Starfish Café

During our visit to Waveland, we found this Cafe on Google Maps. It had such a high rating with what seemed to be genuine reviews and we thought we'd give it a try. We had no idea about the story and mission behind this non-profit, and we were impressed. Sara, our waitress, was absolutely amazing, full of positive energy, and very engaging. The other people working there were equally positive and inviting. Also, the walls are filled with positive affirmations, which I love and is an important mindset. Lastly, the food is delicious and fresh. They offer healthy food that is not just something out of the freezer. We loved it! 😍💯👍

This cute, nonprofit restaurant that trains others to succeed in life was wonderful. The staff was super friendly. The food was delicious (I had the broccoli appetizer which was perfectly cooked/seasoned and the Thai salad). I would recommend to anyone and will definitely be back myself.

What a delightful surprise! It was like fine dining in a casual charismatic ambience, incredible uplifting service, and oh my goodness, the food! Fresh, nutritious, exquisite unique combinations, just yummy! And I love love that you’re supporting an incredible non-profit cause when dining here! Do not hesitate to go!

This is a great little place to have a fresh delicious bite to eat and support a good cause. The interior is bright, clean, and happy. They are a bit short handed but be patient, its worth the waite and the waite staff is so friendly and attentive. We both had the pita wraps an they were tasty, fresh and favorable. The're only open Fri-Sun so save your dine out event and use it to visit this place.

First visit ever to the NEW Starfish Cafe now in Waveland! The food, staff and atmosphere was so wonderful! The burgers were locally sourced and they had a gluten free option for me for the bun! 10/10 coming back again and again! 😸🌟

The 501(C)3 Starfish Cafe on Hwy 603 in Bay St Louis, MS, is fantastic. Very personal, friendly, professional service. I had a burger, cooked to perfection. My dining companion had a chicken yeero. He ate every bite! I highly recommend the Starfish Cafe for their food as well as their mission. The attached photos of the menu are for brunch and Saturday night Italian night.

Absolutely unbelievable. Went the first day and met the owner and had amazing food. Second day we went she immediately recognized us and hugged all of us. The service alone gets 5/5 and the food gets another 5/5. If I lived in the area I would eat here every day 3 times a day.

Fresh, healthy, tasty and local. From the moment that we sipped the ice-cold, unsweet tea from a mason jar, I knew that anything we ordered was going to be truly amazing. I looked across the table at my wife and her eyes confirmed it. If you can figure out the keys to one of the blandest drinks on the planet, I'm telling you that we both got excited. We ordered the hummus and tzatziki with pitas. The fresh hummus had a slight hint of roasted red pepper and the tzatziki popped with mint that made it so, so refreshing. We also had the blackened tuna tacos, and the combination of flavors and perfectly seared yellowfin were beyond expectation. Lastly, we had the Bay Rat pasta with zoodles. I have lived all over the world tasting different kinds of pasta and I easily give this dish a 9.5 out of 10. Di is bringing the taste and flavors of a gourmet restaurant to a little vibrant café. I can't wait to come back and we'll be telling our friends and family to stop by and visit. Di also operates a non-profit experiential learning program for students over the age of 18. They receive On Job Training in restaurant, job, and life skills so when thinking about the tip, throw in more than normal as an in-kind donation. We need more of this in our community.

This is such a sweet little gem of a place with a great story. The menu changes weekly - and that has to do with their story, stop in and see for yourself. The friendliest service we've encountered, and they're happy to be there and helping you. The ambiance is fun - and cute! Food was great, we even tried a dessert we'd never even heard of. Refreshing!

My husband, aunt and I ate here last weekend and we had a great experience! I love that they grow many of their ingredients and they give restaurant experience to teenagers. The service was good and the food was served fast, was fresh and delicious. The decor was simple, cute, and bright. I got the lavender lemonade and it was slightly sweet and refreshing. We shared the Cinnamon rolls which were sweet, delicious and served on a beautiful glass dish. My husband had the eggs Benedict which was served beautifully and delicious. I ordered the do it your way with sour cream and chive grits with cheese, 2 eggs, bread and a savory, crispy piece of bacon. My aunt ordered the Tuna avocado toast which was fresh, savory and full of flavor. Rating from F to A+++ I give it an A+++.

