Nestled within the Ramada by Wyndham & Suites South Padre Island, Mariscos Playa Azul Cafe specializes in Tex-Mex seafood, including saucy shrimp dishes plated with rice and vegetables, as well as fried platters of shrimp, calamari, tilapia, flounder, and other varieties of seafood. Of course, the restaurant also has enchilada and tamales, along with a variety of refreshing drinks; choose from cucumber, pineapple, hibiscus, and more.

Josephine’s Kitchen, which is only open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a brunch favorite to fuel up before a day at the beach. Check out its award-winning shrimp and grits or weekend specials: A roast pork hash or brioche French toast stuffed with strawberries and cream cheese.

Perfect for couples wanting a date night on their beach vacation (or just an excuse to wear hard pants), F&B one of South Padre Island’s most exciting steakhouses. The steak is the star of the show here, but the menu also includes a wide selection of luxurious entrees like smoked duck breast, short rib ragu, and sea scallops. The drink menu reminds you you’re on the coast, offering cocktails heavy on citrus and fruit flavors — like an Italian 75 brightened with blood orange juice, lemon, and citrus-infused Nue vodka.

Laguna Bob is one of the most notable oceanfront restaurants on South Padre Island, offering fried shrimp, wings and burgers with a killer view. Check out the daily $8 specials for more affordable meal options, and don’t miss the live entertainment options, either. Different bands play live music almost daily. with different bands playing nearly daily.

South Padre Island’s stop for brewed-on-site beer also has a vast menu. However, those expecting a traditional pub menu will instead find fresh snapper filets and beer-battered shrimp, as well as entrees like Texas quail and pizza topped with smoked meat. Padre Island Brewing Co. offers various dietary substitutions for vegetarians, plant-based eaters, and people avoiding gluten, like a cauliflower pizza crust, Beyond Burger, and vegan mozzarella, all provided without an extra charge.

The Meatball Cafe is a South Padre Island favorite for pizza and pasta to feed a family. Its gorgeous patio surrounded by greenery is also a great date night spot to dine on lobster ravioli or fresh-made linguini and clams. 

Load up on fresh seafood at Daddy’s Seafood & Cajun Kitchen, which serves everything from Cajun-style seafood boils loaded with crawfish, snow crab, shrimp, and platters of oysters on ice. The restaurant also has a fish market so that you can bring some Gulf Coast goodness home. 

For a different kind of seafood feast, Rocotto Grill offers Peruvian and Japanese food, including a small variety of sushi rolls and seafood-laden dishes such as black paella, which is loaded with clams, mussels, shrimp and octopus and takes its name from squid ink which is mixed into the rice. 

This cheery breakfast and lunch spot specializes in thick, fluffy pancakes and a barbacoa plate served only on Sundays. Its lattes are a show-stopper, loaded with Irish cream syrup, Mexican chocolate, dulce de leche, Nutella, and other flavors and topped with brightly colored, highly Instagramable latte art. 

Gabriella’s is a classic sit-down spot for pasta, subs, brick oven pizza and Italian entrees, from chicken marsala to chicken parmesan. The mussels Italiano and fried ravioli are a favorite among the wide variety of appetizers. Just looking for a brick-oven pizza to take back to the hotel? Try pizza delivery from its sister restaurant, Pizzeria Express by Gabriella’s. 

South Padre Island has plenty of seafood restaurants, but Sea Ranch has an extensive range of fish, shrimp, crab, scallops, lobster, oysters and more. One of its signature dishes is its red snapper, which can be prepared in various sizes and presentations, including fried, broiled, blackened, grilled, or Cubano.

Nautico Island Grill is one of South Padre Island’s newest restaurants; it only opened in January. Owners and South Padre Island natives Jenna Ghilain, Briana Ghilain-Scanlan, and Danni Lynn Smith have created a hotspot for excellent grub on the island. Ultralight seafood and colorful Tex-Mex plates have garnered acclaim;  the fish tacos — served fried, grilled, or blackened and slathered with jalapeño ranch or chipotle sauce — are one of the most popular offerings here. On the way to the beach? There’s a drive-thru for online orders.

Mahi Nic serves a straightforward menu with pulled pork-loaded nachos, thick-cut fries, burgers, and tacos. Check out its frozen margaritas and frozen lemonade, too, to keep away the Texas heat. As a bonus, it is on a South Padre Island dock, only steps away from the water.