What's New in the Coastal Bend Food & Drink World this Month

Table Talk: What’s New in the Coastal Bend Food & Drink World this April

From new food & drink options in Downtown Corpus Christi to a new festival dedicated to oysters, here’s what we’ve got our eyes on in the local cuisine world.

Lazy Beach Brewing in Corpus Christi, Texas

Photo by Rachel Benavides

In our monthly Table Talk series, we gather a few food-and-drink-related headlines into one place for your convenience. From new local restaurants to menu additions and beyond, here’s what we’ve got our eye on this month.

Water Street Oyster Bar to Host Oyster Festival

Toast to the end of Texas’ wild oyster season with the inaugural Texas Oyster Roundup hosted by Water Street Oyster Bar this month on Apr. 22. The event will feature live music, panel discussions, guest speakers, marine conservation booths and vendors and, of course, plenty of oysters to eat!

Water Street Oyster Bar is hosting the Texas Oyster Round Up in Corpus Christi this April.
Water Street Oyster Bar is hosting the Texas Oyster Round Up on Apr. 22. Photo courtesy of Water Street Oyster Bar

The menu for the event includes the Raw Bar, complete with Copano uno oysters, wild gulf oysters, cucumber jalapeno lime granita, oyster shooters with bloody Mary, u-peel ‘em shrimp, Campechanga with fried saltines and smoked fish dip with fried saltines. The Fry Station features deep-fried oysters, pecan-crusted oysters, Po’boys with half-size oysters or shrimp and a fried fish sandwich (all of which come on a bed of fries or hush puppies). Lastly, the Grill Station will feature wood-fried Copano uno oysters, New Orleans chargrilled oysters, Tex-Mex chipotle butter oysters and grilled shrimp skewers. Hungry yet?

Bien Mérité Makes Plans For New Location

Last month, the popular local bakery announced its purchase of the historic Dobson Building located at 3104 S. Alameda. In a Facebook post shared by the bakery, they stated that their hope is for the project to “add to the beauty and value of the community.”

Corpus Christi bakery Bien Mérité is set to move into the historic Dobson Building in 2024
Bien Mérité will move into the historic Dobson Building, which was once used as the original Whataburger headquarters. Photo courtesy of Bien Mérité  

After going through a rezoning process, owner Michelle Fraedrick Alafghani was eventually able to purchase the building that will house the beloved bakery come 2024. With a bigger location, there’s no telling what this powerhouse local business will do in this exciting new chapter.

New Downtown Developments Include Food & Drink Options

Five new development projects in Downtown Corpus Christi involve more food and drink options in the area. In addition to new dining options for locals and tourists alike, some of the new developments will activate long-standing vacant buildings in the area.

The new businesses include 605 Elite, a luxury bar and restaurant with a cocktail garden located at 605 Mesquite St. in a building originally built in the 1930s. Gallery 41 will be a new restaurant inside the Art Center of Corpus Christi with an outdoor patio. A local favorite, Lazy Beach Brewing will open a second location at 312 N. Chaparral St., and offer a lineup of new brews, along with mainstay favorites served at the original Southside location.

Lazy Beach Brewing in Corpus Christi, Texas
A second location for Lazy Beach Brewing is coming to Downtown Corpus Christi. Photo by Rachel Benavides

A new parklet and awning will be constructed in front of the latest project to come from local producer El Dusty, OK HiFi. Reminiscent of a Japanese whiskey bar and vinyl lounge, the new bar and its parklet will offer an additional gathering space in the area. Lastly, a new construction build of a 126-room Homewood Suites at 301-309 N Chaparral St. with the ground level including three leasable spaces available for restaurants (or retail). The hotel also plans to have a rooftop bar.

The Sand Bar Opens in Port Aransas

A new local watering hole has opened in Port Aransas. The Sand Bar includes a lineup of delicious cocktails and a full bar, yard games and live music on the weekends. With indoor, patio and rooftop seating options, there’s a seat for everyone!

Looking for more local food content? Check out our list of 23 local restaurants to eat at now.