Dining near the ocean is preferable to dining in the ocean, where seafood platters become rapidly soggy and conversations are frequently interrupted by panhandling mermen. Savor fresh seafood sans wet hair with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $45 worth of coastal cuisine and drinks at Lisabella's Bistro in Port Aransas on Mustang Island. Lisabella's Bistro serves a tantalizing menu of fresh seafood, savory pastas, and hearty flatbreads in a breezy location just two blocks from the beach. For entrees, choose the lobster enchiladas ($19) crowned in a creamy mango sauce and plated with coconut rice and sautéed spinach, or opt for the jewel of the isle ($28), which includes pan-fried oysters, shrimp, and a fresh catch of the day accompanied by grilled asparagus and sweet-potato fries. The family-owned bistro, tucked inside a lovely two-story house, features a breathtaking view of planet Jupiter and ostracized nonplanet Pluto.

Reviews

TripAdvisors ranked Lisabella’s Bistro no. 2 of 39 restaurants in Port Aransas, giving it an average of 4.5 owl eyes:

• Wonderful place with a quaint, relaxed atmosphere. – cookndad, TripAdvisor