Guidebook for San Antonio
Food Scene
Great budget burger joint with huge out-door area with lots of live music
80 locals recommend
Tycoon Flats
2926 N St Mary's StGreat budget burger joint with huge out-door area with lots of live music
La Botanica
Outstanding quality vegan fair with strong local influence.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in town. Outstanding margaritas and one of the most beautiful patios in San Antonio.
154 locals recommend
La Fonda On Main
2415 N Main AveOne of the best Mexican restaurants in town. Outstanding margaritas and one of the most beautiful patios in San Antonio.
Classic Greek street food in a purpose-built taverena with patio overlooking the Greek Orthodox church.
27 locals recommend
Demo's Greek Food
2501 N St Mary's StClassic Greek street food in a purpose-built taverena with patio overlooking the Greek Orthodox church.
Barbaro
2720 McCullough AveOutstanding brick-oven pizza (and more) and high-end bar
PHO SURE
8822 Huebner RoadGreat budget Vietnamese food, BYOB
One of best spots for both Thai and Laoation food. Naum is outstanding. BYOB
Thai Lao Orchid Restaurant
116 BroadwayOne of best spots for both Thai and Laoation food. Naum is outstanding. BYOB
Local Coffee
24175 W I-10Best cup of joe in the hood.
Full on French bakery and patisserie. Addicting. Smack in the middle of the Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Sundays
152 locals recommend
Bakery Lorraine
306 Pearl PkwyFull on French bakery and patisserie. Addicting. Smack in the middle of the Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Sundays
Cured
306 Pearl PkwyVery high end charcuterie fair.
Italian restaurant with some of the best craft in fine dining. Amazing breakfasts as well.
16 locals recommend
Il Sogno Osteria
200 E Grayson StItalian restaurant with some of the best craft in fine dining. Amazing breakfasts as well.
Straight from New Orleans, the chef knows the magic ingredients to actually make the food right for the Big Easy. If you ask they may be able to get you fresh beignets.
31 locals recommend
Cookhouse
720 E Mistletoe AveStraight from New Orleans, the chef knows the magic ingredients to actually make the food right for the Big Easy. If you ask they may be able to get you fresh beignets.
Augie's Barbed Wire Smokehouse
3709 N St Mary's StTexas BBQ done right
Full restaurant and coffee bar. Order at the bar. Arrive a bit early for brunch. Huge treed patio.
58 locals recommend
Candlelight Coffeehouse
107 Kings CtFull restaurant and coffee bar. Order at the bar. Arrive a bit early for brunch. Huge treed patio.
Some of the best Moroccan fair this side of Fez (and yes, I do know). The Lamb Tajine with prunes is wonderful.
Moroccan Bites Tajine
5718 Evers RdSome of the best Moroccan fair this side of Fez (and yes, I do know). The Lamb Tajine with prunes is wonderful.
Some of the best sushi you'll have outside Kamakura (and yes, I know). Niki's won't win any awards for interior design, but the food is top-notch. The sushi can be a long wait if you arrive too late on a Friday or Saturday. The staff won't try and make you feel special. Niki is an established restaurant with no desire for tourists, but they are dear friends to us locals. Be cool, and you will have some excellent food.
15 locals recommend
Niki's Tokyo Inn
819 W Hildebrand AveSome of the best sushi you'll have outside Kamakura (and yes, I know). Niki's won't win any awards for interior design, but the food is top-notch. The sushi can be a long wait if you arrive too late on a Friday or Saturday. The staff won't try and make you feel special. Niki is an established restaurant with no desire for tourists, but they are dear friends to us locals. Be cool, and you will have some excellent food.
Smoke Shack BBQ + Southern Kitchen
3714 BroadwayThe BEST Texas BBQ I have ever had.
Uber traditional fruteria. Excellent bistek tacos, fruit cups, and agua frescas. Bring some Spanish with you, it helps.
Los Valles Produce
3915 Nogalitos StUber traditional fruteria. Excellent bistek tacos, fruit cups, and agua frescas. Bring some Spanish with you, it helps.
Sister restaurant of La Tuna Ice House. Very tasty, very bad for you. Iconic Texas ice house where Angela and I met. Cheap beer, total cross-section of San Antonio society. Super urban local.
87 locals recommend
La Tuna
100 Probandt StSister restaurant of La Tuna Ice House. Very tasty, very bad for you. Iconic Texas ice house where Angela and I met. Cheap beer, total cross-section of San Antonio society. Super urban local.
Pancake Joe's
1011 Donaldson AveGreat all-round pancake diner. Gets busy on weekends.
Spot on German fare. Have the split-pea soup and house made root beer. Some great sandwiches and baked goods too. Iconic historic building right downtown.
22 locals recommend
Schilo's
424 E Commerce StSpot on German fare. Have the split-pea soup and house made root beer. Some great sandwiches and baked goods too. Iconic historic building right downtown.
Great mix of coffee, taps, and tastes. Great place to plunk down for reading or work. My cousin designed the interior.
41 locals recommend
Rosella Coffee Company
203 E Jones AveGreat mix of coffee, taps, and tastes. Great place to plunk down for reading or work. My cousin designed the interior.
Drinks & Nightlife
TBA
2801 N St Mary's StUp-scale AND laid-back, you can get cocktails and pressed sandwiches. Swank.
Blue Box Bar
312 Pearl PkwyUpscale bar
Limelight
2719 N St Mary's StFun and raunchy bar with loud music and local scene
Classic wood-clad bar with cocktail and taps (Joey also owns the Blue Star Brewery). Pizza is decent. Full pool hall!
18 locals recommend
Joey's
2417 N St Mary's StClassic wood-clad bar with cocktail and taps (Joey also owns the Blue Star Brewery). Pizza is decent. Full pool hall!
The Mix
2423 N St Mary's StFull-on dive bar, a local favorite.
Zinc Bistro & Bar
207 N Presa StSwank bar with one of the best fountain court yards in town.
Parks & Nature
Sprawling urban park with a great Vietnamese restaurant on the up-hill side.
82 locals recommend
San Pedro Springs Park
2200 N FloresSprawling urban park with a great Vietnamese restaurant on the up-hill side.
Brackenridge Park
3700 N St Mary's StGreat park with river, hiking trails, and the zoo.
Everything Else
Full up-scale shopping and dining in San Antonio's jewel of development. Easy access to the river.
527 locals recommend
Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl PkwyFull up-scale shopping and dining in San Antonio's jewel of development. Easy access to the river.
Arts & Culture
Both contemporary and ancient offerings, this is one of the best locations to enjoy a rainy afternoon.
352 locals recommend
San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W Jones AveBoth contemporary and ancient offerings, this is one of the best locations to enjoy a rainy afternoon.
Shopping
This is THE place to score your piece of San Antonio. Way off the tourist radar, but better stocked than the Mercado. An easy walk from the French Moroccan Place!
11 locals recommend
Fiesta On Main
102 N Main AveThis is THE place to score your piece of San Antonio. Way off the tourist radar, but better stocked than the Mercado. An easy walk from the French Moroccan Place!
Essentials
The Cove is an amazing combination: Laundry, restaurant, live music and outstanding beer selection. Oh, and a car wash. The fish tacos are award winners, and the taps are Texas-focused.
191 locals recommend
The Cove
606 W Cypress StThe Cove is an amazing combination: Laundry, restaurant, live music and outstanding beer selection. Oh, and a car wash. The fish tacos are award winners, and the taps are Texas-focused.