Locally owned Italian Restaurant. #MadeFromScratch daily: Pastas, Pizza dough, house bread, meatballs and sauces and nearly everything else! We also offer Steaks, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches and homemade desserts. Fun and friendly staff. Eat inside or on our quaint patio. Enjoy our great selection of Wines and full bar. Breakfast menu available from 8a-12p.
Comfortable, family-owned standby whipping up a big menu of traditional Italian dishes & pizza.
Nicole Baxter
We had an excellent experience at The Meatball Cafe! If you’re looking for homemade Italian food with great gluten-free options, this place is a must.
They offer gluten-free pizza and pasta, which is such a win. I had the gluten-free chicken Alfredo, and it was absolutely delicious—creamy, comforting, and clearly made with care. Even the salad was fantastic, which says a lot.
Our server, Luis, was very attentive and friendly, making sure everything was perfect without hovering. Service was efficient and welcoming, and we were in and out in under an hour, which was ideal.
Great food, great service, and a very comfortable experience. We would definitely go back and highly recommend it—especially for anyone needing gluten-free options.
… moreSherry H.
We had a wonderful lunch here. We came for their lunch specials. I ordered the rigatoni carbonara. It was absolutely delicious. The pasta was perfect. The bread that they served with the oil and spices was absolutely wonderful and my salad was probably the best Caesar salad I ever had. The dressing was delicious. I wished I would’ve asked if they sold it separately. The atmosphere in here really took you back like you were in Italy. It was decorated so cute. They had a good size dining room and a nice big patio. Our waitress was very attentive. If you are in the mood for some Italian food, I would definitely recommend coming here. If you come for the lunch special, it’s a wonderful deal! They have several specials throughout the week like happy hour and half price wine, so you might want to check out their website.
… moresophie iracheta
I came here with my boyfriend and his family to celebrate his mom’s birthday. It was a very cute environment. We were seated in the patio area, but it was still enclosed and it was full of greenery. I really enjoyed the small cups of water because they made me feel like I was drinking a lot of water because I kept refilling my cup. I ordered regular spaghetti and meatballs, and I was very satisfied. The noodles were thicker than I’m used to, but it was enjoyable. The portions were also very reasonable, not too much or too little. I really appreciated the attentiveness of the waiter, Luis. At the end of dinner we sang happy birthday, and Luis brought a complementary cannoli with, “HAPPY BDAY” written on the plate for my boyfriend’s mom. Great service! Only complaint was that there was no room to put our purses and we sat them on the ledge next to the many plants.
… moreRobyn Minifie
Met Karen Silvers and Danny Silvers at check in time and got settled to our rooms. Danny found us an amazing place to have supper that we didn’t even know existed. Very very good. Everything is homemade fresh. Everything. The salad dressings, soup, pasta, sausage, and the desserts. They also have a full menu. We all just decided to try the pasta fare tonight and the clam chowder, but they have a large variety of foods to pick from. I’m excited to try more. It’s been there for 9 years. Can’t believe we never discovered it before. Our waiter Marcus was amazing, friendly and efficient. Beautiful place, awesome food and staff. We will be back!
… moreRicky D.
This exceptional Italian restaurant provides an authentic and immersive experience, distinguished by its commitment to high-quality, fresh ingredients and traditional culinary techniques. The establishment prides itself on handcrafted, in-house pasta, vibrant sauces, and a warm, family-oriented ambiance. Key attributes include a knowledgeable and passionate staff, expertly curated wine pairings, and a strong emphasis on regional, seasonal, and uncomplicated flavors.
Indicators of a premier Italian dining experience:
* **Menu Philosophy:** A focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients is paramount.
* **Ambiance:** The atmosphere is welcoming, intimate, and warm, ideal for both romantic evenings and family gatherings.
* **Menu Structure:** A concise daily menu, complemented by daily specials, often indicates the use of fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced ingredients.
* **Service Excellence:** Attentive staff members who are passionate about the cuisine and adept at guiding guests through wine selections.
* **Presentation:** Dishes are artfully presented, exemplified by artisanal bruschetta, house-made pasta, and exceptional bread.
We highly recommend this establishment and anticipate a return visit.
… moreClarissa Marie
The sunroom creates a warm, inviting ambience that instantly elevates the dining experience—bright, cozy, and perfect for a relaxed meal. The lobster ravioli was rich and indulgent, with a beautifully balanced sauce that let the seafood shine. The gnocchi with red sauce was soft, pillowy, and comforting, clearly made with care and full of flavor. Both soups were standouts: the Tuscana was hearty and satisfying, while the Italian wedding soup was perfectly seasoned and comforting. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, making this a place I’d happily return to for both the food and the atmosphere.
… moreXuechen Zhu
Flat price for delicious lunch specials, including the appetizer bread, the salad and the main course. The appetizer bread is freshly baked and tasted good. The Spaghetti Meatball tastes very authentic. No over seasoned spice. The taste is very balanced. We also tried their Tiramisu. It is also made to a good taste. Not too sweet, not too bitter. Balanced, again. Great food and desserts here.
… moreCynthia Ortega
We have been here 3 times. Every time the food has been AMAZING! The serving are generous, great choices, haven’t had anything i did not LOVE! It is no wonder it stays busy! The atmosphere is great for a date night or a family meal! Service has been on point every time! This is now on our list of musts for a true island experience.
… moreNoah Kim
Our first time visiting South Padre, my family and I set out to find a good spot for lunch. With the high reviews, we expected great food. What we didn’t expect was for this restaurant to exceed those expectations so completely. The service, the warm ambiance, and the incredible authenticity of the Italian cuisine impressed us so much that we ended up returning three times, for lunch, dinner, and breakfast.
Josie, our server, took exceptional care of us each visit. She made sure every dish was prepared exactly to our liking and checked in without ever being intrusive. Her attention to detail and welcoming personality truly elevated our experience.
As we get ready to leave the island, one of my favorite memories will be the time my family and I spent gathered around the table here, enjoying three wonderful meals back-to-back. This restaurant didn’t just impress us, but instead became a highlight of our trip
… moreAlena
One of the only places that truly deserves a 5/5 rating! The food was amazing, everything was made from scratch (like the name suggests) and it showed. The complimentary bread was warm yet crunchy with a delicious garlic oil. The lasagna was to die for! The atmosphere was unmatched as well with cute lights and wooden decore with living plants.But perhaps the best part was the service. Our server, Josie, went above and beyond for us, going as far as to pack our to-go boxes for us and treating us like family.
Would definitely come back again!
… more