Looking for the best restaurants on the Riverwalk, San Antonio, and Beyond? In the complete guide, I share all of my top must-try restaurants! Keep reading for the detailed Best of San Antonio Food Guide, Updated in July 2022
Howdy from San Antonio, Texas! The city of San Antonio’s claim to fame is being the “Alamo City” to “Military City USA”. However, one of the things it should be known for is its food!
The location, melting pot of cultures and influences and the fact that everything is better in Texas play a huge part in San Antonio’s food scene. The city offers so many great restaurants. They all have diverse cuisines making it a foodie and historical paradise. It’s no surprise that over 34 million travelers visit per year.
If you’re planning a visit to San Antonio or exploring the great state of Texas, this guide is for you. In this complete guide, I will be sharing some of my favorite restaurants on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and beyond! Also, throwing a few of the best family-friendly restaurants in San Antonio for the family travelers out there!
Best Restaurants on the Riverwalk San Antonio
Domingo Restaurant | Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk
Inside one of San Antonio’s newest San Antonio Hotels, Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk, is the Domingo Restaurant.
True to the hotel, the Domingo Restaurant is an ode to South Texan flavors and influences with a modern twist. Dishes are carefully crafted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and each dish is tastier than the next! We loved this restaurant so we decided to dine at Domingo every night of our stay at the Canopy.
The dishes that we enjoyed included Pork Carnita Tacos and short rib quesadillas. For dessert, the Churros are sensational! I recommend ordering two orders.
The Bar also offers a variety of cocktails and cocktails. I enjoyed a mocktail called clean wave, which featured bursting flavors of Orange and Passion fruit juices with Top Chico and Coconut Cream.
Not only is the food delicious, but they offer stunning views of the San Antonio Riverwalk, which is great for exploring after grabbing a bite to eat. I could not recommend this restaurant enough.
Acenar Hot Mex Cool Bar | San Antonio Riverwalk
Acenar is also located on the San Antonio Riverwalk. They are a Tex-Mex-style restaurant with a contemporary interpretation of famous dishes.
What they do well is the fusion of regional Mexican cuisine while staying true to Texan cuisine that many people know and love.
While this restaurant also offers amazing views of the San Antonio Riverwalk, the inside of the restaurant also offers funky fresh decor and styles. The design is also contemporary with multi-levels. Choosing to sit inside versus outside will offer you two different experiences.
The dishes at this restaurant are delicious. They source local seafood options, and you can really tell in the flavors.
We enjoyed both the Crab Tacos and Pork Tacos. Both selections were juicy and flavorful. However, I highly recommend the Crab for its unique flavor.
Best Brunch in San Antonio
The Guenther House | Brunch Restaurants in San Antonio
The Guenther House is located in the King William Historic District. The House is named for its owner, Carl Hilmar Guenther, who pioneered the Flour Mill industry in the San Antonio area.
The home of the Guenther family has been renovated to house a museum, gift shop, and beloved restaurant that features menu items unique to the flour milling company.
They currently serve breakfast all day and lunch from 10 am to 2 pm.
The menu items are all delicious, and you can tell the quality of the ingredients! I enjoyed the classic strawberry sweet creme waffle, and applewood smoked crispy bacon. While my husband enjoyed the 1851 Breakfast platter, which included all your breakfast favorites, from Biscuits and Pioneer Gravy with crumbled sausage to seasoned breakfast potatoes and eggs.
This is an excellent brunch experience, and I definitely suggest adding both the restaurant and the museum to your trip itinerary.
Nola Brunch & Beignets | Brunch Restaurants in San Antonio
We all know that neighboring New Orleans, Louisiana, is a foodie paradise! When New Orleans-born chef and his wife, Pieter and Sypesteyn, moved to San Antonio, their original food truck was their claim to fame.
However, a desire to bring more breakfast items to their menu gave them the vision for a Breakfast/Brunch restaurant with a true NOLA flare. Today, Nola Brunch and Beignets are known for their top-notch flavorful cuisine and all-day beignets!
Pictured above is the steak and eggs plate with a gorgeous flat ironed steak, potatoes, eggs, and crawfish hollandaise. Delicious !! However, the main event is those fresh hot beignets!
