Downtown Aquarium

(713) 223-3474

410 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77002 29.7644 -95.3668

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Neighborhoods: Downtown, Central

aquariumrestaurants.com/downt…

Hours:

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Last updated 8.05.11

Category:

Restaurants, Attractions, Aquariums, Wholesale Chemical Products

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Carry Out

Cuisine:

Seafood, Traditional American

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Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Downtown Aquarium

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Appeal – Houston's first public aquarium was designed to entertain the masses. The $38-million world-class complex, perched on the redeveloped 400 block of Bagby, boasts 500,000 gallons of visible underwater tanks with more than 200 species of marine life--and that's just skimming the surface. – – Features – At this classy carnival, expect rides and amusements for the entire family. The Shark Voyage is a highlight: Travel via train into an acrylic tunnel with live sharks swimming overhead. Ride the 100-foot Diving Bell Ferris wheel for an incredible view of the…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
In addition to the aquarium, there is also a tiger exhibit featuring a large viewing area for four white tigers.
Know Before You Go:
First come, first served basis in the restaurants.
Save Money:
Purchase tickets at the main entrance and several locations throughout the site. Rides and amusements are all priced separately. Kids under 2 get in free.
Parking:
Valet and on-site paid parking ($6 for a full day). Additional parking is available at the Wortham Center, entrances 1, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
ambiance
84.5199966430664% positive
  1. “The views of the tank are great but quickly get old.”
  2. “It is a cool atmosphere - I will give them that.”
  3. “The food was delicious and atmosphere was romantic.”
  4. “another mystery on how they got away with that)The boardwalk type games are all very fun but also very expensive.”
  5. “The atmosphere is very cozy.”
  6. “Expensive bad food, with a cool atmosphere.”
  7. “All of our employee's were impressed with the beautiful aquariums along with the gorgeous decor.”
  8. “Downtown Aquarium of 410 Bagby here in Houston, Texas is a nice place, for entertainment and fun, for people of all ages.”
  9. “The rides at the Downtown Houston location are fun but not to the standard of the Kemah Boardwalk.”
  10. “The aquariums are really cool, but the rest of the decor is fairly cheesy.”
  11. “The place was very nice and we had lots of fun!”
  12. “With a very nice view of Downtown Houston.”
  13. “It is too small, narrow aisles crowded with strollers, small aquariums, crowded, long lines, parking is too expensive ($3 per hour) as is everything else ($7.50 to get in the aquarium, 4.50 for the train ride, 3.50 for the ferris wheel, and $2.50 for the ”
  14. “did enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant and was quite impressed with my surroundings (the shark tank was incredible!)”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “don't mind spending that much for a nice meal, but all we had was: an appetizer, soup, child's entree, child's desert, and a coke.”
  2. “The desserts were GREAT and we thought the kids' buffet (kids choices, buffet lowered so kids could reach it) was a cute idea.”
food quality
39.34999942779541% positive
  1. “It was relaxing to watch the fish, made for great entertainment and conversation.”
  2. “The fish exhibit is tiny, the food is really expensive and there is no shade to sit in and eat.”
  3. “My son had oysters that were so small and hard he couldn't even eat them and the shrimp was of poor quality and even the little onion rings were gone.”
  4. “Same story each time - presentation is good but food is cold when it arrives and does not taste fresh.”
  5. “The food is horribly overpriced for the quality.”
  6. “bad food, overpriced mother's day buffet!”
  7. “The food was delicious and atmosphere was romantic.”
  8. “The aquarium is not that big but it has a nice variety of fish.”
  9. “have eaten at both the one in Kemah and Downtown and the food is not good.”
  10. “We don't recommend the food and we did not get good service!”
  11. “and the portions of food was great.”
  12. “The food is consistently good.”
  13. “don't mind spending that much for a nice meal, but all we had was: an appetizer, soup, child's entree, child's desert, and a coke.”
  14. “It's over proced, the waiters we had was very bad (always absent, it took 25 minutes to get tartar sauce) and for the money, the food is pretty mediocre.”
  15. “My food (parents ate from the menu) was very good.”
  16. “Everyone thought the food was great with the exception of "Debbie Downer" who complained about everything the whole night.”
  17. “When i first went to the DTAQ i tought the food was a little expensive but honestly how often do you eat next to thousands of gallons of water with stingrays and huge fishes next to you, it is definetly worth it.”
  18. “On a side note, the waiter offfered us hot french bread, which I guess to some people means cold sourdough.”
  19. “The food was good.”
  20. “We went to the Aquarium for lunch on a Tuesday and not only was it overpriced ($14 for a salad & $6 to park) but the service was horrible!”
  21. “The aquarim has great fish and a great selection of rare and exotic animals.”
  22. “The fried fish was not so great.”
  23. “they should have charged only 10$ per head for the food which was really bad!”
  24. “think there is a hidden charge that goes with overpriced food to see the aquarium.”
  25. “The food was ok, just like the other chain restaurants owned by Landry's this place just did not have good foo.”
  26. “Sure the aquarium is nice, any fish like that is nice, but WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for what it is.”
  27. “Terrible food.”
  28. “We loved the aquarium with all the fish but otherwise the service was not good!”
  29. “The food was great!”
  30. “food is horrible”
  31. “The workers are very displeased and this is reflected in the poor food : sometimes overcooked, the hot food is cold, etc. etc. because one cook needs cover until 3 places.”
