The Meatball Cafe #MadeFromScratch — Restaurant in South Padre Island

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...

Over the recent weekend, our journey took us to South Padre Island for a special occasion, and it presented us with the perfect chance to discover The Meatball Café.

Italian cuisine is a realm I've come to embrace with enthusiasm. Countless hours have been devoted to mastering homemade sauces, seeking out premium pastas and cheeses, all to create exquisite dishes for my loved ones. Stepping into Meatball Café, I did so with an open mind, ready for a culinary adventure that lay ahead.

Our culinary journey commenced with a simple yet universally cherished choice: mozzarella sticks. This appetizer served as a benchmark, a prelude to the flavors that awaited. Crafted in-house, the mozzarella sticks proved their artisanal origin with an irresistible cheese pull that bordered on the remarkable. The taste was impeccable, heightened by a marinara sauce that bore the unmistakable signature of being crafted entirely from scratch. Accompanying the starter was warm, freshly baked in-house bread, a testament to both skill and care.

The focal point of our meal arrived in the form of the main course. My wife indulged in the house-made Lasagna, a dish that embodied tradition and excellence. Its flavors resonated deeply, making it a resounding recommendation. As for me, a Panini Chicken Sandwich presented a satisfying option, perfectly portioned and accompanied by house-made potato chips that mirrored the dedication to quality.

Our curiosity led us to explore the dessert realm, and the house-made Tiramisu captured our attention. This delicacy accompanied us home, and the following morning saw us savoring its delectable layers.

Our overall experience was nothing short of splendid. The restaurant's carefully curated ambiance enriched our dining journey, with the captivating ceiling adorned by a cascade of wine bottles adding a unique touch. Our attentive waitress ensured that our needs were met with finesse.

Without hesitation, we will be endorsing this establishment to our circle of friends and family. The Meatball Café has successfully earned a place in our recommendations, thanks to its artfully prepared offerings and an atmosphere that elevates the...

I'm gonna start with the atmosphere of this place. The place itself is small but it's comfortable. When we walked in there was no music so it was a little awkward being in a room with only the sounds of whispering people and eating utensils clinking against plates. After about 20 minutes they stated up some music which relieved some of the awkwardness. They brought out bread and butter which were really good. Especially the butter that had a very delicious taste. The woman who served us was not using a notepad to take our order. We were 6 people and a baby. When we asked her if she would remember our order she said "I hope so" which is not the answer we were hoping to get. I ordered the fetuccini Alfredo but with penne instead of fetuccini. It came with a side salad. I chose the ceasar salad. The salad seemed like it was made with old lettuce so I didn't enjoy it much. My wife didn't enjoy hers either. My parents ordered the regular salad with blue cheese and they said it was very good. When we got our food we all really enjoyed our plates, but there is just a few things that bothered us. My plate was delicious but my penne pasta was pretty undercooked so much so that some of it was still hard. The house Alfredo sauce was very good, but while my plate was drenched in it everyone else who ordered an Alfredo plate had very dry pasta. We had to ask for more Alfredo sauce and it took a while to come out. My parents thought the pizza was delicious and perfectly cooked, but in my opinion it could've used a few more minutes in the over because it was a little too soft. My overall experience was positive and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for...