The 23 Best Restaurants in San Antonio in 2024
After you’ve visited the Alamo and soaked up the incredible climate, you’ll be looking for restaurants in San Antonio to soothe your Southwestern appetite. This river town is brimming with so many amazing eateries offering a rich variety of cuisines and atmospheres. Restaurants throughout San Antonio provide a veritable buffet for hungry diners to dig into.
It’s not hard to stumble onto the best restaurants in San Antonio, no matter what part of town you land in. We’ve made it even easier by compiling our choices for the best restaurants San Antonio has around town. With so many incredible San Antonio restaurants waiting beyond the horizon, how could you not set out on a culinary quest of your own?
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23 Best San Antonio Restaurants
1. Boudro's
The restaurants San Antonio has to offer don't get hipper than Boudro's. This trendy haunt has been entertaining guests along the riverfront for almost 40 years.
The Vibe
Just the right balance of laid-back charm and high-end class.
What to Order
Filet of beef tenderloin and grilled lobster tail make a surf-and-turf pairing for the modern eater.
Boudro's | 421 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78205 | $$$
2. Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery gives quaint restaurants in San Antonio an upscale Southern sheen. Seasonal ingredients merge in Chef Jeff Balfour's thoughtful coastal creations.
The Vibe
French country stylings make this eatery one of the most warm and cozy restaurants in San Antonio.
What to Order
Try the Galveston-style shrimp boil to taste the best flavors of the Gulf, with sausage and potatoes adding earthy richness.
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery | 136 E. Grayson St., Ste. 120, San Antonio, TX 78215 | $$
3. Acenar
Serving Tex-Mex fare with contemporary magic, Acenar redefines cool eateries. This is one of the most inventive restaurants on San Antonio's dining scene, with some of the most imaginative reinventions of familiar fare.
The Vibe
Blasts of color and a striking patio give this River Walk beauty a site of pure enchantment.
What to Order
The vegetarian relleno packs ribbon-thin vegetables into a broiled pepper skin, topped with crema and Monterey jack for added flavor.
Acenar Mexican Restaurant | 146 E. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205 | $$
4. Iron Cactus
The restaurants San Antonio does most authentically are those that transform Mexican cuisine into a celebration; restaurants like Iron Cactus. Lunch and dinner feature mindful, modern versions of beloved cantina dishes.
The Vibe
Moody and serene, this space is custom-made for memorable dining.
What to Order
Warm up with a flavorful tortilla soup and grilled fajitas made with tasty herbs before heading out for a walk along the river.
Iron Cactus | 200 River Walk, Ste. 100, San Antonio, TX 78205 | $$
5. Rebelle
When seafood restaurants in San Antonio take up residence in luxury properties, your options take a turn for the opulent. Rebelle is the onsite dining room for the trendy St. Anthony Hotel, a Marriott space for deluxe tastes.
The Vibe
Prepare to be wrapped in wall-to-wall elegance as you dine.
What to Order
Shrimp and grits with a Creole cream sauce will give you an authentic tour of the Gulf as your fork clears the plate.
Rebelle | 300 E. Travis St., San Antonio, TX 78205 | $$$
6. Tycoon Flats
It's easy to imagine Tycoon Flats as one of the restaurants San Antonio college students love best. Burgers and bar bites make every visit joyful, especially happy hour.
The Vibe
Fast casual may be the style, but feel free to linger awhile.
What to Order
Specialty treats like Buffalo blue fries, house-made fried pickles and piled-high nachos signal serious comfort food in your future.
Tycoon Flats | 2926 N. Saint Marys St., San Antonio, TX 78212 | $$
7. Down On Grayson
Down On Grayson is exemplary of the New American restaurants San Antonio shares with locals and visitors. This contemporary casa-style space is filled with light to take advantage of San Antonio's phenomenal climate.
The Vibe
Seated outdoors or in, you'll find inviting hacienda spirit hovering throughout.
What to Order
Go for steak chimichurri and enjoy medallion-sized morsels topped with garlic green sauce and a side of onion rings.
Down On Grayson | 303 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215 | $$
8. Josephine Street
Roadhouse restaurants in San Antonio have a supreme representative in Josephine Street. An eclectic clientele is a tribute to the welcoming atmosphere this legendary restaurant in San Antonio offers in addition to the dynamite food.
