Elise’s Guidebook to Corpus Christi
Our Favorite Beaches
This is our favorite beach! It fills up fast on the weekend, so get there early and claim your piece of the beach for the day. DO NOTE: you will be driving on the beach and we would strongly suggest only 4x4 vehicles. 2x4 vehicles go at your own risk! :)
15 locals recommend
JP Luby Beach
This is our favorite beach! It fills up fast on the weekend, so get there early and claim your piece of the beach for the day. DO NOTE: you will be driving on the beach and we would strongly suggest only 4x4 vehicles. 2x4 vehicles go at your own risk! :)
Another one of our favorite beaches! You can drive on this beach (again, 4x4 vehicle is strongly suggested) or park at the North Padre Sea Wall and walk down to the beach. Either way, you will enjoy your beach time here!
82 locals recommend
Whitecap Beach
14802 Whitecap BlvdAnother one of our favorite beaches! You can drive on this beach (again, 4x4 vehicle is strongly suggested) or park at the North Padre Sea Wall and walk down to the beach. Either way, you will enjoy your beach time here!
This beach is right next to downtown and closest to our home! Park there to enjoy the beach or go on a nice long walk down the many-mile seawall and enjoy the scenery.
19 locals recommend
McGee Beach
This beach is right next to downtown and closest to our home! Park there to enjoy the beach or go on a nice long walk down the many-mile seawall and enjoy the scenery.
Our Favorite Lunch Places
Our favorite Thai restaurant that's great for lunch, dinner, or brunch on Sunday! The food and cocktails are phenomenal.
28 locals recommend
BKK thai kitchen + bar
3850 S Alameda StOur favorite Thai restaurant that's great for lunch, dinner, or brunch on Sunday! The food and cocktails are phenomenal.
Great for lunch or dinner! Fantastic atmosphere with great authentic Mexican food. Try the spicy margarita!
6 locals recommend
YOLA cocina mexicana
3818 South Alameda StreetGreat for lunch or dinner! Fantastic atmosphere with great authentic Mexican food. Try the spicy margarita!
Looking for a quick lunch? Jason's Deli is our go-to and never disappoints! Try the Chicago Club, Carmela, or Smokey Jack Panini sandwiches. Those are our favorites!
Jason's Deli
1416 Airline RoadLooking for a quick lunch? Jason's Deli is our go-to and never disappoints! Try the Chicago Club, Carmela, or Smokey Jack Panini sandwiches. Those are our favorites!
If you're out on the Island and have spent the day at the beach, be sure to stop by Surfside Sandwich Shoppe. There's limited indoor seating and some outdoor, but we usually get it to go and eat it at the beach. Phenomenal sandwiches!
40 locals recommend
Surfside Sandwich Shoppe
15113 S Padre Island DrIf you're out on the Island and have spent the day at the beach, be sure to stop by Surfside Sandwich Shoppe. There's limited indoor seating and some outdoor, but we usually get it to go and eat it at the beach. Phenomenal sandwiches!
Great burgers and beer, this restaurant is a local's favorite and always busy! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but the weekend can get especially busy/packed.
65 locals recommend
Executive Surf Club
306 N Chaparral StGreat burgers and beer, this restaurant is a local's favorite and always busy! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but the weekend can get especially busy/packed.
One of our favorites for breakfast and lunch, Hester's Cafe does everything right! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although we prefer the outdoor in the courtyard on nicer days.
28 locals recommend
Hester's Cafe Lamar Park
3812 S Alameda StOne of our favorites for breakfast and lunch, Hester's Cafe does everything right! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although we prefer the outdoor in the courtyard on nicer days.
Some of the best barbecue in Corpus. Try to take down the Big Salty if you dare.
6 locals recommend
Salty Oak BBQ
Some of the best barbecue in Corpus. Try to take down the Big Salty if you dare.
We love Nona's! Their breakfast tacos are our favorite and we drive through (they only have outdoor seating, so we usually just get it to go) way too often.
Nona’s Cocina
4006 Weber RdWe love Nona's! Their breakfast tacos are our favorite and we drive through (they only have outdoor seating, so we usually just get it to go) way too often.
A downtown gem that we frequent, Water Street has fantastic seafood.
