Restaurant Recommendations
The San Antonio Writing Project shares its tips for the best dining in the city, from Tex-Mex to Thai.
Restaurants Downtown and Vicinity
Mexican and Tex/Mex
Acenar Restaurant
146 E Houston St
(210) 222–2362
Patrons will enjoy Texas regional Mexican dishes along with tantalizing tastes inspired by the history and heritage
of Mexico and Texas.
Azuca Cocina Latina
713 S Alamo St
(210) 225–5550
San Antonio Latin Restaurant Dishes embody the flavor and soul of Mexico, Caribbean, and Latin America. Great food
and great atmosphere.
Casa Rio
430 E Commerce St
(210) 225–6718
The first Mexican restaurant on the River Walk offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes.
El Mirador Mexican Restaurant
722 S Saint Mary's St
(210) 225–9444
Excellent, authentic Mexican food.
Mexican Manhattan
110 Soledad St
(210) 223–3913
Nestled in the corner overlooking a junction in the San Antonio River, you'll find the Mexican Manhattan
Restaurant—San Antonio's finest Mexican food restaurant.
Mi Tierra Café & Bakery
218 Produce Row
(210) 225–1262
Three restaurants, one family tradition. In true fiesta spirit, Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery never closes, serving Up
art and culture along with its famous Tex–Mex dishes 24 hours a day.
Pico de Gallo
111 S Leona St
(210) 225–6060
Just a short walk from the Mexican Market, Pico de Gallo continues specializing in authentic Mexican dishes,
pastries, and candies.
Piedras Negras de Noche Restaurant
1312 S Laredo St
(210) 227–7777
The interior is refreshing: decorated more toward a Mexican ranch than a fiesta motif, it advises you right off that
this food is devoted to classic norteño fare. The menu, heavy on the steaks and beans, confirms it.
Rosario's Restaurant y Cantina
910 S Alamo St
(210) 223–1806
Standing at the gateway to the Blue Star Arts district, Lisa Wong's Rosario's—also known as Rosario's
Café y Cantina—is often referred to as the best Mexican food in San Antonio.
Italian
Paesanos Riverwalk
111 W Crockett St
(210) 227–2782
Paesanos Riverwalk breaks the boundaries of traditional Italian cuisine to explore modern Mediterranean
specialties.
Dolores Del Rio Ristorante: Italian
106 River Walk St
(210) 222–9998
Fresh and delicious Italian food.
Cafés
Cool Café
123 Auditorium Circle
(210) 224–2665
Cool Café is located in Downtown San Antonio on the River Walk in the Havana Hotel. Cool Café has been
named the Best New Restaurant in 2005 by the Weekender, and offers up a diverse assortment of reasonably priced
Mediterranean dishes, fusing cuisines of Italy, Greece, the Middle East, Asia, and even California.
MadHatters Tea House and Café
320 Beauregard St
(210) 212–4832
MadHatters is located in the heart of the historic King William neighborhood, within walking distance to the River
Walk and just minutes from all the San Antonio Missions. This tea house café serves an eclectic breakfast,
lunch, and dinner.
Twin Sisters Bakery and Café
124 Broadway St
(210) 354–1559
Healthy natural foods.
Texas/American
Boudros: A Texas Bistro on the Riverwalk
421 E Commerce
(210) 224–8484
Boudro's features a distinctive menu of Texas and Southwestern specialties, from smoked shrimp enchiladas and
blackened prime rib to seafood straight from the Gulf.
Hilly Flores Restaurant
1123 Flores St
(210) 375–6564
The newest Restaurant in downtown San Antonio to offer lunch specials Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
for only $5! You are probably wondering what a Potato Museum is? Hilly Flores Restaurant is the first to offer the
most unusual brown-skinned starch balls for your viewing pleasure. Come visit Hilly Flores to see up close the most
outrageous potatoes in San Antonio.
Little Red Barn Steakhouse
1836 S Hackberry
(210) 532–4235
Looking more like a big red barn than a little red barn, this place is decked with neon lights and is easy to spot
from Interstate 10. The kitchen churns out giant steaks cooked to order—a sign outside boasts that more than
1,000 steaks are served each day.
Asian
Sushi Zushi Downtown
203 S Saint Marys
(210) 472–2900
Excellent sushi and other Japanese dishes.
Thai Kitchen on the
River
100 Villita St
(210) 226–2970
Captures the aromatic and exciting true flavors of Thailand.
Upscale
Fig Tree Restaurant
515 Villita St
(210) 224–1976
Whether you are dining in the cozy interior or on the outdoor villa–style terrace overlooking the San Antonio
River, exquisite food and impeccable service are mainstays of the Fig Tree Restaurant. Expensive but worth it.
Le Reve Cuisine
152 E Pecan St #100
(210) 212–2221
Upscale, expensive but excellent French restaurant.
Restaurants in Central San Antonio
Mexican/Tex–Mex
Alamo Café
14250 Hwy 281 North San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 495–2233
Local favorite Tex–Mex.
Guajillo's Mexican Restaurant
1001 NW Loop 410
(210) 344–4119
Authentic Mexican food from Central Mexico. A local favorite.
La Fogata Mexican Restaurant
2427 Vance Jackson Rd
(210) 340–1337
Great Tex–Mex food. Wonderful atmosphere.
