Patio 44
Gulfport, MS
A chef-driven Creole kitchen on Gulfport's harbor, known for shrimp and grits, catfish and grits, and a patio looking out at the lighthouse and marina.
Atmosphere
Patio 44 sits on Gulfport's harbor near Jones Park, purpose-built in a Southern-plantation style with a patio that looks out over the marina and the Gulfport Lighthouse. Inside, the dining room carries that same dressed-up Southern feel through to a wine cellar room for private dining, a step above the beach seafood shacks nearby. It's a step dressier and pricier than most Gulf Coast casual dining, the kind of spot suited to a nicer dinner out rather than a quick lunch off the highway, though the harbor view keeps it from feeling stuffy.
What to Order
Shrimp and grits, built on a Gouda-grits base, is the dish Patio 44 is best known for, and the catfish and grits version gives Gulf Coast regulars a familiar local fish in the same rich preparation. Weekend brunch adds another reason to visit beyond dinner, and the Creole-leaning menu covers enough ground beyond the signature grits dishes to make a return visit worth it. The harbor and lighthouse view from the patio makes an evening meal here feel like more of an occasion than the food alone would suggest.
Good to Know
Patio 44 takes reservations, worth using for a weekend dinner or brunch given the view-facing patio seats go first. It's family-friendly but leans a step dressier and pricier than the beach seafood shacks nearby, so it fits better as a planned dinner than a casual walk-in. Parking is on-site near the harbor. Weekend brunch is a draw of its own, so consider booking that instead of dinner if you want a quieter, daytime version of the same harbor view.
Our Take
Patio 44 earns its reputation on the shrimp and grits alone, and the harbor-and-lighthouse view from the patio makes it one of the better settings for a Gulfport dinner. It costs more than the fried-seafood spots along the highway, and that's the trade-off: a nicer setting and a more composed plate. It's best for a date night, a celebration dinner, or a leisurely weekend brunch rather than a fast bite between stops.
Details last verified August 2026. Always confirm current hours and menu directly with the restaurant.