Guidebook for South Padre Island
Food Scene
Extensive selection of seafood, burgers & steaks, some with a cajun twist. Arguably the best fried shrimp on the island, and their stuffed crabs are great! For a large appetite, the whole, deep-fried red snapper is incredible.
53 locals recommend
Daddy's Seafood & Cajun Kitchen
1800 Padre BlvdExtensive selection of seafood, burgers & steaks, some with a cajun twist. Arguably the best fried shrimp on the island, and their stuffed crabs are great! For a large appetite, the whole, deep-fried red snapper is incredible.
Great beach bar/grill. Very convenient since it is right on the beach where you can rent lounges and umbrellas. My favorite burger on the island (ask for medium or medium-rare unless you like well-done). Their WannaWanna drink is fabulous, but just don't try more than two in a 4-hour period! Very friendly bar staff. Entertainment on the weekends.
123 locals recommend
Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar & Grill
5100 Gulf BlvdGreat beach bar/grill. Very convenient since it is right on the beach where you can rent lounges and umbrellas. My favorite burger on the island (ask for medium or medium-rare unless you like well-done). Their WannaWanna drink is fabulous, but just don't try more than two in a 4-hour period! Very friendly bar staff. Entertainment on the weekends.
Our favorite restaurant for ceviche, and their queso is pretty darn good as well. Try their taco plate - it's just three tacos, but they will likely be the best you've had.
30 locals recommend
Cap'n Roy's
1313 Padre BlvdOur favorite restaurant for ceviche, and their queso is pretty darn good as well. Try their taco plate - it's just three tacos, but they will likely be the best you've had.
Authentic Italian food. The first time I bit into their focaccia bread, I was mentally transported to Tuscany. Very reasonably-priced lunch specials...Lots of great choices.
51 locals recommend
The Meatball Cafe
2412 Padre BlvdAuthentic Italian food. The first time I bit into their focaccia bread, I was mentally transported to Tuscany. Very reasonably-priced lunch specials...Lots of great choices.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bay-side bar with stunning sunset views. Popular among locals and tourists. Great, friendly bartenders. Try their chicken wings - IMO, they are best ordered "dry" with a variety of sauces in which they can be dipped.
97 locals recommend
Laguna BOB
2401 Laguna BlvdBay-side bar with stunning sunset views. Popular among locals and tourists. Great, friendly bartenders. Try their chicken wings - IMO, they are best ordered "dry" with a variety of sauces in which they can be dipped.
Great entertainment from all over the country. Very happening club on the weekends. Just order wine or straight shots of liquor, though...their drinks are over-priced compared to other local bars and very weak in my opinion and the opinions of all whom I have taken to the club. This is the place to go if you want to dance.
49 locals recommend
Quarterdeck- Isla Grand Beach Resort
500 Padre BlvdGreat entertainment from all over the country. Very happening club on the weekends. Just order wine or straight shots of liquor, though...their drinks are over-priced compared to other local bars and very weak in my opinion and the opinions of all whom I have taken to the club. This is the place to go if you want to dance.
Parks & Nature
Popular with people of all ages. New, state-of-the-art facility.
205 locals recommend
Sea Turtle, Inc.
6617 Padre BlvdPopular with people of all ages. New, state-of-the-art facility.
Beautiful facility with boardwalks over the water/marsh.
153 locals recommend
South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
6801 Padre BlvdBeautiful facility with boardwalks over the water/marsh.
Shopping
Lovely interior decorating/gift store. They have a kitchen section, and every time I visit I find a gadget I've never heard of before. Great place to buy a memento, a special "thank you" gift, or just a treat for yourself.
Cactus Flower Interiors
3009 Padre BlvdLovely interior decorating/gift store. They have a kitchen section, and every time I visit I find a gadget I've never heard of before. Great place to buy a memento, a special "thank you" gift, or just a treat for yourself.
Blue Marlin Supermarket South Padre Island
2912 Padre BlvdThe island's main grocery store.
Getting Around
Free shuttle bus that circles the island regularly each day and also goes mainland.
9 locals recommend
Island Metro Free Park And Ride
321 Padre BlvdFree shuttle bus that circles the island regularly each day and also goes mainland.
Everything Else
Great cruise, and great value. They usually offer two cruises...one around 11:00 am; the other is a sunset cruise. For the daytime cruise, they usually grill burgers and serve a beautiful fruit platter. On the sunset cruise you will be served beef & chicken fajitas, grilled shrimp and fish as well as the enormous fruit platter. BYOB, but they do serve soft drinks and water.
21 locals recommend
Southern Wave Sailing Charters
205 W Palm StGreat cruise, and great value. They usually offer two cruises...one around 11:00 am; the other is a sunset cruise. For the daytime cruise, they usually grill burgers and serve a beautiful fruit platter. On the sunset cruise you will be served beef & chicken fajitas, grilled shrimp and fish as well as the enormous fruit platter. BYOB, but they do serve soft drinks and water.