Brian Nagele
People from all over flock to San Antonio, Texas, to visit the famous riverwalk and learn more about the Alamo. This city in the south of Texas is rich in culture and is one of the best places to visit in the state. Whether you’re planning to move to San Antonio, on vacation, or are just passing through, knowing all the best San Antonio restaurants can make your experience that much more enjoyable.
Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants in San Antonio so that you can maximize your enjoyment of this amazing city. So, if you’re wondering where to eat in San Antonio, look no further.
2M Smokehouse
2731 S WW White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78222
Phone: 210-885-9352
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Nestled in between the Pecan Valley and Comanche neighborhoods is 2M Smokehouse. You can’t go to Texas without eating barbecue food. 2M Smokehouse opened in 2016 and is named after the two owner’s grandmothers. The restaurant is very casual and is a great place to sit back and relax with friends and family.
2M Smokehouse has everything you could want in a barbecue joint. You can order meat by the pound, sandwiches, delicious side dishes, and daily specials. Their pulled pork sandwich is one of the best around, and I paired mine with their chicharoni macaroni and baked beans. Delicious!
Battalion
604 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-816-0088
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Battalion is in Southtown, right near Hemisfair Park, and one of the best restaurants in San Antonio. If you’re looking for one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, this is it. The restaurant is stylish and chic while maintaining traditional Italian roots. The atmosphere is warm and has plenty of mood lighting for more intimate dining.
The menu at Battalion is relatively small, but every dish is exceptional. The smaller menu allows the chefs to focus more on quality rather than quantity. The watermelon salad is the perfect and refreshing starter. As for your entree, my two favorite dishes are their spinach manicotti and Olio e Aglio. If you’re looking for a veggie to pair, their charred green beans were tasty.
Best Quality Daughter
602 Avenue A, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: 210)-819-4236
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Best Quality Daughter is a Chinese-American restaurant in the historic Mueller House at the Pearl Brewery part of the busy commercial district. This trendy eatery serves lunch and dinner by offering an array of contemporary and fusion dishes that blend traditional Chinese flavors with modern techniques.
Asian American Chef Jennifer Dobbertin has created a menu that introduces traditional cuisine while offering something for everyone. Dishes I would recommend include the beef noodle soup, General Tso’s chicken, and the pork dumplings. Best Quality Daughter’s laid-back atmosphere and friendly service make it popular among locals and visitors.
Bliss
926 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX 78210
Phone: 210-225-2547
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The first restaurant on this list is in Southtown. Bliss is only minutes from the San Antonio riverwalk and is a modern restaurant housed in a historic filling station. There are traditional brick walls that are still standing with beautiful artwork throughout the restaurant. While the restaurant is fairly casual, you’ll feel like you’re getting the VIP treatment.
The cuisine at Bliss is contemporary American. They have a charcuterie menu, an extensive wine list, and of course, their main offerings. When I dined here, I ordered the braised rabbit. It didn’t disappoint, and neither did their roasted bone marrow starter.
Clementine
2195 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78213
Phone: 210-503-5121
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Clementine is a seasonally inspired restaurant that’s in Castle Hills. It’s only about 11 miles from the San Antonio riverwalk and worth popping into if you can. Chef and owner John Russ takes inspiration from his roots in New Orleans and globally inspired dishes to serve some of the best food in San Antonio.
The menu has plenty of small plates, platters, and boards for sharing or keeping all to yourself. John Russ likes to change the menu as ingredients come into season to showcase the best flavors possible. The country-fried oyster mushrooms, hush puppies, and American Pheasant were all to die for.
Cured
306 Pearl Pkwy UNIT 101, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: 210-314-3929
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On Pearl Parkway, just north of downtown, is San Antonio’s charcuterie-based restaurant, Cured. The restaurant is contemporary, but it’s set in a historical atmosphere. It’s known for having an inviting atmosphere where friends are known to gather for delicious cured food and drinks.
You can’t go to Cured without ordering a charcuterie or cheese board. If you want the whole experience, their reserve charcuterie plate is the one you’ll want. In addition to their cured meats, they feature a selection of pickled items and traditional entrees too. Their BBQ shrimp and grits is a main course worth trying.
