The Meatball Cafe #MadeFromScratch

While on South Padre Island, we decided to give The Meatball Café a try based on their Google reviews. We were not disappointed! This was the best meal that we had on the island. The atmosphere of the inside seating was intimate and perfect. The service was excellent! Our server’s name was Joel, and he was very attentive and made us feel valued as customers. To start with, the bread with dipping oil was great! Crusty on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. Just look at the photo and you’ll want some too! My wife got the Seared Sea Scallops, but instead of Tuscana-style on the menu, the cook was happy to do it scampi-style for her. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and she says this is one of the best scampi dishes that she has ever had. I got the Italian Sausage Milano. Outstanding! This was a great dish, and the sauce was phenomenal (I would probably had licked my plate if we had been at home!). We had absolutely no complaints about our meals or the service. The portions were also large enough that we both took leftovers to eat the next day, and our server even gave us a loaf of the bread to take with us. Yes, the food was just as good the next day (and I might have even licked my plate when I was done). I highly recommend that you go to The Meatball Café and eat their food! Based on our experience, you will not be disappointed. I wish we lived closer because we would be eating here all of the time!

This place is insanely delicious! Scratch-made pastas, desserts, bread, local beer!!! Pizza! It does not get any better! From the dipping sauce and fresh pressed breakfast juices, this place is great! Super fresh! Extremely friendly staff. Always a great time here. If you're lucky enough someone will play the piano! Some of the most delicious foods on South Padre Island!

The service is great. My husband and I have been there few times and we have been with family as well. The lasagna is to die for. The spaghetti meat balls, delicious. Great spaghetti and sauce. However I recommend for the price at least double the meat or make it 3. 2 small ones seems too cheap. Delicious soups. Great value for my money except for the pasta meat balls

We enjoyed this place greatly. The service was top notch. Our server Luis was very helpful and patient with us as it was our first time there. He made suggestions and very knowledgeable of the food and wine served. Definitely will be coming back. Omgeee the lasagna 🫠 and the Salmon dish!

Wow. This place is an absolute gem!!! Admittedly, I was a bit hesitant to eat Italian food on the beach but The Meatball Cafe was phenomenal! If you're going back and forth on eating at this place, let this review be what you need to give it a try! I promise it will not disappoint. THE ATMOSPHERE/SERVICE: Beautiful. Very romantic with a great noise level for conversation, and the second you walk in the door the smell is out of this world good!!! Not to mention, the staff is absolutely phenomenal. They knew when to check in without hovering or overstaying their welcome. Very knowledgeable with the menu and had great recommendations! Very polite, very friendly, extremely personable. I really wish I would have gotten our waitress' name to mention her here because she was lovely! (The Meatball Cafe is also pet friendly on their patio as of 10/17/2025) THE FOOD: After reading a few Google reviews that mentioned how perfectly the scallops were cooked, I decided to order the scallop toscana. Let me tell you, those reviews were spot on! The scallops were cooked to perfection and the pesto toscana sauce was to die for! Very rich, very filling, and a phenomenal portion size. They also make all their pasta, bread, and pizza dough from scratch every day, and you can really taste the difference there. Some of the best pasta I've ever had!!! My husband ordered the lasagna and it was mind blowing. He said it's the best lasagna he's ever had in his life, hands down. You can really taste the love this place puts into every single dish. As for the appetizer, we ordered the fried cheese ravioli. I forgot to get a picture of it, I was so hungry, but man was it good and the raviolis were HUGE! Easily the size of my hand. The flavor was phenomenal and the Marinara sauce it came with was extraordinary! The salads that came with our entrees were excellent as well. I got the balsamic vinaigrette dressing and it was very very good. As for the appetizer bread, oil and vinegar... It was out of this world, truly! I believe the olive oil they used was slow simmered with garlic beforehand so it was packed with great flavor! EASILY the best olive oil balsamic mix I've ever had. There were a good number of delicious vegetarian options as well, so this would be a great place to bring your vegetarian friends and family! The chefs are also VERY willing to work with your preferences and needs so that you get the dish that's best for your tastes! THE DRINKS: If I'm being honest, the drinks were good but not great. They definitely pour heavy-handed, which is nice if you're not a lightweight! We got a Moscow mule that was pretty standard in flavor and quality. The Italian margarita was good but not amazing! It just tasted like a standard tropical/fruity margarita. The old fashioned was way too sweet for our liking, but everyone is unique in their old fashioned preference! Overall, I cannot talk about this place enough! EVERYTHING was perfect (aside from the drinks just being good but not great). The atmosphere, the service, the food, just an incredible experience, and very walkable, too! It was a bit on the pricey side, but anyone who is a true foodie knows when good food and service is worth the price. This will be a regular spot we visit while in SPI from here on out. You absolutely HAVE to try The Meatball Cafe while in SPI!