Are you looking for the best restaurants in South Padre Island TX? If yes, then this is the article for you. We have listed some of the best places to eat in South Padre Island for all ages and preferences.
South Padre Island is a popular place to visit in Texas for beach lovers and offers lots of fun outdoor and water activities for visitors to enjoy. From visiting South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center to camping on the beaches, there is no shortage of epic things to do on South Padre Island.
This beach town destination is also home to a wide range of seafood restaurants that serve authentic Gulf Coast cuisine which is a must-try here. Whether you are looking for a place with a good ambiance or that serves excellent seafood, you will easily find a good restaurant in South Padre Island to suit your needs.
So, if you are wondering what to eat in South Padre Island or where to eat in South Padre Island, we have you covered. Check out our list of the 15 best restaurants in South Padre Island TX you must try while vacationing at this destination.
15 Best Restaurants In South Padre Island TX You Must Try
Sea Ranch Restaurant
If you wish to try seafood in South Padre Island, then Sea Ranch Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in South Padre Island Texas to try.
Known for its premiere dining experience, this marina-front restaurant has been the go-to place for good seafood in this Texas beach town for over 4 decades.
One of the best things about this restaurant is that they prepare fresh and delicious local seafood that has been caught in the Gulf. That’s not all, the restaurant is quite impressive in terms of ambiance as well with amazing water views and white tablecloth service.
As a result, whether you are planning a romantic couple dinner or a fun family outing, this place is perfect for all visitors. A few of the best South Padre Island foods to try here are red snapper, Sea Ranch scallops, handmade pasta, and more.
Trust me, for seafood, this is the best place to eat in South Padre Island.
Louie’s Backyard
Another place that you must try to taste the best food in South Padre Island is Louie’s Backyard. This restaurant has been serving the most delish seafood for 40 years and is quite famous for its seafood buffet.
That’s not all. The eatery also offers all-you-can-eat prime rib and is perfect for college students and budget travelers. If you are planning to visit this restaurant, then make sure to try their buffet as it includes all the best dishes such as prime ribs, pork ribs, crab legs, and more.
Apart from being home to the best food in South Padre Island, you will enjoy also the cocktails served here as you stare away into the sunset.
With plenty of bars, live music, and summer fireworks, this is one of the best restaurants in South Padre Island, Texas to hang out at with your friends and cousins.
Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria
Opened in 2003, Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria is known to serve the best pizza in South Padre Island.
This amazing restaurant is great for Italian cuisine which not only includes wood-fired pizzas but also other Italian delicacies including antipasti. They have both indoor and outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy delicious lunch and dinner throughout dinner.
A few Italian dishes that couples should try here are pasta a la Tonno, roasted garlic tortellini, and more. Other must-try dishes here are five-layer lasagna, chicken piccata, chicken alfredo, and more.
One of the best things about this restaurant is that they prepare fresh pizza dough and sauces every day here. So, for those craving pizzas and Italian dishes, Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria is one of the top restaurants in South Padre Island.
Café on the Beach
South Padre Island is home to the most beautiful beaches in Texas and eating in Café on the Beach is one of the best ways to enjoy the beach views here.
Located at The Palms Resort, this beautiful dining establishment is at the beachfront and offers amazing views of the famous dunes and surf. Visitors can enjoy an al fresco dining experience on the covered deck area of this restaurant.
They serve high-quality seafood here which includes some of the best dishes such as fried coconut shrimp, cold water lobster tails, and more. This is one of the top places to eat in South Padre Island and is great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner fares.
So, if you aren’t sure about where to eat in South Padre Island, then check out Café on the Beach. It is one of the top restaurants to enjoy the best brunch in South Padre Island.
Dirty Al’s
Are you searching for the best fried shrimps in the world? If yes, then you have to check out Diry Al’s, one of the best South Padre Island restaurants for seafood.
This family-run restaurant was started in 1986 and is open every day for lunch and dinner. This place is a favorite of the locals and offers the best dining in South Padre Island. The seafood dishes are prepared using freshly sourced ingredients from the Gulf.
Plus, each dish is prepared in a creative and flavorful manner which makes it so popular among everyone. The dishes that you cannot miss out on here are oysters, shrimp stuffed jalapenos, taco salads, soft chicken tacos, and more.
For shrimp lovers, one of the best restaurants in South Padre Island is Dirty Al’s!
Liam’s Steak House & Oyster Bar
Are you wondering about what to eat in South Padre Island? Well, you cannot miss out on trying seafood in South Padre Island and Liam’s Steak House & Oyster Bar is a great choice for that!
Established in 2003, this is one of the top shrimp stations in South Padre Island which offers an upscale dining experience to visitors. Here, you can get amazing steaks and seafood dishes along with a wide selection of cocktails and other after-dinner drinks.
If you are wondering what to eat here, a few of our recommendations are red snapper, bacon, lobster bisque, and more. You can also order the seafood platter that includes a variety of oysters, shrimp, local fish, etc. along with pasta dishes.
This is undoubtedly one of the best places for eating seafood in South Padre Island and will have something flavorful to suit different taste buds.
Blackbeard Restaurant
If you are searching for a place that serves the best lunch in South Padre Island, then make sure to visit Blackbeard Restaurant.
It is one of the oldest eateries on this Texas island and has been serving delicious food to visitors since 1978. This roadside restaurant has a good and varied menu that includes many items such as crab cakes, blackened catfish, apple pie, and more.