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana
Multiple locations
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Dough Pizzeria Napoletana has several locations throughout San Antonio. The two most popular are their downtown location and the one in Greater Harmony Hills. You can never go wrong with eating pizza when you’re in San Antonio. Dough Pizzeria Napoletana is a casual pizzeria that’s perfect for dining in or eating at home.
Dough is known for their pizzas, but they have a handful of other menu items worth exploring. They have various options, including their Tuscan salad, signature truffle burrata, antipasti, and, of course, dessert. You have to try the truffle burrata no matter what you order. The prosciutto sugo pizza was my favorite, and the tiramisu is the perfect ending to a delicious meal.
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
136 E Grayson St #120, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: 210-455-5701
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Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is a neighbor of the beloved restaurant, Cured. This restaurant and brewery are located in a historic building in San Antonio, so the decor pays respects to that while maintaining a modern microbrewery on the second floor. Southerleigh is the perfect place to go for date night or to spend time with friends.
The menu at Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery has something for everyone. If you love an appetizer before your main meal, they’re known for their fried snapper throats. Another signature item for you to try is their fried chicken with country-style whipped potatoes. Be sure to check out their selection of craft beer too.
Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
18318 Sonterra Pl, San Antonio, TX 78258
Phone: 210-564-9400
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If you’ve never had the pleasure of dining at a traditional Brazilian steakhouse, you need to visit Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse while you’re in the city, especially if you’ve got guests with you. Like many great restaurants in San Antonio, you’ll find Chama Gaucha in the Far North Central neighborhood. The decor inside makes the restaurant feel upscale, but it’s rather casual.
When you order meat at Chama Gaucha, it’s served on a traditional skewer to keep it warm while making its way from the kitchen to your table. The Picanha is the restaurant’s signature cut of sirloin. They also have a fine selection of lamb and pork and a salad bar with over 30 options for vegetarians.
Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood
219 E Houston St #275, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-472-2600
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Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood are in the heart of downtown, only minutes from the San Antonio River. Since opening in 2002, Bohanan’s has become a place people flock to celebrate special occasions or anything that comes up in life. The atmosphere is your typical steakhouse with dim lighting, white linen table cloths, and a cozy ambiance.
If you’re planning on dining at Bohanan’s, you’ll want to have the full experience. To start your meal, the French-grilled oysters are a signature appetizer. For your entree, the dry-aged NY strip or veal tenderloin is the way to go. If you don’t want a steak, their herb-crusted red snapper is divine. You won’t want to forget about their wine selection or dessert menu.
Mixtli
812 S Alamo St STE 103, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-338-0746
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Mixtli, located in San Antonio’s King William neighborhood, is an upscale Mexican restaurant known for its creative tasting menus that combine old prehispanic techniques with new avante-garde techniques. Diners can enjoy an intimate dining experience at the communal chef’s counter, where they can watch the chefs prepare each course.
With a rotating selection of regional dishes, the restaurant aims to showcase the diverse flavors of Mexican cuisine, like the Nopalera, a dish using cactus paddles with accompanying drink pairings. Chef Diego Galicia and Chef Rico Torres have received numerous accolades for their innovative approach to cooking, including a James Beard Award nomination.
Biga on the Banks – San Antonio Riverwalk Restaurant
203 S St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-225-0722
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After spending some time walking along the San Antonio riverwalk, head to Biga on the Banks. Biga on the Banks is easily one of the best places to eat near the riverwalk. They’re currently open five days a week.
The cuisine at Biga on the Banks is modern American. There’s escargot, pizza, burgers, and so much more. The Texas shrimp and lump crab was delicious, as were the Yukon Gold potato dumplings. They also offer a fixed-price three-course menu for those wanting the full experience.
Cappy’s Restaurant
5011 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: 210-828-9669
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Up in Alamo Heights is Cappy’s Restaurant. Cappy’s is the place to go in San Antonio if you’re looking for something a little upscale but still comfortable and fairly casual. The building is a light brick with beautiful vines crawling up the side. The inside of the restaurant is warm and welcoming.
