Location: South Padre Island
Top Restaurants in South Padre Island
Top Things to do in South Padre Island
- 1. South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
- 2. Port Isabel Lighthouse
- 3. Sea Turtle, Inc.
- 4. South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
- 5. Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
- 6. Andy Bowie Park
- 7. Laguna Madre Nature Trail
- 8. Isla Blanca Park
- 9. South Padre Island Convention Centre
- 10. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Countries
South Padre Island Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in South Padre Island
Right off the southern tip of Texas is the tropical paradise of South Padre Island. This barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offers vacationers a sunny respite from the daily grind. Gaze at a magnificent sunset from the flats, laze on the white sandy beach or go deep sea fishing and cook your catch at Andy Bowie Park. Take a dolphin-watch tour, look for more than 300 species of birds at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and dine on fresh Texas Gulf seafood.
Things to do in South Padre Island
1. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By KaiUWulff - Brownsville, Texas
They are not only great for Ice Cream but offer as well Chicken & Dumpling plus all kinds of TexMex comfort food for cold days (or late nights after a bar visit).
2. Ceviche Ceviche
Overall Ratings
5 based on 269 reviews
Ceviche Ceviche is a custom ceviche bar which allows customers to customize their ceviche to their liking and preference. With more then 20 different toppings to choose from, customers are allowed to be as creative as they want while enjoying the "chop show" right in front of them. The two proteins used for ceviche are Mahi Mahi (Dorado) fish and fresh Texas Gulf shrimp which are both marinated overnight. Also come try the "Poke" prepared Hawaiian style. Fresh and Friendly, from the field to the fork, made with pure love.
Reviewed By Juru6 - Lapeer, Michigan
Here is my true and unbiased experience:
1. Store opens at 1130; two people in line before me when I arrive at 11:32. When I leave, line out the door. Total experience time was about twenty minutes.
2. Owner greets everyone, asks name, and serves you like you're her only and very special customer. She was zen like in her food prep- others might have sloppily chopped the avocado garnish but she prepared it carefully with thought
3. She serves an extra side sauce that is not typical ceviche but do not reject them. Tantalizing!
4. Amazing freshness
5. My mouth is drooling writing this five days later
6. I tried to figure out how to take as carryon on my flight
It's an experience, don't go here for a fast carry out. They take time to do it right. But for Gods sake, go here!!
3. Yummies Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By dalaham - Atlanta, Georgia
This is a must on our trips to SPI. This small bistro offers great food at a good price. Great service and great food are a great combination
4. Gabriella's Italian Grill & Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
5. The Meatball Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 353 reviews
OPENED DECEMBER 2015. Italian food made from scratch: Pasta, Pizza, Sauces, Sausage, Meatballs, Panini. Steak and Seafood menu. Full Bar.
Reviewed By discip1e - Lubbock, Texas
Fresh Italian food, delicious bread, wonderful antipasto, fried zucchini, bruschetta all amazing. The cannelloni is authentic. Chianti wine is delicious. The spinach salad is really good, we tried the shrimp with it. Service is top notch, love all the girls and the team concept. They make the pasta fresh and same with the bread. Prices are also just right.
6. Cafe on the Beach at The Palms Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 512 reviews
Reviewed By Birdbet - South Padre Island, Texas
Great view, great food and good service! This is our favorite island restaurant, hands-down. You're right on the beach looking out of the water. They've got a variety of seafood, hamburgers and good drinks. Our favorites are the red snapper and the blackened shrimp tacos.Thank you very much! We're so pleased you enjoy our Cafe. My mouth started watering when I read your review (those are two of my favorite menu items!!) We hope to see you back again very soon! Thanks again....
7. Beachside Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 363 reviews
Reviewed By Napunani - San Antonio, Texas
This Christmas Eve Sunday Champagne Brunch was absolutely wonderful!
If you are a brunch lover, then this legendary brunch is a must!
We saw it advertised locally the day before and called about 1.5 hours prior to arriving at 945am to ensure 10am seating was available and it was. We watched the staff hustle to open at 10am, but brunch entrees were not ready for serving until 1015am.
WHAT A SELECTION!! And the mimosa and champagne keep flowing and none of this one glass limit like so many other bunches. Our server was very attentive and never once let our flutes reach less than half full!
