Ever since I was little I loved our trips to South Padre Island, Texas! The beach was always a blast, but many times we would drive to the Island to eat. The island has great food! My newest island favorite it Gabriella’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria! If you’re hungry for Italian this is the place!
Gabriella’s has a unique atmosphere that had us looking all around in wonder. Dim lights, candles, and romantic music set the tone for an elegant family style dinner.
My kids instantly fell in love with the dripping candles on the table. They were mesmerized by them!
Meals are served with family style portions of salad and garlic bread with delicious oil and balsamic vinegar with garlic for dipping. Sharing plates is allowed, but there is a $4 charge for the shared salad and bread.
I was thankful that when ordering pizza for the kids there wasn’t an extra $4 charge per kid! This is an upscale restaurant with most meals ranging from $20-$30 each, but all the kids were able to share a pizza so that does help with the price for families.
I love my food spicy!! So when I saw this dish on the menu, I had to have it. Victor Califa Roma Pasta extra spicy! It’s rigatoni pasta with a red pepper cream sauce, chicken, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Holy yum y’all! This is crave worthy pasta.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about the lasagna. Gabriella’s Five Layer Lasagna was recommended to us as a specialty of the restaurant. I am so picky about my lasagna. If it isn’t made right, I don’t want it. And since I had already spied my spicy pasta, I let my husband order the lasagna. Y’all this has to be the best lasagna I have ever tasted in my entire life. I know, in the plate it doesn’t look like much, but once you try it, I’m sure it will make a believer out of you too. As much as I loved the spicy Roma Pasta, on my next trip I will HAVE to order the lasagna. It’s that fantastic!
For more South Padre Island area eats try Shrimp Haus Restaurant, Windjammers Beachfront Cafe, Pelican Station, Los Tortugos Seafood Market, and Pirates Landing Restaurant.

That candle is straight up awesome!!! And the bread they serve prior to the main event has me DROOLING!
That looks like such a great place to have dinner with the family. Nothing beats a night of pizza, pasta, and family.
All the dishes looks so good! We love pizza so I’m sure this place is perfect for us. The dripping candle is so creative!
Oooo I love Italian food and this looks amazing! Yummy! I also love the dripping candles, so cool.
We love pizza in our family and Gabriella’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria sounds amazing! Looks like some yummy pizzas!
The food looks yummy. I love little intimate places like this. Now I want Italian. lol