The San Antonio restaurant and bar scene endured many hardships during the COVID crisis, and it’s now grappling with unprecedented supply chain issues. No matter, the local food community is nothing if not resilient — as the spate of amazing 2021 restaurant openings proves.
Let’s explore the 20 best local restaurants and bars to open during this turbulent year, focusing on those that brought unique, delicious and sometimes swanky vibes to the Alamo City.
Up Scale
1024 S. Alamo St., upscalesouthtown.com
Husband-and-wife duo Houston and Emily Carpenter — the minds behind Southtown Instagram sensation Little Em’s Oyster Bar — will open a “sexy” new eatery called Up Scale in the building that once housed brunch and dinner hotspot Feast in Southtown. The new concept, which will serve seafood, steak and sushi, is slated to open this fall.
Photo via Instagram / upscalesouthtown Credit: Instagram / upscalesouthtownNaco 210
2015 NE Loop 410, (210) 996-1033, nacomexican.com
The team behind noted food truck Naco Mexican Eatery debuted their brick-and-mortar restaurant Naco 210 at the beginning of December, slinging the traditional Mexican plates, tacos, tortas and chilaquiles made popular by the couple’s much-praised mobile kitchen.
Photo courtesy of Naco 210Box Street All Day
623 Hemisfair Blvd. Ste. 108, (210) 920-1602, theboxstreetsocial.com
This casual, chef-driven concept will lean heavily on brunch items when it opens Dec. 16, but will also offer an espresso bar, craft cocktails, bubbles and local beer, too. Folks looking to snag a bottle of bubbles can swing by the onsite “bottle shop” for fun on the run. Located at Hemisfair.
Photo courtesy of Box Street All Day Credit: Facebook / Box Street SocialScreaming Goat Yard and Tap
4 Sun Valley Road, Spring Branch, (830) 885-2209, screaminggoatyard.com
This new Spring Branch spot offers something for everyone — at all hours of the day, to boot. Breakfast, lunch and dinner food options abound, and the draft beer rail boasts local brews from all over.
Photo via Instagram / screaminggoatyardBar Loretta
320 Beauregard St., (210) 757-3607, barloretta.com
SA foodies can expect “exceptional-yet-approachable” fare from this Southtown spot. The new eatery, housed in the space that was previously home to Madhatter’s Tea House and Cafe, features handmade and vintage details.
Photo by Richard Casteel of Dandelion Gatherings for Bar LorettaTacos Cucuy
Location Varies, (210) 573-3048, tacoscucuy.com
This new mobile taco concept from local chef Paul Morales debuted its from-scratch fare in October, promising to offer a ‘bespoke taco experience,’ with bites made entirely from scratch. Each offering uses local ingredients, responsibly-sourced proteins, fresh handmade salsas and Morales’ own heirloom corn tortillas.
Photo via Instagram / tacoscucuyDashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar
2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., sichuaneats.com
Kristina Zhao, owner of popular Chinese eatery Sichuan House, expanded her culinary footprint this summer with Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar in north central San Antonio.
Photo via Instagram / sichuaneatsThree Star Bar
521 E. Grayson St., okayestbar.com
This new Government Hill-area restaurant and bar focuses on deli-style fare and high-quality whiskeys — as well as a few unexpected tipples such as a gin and tonic with pickle juice.The 7,000-square-foot eatery will seat 140 people in the space formerly occupied by Grayze.
Photo via Instagram / threestarbarMilpa at the Yard
5253 McCullough Ave., (210) 990-2349, facebook.com/milpaattheyard
The mind behind the innovative cuisine at Ocho at Hotel Havana, Chef Jesse Kuykendall showcases the food of her childhood spent on the U.S.-Mexico border. The opening menu features items such as tacos arabes, asada, carnitas, quesadilla frita and elotito — and tacos that Texas Monthly deemed life-changing.