Cappy’s serves delicious seafood, steak, and traditional American cuisine. Some of the best menu items are their jumbo lump blue crab cake, ribeye, fish tacos, and their side of macaroni and cheese. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, you need to try their lavender lemon drop. It’s a traditional lemon drop but with lavender and vanilla notes.
Carnitas Lonja
1107 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210
Phone: 210-455-2105
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Just ten minutes south of downtown is Carnitas Lonja. This restaurant is a family-owned and operated business that takes pride in the community they’ve created through good food. Since 2017, it’s been a place for locals and visitors alike to gather with a great meal and a nice cold beer.
Carnitas Lonja specializes in making fantastic carnitas. The menu is very limited, but it’s well worth a visit. You can order carnitas, which comes with a handful of tortillas, pico de gallo, pickled onions, and salsa to assemble yourself at your table. You won’t want to forget a side of guacamole and a cold beer.
Domingo
123 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-404-7516
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Domingo, located in the heart of San Antonio’s downtown area, only blocks from the San Fernando Cathedral, is a progressive restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine focusing on Southern Texas dishes. The riverside restaurant’s casual and inviting atmosphere, complete with a large outdoor patio, makes it a popular spot for brunch and happy hour.
The menu features a variety of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, such as smoked brisket tacos, grilled adobo chicken, and the grilled poblano burger. Pair your meal with a toasted chile brownie and one of their delicious signature margaritas.
Maverick
710 S St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-973-6050
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Maverick is a neighborhood bistro and brasserie in San Antonio’s Southtown district. They combine Texas’ finest ingredients with French techniques so diners can enjoy their French-inspired meal in the restaurant’s cozy dining room or outdoor patio.
Maverick also offers a daily happy hour, a rotating selection of seasonal specials, and a $10/day valet service. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants classic American comfort food elevated with a French twist, such as roasted cornish hen or steak frites.
Brunch is served on the weekends starting at 10 am and goes all day with brown butter brioche doughnuts and salmon bagels.
Rebelle
The St. Anthony Hotel, 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-352-3171
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Rebelle, located inside the historic St. Anthony Hotel, is an elegant restaurant that serves contemporary American seafood in its sophisticated dining room that boasts stunning views of downtown San Antonio. Head chef Stefan Bowers’ culinary expertise and attention to detail have earned the restaurant a place on Texas Monthly’s list of Best New Restaurants.
The menu showcases dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, such as their surf and turf offering with Gulf shrimp, the Texas Wagyu steak, and a Power Tower of seafood packed with Alaskan King crab legs. For lighter fare, try a tomato and watermelon salad with orange-poppyseed vinaigrette or mahi-mahi ceviche.
Mi Roti
Bottling Department food hall at 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215
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Right across from Hemisfair Park in the Bottling Department Food Hall is Mi Roti. This is the best place in San Antonio to get Caribbean street food outside of the Caribbean. Husband and wife duo Lionel and Nicola are bringing their passion for delicious food to San Antonio.
Mi Roti pays homage to Caribbean culture and cuisine by sharing roti and other dishes with the people in San Antonio. When you dine here, you can choose to have roti as a bowl or a wrap. From there, you can select your protein. The jerk chicken and spicy, creamy coconut spinach are a fantastic choice that you’d be remiss to avoid. After that, you can add rice, toppings, and sauces.
Signature
16401 La Cantera Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78256
Phone: 210-247-0176
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A little off the beaten path in northwest San Antonio is Signature. This upscale rustic restaurant is the perfect combination of classy French decor and traditional Texas ambiance. Chef Andrew Weissman perfected his craft in Europe and New York City before returning to his hometown to open Signature – this restaurant is clearly inspired by the flavors of the world but with classic dishes.
The cuisine at Signature utilizes the seafood of the Gulf and adds twists to some of your favorite traditional American dishes. It was hard to choose only one dish here, so I ordered the crab and spit pea risotto to start and then finished with the Australian rack of lamb. Their wine list was also impressive, and there’s a wine to pair well with any dish.
