Which downtown restaurants aren’t tourist traps If you’ve lived in San Antonio for any length of time, you know that downtown, especially the River Walk, is chock full of dining spots that are way overpriced and primarily exist to serve bland food to tourists. Anytime we’re talking to an out-of-town visitor we won’t hesitate to tell them which downtown eateries are for chumps and which serve “real San Antonio food.” Credit: Nina Rangel

The NCAA men’s Final Four tournament will bring as many as 100,000 hungry hoops fans to downtown San Antonio this weekend.

Good thing our city prides itself on keeping visitors well fed. From Japanese bites to elegant Italian fare to ’70s-themed drinks, these restaurants and bars in St. Paul Square and the River North neighborhood are within a 10-minute walk or quick rideshare from the Alamodome — and they all provide a definitive Alamo City experience.

Blessed Bogside

St. Paul Square’s resident Irish pub boasts ample seating, an impressive central bar, eclectic memorabilia lining the walls and plenty of drink specials to continue the post-game celebrations. The food’s definitely a cut above the usual bar fare as well. Sunday features an all-day happy hour. 1170 E. Commerce St., Suite 100, (210) 314-2994, blessedbogside.com.

Toro Kitchen + Bar

Located within walking distance of Blessed Bogside, Toro Kitchen + Bar provides a Spanish-style alternative in terms of cuisine and drinks. Feast on shareable paella entrees, or split a pitcher of housemade sangria with innovative tapas. Don’t forget to check out Toro’s downstairs speakeasy bar, Cellar Mixology, before heading out. 1142 E. Commerce St., 210-592-1075, torokitchenandbar.com.

Suck It Izakaya and Sushi/Suck It Asian Kitchen

Home to the largest selection of Japanese whiskey in Texas, Suck It Izakaya and Sushi and Suck It Asian Kitchen are two St. Paul Square hotspots within walking distance of the Alamodome. The neighboring spots also offer creative sushi rolls, hearty ramen bowls and plenty of signature cocktails to go around. 1163 E. Commerce St., 1167 E. Commerce St., (210) 564-9062, chefsuckit.com.

Cherrity Bar

Ramen, yakitori and fried rice abound at Cherrity Bar. Sweetening the deal, the izakaya-style restaurant donates a portion of sales from a specialty drink each month to a different nonprofit. Enjoy a cocktail for a cause, or classics including a Negroni, a cosmopolitan or a refreshing margarita. 302 Montana St., (210) 598-0496, cherritybar.com.

El Tigre Coffee Roasters

This chain of Austin-based espresso specialists will have plenty of coffee brewing for basketball fans in need of an energy boost. Those looking for a quick bite can grab a breakfast sandwich on locally made sourdough before heading back to the Dome. 123 Heiman St., eltigre.coffee.

Shiro Japanese Bistro 107 W. Jones Ave., shirossan.com Shiro specializes in West Coast contemporary Japanese cuisine. The sushi menu features a variety of specialty rolls, including a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Adventurous diners can also choose from the “I’ll leave it up to you” menu, which includes a variety of nigiri, sashimi and chirashi options curated by the chef. Credit: Photo via Instagram / shiro_riverwalk

No Vacancy

Located within plain sight in the lobby of the Aiden San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel, No Vacancy’s Great Gatsby-inspired cocktail lounge serves as a gateway to the Jazz Age. With 1920s-style cocktails, light bites and live music, No Vacancy is ideal for Final Four fans seeking sophistication after the final buzzer. 1103 E. Commerce St., (210) 223-4400, novacancysa.com.

Tre Trattoria

Situated on the River Walk’s River North neighborhood within a six-minute Uber ride from the Alamodome, Tre Trattoria’s upscale Italian fare serves as a quieter alternative to St. Paul Square. Chef Jason Dady’s Tuscan-inspired menu ranges from cacio e pepe, made-to-order cast iron pizzas, a wide wine selection, fresh pasta made in-house and classic Italian entrees. 200 W. Jones Ave. #501, (210) 805-0333, tretrattoria.com.

Shiro Japanese Bistro

Seated within a stone’s throw of Tre Trattoria, Shiro Japanese Bistro is home to some of San Antonio’s best sushi, courtesy of chef Grey Hwang. The wagyu teriyaki is another must-try on Shiro’s extensive menu. 107 W. Jones Ave., (210) 585-1863, shirossan.com.

Best Late Night Place to Eat Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen 103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com Credit: Michael Karlis

Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen

For those seeking after-dinner drinks in River North, Elsewhere’s eclectic outdoor fairytale ambience features plenty of frozen boozy beverages, ice-cold beer and wine, romantic porch swing seating, and a bonafide sense of the ethereal. The pub grub, ranging from burgers to spicy cauliflower “wings” isn’t bad either. 103 E. Jones Ave., (210) 201-5595, elsewheretexas.com.

Hot Joy

With plenty of late-night happy hour options and frozen tiki drinks, Hot Joy’s Asian-inspired menu and atmosphere hits differently after a long day of watching free throw shots and three-point attempts. The funky dining spot’s shareable bites and beverages are perfect for large parties. 1101 Broadway #1101, (210) 940-4488, hotjoysa.com.

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This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.