  32. “However, the food and the service was very good.”
  33. “The food was mediocre, you can get food that they serve at other seafood restaurants for cheaper and better service.”
  34. “enjoyed the food in this Aquarium Restauran but now , there is a bad service.”
  35. “Expensive bad food, with a cool atmosphere.”
  36. “The food is too expensive and not very good although the crab dip was good and the scenery was great!”
menu variety
87.5% positive
  1. “My food (parents ate from the menu) was very good.”
  2. “The aquarium is not that big but it has a nice variety of fish.”
  3. “The desserts were GREAT and we thought the kids' buffet (kids choices, buffet lowered so kids could reach it) was a cute idea.”
  4. “The aquarim has great fish and a great selection of rare and exotic animals.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Downtown Aquarium of 410 Bagby here in Houston, Texas is a nice place, for entertainment and fun, for people of all ages.”
  2. “It is a great place for Kids as far as entertainment.”
  3. “All in all, it's a great place to visit!”
  4. “The scenery is nice, some of the attractions are cute, and the place is decorated very well, but the dining experience bites.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Our children wanted to go back but only to enjoy the outdoor features.”
service
47.5% positive
  1. “We don't recommend the food and we did not get good service!”
  2. “Downtown Aquarium of 410 Bagby here in Houston, Texas is a nice place, for entertainment and fun, for people of all ages.”
  3. “In addition, the service was slow and unfriendly, why is that?”
  4. “friendly service”
  5. “Terrible customer service.”
  6. “We loved the aquarium with all the fish but otherwise the service was not good!”
  7. “No good service what so ever.”
  8. “The food was mediocre, you can get food that they serve at other seafood restaurants for cheaper and better service.”
  9. “On a side note, the waiter offfered us hot french bread, which I guess to some people means cold sourdough.”
  10. “Its great for people that are touring Houston and even a great escape for Houstonians.”
  11. “The service was acceptable, the waiters were organized and polite.”
  12. “$41 Lunch for baby and me, poor service”
  13. “However, the food and the service was very good.”
  14. “Slow & expensive with horrible service”
  15. “Both management and the wait staff made us all feel right at home and took very good care of everyone.”
  16. “the service there was excellent.”
  17. “It's over proced, the waiters we had was very bad (always absent, it took 25 minutes to get tartar sauce) and for the money, the food is pretty mediocre.”
  18. “enjoyed the food in this Aquarium Restauran but now , there is a bad service.”
  19. “poor service at the restaurant,too much money for the day pass, (and you can only enjoy 2 rides) my kids can"t play any of the games because the employee can't break a 100.00 dlls bill!”
  20. “We went to the Aquarium for lunch on a Tuesday and not only was it overpriced ($14 for a salad & $6 to park) but the service was horrible!”
value
31.670000553131104% positive
  1. “Slow & expensive with horrible service”
  2. “Thank you for making our party a huge success.”
  3. “The food is horribly overpriced for the quality.”
  4. “Sitting next to a huge aquarium full of sharks, stingrays and swordfish while you eat is not something you get to do everyday.”
  5. “and the portions of food was great.”
  6. “bad food, overpriced mother's day buffet!”
  7. “another mystery on how they got away with that)The boardwalk type games are all very fun but also very expensive.”
  8. “The fish exhibit is tiny, the food is really expensive and there is no shade to sit in and eat.”
  9. “poor service at the restaurant,too much money for the day pass, (and you can only enjoy 2 rides) my kids can"t play any of the games because the employee can't break a 100.00 dlls bill!”
  10. “think there is a hidden charge that goes with overpriced food to see the aquarium.”
  11. “When i first went to the DTAQ i tought the food was a little expensive but honestly how often do you eat next to thousands of gallons of water with stingrays and huge fishes next to you, it is definetly worth it.”
  12. “After I saw the overpriced figures, I quickly made a u-turn and told my wife we had to leave.”
  13. “Food is expensive and poor quality.”
  14. “The price is reasonable.”
  15. “It's over proced, the waiters we had was very bad (always absent, it took 25 minutes to get tartar sauce) and for the money, the food is pretty mediocre.”
  16. “The restaurant is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, overpriced and not professional at all.”
  17. “Attractions are expensive as well.”
  18. “It is too small, narrow aisles crowded with strollers, small aquariums, crowded, long lines, parking is too expensive ($3 per hour) as is everything else ($7.50 to get in the aquarium, 4.50 for the train ride, 3.50 for the ferris wheel, and $2.50 for the ”
  19. “The food is too expensive and not very good although the crab dip was good and the scenery was great!”
  20. “We went to the Aquarium for lunch on a Tuesday and not only was it overpriced ($14 for a salad & $6 to park) but the service was horrible!”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “In addition, the service was slow and unfriendly, why is that?”
  2. “It is too small, narrow aisles crowded with strollers, small aquariums, crowded, long lines, parking is too expensive ($3 per hour) as is everything else ($7.50 to get in the aquarium, 4.50 for the train ride, 3.50 for the ferris wheel, and $2.50 for the ”
  3. “It's over proced, the waiters we had was very bad (always absent, it took 25 minutes to get tartar sauce) and for the money, the food is pretty mediocre.”
  4. “The aquarium is so small you are done with it in 10 minutes, but the most appaling part is the Tiger exhibit - this poor animal lives only INDOORS in a small room with no grass and nothing remotely that mimics the natural habitat.”
  5. “We waited AN HOUR for the stupid little three-minute train ride for the shark voyage.”
  6. “The shark tank on the train ride is pretty neat, but the sharks aren't as big as they lead you to think - and you only get about 4 minute to watch - then the train is on its way.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/16/12