The Vibe
It's a boots-and-hats feeling in here, from top to bottom.
What to Order
Grab a beef tenderloin sandwich to enjoy a juicy, steak-style classic, or go for the El Rey Burger, dressed to the nines in handcrafted ranchero sauce.
Josephine Street | 400 E. Josephine St., San Antonio, TX 78215 | $$
9. Ida Claire
Of all the restaurants San Antonio presents, Ida Claire has the cleverest Southern name. You'll declare yourself in dining heaven when you lay eyes on the hearty options this eatery has cooking.
The Vibe
Funky, cozy and fun, with daily happy hours that spin your favorite tunes on vinyl.
What to Order
Sweet potato hummus will intrigue, with its potato-based tribute to the chickpea original. Ida’s fried chicken tests your limits for swicy (sweet and spicy) with a citrusy, Tabasco-based brine.
Ida Claire | 7300 Jones Maltsberger Road, San Antonio, TX 78209 | $$
10. Elsewhere
To be enchanted by the restaurants of San Antonio, simply step into Elsewhere, a bar and kitchen that feels more like a storybook garden. Elevated diner fare here will make you glad to be nowhere else!
The Vibe
Lush and alive with greenery that lights up cheerily at night.
What to Order
The PB&J Burger is a mystical treat, pairing peanut butter and strawberry preserves with bacon and cheddar on a juicy burger.
Elsewhere | 103 E. Jones Ave., San Antonio, TX 78215 | $$
11. Supper
You don't have to stay at the Hotel Emma to enjoy Supper, its signature dining room and one of the most inventive restaurants San Antonio can show you. With or without a room, this stylish dining spot is your key to fantastic food.
The Vibe
Clean and crisp, with lovely linens and lots of sunlight.
What to Order
Stuffed squash blossoms and a plate of succulent quail fried crispy will tell you new tales about Southwestern cuisine.
Supper | 136 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215 | $$$
12. Green
At Green, plant-forward eaters have a friend in the diverse restaurants around San Antonio. This super-casual vegetarian and vegan eatery at the Alamo Quarry Market has been racking up accolades as far back as 2007.
The Vibe
Spacious and sweet, with a bit of funky freshness.
What to Order
A falafel burrito brings you a plant-based way to enjoy your favorite Tex-Mex creation with a Mediterranean twist.
Green | 255 E. Basse Road, Ste. 940, San Antonio, TX 78209 | $$
13. La Fonda On Main
La Fonda On Main is the ancestor of the other restaurants San Antonio holds within its borders. This landmark eatery has been in business since 1932, making it the oldest in the city.
The Vibe
Ceramic tiled eaves and a captivating patio transport you to another time.
What to Order
Paella here is made from the catch of the day surrounded by Gulf shrimp and other seafood beauties.
La Fonda On Main | 2415 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212 | $$
14. Pasha Mediterranean Grill
Pasha Mediterranean Grill is your best bet for restaurants in San Antonio serving savory Greek specialties. This family-run spot takes a healthy angle with fresh ingredients and tantalizing seasonings.
The Vibe
Comfy interiors make it easy to relax as you eat.
What to Order
You'll want the naan, of course, the perfect vehicle for enjoying hummus, baba ganoush and falafel, with a side of Pasha's traditional Greek salad.
Pasha Mediterranean Grill | Multiple Locations | $$
15. The Rustic
Like a cozy cookout with friends, The Rustic is one of the most relaxing restaurants San Antonio provides. It's like having a BBQ pit and open-air concert arena in your own backyard!
The Vibe
Lively outdoor entertainment spices up this modern space.
What to Order
Try adventurous fare like wild boar chili or stick closer to home with a Texas-style cheesesteak.
The Rustic | 17619 La Cantera Parkway, Ste. 204, San Antonio, TX 78257 | $$
16. The Guenther House
The Guenther House is a gem among restaurants in San Antonio, a historic tea room-style dining spot that brings time-tested elegance to the modern era. A museum and shop recollect the building's rich history.
The Vibe
Stately cottage core takes this space to the Victorian max.
What to Order
The Southern sweet cream waffle platter is an old-fashioned breakfast art piece, serving strawberries and cream atop a Belgian waffle.
