Ocean Springs is a town best enjoyed on foot. Park the car, and Government Street and Washington Avenue will take care of the rest: donuts and coffee in the morning, po'boys and barbecue at lunch, date-night dinners, and patios that stay busy well after sunset. These are the places we send our friends and family, and the ones we go back to ourselves. Pull up a chair, say hello to the locals, and taste why we love calling this little coastal town home.

Once you're on Washington Avenue, the pace slows down a little: shaded sidewalks, coffee out front in the morning, and some of our favorite date-night tables in town.

Morning Coffee & Breakfast

Tato-Nut Donut Shop

World-famous donuts to start your morning. Get there early, because they do run out. They're currently open Tuesday through Saturday, so plan your donut mornings around it.
1114 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

The District Coffee Company

A great place to start your morning, right in the middle of Government Street. Grab a coffee and wander downtown from here.
1301 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · districtcoffeeco.com

Bright-Eyed Brew Co.

Start your day with the locals sitting out front. This family-owned shop is known for its nitro cold brew, and they make a fine hot cup too.
623 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · brighteyedbrew.com

Fat Spoon Cafe

Another of our favorite breakfast spots. Think shrimp and grits, Belgian waffles and beignet sticks, served for breakfast and lunch.
1013 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Lazy Oak Bistreaux

Down on Porter Avenue, Lazy Oak brings New Orleans-style brunch to Ocean Springs, from beignets to benedicts. Seating is first come, first served, so call ahead for the wait.
503 Porter Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · lazyoakbrunch.com

Lil' Market Deli & Bagelry

Just off Government, with the best bagel sandwiches south of New York City. The bagels are hand-rolled and kettle-boiled, and the deli slices Boar's Head to order.
720 Bellande Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

The Lady May

Our go-to on Washington Avenue for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morning or night, it's always a good call.
708 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · theladymay.com

Blue Dog Bistro

Great for breakfast and brunch, at the corner of Government Street and MLK. There are plenty of vegan, keto and gluten-free options and a full barista bar. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1801 Government St, Suite A, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · bluedogbistro.com

Lunch & Casual Bites

CRAVE Food Hall

The Coast's first food hall puts eight chef-driven kitchens under one roof, so everyone in your group gets what they want. PROOF Cocktail Bar is inside too, and the courtyard is a nice place to linger.
1515 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · os1515.com/crave-food-hall

Marcello's – A Taste of New Orleans

Wonderful plate lunches and a taste of New Orleans Italian style.
1019 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · marcellosoceansprings.com

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

Fantastic gyros and an incredibly lively bar scene. Later in the day there's live music, especially on weekends.
1107 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · gloryboundgyroco.com

The Burger Bar

The new burger bar on Government Street, which moved out of CRAVE into its own spot this spring. Expect stacked burgers and smash burgers, wings, 15 beers on tap, and the game on the TVs.
1314 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Murky Waters Blues & BBQ

Barbecue and blues right downtown, with plenty of room to spread out.
1312 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · murkywatersbbq.com

Pleasant's BBQ

A family-owned local institution since 1982 and one of the oldest restaurants in town. They smoke ribs, pork, brisket and sausage, and there are collard greens on the side. Open Tuesday through Saturday.
1415 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

The Crawfish House & Grill

Casual outdoor dining built around boiled crawfish and seafood, with cold beer and daily specials. It's family-friendly and dog-friendly, and closed Tuesdays.
1801 Government St, Unit D, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · crawfishhouseos.com

Tom's Extreme Pizzeria

Our pick for pizza night, with pies, flatbreads and sandwiches. Delivery is available when you'd rather stay in.
1006 Robinson St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Knuckleheads

Down at Washington and Porter. Southern food with a twist (crawfish, burgers, daily specials) and more than 60 craft beers, with a covered patio out back.
522 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · knuckleheads228.com

Eat Drink Love

Fresh, chef-made lunches with a porch overlooking the bayou. In the evening, head upstairs for drinks at the bar.
701 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · eatdrinklove701.com

Bacchus on the Bayou

Cajun and Creole cooking on the bayou for lunch and dinner, from oysters to po'boys, with outdoor seating and happy hour.
705 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · eatbacchus.com

Dinner & Date Night

Field's Italian

Great for date night: a lively dinner, good drinks and good wine.
1106 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · fieldsitalianos.com

Maison de Lu

A great date night on Washington Avenue. It was voted Best Date Night Spot by the Sun Herald and is known for fresh local catch and specialty meats, with a heated courtyard if you'd like it quieter. Reservations suggested for dinner.
626 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · maisondelu.com

Desi Vega's Steakhouse

When it's a steak night, this is the spot. Dinner nightly except Sunday, with happy hour on weekdays.
1555 Government St, Suite B, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · desivegasoceansprings.com

Vestige

Fine dining at its best. It's a small, seasonal tasting-menu restaurant and was a James Beard Awards finalist for Outstanding Restaurant. Book ahead; it's open Tuesday through Saturday.
715 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Maringouin at The Roost

Fine dining at The Roost on Porter Avenue, with a speakeasy to find after dinner. Chef Lauren Joffrion's menu pairs Gulf Coast ingredients with global flavors.
604 Porter Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · themaringouin.com

Bars, Patios & Nightlife

Government Street Grocery

Allen's longtime personal favorite, and where we feel Government Street nightlife began. Burgers, cold beer, a patio and live music.
1210 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · governmentstreetgrocery.com

Mosaic

Another spot where Government Street nightlife got its start. Expect globally inspired small plates, craft beer and cocktails, a patio and live music.
1010 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · mosaictapasrestaurant.com

The Office Bar & Lounge

It anchors the corner of Government and Washington and is a great place to start or finish your night on Government Street. Try the house-infused vodkas, and feel free to bring your own food.
1000 Government St, Suite A, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · theofficeoceansprings.com

Eleven

A great patio with wonderful cocktails. Try a Southern classic like the Mississippi Punch.
1213 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · elevenoceansprings.com

Red Apple Lounge

When you want a strong cocktail. It's a craft cocktail bar with a playful nod to Quentin Tarantino's films.
1016 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · redapplelounge.com

The Garage at Cash Alley

Across the street from Field's, on the iconic Cash Alley. It's a great place to watch games, set in a 1970s service garage with roll-up doors, arcade games and a full kitchen.
1025 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · cashalleygarage.com

Lost Spring Brewing Co.

Great local brews and cocktails, a short stroll off Government Street.
700 Bellande Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · lostspringbrewing.com

Sweets Lounge

A great dive bar on Porter Avenue, but smoky. It's the oldest bar in Ocean Springs (since 1942), with cheap cold beer and a crowd for Saints games.
421 Porter Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Gil's Fish Camp & Bayou Bar

A dive bar right on Fort Bayou. Grab a cold beer or a Bushwacker and watch the water.
1024 Legion Ln, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

The Collective

A creative campus on Porter Avenue (and home to our office!) with a community garden and green space. Corktown Wine is open now with regular tastings, and The Book Porter (books, coffee and wine bar) and Ashiro, from the Vestige team, are opening soon.
401 Porter Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 · oceanspringscollective.com