Downtown Aquarium

by hernandez32

When I think of the Aquarium, I think of the ambience, the white tigers, the HUGE aquarium in the middle of the restaurant, the appetizers and drinks, NOT the entrees. The food is decent but I wouldn't say the pricey meals is all what you're paying for. You're paying for the scenery and environment, which is completely worth it!

But warning...there is never not a wait to eat dinner at this place! One time, my boyfriend and I waited 2 hours for a table. But luckily they have a downstairs cafe where you can order drinks and appetizers to pass the time or you can enjoy the rides, games and see the aquarium and white tigers while you wait. I would say it's definitely worth the trip.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/30/11

Fun and Entertaining

by Kids In Motion Daycare Hm

I have visited the Aquarium with my youngest adult daughter on more than on occassion. I just recently took my Daycare preschoolers to the Aquarium as we were learning about Ocean Life.

The children loved it and requested that we go again, and we did. Wish the place could have been a little bigger, however, considering the space... it is a nice get-away and adventure.

I visited the restaurant with my oldest daughter when she was home on leave from the Army and had no complaints. The food is great.

3 Star Rating: Average

06/18/11

Drink and play at Tilman Fertitta's seven-acre, downtown aqu

by AlainHarvey

Drink and play at Tilman Fertitta's seven-acre, downtown aquatic adventure.