Driving through town, we were the first ones through the door when they opened on a Sunday morning (10 am). We were greeted with the warmest hospitality and seated in the coziest of corners. Our toddler and us, equally entertained by Legos and all the trinkets making up the quirky decor. We had the Mango Caprese Delight, Extraordinary Tuna Avocado Toast, Do it Your Way, side of bacon (simple but highly recommended! Not greasy and crispy) and Cinna-Bites. Everything was fresh, bright, and tasty. We also must say, while non-alcoholic beverages are rarely the focus of a review, you MUST try the sweet tea, it is amazing. With just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of peppermint. Mmmmm. All around, Starfish Cafe has a great environment, great food, and standout personal service.

Friday night dinner at the Starfish Cafe was such a treat!! All of the food we ordered was fresh, flavorful and delicious! The taste combinations were unique and creative-very different from what you can get at most other places in our area. The peach cobbler cheesecake dessert special was probably one of the best desserts I've ever had, and I have had a lot throughout the years! Di has a heart of gold, and it feels good to support such a wonderful cause. The restaurant is BYOB, and they have no issue with you bringing in your own cocktail or bottle of wine (bring your own opener if you need one). It's a little out of the way on Highway 603, but definitely worth it!! PS-I will add that it does take a while to receive your food, but that is to be expected with the quality and "made to order" dishes they serve. We had no problem with this one bit!

Incredibly friendly staff, ADORABLE décor, and an absolutely amazing mission as a 501c3. This is a place that deserves your support. They do great community out reach work and my dining experience was fantastic. AND THE FOOD!!! I have not been impressed by a restaurant in a very long time. My girlfriend and I ordered the blackened tuna tacos, chicken bacon ranch, hummus and tzatziki, and their new kafaiti dessert. Everything we ate was delicious, complex, cooked to perfection, and perfectly portioned. I left feeling full, which is something that rarely happens. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area. Go show Chef Zach and his amazing team some love.

Go, go, go. Trust me. One of the most delicious meals of all our travels. The owner is a sweet, doll who puts her everything into everything. Thank you, Di! The flavors of the dishes have been perfected. The ambiance is peaceful and calm. They have an adorable outside deck facing a canal. It's breathtaking. The front doesn't do it justice. Park and walk in. There are stairs, a ramp and an elevator so everyone can experience this glorious place.

Such a cute place, i just wish their food was better. Servers were very kind, it just took an extremely long time to get our food...however they were just starting back up from being closed for several months + due to COVID..i'll cut them a little slack for that..i want to give them another chance just hope they won't disappoint. They made one of our orders wrong and ran out of the sauce that came with the asian salad so i put balsamic on it and it didn't help flavor it at all. The veggie burger patty was pretty good.

Small town feel with a BUSTLING atmosphere! The service felt like I knew them my whole life and was stoping in to say hello. The place is decorated with an adorable beach theme for a wonderful beach vibe. The food was fresh with lovely options. I personally loved the tuna tacos and would love to try everything they have to offer!

Delicious food! Great selection, excellent, friendly service. Great coastal atmosphere!

Excellent experience! We were enticed to try this place by the reviews as well as the mission. We were not disappointed! Di welcomed us warmly and we really enjoyed her hospitality. The food was the star of the show. I had the lavender lemonade and it was freshly squeezed and incredibly delicious. For my entree, I had the chicken pasta salad. When they said bacon was included, I was not expecting two perfectly cooked slices on the top. The pasta was delightfully creamy and light with a generous portion of chicken mixed in. The others in the group raved about their meals and there was nothing left over. We will definitely be repeat customers!

First time eating here - the Greek lasagna was absolutely delicious! Great tea with a tiny hint of mint, not overpowering but just right. And the service could not be beat! Everyone was so kind and pleasant, and their smiles just warmed my heart. Such a cute and welcoming atmosphere! I definitely plan to be back when I visit my brother. Highly recommended

Owner has an awesome heart and great place that gives back to the community. Delicious food. Awesome setting. Service the best.

