Hidden Gems of Biloxi: 8 Local Spots Only Locals Know About

Tourists flock to Biloxi’s famous casinos and pristine beaches, but ask any local where they actually spend their time, and you’ll discover an entirely different city. As a roofing company in Biloxi, MS that’s been serving this community for years, we’ve learned that the real magic of our coastal home happens in the quiet corners tourists never find—the family-owned cafes where everyone knows your order, the fishing spots where locals land trophy catches, and the hidden viewpoints where Gulf sunsets look somehow more spectacular.

These are the places we visit between job sites, where we grab morning coffee before heading to roof inspections, and where we celebrate completed projects with our crews. This is the Biloxi we’re proud to call home, and today we’re sharing our favorite hidden gems with fellow neighbors who appreciate authentic Gulf Coast living.

1. Back Bay Boardwalk – The Local’s Waterfront Escape

While crowds pack the beachfront casinos, locals escape to the Back Bay area for peaceful waterfront moments. The boardwalk areas scattered along Back Bay Boulevard offer stunning views across calm waters where dolphins frequently play and fishing boats glide past heading to morning catches. Early mornings bring joggers and dog walkers, while evenings attract couples seeking quiet sunset spots away from tourist hustle.

The best access points aren’t marked with big signs—look for the small parking areas between Porter Avenue and Beauvoir Road. Local families spread picnics on the grass, kids cast fishing lines from the banks, and neighbors catch up on life while pelicans dive for dinner. It’s the Biloxi that existed before casinos, where community happens naturally and nobody’s in a rush.

2. Biloxi Shrimping Trip – Authentic Maritime Experience

Forget the generic tourist charters—Biloxi Shrimping Trip offers something genuinely special. Local shrimpers take small groups out on working boats, demonstrating traditional netting techniques that have been passed down through generations. You’ll pull nets, learn to sort catches, and hear stories about life on the water that no scripted tour can match.

Captain crews share insights about reading water conditions, understanding shrimp behavior, and navigating the Mississippi Sound, like their grandfathers taught them. The experience connects you to Biloxi’s maritime heritage in ways museum exhibits simply can’t capture. Plus, you’ll take home fresh Gulf shrimp that tastes infinitely better than anything from a grocery store.

3. Le Bakery & Cafe – Hidden Culinary Fusion

Tucked away where tourists rarely venture, Le Bakery & Cafe serves the kind of food that makes locals protective of their secret spots. The French-Vietnamese fusion reflects our Gulf Coast’s diverse cultural heritage, creating unexpected combinations that make perfect sense. The yellow coconut Thai curry chicken po’boy has achieved near-legendary status among regulars who’d rather not share this gem with the world.

The modest storefront doesn’t advertise much, relying instead on word of mouth from neighbors who stumble in for morning coffee and discover incredible banh mi sandwiches alongside traditional French pastries. It’s the kind of place where the owner remembers your usual order and asks about your family.

4. Mary Mahoney’s Courtyard – Historic Dining Sanctuary

Yes, Mary Mahoney’s Old French House is technically well-known, but here’s the insider secret: the courtyard. While tourists book the indoor dining rooms, locals request tables under the massive 2,000-year-old live oak tree in the courtyard. The dappled shade, historic ambiance, and Spanish moss create an atmosphere that transports diners to another era entirely.

The courtyard fills with locals celebrating anniversaries, closing business deals, and introducing out-of-town relatives to what makes Biloxi special. Order the shrimp remoulade or seafood gumbo a la creole, but honestly, you’re there for the setting as much as the food. This is where Biloxi’s French colonial history comes alive in the most magical way possible.

5. Secret Fishing Spots Along the Sound

Local anglers guard their favorite spots carefully, but we’ll share a general secret: some of the best fishing happens at the less obvious pier and bank access points scattered along the Sound. Early mornings at the public piers near Point Cadet bring local fishermen pursuing speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, using techniques they learned from their fathers and grandfathers.

The conversation flows as easily as the tide—advice on bait selection, updates on family news, and shared frustration or celebration over the day’s catches. These spots represent Biloxi’s soul more authentically than any tourist attraction, where neighbors gather not because they have to but because they want to, bound by shared passion for the water and what it provides.

6. Mockingbird Cafe – Bay St. Louis Breakfast Haven

Just a short drive west brings you to Mockingbird Cafe in neighboring Bay St. Louis, where locals from across the coast make pilgrimages for breakfast that justifies the drive. Their tagline, “Happiness is Homemade,” isn’t marketing fluff—it’s the truth you can taste in every dish.

The pulled pork and grits will change your perspective on breakfast possibilities, but be sure to order the side of potatoes, regardless of the entrée you choose. They’ve achieved potato perfection through some combination of technique and magic that defies explanation. The “Skip the Plastic” policy reflects the community values that make our coastal region special—neighbors caring about more than just profits.

7. Cat Island Coffeehouse and Pass Christian Books

Cross the Bay St. Louis Bridge to Pass Christian, and you’ll find this perfect pairing housed in the same building. Cat Island Coffeehouse serves exceptional coffee and treats, while Pass Christian Books feeds your mind with an impressive collection emphasizing Mississippi authors. The loft space and outside seating create ideal spots for spending lazy afternoons with a good book and better coffee.

Locals treat this as their living room—meeting friends, working remotely, and engaging in the kind of unhurried conversation that doesn’t happen at chain coffee shops. The building itself feels like a neighborhood secret, the sort of place you’d walk past a hundred times before discovering the treasure inside.

8. Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum – Cultural Time Capsule

While tourists rush past the L & N Train Depot, locals appreciate the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum housed inside this Mississippi Landmark. The vibrant folk art displays capture Southern life through an authentic lens that resonates with anyone who grew up in this region. Moseley’s work celebrates the everyday beauty and character of Gulf Coast living in a way that feels both nostalgic and timeless.

The museum stays wonderfully uncrowded, allowing visitors to linger over pieces that spark memories and appreciation for local artistic traditions. Combined with the depot’s transport heritage displays, it provides a comprehensive view of how our region evolved while maintaining its cultural distinctiveness.

Why These Places Matter

As a roofing company in Biloxi, MS, we drive past these hidden gems daily, stopping for morning coffee before heading to job sites and celebrating completed projects at local restaurants. These places represent more than just good food or pretty views—they’re the connective tissue that binds our community together.

When we help families recover from storm damage or install FORTIFIED-roof certified systems that protect homes during hurricanes, we’re not just completing transactions; we’re making a lasting impact. We’re ensuring that the families who support these local businesses, who fish these secret spots, and who gather in these quiet corners can continue building lives here. Mandy, one of our customers, shared: “Reliable service and quality of material. The new roof made my home look fresh again, and now I can get insurance coverage on my roof again.”

These hidden gems thrive because locals choose to support them, recommend them to trusted friends, and continue to come back year after year. They’re proof that Biloxi’s heart beats strongest not in the neon lights of the Strip but in the quiet moments shared between neighbors who genuinely care about this place and each other.

Discovering Your Own Hidden Gems

The best way to find Biloxi’s hidden treasures? Talk to locals, explore side streets, and resist the urge to follow tourist guides. Stop at the seafood market where workers are cleaning catches, ask regulars at coffee shops for recommendations, and pay attention when someone mentions their favorite spot with a protective tone that suggests they’re sharing something special.

Our locally owned and operated team frequently encounters these conversations—homeowners sharing their favorite restaurants during roof consultations, neighbors recommending fishing spots while we’re completing installations, and community members connecting over their shared love for places that make Biloxi uniquely wonderful.