best places to eat in south padre island
best places to eat in south padre island
Why choose the restaurants in south padre island? Well, because the great variety of food and specialties included. Why you should be eating in these restaurants by the sea? Because it is the best and the number one spot to panoramic views and enjoy delicious and different meals. Why is it safe to eat in these places? Because they are all included in official lists of restaurants with safe quality, you can trust that they are certified. Craig’s Tavern is the kind of place that makes visitors fall in love with South Padre Island. The restaurant has a casual, beachy vibe and is centrally located in the heart of the beautiful Padre Island National Seashore. Despite its prime location, Craig’s Tavern retains a low-key atmosphere that invites guests to come as they are, relax and enjoy good food at reasonable prices.
South Padre Island is a haven for the foodie. There are hundreds of places to eat, from fast food joints to high-end restaurants. If you want to get a bite to eat after a long day at the beach or before you hit the bars, there’s no better place than South Padre Island.
Here are some of our favorite places to eat in South Padre Island:
1) The Shrimp Shack on Laguna Blvd – This seafood restaurant has great seafood and an unbeatable view of Laguna Lake. Stop by here for lunch on your way out to the beach, or stop by again in the evening for dinner after you’ve had some time on the sand.
2) El Rancho Grande – If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food at its best, look no further than El Rancho Grande. With its authentic recipes and delicious margaritas, this place is sure to please even the pickiest eater!
3) Rusty Pelican – This is one of our favorite spots for lunch! They have a huge selection of sandwiches and salads that are always fresh and delicious. We love sitting outside on their patio overlooking the beach while we eat our lunch!
There are several great restaurants in South Padre Island, Texas, including:
- The Sandbar – This restaurant is located on the beach and has a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for families. It has plenty of seating, a full bar, and even a dance floor. There’s also an outdoor deck with tables overlooking the ocean.
- The Beach Club – Located right next door to The Sandbar, this restaurant offers delicious seafood options as well as burgers and other comfort foods like baked potatoes. It also has a full bar and live music every night starting at 9 p.m., so it’s a good option if you want to grab dinner and then stay out late dancing or listening to music!
- Austin Street Cafe – This is one of our favorite places to eat in South Padre Island! It’s located near downtown on Austin Street so it’s easy to find (and there’s street parking nearby if you don’t want to pay for valet). They have great breakfast options like pancakes and French toast (you can even get them with fresh fruit), but their lunch menu is also amazing! Their sandwiches are made with fresh bread from local bakeries and served with chips
top restaurants in south padre island
Cafe on the Beach
Hidden among the sand dunes, Cafe on the Beach offers unobstructed bay views from a gazebo-like covered deck, a breakfast menu worth waking up early for, and seafood-focused American fare the rest of the day. Among the morning must-haves is the gooey Monte Cristo, a migas plate with chorizo, and thick buttermilk pancakes. In the afternoon and evening, enjoy Gulf Coast crab fingers, seafood bisque, and red snapper Veracruz.
Padre Island Brewing Co
Padre Island Brewing Company is a locally owned treasure, and the island’s preferred stop for an ice-cold, locally brewed craft beer. Third-generation brewmaster and owner Mark Haggenmiller has five house brews on tap at any given time, and serves beer-friendly grub like fried calamari, pizza, po’ boys, and burgers. Happy hour, which runs weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., is a hit for items like 75-cent Gulf oysters, crabcakes, and Wisconsin cheese curds.
Chilitto Pikin
Chilito Pikin is the kind of unpretentious mom-and-pop hang every neighborhood needs. For South Padre Island, it’s the place to come for fish or shrimp tacos, handmade flour tortillas, and soul-warming enchiladas served with refried beans and Mexican rice. The restaurant also serves what they call “monster” portions of its signature tacos and tortas. (Note: If you’re able to finish the whole monster torta in one sitting, you get it for free.)
Painted Marlin Grille
With views of the Laguna Madre and a lively indoor-outdoor vibe, the Painted Marlin (named for its signature piece of decor) is an especially enchanting spot for watching the sunset while dining on dishes like blackened mahi mahi, shrimp po’ boys, and fish and chips. The simply grilled catch of the day is a solid bet, as are the strong margaritas made with fresh lime juice.
Cap’n Roy’s
Fish taxidermy and fishing trophies adorn the walls at the nautical-themed Cap’n Roy’s, where owner Lee Roy Summerlin — a veteran charter-boat captain on the Laguna Madre — has been serving fresh seafood for more than two decades. The restaurant is famous for its “Reel Meals” menu of everything from fresh Gulf oysters to stuffed jalapenos, enchilada platters, and Veracruz-style seafood preparations, but the star dish is the camaronitas diablitos — bacon-wrapped shrimp with pineapple cream cheese and jalapenos in a smoky-sweet barbecue glaze.
unique eats in south padre island
Ceviche Ceviche
Locals gush about this hidden counter-service gem that specializes in build-your-own ceviche. Choose from shrimp or fish, one of five house styles (the classic features tomato, red onion, cilantro, and avocado), and a variety add-ons, then watch the staff hand-chop and -mix your custom concoction. With just a couple of tables, this lunchtime favorite is better for take-away than a sit-down meal.
Gabriella’s
Rat-Pack-era crooners serenade you over the speakers; tables are draped in red-and-white check; the strong aroma of garlic greets diners as they walk through the door. This homey, family-run establishment is the island’s choice for handmade pasta, brick-oven pizza, and Italian-American classics like chicken alfredo, fried mozzarella, and shrimp scampi. End the night with a shot of house-made limoncello.
Yummies Bistro
Many of the whipped cream-topped specialty drinks here look more like milkshakes than coffee, but that’s part of the appeal. Yummies is known for its super-size breakfast and lunch food: Think giant Belgian waffles surrounded by ruby-red fruit, an Instagrammable eggs Benedict, hyper-fresh lox and salmon, and sky-high club sandwiches. Bonus: The staff prides itself on latte art — order one for a surprise chocolate design drizzled in the foam.
Sea Ranch Restaurant & Bar
With a prime marina-front location, water views, and white tablecloth service, Sea Ranch has been doing Gulf-style fine dining for more than three decades. The menu highlights wild, locally caught seafood as well as steaks and pastas, and favorites include oysters Rockefeller, coconut shrimp, lobster surf and turf, and a whole fried snapper. For the best sunset perch, request a table by the window on the second floor.