It was the first time we have been there and it was great . They have amazing food and the service was delightful This is definitely a place to take your kids. Each kid got a Lego kit to play with wile they wait and after they build something they can put it on the window seal. After they've eaten there food they get a delicious cookie. I most certainly recommend this restaurant. I loved it and I know you will too

We had a wonderful brunch experience today with my whole family. The people are all so friendly and the food was off the charts fabulous. It's for sure a restaurant we will revisit, even if it's an hour and a half from home. My husband and I had the Eggs Sordo........delicious. One Greek sandwich, a salmon quiche, scrambled eggs with bacon and toast and homemade cinnamon rolls. Oh! And the homemade lemonade was really, really good. If you haven't been, do consider a visit!

Adorable decor and theme! Incredible food and delicious lavender lemonade. It was just the right amount of food! Also, out waitress was super nice and helpful! Legitimately the best restaurant I've been to in a while!

I've done dinner and Sunday brunch and this restaurant is amazing. Dinner I chose deconstructed chicken pot pie , it was light flavorful and fresh. The chicken was tender and the sauce light but very well seasoned under a perfect puff pastry. Brunch was memorable, in an area of the same simple breakfast platters their selections were elaborate without being overly complicated. The meal started with appetizer of cinnamon buns. Chewy , hot , packed with flavor and enough glaze to kill a hummingbird, delicious. But that bay rat Benedict was absolutely perfection on a plate. Zenith of poached egg science . The poached egg runny , fresh resting on top of a muffin with the most amazing crawfish and sauce. The crawfish not spicy , tender the natural flavor of the crustacean coming threw not muddled by hot sauce. Served with the best grits I've had in a long time and a Smokey bacon slice, my god best breakfast on the gulf .

Since we are often visitors to the Bay, I've wanted to check this place out for a while. Finally, during Second Saturday, (look it up...it's wonderful) I got my chance. This quaint little cafe seats maybe 20 and the waitresses are so dang sweet you'll feel like you're at home with your mom. So we're seated and presented with menus. Imagine my surprise when there are no prices on the menu. Our waitress informs us it's "pay what you like". WHAAAAATTTT? I'm still reeling over that. Pay what you want?!?! But yes, this is indeed a thing here. No set prices, just good faith in humanity and it works. I've always believed what comes around goes around and here I felt right at home. We started with the spring rolls which were fresh and delicious. For drinks I had a lavender lemonade that I'm still longing for. It was so very good! You should try it for sure if you like lemonade. For my entree I decided on the chicken stir fry which was delicious and came out steaming hot. You can tell everything here is made to order. So glad we tried it finally!

Fabulous. Portions weren't huge but were very filling. Ingredients were fresh and beautifully prepared. The owner understood food allergies and honored those on a relatively large party of 7. We were full and happy when we left. Lovely. Just lovely.

so glad we found this place!! I ordered the gyro and it was the best I'd had in years. Everything came out fast and super fresh. Will definitely be back next time we're in town.

This is REAL food, not the same ol avg seafood and bar food found on the Coast of Mississippi. Starfish is run by chef's not cooks, BIG difference. Everything on menu is AMAZING, service is good, and a pleasant atmosphere SUPPORT the mom and pop restaurants

Italian night did not disappoint! The food is fresh and delicious even with my special dietary needs. The cafe is warm and friendly also spotless. Highly recommend.

Came into the restaurant not knowing what to expect, and we were all pleasantly surprised! Small menu but amazing, flavorful, and healthy options. The staff was kind and overall the environment was very positive and friendly. Had never seen a restaurant with the "name your own price" for such a great, nonprofit, cause! Also, I highly recommend the ahi tuna!!

