Aquarium Restaurant
Quick info
About Aquarium Restaurant
On Bagby St in Houston, Aquarium Restaurant is a seafood and steak restaurant built around large tanks of tropical marine life placed throughout the dining room, with tables set near the tanks or by windows so diners can watch fish while they eat. The menu runs to 92 dishes, including the Castaway Combo, a seafood and appetizer platter meant for sharing, and crab dip, alongside pasta dishes such as cajun pasta specials. Table service comes with a waiter assigned to each table, and a buffet runs in the Nautilus Ballroom for holiday occasions. Reservations are recommended, and a wait is common even with a booking. Families with young children are accommodated with high chairs, and a private dining room is available for groups. Outdoor seating adds extra dining space, and valet parking is offered for those driving in. The entrance is step-free for visitors with mobility needs. Food is also available for takeaway and delivery for those eating off site. The restaurant opens daily.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingOn-site parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Good for kids birthday · Has changing table(s)
Menu & Prices
92 dishes · mains $10–51- Calamari Fritto Misto$20.89
- Fried Onion Stack$14.62
- Castaway Combo$26.72
- Shrimp & Crab Dip$21.99
- White Cheddar Cheese Curds$15.28
- Pirate's Pasta$10.99
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention immersive fish tank ambiance, crab dip, seafood platter and breakfast buffet.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention immersive fish tank ambiance, crab dip, seafood platter and breakfast buffet.
Customer Review Summary
The immersive tank setting comes up again and again as the main draw, with diners describing the feeling of dining underwater while fish and even tigers swim by, and several call it especially memorable for kids. Close behind, the food draws consistent praise, with reviewers naming the castaway combo, ahi tuna nachos, trout del sol, crab dip, and lobster tail added to a cajun pasta special as standouts, and creme brûlée singled out for dessert. Service is repeatedly highlighted as attentive and quick, with servers checking drinks and walking guests through the menu on first visits. A recurring caveat tempers this: one reviewer who booked ahead waited twenty minutes with no drinks or bread and got window seating despite a reservation, and another found the seafood platter bland, comparing the quality to a casual chain despite generous portions. A few also note the appetizer platter is large enough to leave little room for a main course, leading to leftovers taken home.
Customer Review Summary
The immersive tank setting comes up again and again as the main draw, with diners describing the feeling of dining underwater while fish and even tigers swim by, and several call it especially memorable for kids. Close behind, the food draws consistent praise, with reviewers naming the castaway combo, ahi tuna nachos, trout del sol, crab dip, and lobster tail added to a cajun pasta special as standouts, and creme brûlée singled out for dessert. Service is repeatedly highlighted as attentive and quick, with servers checking drinks and walking guests through the menu on first visits. A recurring caveat tempers this: one reviewer who booked ahead waited twenty minutes with no drinks or bread and got window seating despite a reservation, and another found the seafood platter bland, comparing the quality to a casual chain despite generous portions. A few also note the appetizer platter is large enough to leave little room for a main course, leading to leftovers taken home.
Featured reviews
- Tabatha Phillips
“Hubby made reservations a couple of days ahead. We show up 10 mins ahead of time. They seat us by the windows. Let me remind you… this is an aquarium restaurant and we booked days in advance, so you’d think better seats maybe…? We get seated and we wait and wait and wait. 20 mins go by and no waiter. No drinks. No bread. No interaction. I finally grab a staff member walking by. She said she’ll have someone right over. We do finally get a super nice gentleman to help us. He was so kind! Food was superb>>Very good! I am more so giving low stars for the wait and the horrible seating placement for someone that booked ahead.”
- Gabriela Tabarez
“Nice place to have a great time! Gerald is an amazing server. He was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome the food was delicious, and the dessert was beautifully presented. The atmosphere was fun and relaxing, and the service was outstanding. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back!”
- Carmen
“Loved watching the fish while eating. Dined next to a 500 lb grouper. Also, stingrays, sharks, giant fish. .. discovered a new one, the guitar fish. So fun. Tasha was super friendly and helped me with my food allergy. Food was good. Everyone was happy with their meal. Much better than the long John’s silver cod back home 🤣 …”
- Jamayka Walton
“Natasha aka Tasha was amazing, her service and personality was outstanding. She answered all the questions we had. Was fast with bringing us bread, drinks , and food. She was very attentive even when it was busy. 100/10 highly recommended asking for her table.”
- The Nephews
“My server was Gerald and he had such amazing customer services. As a chef and hospitality specialist of 15 years, I can say I really enjoyed my service here. I can’t wait to come back.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Large seafood & steak restaurant decorated by a huge fish tank filled with tropical sea creatures.”
- Has fast service
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for popular for dinner
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- On-site parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Offers delivery
Show more amenities
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Family friendly
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Offers kerbside pickup
- Offerings· 9
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Has private dining room
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Crowd· 4
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Dining options· 6
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Planning· 2
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Usually has a wait
- Service options· 1
- On-site services available
- Highlights· 4
- Has fast service
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Serves local speciality
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Parking· 4
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Plenty of parking
- Valet parking
- Family-friendly· 5
- Good for kids
- Good for kids birthday
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
Location
Seafood restaurants near Aquarium Restaurant
- Josephine's4.66861.1 mi$20–60
oysters (charbroiled and $1), homemade biscuits with jam, crawfish boil
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquarium Restaurant | 4.711,729 | — | $20–40 | immersive fish tank ambiance, crab dip, seafood platter |
| Josephine's | 4.6686 | 1.1 mi | $20–60 | oysters (charbroiled and $1), homemade biscuits with jam, crawfish boil |
The 1 nearest seafood restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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