People travel the world to experience new cultures, heritage, art, and to savor tasty foods not necessarily found in Corpus Christi.
But did you know that we have over 20 different types of nationalities, countries and ethnicities represented at local restaurants in Coastal Bend?
If you want to try Peruvian dishes or French pastries, be sure to visit these places.
american barbecue
Barbecue is a long-standing tradition in the United States, especially in Texas. There are quite a few BBQ spots in Corpus Christi, but here are a few suggested by Caller-Times:
- The Bar-BQ Man Restaurant: 4931 IH-37 South
- Garrett’s BBQ: 322 N. Staples Street, 6062 Holly Road
- Hoegemeyer’s barbecue barn: 711 Concrete Street
- Howard’s BBQ and Catering: 1002 Antilope Street
- Julien’s BBQ: 1818 Baldwin Blvd.
- Mike Cotten’s BBQ: 15013 Northwest Blvd.
- Miller’s Bar-BQ: 6601 Weber Road, 10305 Leopard Street
- Salt oak BBQ: 4855 S. Alameda Street
Chinese
Most Chinese restaurants in Corpus Christi are considered an “American version” of takeout, but some of these places offer authentic cuisine:
- Asian coffee: 2233 Airline Road
- Dao Authentic Asian Cuisine: 2033 Airline Route
- Golden Crown Inn: 2739 S. Staples St.
- Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet: 5274 S. Staples Street
- Hunan Express: 5502 Everhart Road, 5997 Williams Drive.
- Café JaJa: 5714 McArdle Road
Czech Republican
The Czech Republican community is small but strong in the Corpus Christi area, with an annual celebration held at Moravian Hall. Be sure to visit this local bakery and cafe:
- VSBakery and zeck-Mex café: 711 N. Carancahua Street
Filipino
Have you ever had lumpias? Otherwise, you are missing something. These savory dishes are fried spring rolls filled with savory or sweet interiors. Check out this local restaurant:
- Small Manila Lumpia House: 2124 Waldron Road, 7426 S. Staples Street
French
Although we don’t have a restaurant specializing in fish soup or snails, we do have a French-themed bakery:
- Well-deserved : 1336 S. Staples Street
German
Corpus Christi has a German restaurant that opened in 2011. Guests will find strudel, cakes, pies, and other German dishes at this local eatery:
- JB German restaurant and bakery: 4141 S. Staples Street
Greek
If you don’t feel like waiting for the Greek Food Festival held at the Greek Orthodox Church in November, check out these local restaurants to introduce you to Greek:
- Eirini’s Gyroscopes and more: 4360 S. Alameda Street
- Gyro Express: 711 N. Carancahua Street
Indian
Chicken masala, curry, samosas, should we continue? Visit these local Indian restaurants for tasty cuisines:
- Pavani Express: 3206 Tiger Lane
- Persis Indian Grill & Bar: 4650 Corona Drive
Italian
What could be more romantic than enjoying a bowl full of pasta with a creamy Alfredo sauce and tasty shrimp while enjoying a glass of Pinot Grigio? If that made you hungry, check out these restaurants:
- Bella Luna: 429 Schatzell Street.
- The Italian restaurant and Bottega of Bellino: 3815 S. Alameda Street
- Frank’s Spaghetti House: 2724 Leopard Street
- Island Italian: 15370 S. Padre Island Drive
- The Italian restaurant Luciano: 1821 S. Alameda St.
- Maggie’s Home Kitchen: 5334 Everhart Road
- Rigatoni Italian Restaurant: 10501 Leopard Street
Japanese
Sushi lovers probably know every local Japanese restaurant. If not, check them:
- Aka Sushi Downtown: 415 N. Water Street
- Dokyo Dauntaun: 424 N. Chaparral St.
- Koi Sushi and Hibachi: 5301 Everhart Road
- Oyshi Sushi: 6181 Saratoga Blvd.
- Traveling Ronin: 2306 Airline Road
- Japanese cuisine Yoshi: 5898 Everhart Road
Korean
From barbecue restaurant to fried chicken restaurant, here are three local Korean restaurants found in Corpus Christi:
- Big Bowl Korean BBQ: 6410 Weber Road
- BQQ Korean soundtrack: 6042 S. Padre Island Drive
- Koko’s Crispy Fried Chicken: 6418 S. Staples Street
Lebanese
There’s only one Lebanese restaurant in Corpus Christi, and it’s been here for almost 10 years. Some dishes include shawarma, kabab, hummus and baklava:
- Kuzina Lebanese Grill: 3801 Saratoga Blvd.
Mediterranean
Owner and chef Jordan Jaradat noticed that Corpus Christi didn’t offer authentic Mediterranean cuisine. So he decided to open his own restaurant specializing in a culinary experience of the world:
- Ginger Cafe & Grill: 7009 S. Staples Street
Mexican
Here in South Texas, if there isn’t a Mexican restaurant around the corner, you’re missing out. There are many, but here are a few suggested by Caller-Times:
- Restaurant Acapulco: 4425 Weber Road, 6517 Weber Road, 1133 Airline Road, 5937 McArdle Road
- Mexican restaurant in Cancun: 6314 Yorktown Blvd., 4252 S. Alameda St.
- El Potro: 1401 Rodd Field Road, 6085 Weber Road
- Hi-Ho Restaurant: 3703 Morgan Ave.
- Kiko Mexican cuisine restaurant and canteen: 5514 Everhart Road
- The beach : 5017 Saratoga Blvd., 4201 S. Padre Island Drive, 227 N. Water St.
- The Ribera: 1602 Morgan Ave.
Peruvian
Located on North Padre Island, this Peruvian restaurant offers fish of the day and happy hour:
- Costa Sur Wok & Ceviche Bar: 15113 S. Padre Island Drive
Puerto Rican
Tucked away inside Moore Plaza, this Puerto Rican restaurant specializes in all things boricua, including camaron guisado and guava pastellilos:
- El Taino: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive
soul food
This ethnic cuisine – traditionally high in protein, carbohydrates and fried meat – was created in the South, and at least two local restaurants carry on this tradition in Corpus Christi:
- PKK: 615 N. Upper Broadway St.
- Trap House Kitchen: Between locations, but often sells food at Block Corpus Christi at 917 S. Staples St.
Taiwanese
Besides Taiwanese cuisine, the Moore Plaza Restaurant also serves Filipino and Chinese cuisine:
- Taiwan Restaurant: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive
Thai
Do you want kao soi or pad thai? Check out these local Thai restaurants:
- BKK Thai Kitchen and Bar: 3850 S. Alameda St., 6702 S. Staples St.
- Name’s kitchen: 13923 S. Padre Island Drive
- Thai Cottage: 5830 McArdle Road
- Thai spice: 523 N. Water Street
- Tuk Tuk Thai Restaurant: 6314 Yorktown Blvd.
Venezuelan
This local restaurant specializes in Latin American dishes, especially Venezuelan. If you’re looking for sancocho de pollo or arepitas de pernil, be sure to check this place out:
- Ora’s kitchen: 5433 S. Staples St.
Vietnamese
Whatever the weather, pho is delicious and cannot be left out. Here are some local Vietnamese restaurants to visit soon:
- Bamboo garden restaurant: 1220 Airline Road
- Hu-Dat Noodle House: 6418 S. Staples St., 14017 Northwest Blvd.
- Pho Life: 5865 Weber Road
- Pho Tastic & Deli: 4701 S. Padre Island Drive
- Vietnamese Restaurant: 701 N. Water Street
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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