Made-to-order omelets and eggs, made-to-order pancakes and waffles, carving station (beef, Turkey, ham, salmon and lamb), chilled seafood table with raw oysters (I was in HEAVEN), crab, shrimp, and mussels, salad bar, cheese and cracker bar, and various entrees in the large heated serving trays. At the huge dessert bar with a chocolate fountain, a gentleman was there to create banana fosters and cherry jubilee upon request - OMG - that was very cool and it was amazingly good!
Everything was prepared well and not overcooked or warmed for a lengthy time.
The only thing horrible about this brunch is that it is NOT in the city where I live!!
8. Grapevine Cafe & Coffeehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 683 reviews
Established in 1999, Grapevine Café’s original owners created a simple restaurant offering breakfast and lunch favorites from traditional Mexican and American recipes. Under new ownership since 2006, the Grapevine Café has grown considerably in concurrence with the beautiful and surrounding city of South Padre Island, Texas. In many ways, we are still that casual eatery that serves delicious, simple and affordable food. Today, our menu boasts a greater variety of choices. We have added healthier menu items that are vegetarian and gluten free. We also offer a full line of gourmet, freshly ground coffee drinks and teas from our popular espresso bar. We take great pride in serving food that is made in-house, fresh and daily from proprietary, authentic recipes.
Reviewed By Sheri W
Food was great and prices very reasonable. We were seated immediately, and at the beginning the service was great; however, for some reason towards the end of our meal, our server seemed to disappear. We waited for quite some time for our bill, but finally just went up to the cash register and asked for it. That would not keep me from returning to this restaurant though. It's super clean and a nice atmosphere. If you need to eat Gluten free, this is definitely a place for you to go, as they have a menu dedicated to all gluten free foods. I ordered of the GF menu, not because I eat GF foods, but because it looked good, and it was excellent!
9. Sea Ranch Restaurant-Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 987 reviews
Sea Ranch Restaurant has been serving South Padre Island visitors for over 35 years, and has established itself as the island’s premier dining destination. If you haven’t spent an evening at the Sea Ranch Restaurant, you haven’t truly experienced South Padre.Our menu is comprised of local seafood that is caught directly from the Gulf of Mexico, and it changes often based on what is in season. Every item is made with high-quality ingredients, from unbeatably fresh seafood to juicy steaks and hearty pastas. Start your meal off with our Ahi Tuna or Escargot appetizers, or try something a little spicier like our Stuffed Jalapeños. For your main course, pick from one of our countless seafood items including fresh fish, crab legs, shrimp, oysters, lobster and scallops. Our house specialty is the Red Snapper, which has become a customer favorite as well. If you aren’t in the mood for seafood, try one of our delicious grilled steak, chicken or pork dishes. We also have decadent pastas, from chicken or seafood Alfredo to Scott’s Shrimp Scampi served over angel hair pasta. No matter what you are in the mood for, we have a tasty, fresh option for you at Sea Ranch Restaurant.Seafood goes perfectly with wine, so we boast an extensive selection of wines. With over 122 choices ranging from $20 all the way to $500, we have the perfect choice to compliment your meal. If you have an event coming up, consider hosting it at the Sea Ranch. We can accommodate up to 77 people for anything from weddings and receptions to birthdays and meetings.
Reviewed By Xtina0920
I’ve come here a few times about once a year. During this most recent visit the food was bland. We ordered blackened salmon that had no flavor. The red snapper was juicy yet very bland. Not only was the food disappointing but so was the service. The older man was snappy and acted as if he did not want us to be there. I’m not sure if he was having a bad day but he was very stand-offish. He barely came to the table. Overall, the prices are too high for such low quality food.
10. Pier 19
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
We are a comfortable casual family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and diner. WE also have a full service bar.
Reviewed By CaptainSPI - Sugar Land
My biannual review of Pier 19 has not changed. My problem is that I always go for the Flounder Cubano, this time only $20.00, which I split with my date. So much fish (remember both sides) and so well seasoned. Fries and cole slaw always good. This time we spit an half order (7) of oysters; fair size, and clean taste, but $10. With a Modelo and a chardonnay, the bill totaled $40. A good crowd on a rainy evening. Good service by Logan. It still ranks high on my list, try it out.
