18 Best Restaurants in San Antonio, TX

Wood-fired Pretzels, Cornbread, Fried Calamari, Crab Mac, Galveston Style Shrimp Boil, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake -- oh my! At Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery, it’s near impossible to leave without an uncomfortably, but pleasantly, full belly. This eatery, which highlights Texas cuisine, is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and offers a wide range of craft cocktails and beers that can wonderfully accompany whatever dishes you choose to order. But be sure to note that brunch is only served on Saturdays and Sundays. You absolutely won’t regret ordering the Biscuits and Gravy brunch main that’s created with housemade biscuits and shrimp bechamel, served alongside an arugula herb salad with lemon vinaigrette.

No matter where you’re traveling, sometimes you need to sink your teeth into a good ol’ American cheeseburger. And at Down on Grayson, one of the top restaurants in San Antonio, you’ll find just that. This stylish restaurant has a rustic chic interior and a chill patio that's illuminated by string lights when the sun goes down. For visitors looking for a burger, the Char King will certainly do the trick. Other items on the menu include housemade guacamole and jalapeno pimento cheese with tortilla chips, Onion Rings, Fish Tacos, and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich.

This family-owned joint is famous for its margaritas and flavorful Tex Mex recipes that have been passed down for generations. The drink menu features Frozen Margaritas in tangy flavors like Strawberry, Mango, Prickly Pear, and Guava, as well as Daiquiris, Pina Coladas, Ranch Water, and Palomas. For food, hungry diners can choose from items like Tortilla Soup, Chile Con Queso, Quesadillas, Nachos, Enchiladas, Empanadas, and more.

Looking for a unique dining experience that includes a little bit of San Antonio history? Then look no further than The Guenther House. The restaurant is located within an art nouveau house at Pioneer Flour Mills, and is best known for its American and Tex Mex brunch, as well as its patio for outdoor dining. The breakfast and lunch menu features lip-smacking dishes like the Pioneer Pancake Platter, Strawberry Sweet Cream Waffle, BLT & Cheddar Sandwich, and the Quiche of the Day. It also has all of the classic brunch and lunch beverages that you could hope for -- don’t skip on the Freshly Squeezed Lemonade.

As mentioned, San Antonio has become quite the foodie destination, so you’re bound to find a selection of cuisines when looking at restaurants. At Schilo’s, you’ll find German-inspired grub in one of the city’s oldest restaurants, tucked into a building from the 19th century. This deli is open for breakfast and lunch only, and on its menu, guests can pick from dishes like Pioneer Biscuits + Sausage Gravy, French Toast, Build-Your-Own Omelettes, and Breakfast Tacos served with Casa Rio salsa. There is also a separate menu for kids, which makes Schilo’s a great place to visit with the entire family.

Acenar Mexican Restaurant is the place to go if you’re seeking ice-cold, refreshing beverages on Happy Hour special. This contemporary Mexican restaurant is located near the river and has a patio for those keen on dining outdoors. Happy Hour enthusiasts can catch drink and food specials from Sunday to Thursday. On the eatery’s takeout and dine-in menu, there are tasty Tex Mex items like Vegetarian Enchiladas, Grilled Shrimp Tacos, Ceviche, Guacamole for two, Skirt Steak Parrilladas, and of course, Churritos for dessert.

Sometimes the best BBQ you’ll find is served out of a truck or mobile smoke shack, and not a restaurant. While there’s no indoor space for enjoying your meal, there are plenty of picnic tables situated around the Smoke Shack BBQ. The Smoked Shack Mac is an absolute must-try, which is a generous serving of mac and cheese topped with brisket and barbeque sauce. The Pulled Pork Sandwich, Ribs slathered in tangy barbeque sauce, and Shack Packs are other popular options.

This unpretentious and inexpensive cafe should be on everyone’s restaurant itinerary for their trip to San Antonio. Instead of opting for sandwiches and chips to take on a picnic, swing by Fat Tummy Empanadas and stock up on their tasty savory and sweet Argentine-style empanadas for your afternoon at the park or along the river. The family-owned spot specializes in flavors like Traditional Beef, Beef and Potatoes, Pepperoni and Cheese, and Spicy Chicken. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t forget to order a Dulce de Leche or Apple Empanada. If empanadas aren’t your thing, Fat Tummy Empanadas also serves up sandwiches.

There’s no way you’re leaving San Antonio without eating your weight in Tex Mex fare. Casa Rio is another must-visit Mexican-inspired eatery that’s located along the San Antonio River Walk. It’s been open since 1946, making it a popular spot among locals and visitors. The restaurant has an impressive selection of margaritas and tequila, as well as every Mexican beer you could dream of. For food, you’ll have a tough time deciding between the Fajita Plate, Chili Releno, Casa Rio’s Chili Con Carne, Green Chicken Enchiladas, and Shrimp Tacos. And sharing a Tres Leches vanilla sponge cake with the table is the perfect way to end the evening.

