The Local’s List 2023 readers’ choice poll winners for Food & Drink include categories such as pizza, mixologist, seafood and much more.
Asian Cuisine
Hu-Dat Noodle House
Incomparable selection of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Second Place: BKK Thai Kitchen + Bar
Runner Up: Z Counter
Bar
BUS
A bus load of fun awaits you at this local favorite.
Second Place: Executive Surf Club
Runner Up: The Post at Lamar Park
Bakery
S&J Bakery
A brother-sister team serving up the best baked goods in town.
Second Place: Hester’s Cafe
Runner Up: Bien Mérité
Beer List
B&J’s Pizza — The Original
Offering the best selection of imported and specialty beers since the ’70s.
Second Place: Executive Surf Club
Runner Up: Tapology
Breakfast Taco
Hi-Ho Restaurant
If it’s good enough for Selena, it’s good enough for us.
Second Place: Taqueria Almedia – Flour Bluff
Runner Up: Nanos Taco Run
Barbecue
Butter’s BBQ
Small town, big barbecue.
Second Place: Nueces Brewing & Barbecuing
Runner Up: Salty Oak BBQ
Brunch
Hester’s Cafe
The cloud cakes are heavenly.
Second Place: Chops & Eggs
Runner Up: The Post at Lamar Park
Burger
Padre Island Burger Company
An OG Island staple, these burgers can’t be beat.
Second Place: Wallbanger’s
Runner Up: Vick’s Famous Hamburgers
Cajun Cuisine
Surfing Crab
The best way to get your hands dirty.
Second Place: Catfish Charlie’s
Runner Up: The Boiling Pot – Rockport
Charcuterie
Olive Bleu Charcuterie Chic
Luxury grazing boxes, boards and tables for all occasions.
Second Place: TANNINS Wine Bar and Tapas Restaurant
Runner Up: Coastal Charcuterie – Rockport
Chef
Natalie Trevino, The Roughian
French foundations; Texas roots. That’s The Roughian way.
Second Place: Tony Posada – The Blue Clove
Runner Up: Nate Marcus – Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill
Coffee
Coffee Waves
Artisan coffee beverages, handcrafted gelato and an inviting atmosphere.
Second Place: Island Joe’s Coffee & Gallery
Runner Up: The Coffee Mugg
Cottage Baker
Sugarbelle Sweets
Cakes so surreal, she’s nicknamed “the cake taxidermist.”
Second Place: Snake Farm Pies
Runner Up: Nelle’s Bake Shoppe
Craft Cocktails
The Post at Lamar Park
Expertly curated craft cocktails, sure to satisfy any craving.
Second Place: BUS
Runner Up: Dokyo Dauntaun
Dessert
Bien Mérité
Votre boulangerie de quarter.
Second Place: Hester’s Cafe
Runner Up: Sugarbakers
Diner
Andy’s Kitchen
Worth its wait in blueberry muffins.
Second Place: Town and Country
Runner Up: Price’s Chef
Distillery
Coastal Bend Distilling Co.
Locally made vodka, whiskey and gin … oh my!
Second Place: Aerodrome Distilling
Runner Up: Wild Horse Distillery
Dive Bar/Pub
Vernon’s
Your friendly neighborhood watering hole for 70+ years.
Second Place: Tapology
Runner Up: Sugar Shack – Rockport
Donuts
Gates Donuts
Undefeated and undisputed donut champs five years in a row.
Second Place: Donut Palace
Runner Up: Ninja Mochi Donut
Food Truck
TacoBar Street
Taco ’bout the local’s favorite food truck.
Second Place: Marty McPies
Runner Up: Birrieria & Mariscos El General
French Fries
Executive Surf Club
Battered fries and walnut dressing: a match made in heaven.
Second Place: Wings N More
Runner Up: Wallbanger’s
Frozen Treats
Snoball
Sixty different flavors for frozen fun.
Second Place: Scoopy’s
Runner Up: La Fresa Homemade Ice Cream & More
Gluten-Free Options
Hester’s Cafe
Gluten-free bread, quinoa-based pasta and more.
Second Place: PHAT Keto Co.
Runner Up: Bellino Italiano Ristorante
Gourmet Dining
Republic of Texas
Fine food, wines and views all in one.
Second Place: Bellino Italiano Restorante
Runner Up: Katz21 Steakhouse
Happy Hour
Niko’s Steakhouse
Different drink specials every night of the week.
Second Place: Water Street Oyster Bar
Runner Up: Scuttlebutts
Italian Cuisine
Bellino Ristorante Italiano
Sicilian Chef Francesco Inguaggiato serves up authentic fare.
Second Place: Luciano’s Italian Restaurant
Runner Up: Frank’s Spaghetti House
Kid-friendly Restaurant
Brewster Street Icehouse
A restaurant the entire family can agree on — even the littlest members.
Second Place: House of Burgers
Runner Up: Andy’s Kitchen
Margarita
Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant & Cantina
Frozen, flavored or on the rocks, these margs deserve all the props.