The Appeal

Houston's first public aquarium was designed to entertain the masses. The $38-million world-class complex, perched on the redeveloped 400 block of Bagby, boasts 500,000 gallons of visible underwater tanks with more than 200 species of marine life--and that's just skimming the surface.

The restaurant has an extensive menu that specializes in seafood, steaks, salads, pasta, chicken and other main entrees. Appetizers such as shrimp and crab dip, crispy calamari, and Maryland crab cake are a few of the aquarium favorites that bring patrons to the downtown restaurant. Patrons can view various sharks, marine plants, and a large range of other fish while dining. It is a family-friendly environment that attracts people of all ages.

Features

At this classy carnival, expect rides and amusements for the entire family. The Shark Voyage is a highlight: Travel via train into an acrylic tunnel with live sharks swimming overhead. Ride the 100-foot Diving Bell Ferris wheel for an incredible view of the city, or the aquatic carousel if you'd rather be grounded. See educational exhibits of themed underwater environments like the Rainforest. Quell your hunger at the Marina Matinee cafe or Aquarium restaurant; quench your thirst at the Dive Lounge. Thinking big? The Nautilus Ballroom accommodates 450 people.

Although the kids will probably be too distracted by the giant residents of the wall-size aquariums to notice, the food at the simply named Aquarium Restaurant is good -- really good. Sure parent-pleasers include the tortilla crusted shrimp salad (a house specialty) and sautéed gulf snapper. Although the kids' menu is not quite as inspired (pasta, miniature burgers, and chicken tenders), your little ones will devour every bite if they can tear themselves away from looking at the fish.

More upscale than the other Landry family restaurants that include a crab shack and cantina theme, the Aquarium Restaurant of Houston has a menu includes anything from fish and shrimp to burgers and steaks. For an appetizer, enjoy shrimp cocktails, oysters on the half-shell or crab wontons. The menu also includes items like the shrimp tortilla club sandwich, blackened redfish and sautéed red snapper with crab-avocado pico de gallo.

With the museum-like environment and live sharks, this restaurant is very kid-friendly. While the prices are a little higher than most restaurants, you definitely get your money’s worth of ambience. Whether you visit the downtown or Kemah restaurant, you should make time to visit the Aquarium Restaurant at least once.

No admission required. The restaurant has its own entry, so aquarium admission is not required to dine here. It's a great way to see aquatic life without touring the entire aquarium.

Expect the expected. The aquarium's theme park rides are right outside the restaurant door. Expect the inevitable pleas to ride.

1 Star Rating: Poor

05/11/11

Been sick for 2 days

by CSMobileUser6

Ate at the Aquarium Friday night and its Sunday and I still have stomache cramps! A friend warned me before going becuase she too got sick. She had crabs and I the mahi mahi with crab. Been there before and thought is was over prices but this is where our clients choose... Never again.. And too bad because it does have a great atmosphere and cool stuff for kids.. Not worth it though

1 Star Rating: Poor

01/22/11

TIGER CRUELTY

by Chrissy8655

The fish are fine.

Parking was expensive and a disaster! No parking! WE drove around for at least 30 min before stalking someone to their car and waiting for their spot.

And, don't get me started on the poor white tigers living in a h hole. Two large tigers live in an extremely tiny cement prison cell. No grass, no light, not even dirt... just cement. And there are thousands of kids and parents banging on the glass that separates the tigers from us... The poor tigers can't get any rest. My cats at home have better life! This is animal cruelty....

The Details on Downtown Aquarium

Place Categories:

  • mediocre bad food
  • poor customer service
  • nice place
  • great food
  • nice place downtown aquarium
  • good service
  • beautiful bengal tigers
  • cool atmosphere
  • ridiculous parking
  • worst houston aquarium
  • very good attractions
  • poor quality
  • fun rides
  • very nice view
  • nice scenery
  • not recommend restaurant
  • impressive oneofakind shark exhibit
  • beautiful aquariums
  • more enjoyable outdoor features
  • loved kids
  • bad nothing
  • incredible gallon shark tank
  • wonderful family restaurant
  • very good overall experience
  • memorable dining experience

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