Guidebook for San Antonio
Food Scene
Locally owned delicious lunch fare - Soup, Sandwiches and OH the cookies! Catch them at lunch time only. A very short walk from the house.
27 locals recommend
W D Deli
3123 BroadwayLocally owned delicious lunch fare - Soup, Sandwiches and OH the cookies! Catch them at lunch time only. A very short walk from the house.
Lunch or dinner, this is one of the best BBQ spots in town. Brisket, shrimp tacos, smoked turkey... it's excellent.
67 locals recommend
Smoke Shack BBQ + Southern Kitchen
3714 BroadwayLunch or dinner, this is one of the best BBQ spots in town. Brisket, shrimp tacos, smoked turkey... it's excellent.
If you aren't from Texas, this is our standard quality fast food burger. Or, go for breakfast for the Breakfast on a Bun. Family fave on the go. It takes a minute to prepare but worth it.
86 locals recommend
Whataburger
3130 BroadwayIf you aren't from Texas, this is our standard quality fast food burger. Or, go for breakfast for the Breakfast on a Bun. Family fave on the go. It takes a minute to prepare but worth it.
If you like Starbucks, you can quickly walk there and use it as a jumping off point for the day.
9 locals recommend
Starbucks
200 E Houston StIf you like Starbucks, you can quickly walk there and use it as a jumping off point for the day.
Cheap good Mexican food with excellent service in casual environs. If you need to pick up 2 dozen tacos for your meeting, call ahead and it will be ready. And trust me, that's how you win your meeting.
Carmelita's
2218 BroadwayCheap good Mexican food with excellent service in casual environs. If you need to pick up 2 dozen tacos for your meeting, call ahead and it will be ready. And trust me, that's how you win your meeting.
Beautiful light filled local coffee shop tucked off Broadway, it's a quiet place to enjoy a strong cup of good coffee. Nearby are other shops to explore, including bubble tea and candy shops.
37 locals recommend
PRESS Coffee
4035 BroadwayBeautiful light filled local coffee shop tucked off Broadway, it's a quiet place to enjoy a strong cup of good coffee. Nearby are other shops to explore, including bubble tea and candy shops.
Go here for dinner or lunch tacos - They are cheap and my favorite around. Family owned and operated, excellent service - it's great. Also it is located next to a locally owned Paleta (popsicle) shop.
11 locals recommend
Chela's Tacos Mexican Restaurant
3420 N St Mary's StGo here for dinner or lunch tacos - They are cheap and my favorite around. Family owned and operated, excellent service - it's great. Also it is located next to a locally owned Paleta (popsicle) shop.
Order your pizza from here, or swing by and pick up 2 for 1. Order ahead of time, it gets busy.
18 locals recommend
Pizza Classics
3440 N St Mary's StOrder your pizza from here, or swing by and pick up 2 for 1. Order ahead of time, it gets busy.
If you want a foothold inside of exploring the Pearl but just coffee or a light treat, this is your spot. Grab a map and settle in to discover all the shops and events going on in this converted beer plant turned residential/shopping/community space.
79 locals recommend
Local Coffee
24175 W I-10If you want a foothold inside of exploring the Pearl but just coffee or a light treat, this is your spot. Grab a map and settle in to discover all the shops and events going on in this converted beer plant turned residential/shopping/community space.
Breakfast, Amazing pastries, Lunch, Coffee - This beauty actually bakes their pastries up the hill from your Casita and brings them here (and to many other locations) to sell each day. You'll see their little white vans whizzing by during the day. Great place to meet up, fuel up and even have business meetings or celebrate events over brunch.
152 locals recommend
Bakery Lorraine
306 Pearl PkwyBreakfast, Amazing pastries, Lunch, Coffee - This beauty actually bakes their pastries up the hill from your Casita and brings them here (and to many other locations) to sell each day. You'll see their little white vans whizzing by during the day. Great place to meet up, fuel up and even have business meetings or celebrate events over brunch.
Fine Dining with beautiful views - An lovely experience. If you have something to celebrate, go to the bar at the ritzy Emma Hotel and then slip in here for an amazing dinner.
56 locals recommend
Supper
136 E Grayson StFine Dining with beautiful views - An lovely experience. If you have something to celebrate, go to the bar at the ritzy Emma Hotel and then slip in here for an amazing dinner.
African American brewers serving up my favorite beer in town and despite being in a strip mall, it's a great atmosphere inside and on a small patio. Games and snacks available. Try everything and there are tours too.
8 locals recommend
Weathered Souls Brewing Co.
606 Embassy OaksAfrican American brewers serving up my favorite beer in town and despite being in a strip mall, it's a great atmosphere inside and on a small patio. Games and snacks available. Try everything and there are tours too.
Outdoor Beer Garden with amazing selection, located in a sleepy part of the riverwalk extension. Some killer menu items for lunch - the burgers are great and the fries really go well with their special sauce. Eat here before walking over to the San Antonio Museum of Art.
