Where to Eat in San Antonio Right Now

American cuisine, Tex-Mex, a seafood restaurant, and some great wine lists are on deck.

The always-exciting San Antonio dining scene has continued to rebound since 2020, introducing a variety of tantalizing new concepts alongside a few old favorites that got their starts as food trucks or pop-ups and have grown into permanent spaces throughout the city. Among the standouts are a Texas-inspired seasonal restaurant inside a 100-year-old building, a beautiful space serving up modern and classic Sichuanese fare, a seafood-centric Italian spot at the Pearl, an all-day brunch joint with downtown views, and massive California-style burritos for a little West Coast infusion into local food culture. Here are 10 must-try places that have made their Alamo City debuts in the past year.

Bar Loretta

Southtown
$$$$

Set in a 100-year-old building that was once two separate structures, Bar Loretta specializes in a seasonal, Texas-inspired menu along with proper cocktails, and a well-appointed wine list. It’s an easy place to settle in for a couple of rounds of drinks and a variety of shareable dishes, so consider some of our favorites: Cumin-Dusted Rock Shrimp, the Griddled Green Onion Polenta Cake with Goat Cheese, crispy Brussels sprouts, and the roasted beet salad. For mains, you can’t go wrong with the Crispy Brick Chicken or the Loretta Burger.

Available for Reservations

Naco 210

Marymont
$$$$

This popular food truck earned itself a permanent location serving up both an all-day menu and a brunch menu, plus a beautiful tree-lined, lantern-lit patio. Start with the spicy grilled panela and fideo soup, then work your way through a variety of inventive tacos, including the Porkopus, a flavorful combination of guajillo seasoned chicharon and chopped octopus on heirloom corn tortillas—also available with a Keto-friendly cheese crust. A half-dozen varieties of chilaquiles, a quartet of enchiladas, and a quintet of tortas round out the offerings.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

The latest concept from Kristina Zhao (Sichuan House) features modern and classic Sichuanese dishes served in a wonderfully colorful-yet-refined space. The extensive menu ensures that everyone in your party will find several options to make them happy. Start with a few items from the little eats section of the menu (cold spicy noodles, crispy beef rolls, and the Tribute to Grandma steam buns) then order several entrées to explore all the possibilities. The Tangy Fish & Lamb Pot, Spicy Pork Ribs, and Smoky Cauliflower are all can’t-miss options. Don’t sleep on the Sichuanese charcuterie options or made-to-order soups, either.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Up Scale

Southtown
$$$$

Up Scale is a charming retro-chic fine-dining restaurant that is anything but stuffy, with a beautiful outdoor space. Nigiri and sushi rolls set the stage for more elegant bites, including scallop crudo and Wagyu carpaccio. Main courses, however, are the real showstoppers with butterflied branzino and a 60-day, 32-ounce, dry-aged Tomahawk from Prime Meats by Linz leading the charge.
How to book: Make reservations or call 210-396-7755.

Available for Reservations

Allora

Pearl District
$$$$

The bustling Pearl Brewery entertainment district gets another top-notch eatery to its lineup with this coastal Italian restaurant specializing in seafood, as well as weekend brunch. Leave all your red-sauce expectations behind and discover new favorites across the diverse menu. Olive-brined grilled octopus, Bucatini Vongole (littleneck clams with white wine, pancetta, and roasted garlic), grilled swordfish, fluke tartare, and Veal Chop Alla Milanese offer the best of surf and turf while incorporating beautiful Italian ingredients and preparations.
How to book: Make reservations with Tock or call 210-979-9950.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

This new place offers wood-fired bagels and pizza, and a variety of beers in the former Taco Garage space on Broadway. Load up at breakfast on big sandwiches, including the Urban Cowboy with roast beef and roasted poblano peppers, the Perfect Pear with sliced pears, prosciutto, and honey, or a classic lox option for purists. Lunch sandwiches (including a Reuben-on-a-bagel take) are equally filling, but the sourdough pizzas available on select nights are the real non-breakfast winners. Toppings change regularly and collaborations with other restaurants bring together all sorts of unusual suspects.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Hoka Hoka Fuku

Helotes
$$$$

Hoka Hoka Fuku offers affordable Japanese comfort food in a fast-casual setting on the outskirts of San Antonio in Helotes, TX. Chicken karaage, steamed or pan-fried chicken gyoza, Kani Fries (crispy potatoes topped with aioli and shredded crab), yakisoba noodles with choice of protein, and curry beef rice bowls are among the craving-satisfiers on the small-but-well-focused menu.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Stuffed

Northwest San Antonio
$$$$

In a town devoted to all things Tex-Mex, Stuffed brings giant California-style stuffed burritos to the party. Big-as-your-head burritos are pretty much guaranteed to fill you up. Try the signature California featuring carne asada or chicken with seasoned fries, three cheeses, crema, pico de gallo, and a signature sauce wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. Surf-and-turf, Greek, and fish-and-chips options skew more non-traditional. Loaded tots, fries, or curly with your choice of protein satisfy major munchies, too.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Sari-Sari Supper Club

Northwest San Antonio
$$$$

The newest option at the Sari-Sari Restaurant, Market & Bakery complex is elevated fine-dining Filipino fare. Start with classics including lumpia (pork egg rolls) while you decide what else to order from the tempting options filling the menu. Our recommendation: Kinilaw (fresh ahi tuna ceviche), five-hour chili ribs, Mussels de Manila, and the choose-your-own-adventure Date Me meal for two with choice of appetizer, two mains, and a dessert to share.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Box St. All Day

Hemisfair
$$$$

Box St. All Day is yet another food-truck-turned-restaurant success story featuring craft cocktails, local beer, and a bottle shop—all with great downtown views. An all-day, mostly-brunch menu features crowd-pleasers such as Eggs Benedict, chorizo-stuffed breakfast burritos, fully loaded burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and handmade donuts alongside signature cocktails and classics, as well as refreshing zero-proof options.
How to book: Make reservations or call 210-476-5705.

Available for Reservations
Steven Lindsey is an enthusiastic eater who’s never turned down a craft cocktail, glass of wine, or cold beer. He thinks dogs are the greatest creation ever and anxiously awaits his Covid hair growing long enough to finally donate to a children’s charity. But when it comes to travel, he prefers people leave their kids at home and that’s why he founded Travel Like An Adult.