Page 82 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2026

story by Cherie Ward and photos courtesy of McElroy’s Harbor House, The Blind Tiger, Captain Al’s Steak & Seafood and Shaggy’s
Some dinners begin with a reservation, while others start with a turn of the key, a push off the dock, and the gentle hum of a boat slicing through the water.
On the Gulf Coast, dining by boat isn’t just about convenience—it’s about the experience. It’s the breeze before the meal, the salt in the air, the slow approach as a waterfront restaurant comes into view. True dock-and-dine spots are rare, but that hasn’t stopped local boaters from finding their way to the table by water.
At Captain Al’s Steak & Seafood in Gulfport, arriving by boat is part of the routine. Tucked along the Jourdan River, the restaurant features one of the Coast’s few true dock-and-dine setups, where boaters can tie off and walk straight to a table. Once inside, the lively, unpretentious atmosphere offers seafood, steaks, and a steady flow of diners who arrived by land—and many who didn’t. It’s a place where the arrival is almost as important as the meal.
Further along the Coast, the experience shifts slightly, but the charm remains.
In Bay St. Louis, boaters often reach the harbor before heading toward spots like The Blind Tiger—a location with marina
The Blind Tiger
82 | May 2026
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McElroy’s Harbor House