Eat At Port Isabel

WITH OVER 40 EATERIES, you can choose from seafood, Tex-Mex, Mexican and American, comfort and Cajun, fast food and more. There are handmade desserts and tortillas. Distilled drinks and tropical cocktails. What will your favorites be?

A CENTURY AGO, Port Isabel was called “Point Isabel”, had a population of 396 souls and boasted one cafe! The Carlos Cafe served local fare and was described as having a “large sign, but exceedingly small kitchen”. Diners washed their hands in a basin on the porch and might have to wait as the 13 plates were washed between seatings.

BY MID-CENTURY, Port Isabel was known as the “Shrimping Capitol of the world”. Local fleets harvest the Gulf for wild-caught shrimp and fresh seafood. A number of restaurants now populated the downtown area and served streaks, seafood, sandwiches and other dishes.

BREAKFAST ~ LUNCH ~ DINNER
~ DRINKS ~ DESSERTS ~ SNACKS!

TODAY, Port Isabel’s culinary offerings have continued to expand and include restaurants that can cook your catch or offer all-you-can-eat specials. Most are family owned and multigenerational. Some own their own boats or work with local commercial anglers to make sure what is served is the freshest it can be!

PORT ISABEL’s FOOD adventure also includes a number of seafood markets, tortillerias and carincerias. For the less successful angler, you can buy fish and have it expertly prepared!