Wonderful restaurant with an amazing cause. Di the owner and woman extraordinaire started this restaurant as a way to give back to the community. It is open Thursday thru Saturday with a rotating menu. ( check out their website ). No prices set for the food and drinks it is pay as you want. Money goes to provide training in culinary services for a variety of people in need ( for example Foster Kids who age out, those who don't chose the college path, and others in need of training) waitress staff our volunteers. Please visit you won't be disappointed by the food and more importantly by the people you meet and those you patronage is helping !!

Everything you read about this place is true. Great food. Inspired ownership. Good cause. In a world that seems to feed on negativity, Starfish Cafe is an island unto itself. From the funky decor to the sincere, friendly greeting you get when you walk in the door, the first impression is that this is someplace special. I give this place 5 stars, not because it's a 5-star restaurant in the Michelin way, but because it is a surprise for lunch, and an inspiration for life. The charitable aspect not withstanding, it is a fab lunch spot in its own right. When you add to that its social mission, you have something much greater than the sum of its parts.

Oh my God, this place smelled like my maw maw's baked cookies when we walked in. Great everything, food , service and hospitality!!! Our favorite place to eat now whenever we come to visit the Gulf Coast!!!

Great lunch. Friendly atmosphere. Good value. And this area needs your business to rebuild

What a gem! Amazing food, great ambiance and such a unique experience. Highly recommended!!!

Best place in town hands down. Had the Yeero (Gyro) and the Bay Rat Benedict and both were 5 star quality, with the Yeero eeking out the Benedict. The coffee and tea were both fresh and refreshing. Service was 5 star. This place is a gem

Great food. Great concept. Give it a try! We always visit when we're in Bay St. Louis.

When I walked in with my son we where wondering what exactly is this place but once we sat down we fell in love! This place is great and healthy they even have Keto options! I personally think the sweet tea is great they put mint in it and it really brings out the flavour My son and I had the chicken Parmesan on romaine lettuce it was great. They don't give you straws when you get your drinks to save the animals in the ocean but if you want one don't be afraid to ask. You get to pick the price on your food it's all donations. Great people and great service will be back soon -Sara R P.S Don't be hasty the romaine is tasty!

The food was so good and so healthy! Really affordable prices and adorable ambiance inside. The best part was meeting and talking with all the sweet people inside who treated us like family. I never write reviews but absolutely had to for the folks at Starfish!

Fun atmosphere, fast and friendly service, and fresh food. A great place for a casual lunch or if you just want to grab a quick snack and drink to avoid the heat. They're also serving the community by giving students job and life skills through restaurant training. Your meal bill (pay what you'd like) goes toward supporting these programs. Great place!

Do a good deed and enjoy your food too. Can't say enough about the wholesome atmosphere and yummy food. Get some great healthy food ideas to take home too. Call to make sure they're open, stop reading this, and GO!

The menu is unique and special. You can look forward to chefs great creativity. Fun and relaxing atmosphere. Service is personable.

The food was great, the waitress was great. The salmon was done to perfection. The sweet potato fries with the maple dressing excellent. The sweet potato cream cheese pie cake something was excellent. We will return the next time we come this way.

I saw a few cars in front and stopped at the restaurant on Hwy 603 between Hwy 90 and I-10 in Bay St. Louis. It is set back from the highway and a bit hard to see at first. It is called "Starfish". The servers are energetic, friendly and willing to explain not only the food but any questions you might ask. The menu was surprising as it didn't have the usual southern style fried foods. I ordered the Tuna Tacos and was surprised as the tuna was freshly seared cooked in its own juices. It was perfectly cooked with a house sauce lightly dabbed on top. I usually order Southern fried anything from other places but found this to be refreshingly good. The table next to me ordered hamburgers, when served all I could hear from them is how good they were! I heard a waitress explain that all the foods are freshly prepared. This was a really nice change of pace.