107 locals recommend
Water Street Oyster Bar
309 N Water StA downtown gem that we frequent, Water Street has fantastic seafood.
Great fried seafood with a fantastic view, Snoopy's is right on the water and you can watch the boats cruise by as you eat!
130 locals recommend
Snoopy's Pier
13313 S Padre Island DrGreat fried seafood with a fantastic view, Snoopy's is right on the water and you can watch the boats cruise by as you eat!
Fantastic seafood with an equally great view, Doc's sits right on the water so you can enjoy your food and the view for lunch or dinner. This place gets busy fast on the weekends, so be prepared for a little bit of a wait!
118 locals recommend
Doc's Seafood and Steaks
13309 S Padre Island DrFantastic seafood with an equally great view, Doc's sits right on the water so you can enjoy your food and the view for lunch or dinner. This place gets busy fast on the weekends, so be prepared for a little bit of a wait!
Our Favorite Dinner Places
Our favorite Thai restaurant that's great for lunch, dinner, or brunch on Sunday! The food and cocktails are phenomenal.
28 locals recommend
BKK thai kitchen + bar
3850 S Alameda StOur favorite Thai restaurant that's great for lunch, dinner, or brunch on Sunday! The food and cocktails are phenomenal.
Great for lunch or dinner! Fantastic atmosphere with great authentic Mexican food. Try the spicy margarita!
6 locals recommend
YOLA cocina mexicana
3818 South Alameda StreetGreat for lunch or dinner! Fantastic atmosphere with great authentic Mexican food. Try the spicy margarita!
For a fancier (and super delicious) dinner, go to Dokyo Dauntaun. The sushi, bento boxes, and cocktails are all fantastic. If you're here on the weekend you may need to make a reservation!
21 locals recommend
Dokyo Dauntaun
424 N Chaparral StFor a fancier (and super delicious) dinner, go to Dokyo Dauntaun. The sushi, bento boxes, and cocktails are all fantastic. If you're here on the weekend you may need to make a reservation!
Great burgers and beer, this restaurant is a local's favorite and always busy! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but the weekend can get especially busy/packed.
65 locals recommend
Executive Surf Club
306 N Chaparral StGreat burgers and beer, this restaurant is a local's favorite and always busy! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but the weekend can get especially busy/packed.
For fantastic locally brewed beer and barbecue, Nueces Brewing Co. is the place to be. The building and atmosphere is super cool and you'll occasionally find live music playing too.
21 locals recommend
Nueces Brewing
401 S Water StFor fantastic locally brewed beer and barbecue, Nueces Brewing Co. is the place to be. The building and atmosphere is super cool and you'll occasionally find live music playing too.
Some of the best barbecue in Corpus. Try to take down the Big Salty if you dare.
6 locals recommend
Salty Oak BBQ
Some of the best barbecue in Corpus. Try to take down the Big Salty if you dare.
A downtown gem that we frequent, Water Street has fantastic seafood.
107 locals recommend
Water Street Oyster Bar
309 N Water StA downtown gem that we frequent, Water Street has fantastic seafood.
Fantastic seafood with an equally great view, Doc's sits right on the water so you can enjoy your food and the view for lunch or dinner.
118 locals recommend
Doc's Seafood and Steaks
13309 S Padre Island DrFantastic seafood with an equally great view, Doc's sits right on the water so you can enjoy your food and the view for lunch or dinner.
Our Favorite Breakfast Places
A little further away from our home, but a great breakfast spot that any and all locals go to. It's popular, so be ready for a little bit of a wait!
21 locals recommend
Andy's Kitchen
5802 S Staples StA little further away from our home, but a great breakfast spot that any and all locals go to. It's popular, so be ready for a little bit of a wait!
A homey, local breakfast diner that never lets us down! You'll find us here almost every Saturday morning.
7 locals recommend
Town & Country Cafe
4228 S Alameda StA homey, local breakfast diner that never lets us down! You'll find us here almost every Saturday morning.
One of our favorites for breakfast and lunch, Hester's Cafe does everything right! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although we prefer the outdoor in the courtyard on nicer days.
28 locals recommend
Hester's Cafe Lamar Park
3812 S Alameda StOne of our favorites for breakfast and lunch, Hester's Cafe does everything right! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although we prefer the outdoor in the courtyard on nicer days.