Second Place: YOLA cocina mexicana
Runner Up: La Playa Mexican Grille – Port Aransas
Meat Market
Moody’s Quality Meats
An “old fashioned” butcher shop focused on family and tradition.
Second Place: Staples Street Meat Market
Runner Up: Boarri Craft
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Cuisine
Ginger Cafe & Grill
International cuisine from Greece to the Indian subcontinent, with the freshest ingredients.
Second Place: Erini’s Gyros & More
Runner Up: Middle East Market & Deli
Mexican Cuisine
Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant & Cantina
Traditions on the table for over 40 years.
Second Place: Hi-Ho Restaurant
Runner Up: La Playa Mexican Grille – Port Aransas
Microbrewery
Nueces Brewing and Barbecuing
In pursuit of hoppiness? Head to Nueces Brewing.
Second Place: Lazy Beach Brewery
Runner Up: Railroad Seafood Station & Brewing
Mixologist
Michael Green, The Post at Lamar Park
The “Mad Scientist” of the local craft cocktail scene.
Second Place: Michael Cantu – The Goldfish
Runner Up: Caitlin Bishop – BUS
Runner Up: Casey Ortiz – BUS
New Restaurant
Prime Steakhouse and Whiskey Bar
Delicious food in a beautiful setting; what more can you ask for?
Second Place: Noodles & Dumplings
Runner Up: Central Kitchen
Outdoor Seating
Doc’s Seafood & Steaks Restaurant
Outdoor seating for you and your boat.
Second Place: Snoopy’s
Runner Up: Brewster Street Ice House
Pastry Chef
Hester Rodriguez – Hester’s Cafe
She’s the namesake of this cafe for a reason!
Second Place: Stephanie Miranda – Sugarbakers
Runner Up: Jeannette Hernandez – Central Kitchen
Pizza
B&J’s Pizza — The Original
Whatever the question, a pizza from B&J’s is the answer.
Second Place: Panjo’s Pizza
Runner Up: Padre Pizzeria
Poke
Hanaya Poke
Hawaiian-style Asian-inspired poke bowls that pack in the flavor.
Second Place: Hawaii Poke
Runner Up: Costa Sur
Ramen
Z Counter
Fusion concepts and authentic flavors make for one delicious bowl.
Second Place: Ninja Ramen
Runner Up: Noodles & Dumplings
Salad
Hester’s Cafe
From the Swinney Switch to the Hannah Savanah, Hester’s salads are there to to satisfy.
Second Place: Water Street Oyster Bar
Runner Up: Kings Inn
Sandwich
Hester’s Cafe
You can’t go wrong with a Texas namesake sandwich.
Second Place: Surfside Sandwich Shoppe
Runner Up: Taylor Center Deli
Seafood
Waterstreet Oyster Bar
Pro tip: Always check the chalkboard specials.
Second Place: The Blue Clove
Runner Up: Doc’s Seafood & Steaks Restaurant
Seafood Market
Paul’s Seafood Market
Fin-tastic options for your next fish fry.
Second Place: Flower’s Shrimp Market – Rockport
Runner Up: Morgan Street Seafood
Soul Food
Trap House Kitchen
Homestyle cooking you’ll continuously crave.
Second Place: PKK (Portis Kountry Kitchen)
Runner Up: Butter Churn
Soup
Hu-Dat Noodle House
The special combination soups really are … souper.
Second Place: Hester’s Cafe
Runner Up: Pho Life
Steak
Ol’ Steakhouse Co.
The best bone-in ribeye in town. Period.
Second Place: Niko’s Steakhouse
Runner Up: Republic of Texas
Street Tacos
TacoBar Street
Word on the street is that these mini tacos are the best in town.
Second Place: Jefe’s Mobile Cafe
Runner Up: El Jalisco Grill
Sushi
Rock & Rolls Sushi Lounge
You’ve got to fight … for your right … to sushi!
Second Place: Dokyo Dauntaun
Runner Up: Umiya
Thai Cuisine
Thai Cottage
A taste of Thailand without leaving the 361.
Second Place: BKK Thai Kitchen + Bar
Runner Up: Drunkn Noodlez
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Zambra Fusion Cafe
Worldwide flavors that meet all your dietary preferences.
Second Place: Hester’s Cafe
Runner Up: Z Counter
Waterfront Dining
Doc’s Seafood & Steaks Restaurant
Doc your boat and stay a while; nothing beats these views.
Second Place: Snoopy’s
Runner Up: Harrison’s Landing
Wine Bar
Tannins Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant
Worldly wines enjoyed by the glass or the bottle.
Second Place: Bellino Italiano Ristorante
Runner Up: Winery on the Bay Rockport
Wine List
Tannins Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant
Worldly wines enjoyed by the glass or the bottle.
Second Place: Bellino Ristorante Italiano
Runner Up: Republic of Texas
Wings
B&J’s Pizza — The Original
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Jack wings.
Second Place: Wings N More
Runner Up: Bluffalo Wings Co.