It was a serendipitous and momentous occasion when my hubby and I followed the Universe's path to this establishment. Our lives have been forever changed and touched. The mission statement of this restaurant is the definition of true altruism and benevolence. I think Di and Nancy are real life angels! The setting is very welcoming and country chic... With whimsical landscaping wrapped lovingly around the cottage. The food is seraphic, filled with love and light. My husband had, in his words, the most magnificent BLT ever to grace his mouth. I had a superbly fresh ahi tuna salad with vinaigrette. The seared tuna was glorious! Then, the ethereal and truly enchanting Ginger Lime Pie... Save your eternal soul with a slice of this! Did I mention the iced tea? I think it was sweet with a haunting hint of mint. Our little family loves y'all, Starfish Cafe', and we wanna come wash dishes and bus tables for y'all! It would truly be an honor!

Fresh, friendly, and innovative! Their menu is always changing and that's fabulous because I am a regular. Always save room for dessert!!!! I highly recommend the spring rolls and I always try to donate as much as I can to this wonderful place. Ask about everything they do for the community. You will fall in love with them.

This place was fun!! The owner came out to visit with us and visited each table. I had some yummy vegetarian spring rolls and a Mediterranean veggie sandwich that even had dried figs! What's more unique about this place, though, are two concepts. First, it's pay what you like, and the owner says that at the end of the day, the numbers always work out. Second, many of the workers are at the cafe to have a fresh start. It's an internship for them, a way to make their lives better, and she's never turned anyone down. These concepts, along with the decor proclaiming peace, respect and kindness, make me feel like I'm wrapped in a big family style hug!!

What an awesome experience! I was met with a warm and sincere welcome by Mrs. Di, which whom also was our waitress. It is a small very cool decorated house. It is hard to find Gluten Free anywhere and this initially drove me here, but I was surprised by the entire experience. The food was GREAT, it really was, but these people cared about you! I have never been to a restaurant that you paid what you felt like it was worth. They donate any money that is profit! At the end, Mrs. Di gave us "seeds of faith" and said "what you sow in gets multiplied". So cool!!

A must for locals and visitors, alike! DELICIOUS local fare!! The Cuban sandwich & fish tacos were excellent! We had the mint tea and guacamole to start and it didn't disappoint. Di was such a warm and welcoming hostess. Eat here! We'll be back!

The food was delicious and top-notch. My 8yo had a cheese quesadilla, my wife the BLT, and I had Asian chicken romaine lettuce wraps which were all super fresh. We also had lavendar lemonade which was to die for. This place deserves six stars as they are also a nonprofit and you pay what you want.

My favorite little spot to come eat a healthy meal and have a great experience. Love the hospitality and good vibes!

This is a definite lunch "must" in Bay St. Louis. Friendly, efficient and helpful staff serving fresh local food with a delightful twist. Light and healthy, they serve fish and vegetables that aren't the usual fried fare. I love this place and always visit when in town.

Fabulous fabulous meal. Every bite a piece of heaven. So sorry to live far away. I would be a regular here. If you love small plates with big taste, you won't be disappointed.

This magical place was so much fun! The salad was delicious. The spring rolls were excellent too. The lavender lemonade was yummy. The staff was beyond courteous. I can't wait to go back again.

Excellent surprise! Blackened catfish was terrific! Great cause and Ms. Di makes you feel at home the minute you walk in!!

We're visiting from TN and so glad we found this little gem. Everything about this place, from the gardens of herbs and vegetables growing in the yard to the lavender/allspice salt scrub in the bathroom add to the sweet experience. The food was extremely fresh and so tasty. I promise you've never been to a place with more personable, friendly staff. It's definitely a mission worth supporting. We enjoyed the fresh spring rolls with peanut butter spread, a club sandwich and Greek salad. For desert-the key lime pie. It's more of a cheesecake than the usual sweetened condensed milk version. We chatted with with them and found out that the calories are half the amount in the usual key lime pie. Crystallized ginger with a pistachio crust. Don't miss it. Or this restaurant. You'll be glad you found it. The little french antique/curio shop next door has really unique treasures- definitely worth a look.

Here's another place I forgot to review. Good stuff, and in a good cause. The menu changes a bit from visit to visit, but I've yet to order something I didn't like. Eclectic menu, good food, and good filtration on the local water so you don't have to taste all that iron. And that's important!