Gates Donut Shop
4417 S Alameda StLooking for awesome donuts? Gates is your place!
Some of the best baked goods in Corpus Christi. This cafe is a must!
10 locals recommend
Bien Mérité Cafe, Bakery, and Restaurant
1336 S Staples StSome of the best baked goods in Corpus Christi. This cafe is a must!
We love Nona's! Their breakfast tacos are our favorite and we drive through (they only have outdoor seating, so we usually just get it to go) way too often.
Nona’s Cocina
4006 Weber RdWe love Nona's! Their breakfast tacos are our favorite and we drive through (they only have outdoor seating, so we usually just get it to go) way too often.
Our Favorite Places for Beer and Cocktails
Looking for great cocktails and delicious bar food? Look no further than the Post and Lamar Park.
38 locals recommend
The Post at Lamar Park
411 Doddridge StLooking for great cocktails and delicious bar food? Look no further than the Post and Lamar Park.
For a fancier (and super delicious) dinner, go to Dokyo Dauntaun. The sushi, bento boxes, and cocktails are all fantastic. If you're here on the weekend you may need to make a reservation!
21 locals recommend
Dokyo Dauntaun
424 N Chaparral StFor a fancier (and super delicious) dinner, go to Dokyo Dauntaun. The sushi, bento boxes, and cocktails are all fantastic. If you're here on the weekend you may need to make a reservation!
A super cool snackbar that offers coffee, beer (on tap and can), and an assortment of lunch items. This is a solid spot to hangout and experience Corpus' downtown lifestyle.
Lucy's Snackbar
312 N Chaparral StA super cool snackbar that offers coffee, beer (on tap and can), and an assortment of lunch items. This is a solid spot to hangout and experience Corpus' downtown lifestyle.
For fantastic locally brewed beer and barbecue, Nueces Brewing Co. is the place to be. The building and atmosphere is super cool and you'll occasionally find live music playing too.
21 locals recommend
Nueces Brewing
401 S Water StFor fantastic locally brewed beer and barbecue, Nueces Brewing Co. is the place to be. The building and atmosphere is super cool and you'll occasionally find live music playing too.
Great cocktails and fantastic atmosphere! Indoor and outdoor seating and there's a usually a local food truck there too. This one is a must visit!
19 locals recommend
BUS Bar Under the Sun
702 N Chaparral StGreat cocktails and fantastic atmosphere! Indoor and outdoor seating and there's a usually a local food truck there too. This one is a must visit!
Looking for Coffee?
One of our favorites for breakfast, lunch, and coffee, Hester's Cafe does everything right! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although we prefer the outdoor in the courtyard on nicer days.
28 locals recommend
Hester's Cafe Lamar Park
3812 S Alameda StOne of our favorites for breakfast, lunch, and coffee, Hester's Cafe does everything right! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although we prefer the outdoor in the courtyard on nicer days.
Built out of shipping containers, this cafe is such a unique and cool add to the Island experience. Their coffee is exceptional and we love picking up an iced or hot beverage on our early morning visits to the beach.
62 locals recommend
Island Joes Coffee and Gallery
14829 S Padre Island DrBuilt out of shipping containers, this cafe is such a unique and cool add to the Island experience. Their coffee is exceptional and we love picking up an iced or hot beverage on our early morning visits to the beach.
Great coffee and gelato! Coffee Waves has been a go-to for me for years.
13 locals recommend
Coffee Waves
5738 S Alameda StGreat coffee and gelato! Coffee Waves has been a go-to for me for years.
A super cool snackbar that offers coffee, beer (on tap and can), and an assortment of lunch items. This is a solid spot to hangout and experience Corpus' downtown lifestyle.
Lucy's Snackbar
312 N Chaparral StA super cool snackbar that offers coffee, beer (on tap and can), and an assortment of lunch items. This is a solid spot to hangout and experience Corpus' downtown lifestyle.
Some of the best baked goods in Corpus Christi. This cafe is a must!
10 locals recommend
Bien Mérité Cafe, Bakery, and Restaurant
1336 S Staples StSome of the best baked goods in Corpus Christi. This cafe is a must!