe 8/10, but the scallops were so overcooked they were like eating rubber. The flakey texture of a good scallop was totally gone. (Could not cut with a fork, had to use knife). The seasoning and miso helped to mask some of it but it ultimately ruined the entire dish, because the scallops were supposed to be the star. When you spend $40 a person on lunch, you really expect something at least nice, if not special. This place did not make the grade this time. Maybe the location downtown is better, I seriously hope so. As a rule, I do not send food back or complain about things, too many stories of people doing stuff to your food and I generally just want a place to get it right the first time. If they don’t then I review based on what I got. Maybe if I said something, (they did ask how things were and we said ‘ok’) they probably would have remade the scallops for me, the server was nice and I am sure she would have done anything to help. Again, I don’t complain at restaurants because it creates a tension for others around you and after all, food is what they do. It should be right the first time, always, or it shouldn’t leave the kitchen. Maybe we should have gone to the actual Landry’s seafood place next door, but the allure of an aquarium, I will always be a sucker for. My wife is in treatment for cancer at MDA so we will be back to Houston regularly, hopefully for years and years. Maybe we will give this place another try in a year or so and update my...

The Aquarium Restaurant in Kemah offers a truly unique dining experience, blending delicious food with a mesmerizing aquatic atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you're surrounded by massive, floor-to-ceiling aquariums that house a wide variety of marine life. The restaurant spans multiple levels, and the expansive tanks create an immersive environment that keeps both adults and kids engaged throughout the meal.

We were fortunate to be served by Seth, who was absolutely fantastic. His friendly and attentive service made the experience even more enjoyable. He was patient with our kids and offered great recommendations, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout the meal.

For dinner we ordered the coconut shrimp with Caesar salad, which was a hit. The shrimp were crispy and flavorful, complemented by a sweet dipping sauce. The Caesar salad was fresh, and the creamy dressing added a nice balance to the dish. The kids’ meals were equally satisfying. The pasta with marinara was a simple but tasty choice for the little ones, while the mac n’ cheese was cheesy and comforting. The chicken tenders were perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. For the adults, the New Orleans seafood platter was a standout. The platter was loaded with a delicious variety of seafood, including shrimp, fish, and calamari, all cooked to perfection and packed with flavor.

One of the best parts of the Aquarium Restaurant is its incredibly kid-friendly vibe. Our children loved the chance to interact with the marine life, especially when we paid to pet the stingrays and walk through the small aquarium area on the first floor. It’s a great way to engage little ones while you enjoy your meal.

That said, the atmosphere can be quite chaotic and loud, which is something to keep in mind if you're looking for a more intimate, quiet setting—this is not the place for a date night. The lively, fun environment is better suited for families or groups looking for a bit of excitement.

Parking is easy thanks to the garage, but be prepared to pay about $16 for the privilege. While this is a bit steep, it’s a minor inconvenience compared to the overall experience.

Overall, the Aquarium Restaurant is a wonderful place for families, offering a unique dining experience that combines great food with fun, interactive elements for kids. Just know that it can get loud and chaotic, but that's all...