The Guenther House | 205 E. Guenther St., San Antonio, Texas 78204 | $$
17. Sangria on the Burg
Sangria on the Burg is one of those restaurants in San Antonio that feels like a hang-out you'll never want to leave. It's a sports bar and taqueria all rolled into one savory spot.
The Vibe
Earthy, humble and chilled out, through and through.
What to Order
Take your pals to brunch and try a breakfast taco trio. Alternatively, go wild and sample the chicken and churro French toast for an intriguing flavor fusion.
Sangria on the Burg | 5115 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 | $$
18. Cover 3
A diverse menu makes Cover 3 feel like multiple restaurants in San Antonio in a single location. The name makes you feel like you're entering a mysterious spy den rather than a restaurant in San Antonio!
The Vibe
Easygoing bar-style features will put you instantly at ease.
What to Order
Mongolian lettuce wraps, buffalo chicken sliders and a green chile beef burrito will take you on a culinary tour of the globe.
Cover 3 | 1806 NW Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78248 | $$
19. Ostra
Exquisitely designed and executed, Ostra is a crown jewel among the restaurants San Antonio has hidden in its supreme hotels. Prices may be at a premium here, but luxury always comes at a cost!
The Vibe
Formal and lovely for an anniversary dinner or a date night in San Antonio.
What to Order
Cauliflower steak with roasted tomatoes and avocado crema will delight vegetable-forward palates, while flat iron steak and shrimp are sure to satisfy the surf-and-turf set.
Ostra | 212 W. Crockett St., San Antonio, TX 78205 | $$$
20. Crepeccino Café & Crêperie
European pastries take the spotlight at San Antonio restaurant Crepeccino. Few restaurants in San Antonio provide such a creative selection of filled and topped crêpes!
The Vibe
Deliciously modern bistro energy is strong here.
What to Order
Whether topped with a simple mix of cinnamon and butter or lavished in fruit and dark chocolate, the crêpes are the hit of the menu.
Crepeccino | 5500 Babcock Road, Ste. 104, San Antonio, TX 78240 | $$
21. Bakery Lorraine
Artisanal pâtisseries like Bakery Lorraine mingle among the earthier restaurants San Antonio offers. Food and Wine Magazine put this charmer on its list of the Top 100 Bakeries in the U.S.
The Vibe
From the tables to the menu to the pastry case, everything takes on a French accent.
What to Order
Lighter fare comes in the form of a chicken salad croissant, a turkey pesto sandwich and vegetable quiche, all quaintly bistro.
Bakery Lorraine | 306 Pearl Parkway, Ste. 110, San Antonio, TX 78215 | $$
22. Tong's Thai Restaurant
Despite the name, Tong's Thai Restaurant blends Thai and Chinese cuisines in its menu. Few restaurants in San Antonio hold as much potential for pan-Asian dining delights as this.
The Vibe
Thai touches and reclining Buddhas treat you to the spirit of zen.
What to Order
Order dependable favorites like satay and spring rolls or test your taste buds with Tiger Cry, a super-spicy beef dish.
Tong's Thai Restaurant | 1146 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78209 | $$
23. Paesanos 1604
Sate your hunger for Italian at Paesanos 1604. One of the premier Italian restaurants San Antonio shows off, this kitchen takes the idea of opulent dining to heart.
The Vibe
Glamorous and glossy, with an air of 1920s style.
What to Order
Crispy eggplant stack is a vegetarian's Italian dream dish, while jalapeño pesto fazzaletti shows you how a San Antonio restaurant does pasta.
Paesanos 1604 | 3622 Paesanos Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78231 | $$
Try Cooking San Antonio Foods
Bring a bit of Southwestern spice into your home dining situation by checking out cooking classes in San Antonio. You’ll work with expert chefs in a professional kitchen environment as you learn to make your own flavor-packed dishes, San Antonio-style. Learning to cook has never been this delicious!
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Restaurants in San Antonio are as diverse and exciting as the terrain they reside on. The blend of Southern and Southwestern flavors creates a singular menu that few foodies can resist. The real question is, how many restaurants in San Antonio will you add to your favorites list?
For even more ways to explore San Antonio and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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