Moody Gardens, a public nonprofit attraction, is on Hope Boulevard on Galveston Island in Galveston, Texas. For tourists, the entertainment complex is home to an aquarium that features sharks and penguins among its many specimens, a rainforest filled with exotic birds and other wildlife, a golf course and an IMAX movie theater. Visitors to Moody Gardens can find numerous dining options to choose from within 15 minutes of the complex, including those that specialize in seafood, Italian or Japanese cuisine.
Mario's Ristorante, established in 1967, is a family-owned Italian restaurant located about two miles from Moody Gardens (approximately seven minutes by automobile). The menu begins with 10 appetizers such as fried mozzarella, seafood-stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari. A signature entree is the shrimp Sofia, which is jumbo shrimp stuffed with a mix of chopped seafood served over fettuccine and covered in lobster sauce. Another entree is the chicken Daniela, which is made of chicken breasts stuffed with seafood, spinach and pasta, topped with lobster sauce and accompanied by seasonal vegetables. Mario's Ristorante serves lunch and dinner daily. An all-you-can-eat buffet is available one day each week at lunchtime and at dinner. Reservations are accepted. Business casual attire is appropriate. Outdoor dining is available on the restaurant's patio, weather permitting.
Mario's Ristorante
2202 61st St.
Galveston, TX 77551
409-744-2975
marios-ristorante.com
The family-owned Yamato Japanese Restaurant is nearly two miles from Moody Gardens (around seven minutes by automobile) and has served the Galveston area since the 1980s. The restaurant features teppanyaki, in which chefs cook meals in front of diners on a hot hibachi grill built into the tables. The house-specialty teppanyaki dinner includes miso soup, salad, vegetables, fried rice, shrimp flambe, teriyaki sesame chicken and teriyaki strip sirloin steak. Sushi is also available and includes the hurricane roll, which contains Alaskan king crab and comes in a chef's secret recipe sauce. The restaurant serves wine and beer, including six types of sake and plum wine. Yamato Japanese Restaurant serves dinner nightly. Reservations are suggested for large groups. Business casual attire is the norm. A children's menu is available for young diners.
Yamato Japanese Restaurant
2104 61st St.
Galveston, TX 77551
409-744-2742
yamatotx.com
Clary's Seafood Restaurant, founded in 1977, is located approximately 4.5 miles from Moody Gardens (about 11 minutes away by automobile). Eight appetizers lead the menu, including breaded crab claws, shrimp cocktail and fried crawfish balls, available seasonally. A featured dish is the San Francisco platter, a 6-ounce filet mignon topped with lump crab meat and grilled shrimp, accompanied by lyonnaise potatoes, grilled tomatoes, vegetable and salad. Another is the seafood platter, which consists of seasoned baked crab and grilled or broiled shrimp, fish and oysters. For dessert, try the key lime or pecan pies. The restaurant has a full bar. Clary's Seafood Restaurant is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays and closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations are accepted. Business casual attire is suggested.
Clary's Seafood Restaurant
8509 Teichman Road
Galveston, TX 77554
409-740-0771