This unfussy and quaint cafe is the ideal spot for a healthy lunch in between heavy Tex Mex meals. Sweet Yams’ menu is filled with organic, vegan, and gluten-free options, and its hearty bowls are a great to-go option if you’re planning on heading to one of San Antonio’s picturesque parks for the afternoon. The small eatery is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

While oysters are certainly an acquired taste, there’s something for everyone on the menu at this Instagram-worthy eatery. Not only will you be able to snap a few aesthetic pics, you’ll be able to try several different varieties of oysters from Canada and the United States. Also on the menu at Little Em’s Oyster Bar are dishes like the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Steak Tartare, Wedge Salad, Little Em’s Burger, Lobster Roll, Fish Tacos, and Spicy Shrimp Linguine. Of course, the restaurant has a spectacular selection of wines to go with the seafood.

Pasta and pizza lovers will be glad to know that San Antonio does, in fact, have some great Italian options! Little Italy Restaurant & Pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner all week, except for Sundays as it is closed. On the menu, visitors will find New York style pizzas (thin round crust) like the Pizza Margherita, Shrimp Pizza, and Angelo’s Special, as well as Sicilian style pizzas with thick square crust. As for pastas, the menu is filled with options like the classic Spaghetti with Meatballs, Linguine Shrimp Scampi, and Fettucini Alfredo. Previous customers have noted that the restaurant has a great atmosphere with great prices and friendly service.

You’ll want to visit Blanco BBQ if you’ve got a huge appetite as the portions at this place are no joke! Leftovers are inevitable. Blanco BBQ also has a drive-thru, which is incredibly convenient for those days where you have plenty of sightseeing to do and need a quick meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast (during the week only), lunch, and dinner, and starving guests can choose from popular BBQ items like Brisket, Fried Catfish, Chicken Fried Steak, Pulled Pork and Sliced Brisket PoBoys, Buffalo Chicken Salad, Rib Platters, Chicken Combos, and more. Delicious sides include Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Onion Rings, Fried Okra, and several other staples.

There’s no shortage of saucy, smoked BBQ in San Antonio, and The Barbecue Station is another favorite among locals and travelers. This family-owned eatery is known for serving up classic sides and perfectly wood-smoked meats in a laid back setting. The Barbeque Station offers dine-in, delivery, and take-out, so there are plenty of ways you can satiate your craving for Pork Ribs and Jalapeno Mac & Cheese. Also on the menu, you’ll find sweets like Pecan Pie and Peach Cobbler, Sausage Platters, Sandwiches, Baked Potatoes, Chicken, and all the sides one could ever need. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, and hungry folks can conveniently and quickly order online if they are in a rush.

This New Orleans-inspired restaurant strongly believes in “Beignets all day!” In addition to a selection of beignets, guests will find classic brunch dishes and might be lucky enough to visit on a day where there’s live jazz music being played in the restaurant. It’s open from Sundays to Wednesdays, and the friendly staff can be seen serving up Bananas Foster Pancakes, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pancakes, Shrimp & Grits, Green Eggs & Ham, and more. Previous diners have described the dough used at NOLA Brunch & Beignets as “pillowy soft.”

This Chinese restaurant is truly one of San Antonio’s hidden gems. Ming’s is cozy, intimate, and serves up delicious Chinese street food staples like saucy noodles and fluffy bao buns. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday. The challenge when visiting Ming’s is not getting too carried away with the menu as it’s filled to the brim with dishes that will make you drool. But at the end of the day, taking leftovers back to the hotel isn’t the worst thing. From Steamed Buns stuffed with smoked pork belly, classics like Beef with Broccoli and Teriyaki Crispy Chicken, and Hot Noodle Bowls to Crispy Dumplings and Ming’s Wings, you’ll be leaving the restaurant with your pants unbuttoned.

You really can’t (and shouldn’t) miss this BBQ spot as it’s painted bright pink. Inside of the pleasantly pink establishment, the Curry Boys BBQ team cooks up barbecued chicken, brisket, and other dishes with a Southeast Asian spin -- hence the restaurant’s name. If it’s your first time visiting this quaint fusion joint, the Brisket Smoke Show is a guest favorite and safe pick. This dish is a classic and features smoked prime brisket served with a delicious, flavorful green curry. And for dessert, the Flan Solo is a must. You’ll be thinking about the flan gently topped with sweet cold brew coffee and whipped cream for days afterwards. It won’t be hard planning a visit to Curry Boys BBQ as it is open seven days a week.

This laidback, old-fashioned restaurant serves hamburgers and other classic American fare to hungry diners. While most people come for the hamburgers, cheese steaks, and hot dogs, they stay for the build-your-own funnel cakes. The Shack has a bunch of different toppings that you can load onto a fried funnel cake, including fresh strawberries, Reese’s, Oreos, bananas, strawberry topping, walnuts, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, and more. If funnel cakes won’t cut it for your sweet tooth, there are also churros and Italian ice on the menu. The Shack is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

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