La Fonda On Main: Tex–Mex
2415 N Main Ave
(210) 775–1773
San Antonio's oldest Mexican restaurant (opened 1932). Best of Tex–Mex cuisine as well as an extensive
selection of interior Mexican fare.
Taco Taco Café
145 E Hildebrand Ave
(210) 822–9533
Taco Taco Café is a family owned restaurant in business for more than 10 years. All the meals in Taco Taco
Café are prepared with fresh and special ingredients (no animal fat). It's in a small storefront but it's a
local favorite.
Texas/American
Barn Door
Restaurant: Steakhouse
8400 N New Braunfels Ave
(210) 824–0116
Since 1953, diners have visited this sprawling "barn" for its steaks, pies, yeast rolls and more.
Cappy's: American Food
5011 Broadway St
(210) 828–9669
Great American food located next to the Twig Book Store and a handmade arts store.
Four Ten Diner
8315 Broadway St
(210) 822–6246
A traditional diner serving American comfort food.
Josephine Street Café
400 E Josephine St
(210) 224–6169
Josephine Street Café serves excellent steaks, chicken and seafood.
Liberty Bar Pies & Cakes To Go
328 E Josephine at IH 37N
(210) 227–1187
San Antonio's Liberty Bar is a landmark for many reasons: it has been in continuous operation since 1890 and the
building has been owned by the same family for just as long. The food at the Liberty is also in fine shape. A
precocious mix of Southern cooking, interior Mexican dishes, New American cuisine, and comfort food, the offerings
at the Liberty can be both surprising and soothing at the same time.
The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills
1746 Lockhill Selma
(210) 349–8466
Nestled in the heart of Castle Hills and surrounded with magnificent oak trees and manicured grounds lies The Lodge
Restaurant, just 10 minutes north of downtown San Antonio. Chef Jason Dady's New American menu features an array of
the freshest meats, poultry, seafood, and produce, prepared using country Italian techniques with French influences.
Expensive but worth it.
Indian
India Oven
1031 Patricia #106
(210) 366–1030
Offers fresh, innovative Indian cuisine at moderate prices.
Star of India
2267 NW Military Hwy #116
(210) 375–7979
Beef, chicken, lamb, fish, shrimp, and more, prepared in several authentic Indian traditions. Tandoori, saag,
masala, vindaloo, and more. India has many diverse cultures, and the restaurant brings San Antonio vegetarian food
that is incredible.
Asian
China Inn
2241 NW Military Hwy #101
(210) 308–8277
Fresh, tasty Chinese food.
Godai Sushi Bar & Restaurant
11203 West Ave
(210) 348–6781
Godai Sushi Bar & Restaurant is a unique restaurant serving authentic Japanese cuisine.
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine
6407 Blanco Rd
(210) 979–9110
Voted best new Thai restaurant by readers of the Express–News.
Sushihana Japanese Restaurant
1810 NW Military Hwy
(210) 340–7808
Sushihana offers contemporary Japanese culinary treasures, favoring a more stylish take on Eastern cuisine.
Taipei Chinese Restaurant
2211 NW Military Hwy #123
(210) 366–3012
Fresh meats, seafood, and vegetables. Voted best Chinese restaurant in the Express–News.
French
Bistro Vatel
218 E Olmos Dr
(210) 828–3141
Bistro Vatel is a top French restaurant in the city and has earned acclaim for its exquisitely prepared dishes and
authentic atmosphere.
La Madeleine French Bakery and Café
4820 Broadway St
(210) 829–7291
French country food.
Italian
Capparelli's
On Main: Italian
2524 N Main Ave
(210) 735–5757
Great Italian restaurant, fresh food.
Ciao Lavanderia: Italian
226 E Olmos Dr
(210) 822–3990
Fine, fresh, Italian dining.
Milano Ristorante Italiano
1907 Nacogdoches Rd
(210) 821–6373
Excellent Italian food.
Mediterranean
Demo's Greek Food
2501 N St Mary's St
(210) 732–7777
Demo's has kept their guests delighted for over two decades. Demo's continues to care about consistently good
authentic food in a warm and inviting atmosphere, complete with Greek music and dancing.
Turquoise Grill:
Mediterranean Cuisine
3720 NW Loop 410
(210) 737–2299
Middle Eastern food, great selection and atmosphere.
Seafood
Sea Island Shrimp House
322 W Rector St
(210) 342–7771
A family owned and operated seafood restaurant for 43 years, featuring fresh seafood and great value.
Vegetarian
Green Vegetarian Cuisine & Coffee
1017 N Flores St
(210) 320–5865
San Antonio's only 100% vegetarian and Kosher restaurant.
Coffee Houses
Candlelight Coffee House
3011 N St Mary's
(210) 738–0099
A wine bar, coffee house, and full menu café with free Wi–Fi.
Ruta Maya Riverwalk Coffee House
107 E Martin @ Soledad
(210) 223–6292
Latin American coffee, paninis, soups, salads, and bakery items.
Sip Coffee and Expresso
Bar
160 E Houston Street
(210) 222–0149
Across from the Sheraton Gunter and the Majestic Theater. Casual coffee bar and sandwich and pastry emporium.
Timo's Coffee House
2021 San Pedro Ave
(210) 733–8049
Absolutely, hands down, the best coffee/deli house in San Antonio; the atmosphere is again, hands down The Best. Go
there in the evening—relaxing and cozy! The owners' hospitality makes this place what it is.