Some of the best dishes to try here are chicken fried steak, buffalo chicken sandwich, and jalapeno poppers. Honestly, this restaurant has a chill vibe and is one of the best places to visit for hanging out with friends or on a romantic date.
So, if you are looking for a good place to enjoy food in South Padre Island with your friends or partner, then Blackbeard Restaurant is the place for you.
Grapevine Café and Coffeehouse
For the best breakfast in South Padre Island, you cannot go wrong with Grapevine Café and Coffee house.
This casual café on Swordfish street is a great place for both breakfast and lunch and serves a combination of American and Mexican cuisine. This café serves delicious and fresh homemade dishes that are prepared using farm-to-table ingredients.
Are you planning to visit this café for a delicious breakfast? If so, then you have to try the Chicken and Waffles here, it is simply divine. Apart from that, Chicken Pesto Wrap is a good dish to try here as well.
So, if you are looking for the best dining in South Padre Island, then Grapevine Café and Coffeehouse is the perfect eatery for you.
Kohnami Restaurant
Do you wish to try some amazing Japanese dishes in South Padre? If the answer is yes, then one of the best South Padre Island restaurants to try is Kohnami Restaurant.
This is a Teppanyaki restaurant that offers delicious sushi, tabletop hibachi meals, Japanese beer and other drink options. The interiors and the exteriors of this restaurant are quite classy and artsy, giving it a sophisticated vibe. As a result, it is the perfect place to enjoy lunch with colleagues or take someone out on a date.
Apart from the ambiance, the informal eatery is one of the best restaurants in South Padre Island Texas for asian food.
Mongolian beef, Singapore noodles with shrimp, and Hibachi are a must-try here.
Ceviche Ceviche
A lot of tourists are confused about what to eat in South Padre Island, well why not try a ceviche? One of the best SPI restaurants to serve this amazing dish is Ceviche Ceviche.
Located on Padre Boulevard, this counter-serve restaurant is a hidden gem that is quite popular among the locals. This casual eatery is small and perfect for intimate gatherings with family, friends, or a romantic partner.
What makes this restaurant unique is that they allow guests to make their own ceviches using a wide range of toppings and ingredients. This is one of the top spots for enjoying the best lunch in South Padre Island where you can curate your own ceviche.
Shrimp-based ceviches are the best here and one can add other creative ingredients such as mango, pineapple, etc. to make the dish more flavorful.
F&B
F&B SPI restaurant offers fine dining in South Padre Island and was opened in 2018 on Padre Boulevard.
Although it is relatively new, this SPI restaurant has carved its niche in the town and has become one of the best restaurants to try on your vacation. The refined restaurant features a sophisticated look with both indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Perfect for romantic dinners, F&B has a seasonal menu with amazing Gulf seafood dishes to try. Trust me, you can enjoy a variety of amazing dishes here such as duck tagliatelle, salt-crusted fish, coastal shrimp boils, and more.
That’s not all, this is a great restaurant to plan birthday parties as well. You can call them in advance and plan an epic birthday for your friend or family member.
Yummies Bistro
Known for serving the best breakfast in South Padre Island, Yummies Bistro is another place that you must try on this island.
The island-themed eatery offers several delectable breakfast treats such as Mexican Omelete Wrap, Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes, and so on. In fact, their Eggs Benedict is simply a delight to have and will leave you wanting more from this restaurant.
The food is delicious here but it’s the colorful and lively atmosphere that makes it such a popular choice for both locals and tourists. So, if you also believe that a good breakfast is the best way to start the day, then do visit Yummies Bistro for the amazing breakfast and brunch in South Padre Island.
Lobo Del Mar Café
One of the top places for dining in South Padre Island, Lobo Del Mar Café is a waterfront restaurant that serves great seafood.
This casual café offers amazing views of the water and is the perfect place to hang out with your partner, friends, or family. They also have a good menu selection and serve a variety of seafood, grills, and cocktails.
Moreover, they provide regular live music, making it the perfect place for parties and celebrations. Visitors can watch a beautiful sunset and the occasional fireworks on the water along with the amazing food here.
Their coconut shrimps paired with mimosas is a must-try here. Trust me, if you want to have the best dinner in South Padre Island, then Lobo Del Mar Café is perfect for you.
The Meatball Café
Opened in 2015, The Meatball Café is a family-friendly restaurant that is known for serving the best lunch in South Padre Island.
This restaurant is famous for its fun ambiance and delicious Italian meals that give you a glimpse of Italy on South Padre Island. After spending a day on the nearby Gulf Coast beaches, you can relax at this restaurant featuring a light environment with a patio.
From Paninis to Calzones, to Chicken Piccata, you can get all kinds of amazing Italian dishes here. But you have to try their spaghetti and meatballs which taste so delicious and are prepared fresh and in a homely manner.
For Italian cuisine, The Meatball Café is definitely one of the best restaurants in South Padre Island, TX.
Senor Donkey
Are you craving some Tex-Mex food? If yes, then Senor Donkey is one of the best restaurants in South Padre Island, Texas that you must try.
This Mexican restaurant features a colorful and informal ambiance where friends can hang out and enjoy some fun time together. This casual eatery serves delicious seafood and Tex-Mex dishes such as enchiladas, steaks, and so on.
You can also enjoy their wide range of drinks including the pina colada and the shrimp cocktail which are the best in town. In food, we would recommend the blackened fish and the Parrillada Platter, both are delicious and reasonable.
If you want the best food in South Padre Island, then Senor Donkey is certainly a good choice.
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