Best Restaurants in San Antonio| Downtown San Antonio
Mi Tierra Cafe’ Y Panaderia: Downtown San Antonio
When you think of MUST see San Antonio landmarks you should think of three things: The Alamo, The Riverwalk, and Mi Tierra. If not for the delicious food, you wouldn’t want to miss the fiesta atmosphere.
Mi Tierra dates back to 1941 and is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. It’s the ultimate Family-Friendly Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas and the atmosphere is always a party.
There are so many aspects of this restaurant to love. They are open 24 hours 7 days a week ALWAYS so any time of the day you crave this authentic Tex Mex, you’re welcome to come.
Speaking of authenticity, the warm tortillas for fajitas and made from scratch with chips and salsa will make you feel like you’re at your Abuelita’s house even if you don’t have an Abuelita. Also, there is a live mariachi to add to the authentic south-of-the-border feeling.
South Alamode Panini & Gelato Company | Downtown San Antonio
South Alamode is one of the best and freshest dessert spots in San Antonio. They are known for making both their Gelatos and Paninis fresh every day with high-quality ingredients.
In fact, they source all of their items from either Italy or locally for the best and most authentic quality. The care put into their creations can be tasted in every bite!
South Alamode is located in the Southtown area of San Antonio and is 100% worth the visit on a hot Texas day.
Best BBQ Restaurants in San Antonio
Smoke Shack BBQ | Alamo Heights
If you’re looking for a good Texas BBQ, Smoke Shack BBQ and Southern Kitchen is one of the best BBQ joints in San Antonio. Owned by a husband and wife, Duo, Chris, and Kate Conger, your visit to the Smoke Shack or any of this family’s establishments will not disappoint.
The Smoke Shack BBQ and Southern Kitchen offer all of your favorites, from Brisket to Ribs, and delicious southern side dishes like Cheesy Mac and Cheese with pork bits and juicy collard greens.
You really cannot go wrong with anything you choose from the menu. However, the ribs are my favorite by far. The rub is delectable!
They also own neighboring Smoke Shack Meat Market and Butcher Shop and The Pigpen Neighborhood Bar, which is a live music venue and Sunday brunch spot. All three of their establishments are next door to each other so feel free to check out one or all.
Pinkerton’s BBQ San Antonio | Downtown/Riverwalk San Antonio Restaurants
Texas-born and raised Grill master, Grant Pinkerton, started his self-named restaurant, Pinkerton’s BBQ, because of his love and fascination for BBQ and grilled meats at a young age. His meats are renowned as some of the best that the state of Texas has to offer!
We went to the second location in downtown San Antonio, and the grill selection absolutely lived up to the hype of mouthwatering flavor!
Our selection was family-style, with a combination of grilled meats and sides. What really stood out here were the ribs and brisket. Both are, again, mouthwatering and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The sweet and tangy style of the BBQ sauce also complimented the grilled meats well and increased the flavor that was already amazing.
This is by far our favorite BBQ in San Antonio, and recommends that you add this stop to your itinerary.
Best Restaurants in San Antonio | Metro San Antonio
Big Poppa Tacos | Government Hill Neighborhood
Big Poppas Tacos is a family-owned and operated restaurant located near the Government Hill Neighborhood in San Antonio. It is also just outside of Joint Base Fort Sam Houston (JBSA).
Big Poppa’s Taco’s claim to fame is their Big Poppa Burrito which they refer to as “hood rat food,” and fresh, authentic mini street tacos.
This Taco Shop is easily one of my favorites in the San Antonio area, and we continue to go back for more each time we’re in town.
Though some menu items change based on week and/or season, their staple items remain the same, and you can’t go wrong no matter what you choose from their menu.
My top pick Is always the Al Pastor and Carne Asada Mini Street Tacos (Pictured Above).
Seating is limited. However, they do offer to dine in or to-go orders.
Aloha Shaved Ice, Fruit Cups, and More | North Castle Hills
Aloha Shaved Ice is a family-owned company that provides sweet ice treats with fresh ingredients.
They are located in the North Castle Hills neighborhood of San Antonio, approximately 15 minutes from Downtown SATX.
Their menu offers a variety of cold favorites, from Italian ice to ice cream and over-the-top milkshakes.
My top pick at Aloha Shave Ice is the Extreme Fresenada (pictured above). It is a large strawberry Italian ice with fresh strawberries and rainbow airhead extremes.
Choose your topping of chamoy and Lucas for some extra burst of flavors.
Texas Travel Ideas and Surrounding States
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