Page 32 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

DINING NEIGHBOR’S TAP & TABLE ADDRESS
Owner Matthew Bounds, “The Barefoot Neighbor”
1307 25th Ave., Gulfport
CONTACT
228.284.4531
WEBSITE
neighborstapandtable.com
HOURS
Mon-Thurs, 11a.m.-9 p.m. Fri & Sat, 11-12 a.m.
Sun, 12-6 p.m
32 | August 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by Carlin Duncan photos by Christopher Duncan
Some restaurants feed your stomach. A rare few feed your spirit. And every now and then, you walk into a place that does both without even trying. Neighbors Tap & Table, tucked into the heart of downtown Gulfport, is exactly that kind of place—the kind that feels like it’s been waiting on you.
The warmth hits you before the food ever does. There’s an ease in the air, the kind that makes you slow down without realizing it. Conversations stretch a little longer. Laughter carries. And you feel, almost immediately, like you’ve stepped into a space that knows how to take care of people.
We started with the Pork Rinds and Pepper Jelly, a simple dish that turned into a small revelation. The salty crackle of the rinds paired with the sweet heat
of the jelly made for the kind of bite that wakes up your appetite and your curiosity. Then came the Block Party Deviled Eggs
topped with cracklins—rich, creamy, and unapologetically Southern. They’re the kind of deviled eggs that make you close your eyes for a second, just to hold onto the flavor.
The Figgy Piggy Flatbread was a standout in its own quiet way. Every bite brought something new—the sweetness of the fig spread, the smoky bacon, the peppery arugula, the tang of balsamic. It’s a dish that feels familiar and surprising at the same time, like a memory you didn’t know you had. We also shared the Street Corn Dip with warm pita, and it was impossible to stop dipping. Creamy, cheesy, bold—the kind of dish that disappears faster than you expect because everyone keeps going back for “just one more.”
But the Pulled Pork Patty Melt was the moment the table went still. Tender pulled pork, melted cheese, perfectly toasted bread—comfort layered on comfort. It’s