59 locals recommend
The Luxury
103 E Jones AveOutdoor Beer Garden with amazing selection, located in a sleepy part of the riverwalk extension. Some killer menu items for lunch - the burgers are great and the fries really go well with their special sauce. Eat here before walking over to the San Antonio Museum of Art.
Excellent BBQ - More of a roadside stand style than a proper restaurant. Great beer selection. You won't be disappointed.
81 locals recommend
Dignowity Meats
1701 E Houston StExcellent BBQ - More of a roadside stand style than a proper restaurant. Great beer selection. You won't be disappointed.
Extra Fine
138 E Mistletoe AveVibrant decoration, comfortable dress, excellent brunch.
A great place to entertain or treat yourself. delicious, well appointed and in a great walkable area on the river walk.
21 locals recommend
Brasserie Mon Chou Chou
312 Pearl ParkwayA great place to entertain or treat yourself. delicious, well appointed and in a great walkable area on the river walk.
Drinks & Nightlife
Family friendly until 9 p.m. with indoor space (for the occasional band) and outdoor beer garden (with playground) this is an excellent hang spot that can get crowded on weekends but its pretty chill during the week. Sunday Brunch is mind-blowing on BBQ and southern comfort. Try the Bloody Mary or Maria (that's with Tequila). It will be an insta-worthy presentation. There's an excellent menu for a bar. The fries are like crack. Shrimp tacos if you have overdosed on BBQ already.
17 locals recommend
The Pigpen Neighborhood Bar
106 Pershing AvenueFamily friendly until 9 p.m. with indoor space (for the occasional band) and outdoor beer garden (with playground) this is an excellent hang spot that can get crowded on weekends but its pretty chill during the week. Sunday Brunch is mind-blowing on BBQ and southern comfort. Try the Bloody Mary or Maria (that's with Tequila). It will be an insta-worthy presentation. There's an excellent menu for a bar. The fries are like crack. Shrimp tacos if you have overdosed on BBQ already.
You won't see a sign for this elusive bar, or even a menu once you get inside. You'll tell the bartenders what you like and they'll create a drink to your liking. It's small and cozy and has a fun bathroom. Great first stop on a night out.
39 locals recommend
The Modernist
516 E Grayson StYou won't see a sign for this elusive bar, or even a menu once you get inside. You'll tell the bartenders what you like and they'll create a drink to your liking. It's small and cozy and has a fun bathroom. Great first stop on a night out.
Fancy drinks (and prices) on a stunning rooftop bar. A little fancy meets hipster and it's a great place on the non-touristy part of the river walk.
142 locals recommend
Paramour
102 9th StFancy drinks (and prices) on a stunning rooftop bar. A little fancy meets hipster and it's a great place on the non-touristy part of the river walk.
Outdoor Beer Garden, family friendly and playground equipped, ping pong tables, good for sports on t.v. but open and spacious enough that nothing takes over the space - A great place to relax with family and friends or have large group meet-ups for social or work. Sometimes there is food here, sometimes a food truck, or you can bring stuff in or order food in.
69 locals recommend
Burleson Yard Beer Garden
430 Austin StOutdoor Beer Garden, family friendly and playground equipped, ping pong tables, good for sports on t.v. but open and spacious enough that nothing takes over the space - A great place to relax with family and friends or have large group meet-ups for social or work. Sometimes there is food here, sometimes a food truck, or you can bring stuff in or order food in.
Outdoor beer garden - With each drink you get a token to donate a part of the proceeds to a charity of your choice - there are 4 to choose from each month. Has a game room, outdoor games, a special sensory safe space if you have group members or children who want to go out but need a protected space to enjoy themselves. It's a sweet set up - Also a place an outdoor event could be held. Food in food truck only.
39 locals recommend
The Cherrity Bar
302 Montana StOutdoor beer garden - With each drink you get a token to donate a part of the proceeds to a charity of your choice - there are 4 to choose from each month. Has a game room, outdoor games, a special sensory safe space if you have group members or children who want to go out but need a protected space to enjoy themselves. It's a sweet set up - Also a place an outdoor event could be held. Food in food truck only.
On the iconic St. Mary's strip of nightlife, this has the smartest most delicious cocktails but is completely unpretentious and chill place to go. Once there, you can ask for advice about what else might be worth your while on the strip and then let us know - We're getting too old for most of it. You can see some live bands, or a lot of them around here. That is fun.
10 locals recommend
TBA
2801 N St Mary's StOn the iconic St. Mary's strip of nightlife, this has the smartest most delicious cocktails but is completely unpretentious and chill place to go. Once there, you can ask for advice about what else might be worth your while on the strip and then let us know - We're getting too old for most of it. You can see some live bands, or a lot of them around here. That is fun.