Photo via Instagram / foodies210Gather Brewing Company
210 E. Aviation Blvd., Universal City, gather-brewing-co.square.site
Coast Guard veteran Mike Voeller enlisted his family to help revamp a defunct military-themed bar near Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Universal City. The brewery is set to have its grand opening Dec. 11, where it will unveil a handful of new brews.
Photo via Instagram / gatherbrewingcompanyBruno’s Dive Bar
1004 S. Alamo St., (210) 225-9801, brunosdive.com
Owners of neighborhood staple The Friendly Spot Steve and Jody Bailey Newman are breathing new life into the space across the street with Bruno’s Dive Bar, which offers well drinks, an IPA on tap, games, tunes from the jukebox and a large patio space.
Photo via Instagram / brunosdiveComfort Cafe – East
2015 NE Loop 410, serenitystar.org/san-antonio
This brunch spot has gained a cult following for its hearty, stick-to-your-ribs fare and worthy philanthropic cause: and providing transformational programs for people on the road to recovery from addiction. This location of the pay-what-you-can eatery — which opened in March — is the second in SA.
Photo via Instagram / stine.eatsLandrace
111 Lexington Ave., (210) 942-6026, landracetx.com
Local chef Steve McHugh helms this luxury hotel eatery, serving up local ingredients and unique products grown in Texas in collaboration with’ heritage farmers and growers. Landrace, inside the Thompson San Antonio hotel, opened in February.
Photo courtesy of LandraceIzumi Sushi & Hibachi
2844 Thousand Oaks Dr., (210) 538-5121, izumiallyoucaneat.com
This sushi spot — which also features hibachi, tempura and teriyaki dishes on its extensive menu — opened quietly in February, and has generated fanfare in food-focused social media groups and online review site Yelp since it opened its doors.
Photo via Instagram / izumi_allyoucaneatWild Barley Kitchen Co.
8403 Broadway, facebook.com/wildbarleykitchenco
This San Antonio food trailer, known for wood-fired sourdough bagels, bread and pizza, has brought those flame-kissed delights to its first brick-and-mortar location in the spot that once held Lee’s El Taco Garage. Wild Barley’s owners are still making changes to the property, but the food trailer is now operating onsite.
Photo via Instagram / wildbarleykitchenandbreweryVerve Pie
313 Schneider Drive Ste. 121, Cibolo, (210) 451-0160, vervepie.com
This vegan eatery purports to be the San Antonio area’s first 100% plant-based restaurant specializing in pizza and ice cream — plus, there’s booze. You read that right, the staff serves up eight pizza varieties, salads, coconut-based ice cream and signature cocktails.
Photo via Instagram / vervepieBurger Boy – South and Live Oak
burgerboysa.com
This spot, known for old-fashioned burgers and thick shakes, has plans for two more locations, including one on South New Braunfels and one near Live Oak.
Photo via Instagram / burgerboysaPinch Boil House
5130 Broadway, (210) 277-8801, pinchboilhouse.com
Shortly before closing their flagship location in downtown’s Rand building, Pinch Boil House co-owners Andrew Ho and Sean Wen opened a second location in Alamo Heights from which to sling their unique Viet-Cajun crawfish boils. The downtown spot is now permanently closed.
Photo via Instagram / pinchboilhouseAmor Eterno
540 S. Presa St., instagram.com/amoreterno_sa
Amor Eterno — a new venture helmed by local bar owners Brian Correa and Aaron Peña — brings puro flavor to Southtown, including SA-inspired, locally sourced fare from popular pop-up ¡Bucho! and even special events when owner Peña spins vinyl into the night.
Photo via Instagram / amoreterno_saGolden Wat Noodle House
111 Kings Court, (210) 320-8211, goldenwatnoodlehouse.com
This Cambodian concept is co-owner Susan Sypesteyn’s culinary love letter to the dishes of her upbringing, offering comforting dishes packed with bold and traditional flavors such as lemongrass, ginger and mint. Make sure you inquire on the seasonal donut, which is typically just as gorgeous as it is delicious.
Photo via Instagram / goodbitesa