Everything Else
The Pearl has everything - Spa, a Lawn to have drinks at while the children run around, Music, Events, Fancy restaurants, The Bottling Department Food Hall with offerings for everyone. We like warm evenings here. On Saturdays and Sundays there is a bustling farmers market.
131 locals recommend
The Park at Pearl
312 Pearl PkwyThe Pearl has everything - Spa, a Lawn to have drinks at while the children run around, Music, Events, Fancy restaurants, The Bottling Department Food Hall with offerings for everyone. We like warm evenings here. On Saturdays and Sundays there is a bustling farmers market.
Parks & Nature
From your Casita, you just have to walk about three blocks to arrive at Avenue B. From here you can go West into Brackenridge Park and the River Road neighborhood if you want a good walk or run, or head south on Avenue B to jump on the Mission Reach Trail Extension. The Mission Reach Trail extends through San Antonio's downtown and down to the furthest Mission. If you want a day long journey or adventure, you can take this trail to explore some of the best of San Antonio, passing both the tourist parts and the local parts. Go South on Avenue B, on the trail behind Lion's Field and then follow the sidewalk to the right (West) at the end of the golf course. Follow the water.
Avenue B
Avenue BFrom your Casita, you just have to walk about three blocks to arrive at Avenue B. From here you can go West into Brackenridge Park and the River Road neighborhood if you want a good walk or run, or head south on Avenue B to jump on the Mission Reach Trail Extension. The Mission Reach Trail extends through San Antonio's downtown and down to the furthest Mission. If you want a day long journey or adventure, you can take this trail to explore some of the best of San Antonio, passing both the tourist parts and the local parts. Go South on Avenue B, on the trail behind Lion's Field and then follow the sidewalk to the right (West) at the end of the golf course. Follow the water.
Sightseeing
Don't pay as a tourist until you want the history lesson - There are two top levels of this tower and if you go to the restaurant and have a drink at the bar you'll avoid the entry fee of the tourist level and the high prices of dining at the restaurant. The restaurant has a bird's eye, rotating view of San Antonio so it is a lot of fun, for which convenience you will see the price difference from a normal restaurant.
374 locals recommend
Tower of the Americas
739 E César E. Chávez BlvdDon't pay as a tourist until you want the history lesson - There are two top levels of this tower and if you go to the restaurant and have a drink at the bar you'll avoid the entry fee of the tourist level and the high prices of dining at the restaurant. The restaurant has a bird's eye, rotating view of San Antonio so it is a lot of fun, for which convenience you will see the price difference from a normal restaurant.
Food, Art galleries and shops, Coffee Shop, Access to the beautiful local part of the River Walk. Great jumping off spot for the southern end of the Mission Trail, bike riding, scooters, and usually some events at night and on weekends there are afternoon markets. This was historically an art gathering scene and has since been a bit modernized. It's 5 miles from your Casita on the Ave B/Riverwalk Trail.
11 locals recommend
Blue Star
Blue StarFood, Art galleries and shops, Coffee Shop, Access to the beautiful local part of the River Walk. Great jumping off spot for the southern end of the Mission Trail, bike riding, scooters, and usually some events at night and on weekends there are afternoon markets. This was historically an art gathering scene and has since been a bit modernized. It's 5 miles from your Casita on the Ave B/Riverwalk Trail.
Entertainment & Activities
It's the most comfortable, best food, best bar theater in my opinion. You can reserve your seats ahead of time (don't get the front row). Your seat is a recliner with a moving table top for whatever you are noshing on during the show.
14 locals recommend
Santiko's Embassy 14
13707 Embassy RdIt's the most comfortable, best food, best bar theater in my opinion. You can reserve your seats ahead of time (don't get the front row). Your seat is a recliner with a moving table top for whatever you are noshing on during the show.
Old fashioned but lovely mini golf, best to go at night when the Christmas lights are on and a weekday if possible when it is not so crowded.
10 locals recommend
Embassy Miniature Golf
500 Embassy OaksOld fashioned but lovely mini golf, best to go at night when the Christmas lights are on and a weekday if possible when it is not so crowded.
Arts & Culture
In a modernized beer factory, this large museum has a many rooms to get lost in and beautiful space to enjoy. There is also a fancy but not too expensive restaurant here by award winning chef Jason Dady called Tre Trattoria. Plenty of parking across the street. Art parties monthly - check their calendar.
352 locals recommend
San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W Jones AveIn a modernized beer factory, this large museum has a many rooms to get lost in and beautiful space to enjoy. There is also a fancy but not too expensive restaurant here by award winning chef Jason Dady called Tre Trattoria. Plenty of parking across the street. Art parties monthly - check their calendar.
Look them up and check their schedule - This is #PuroSanAntonio and will have the best local arts, dance, music and cultural events.
10 locals recommend
Guadalupe Dance Company
723 S Brazos StLook them up and check their schedule - This is #PuroSanAntonio and will have the best local arts, dance, music and cultural events.