San Antonio is a tourist destination, which means downtown is flooded with restaurants that claim to offer an authentic taste of our city. Some of them offer pricier versions of the same food you can find elsewhere in town, while others are straight-up tourist traps.
Plenty of locals avoid downtown dining for that exact reason, but if you know where to look, it’s possible to find restaurants in the center city that are cooking for more than the tourists. Some are surprisingly affordable, while others, even though pricy, offer an upscale experience worth the ticket.
From Japanese street food to inventive American cuisine to vegan tacos, you can find just what you want in the heart of Alamo City.
La Tuna Icehouse & Grill
100 Probandt St., (210) 224-8862, latunasa.com.
Southtown is full of new culinary concepts, but La Tuna Icehouse & Grill has been a local favorite for over three decades. Come for the killer comfort food — from jumbo shrimp to portobello sandwiches — and stay for another one of their ice-cold domestic beers.
Tokyo Cowboy
135 E. Commerce St., (726) 227-4989, tokyocowboy-tx.com.
Nestled in the middle of the San Antonio Riverwalk, Tokyo Cowboy brings you comfort-inspired Japanese street food with the elegance of a high-end cocktail bar. Marketing itself as a “whisky diner,” you can try their brisket egg rolls or gulf shrimp and noodles while you sip on one of their many house-made cocktails.
The Station Cafe
108 King William St., (210) 444-2200, thestationsa.com.
Station Cafe offers a variety of sandwiches on fresh-baked bread for under $9. Filled with protein and veggies, diners are sure to get the bang for their buck while lounging on their gorgeous patio. Wash down any sandwich with their selection of soft drinks or lagers at the adjacent Filling Station Taproom, open after 5 p.m.
Toro Kitchen + Bar
1142 E. Commerce St., (210) 592-1075, torokitchenandbar.com.
Toro Kitchen + Bar is a local mini-chain with three locations in the Alamo City — one of which is in a prime downtown location off Commerce Street. That spot has live music every Friday and Saturday, all while serving up authentic Spanish cuisine and a variety of libations. Take a friend — or a date.
Ming’s
914 E. Elmira St. Suite 101, (210) 600-4083, mingsthing.com.
Although rooted in Chinese cuisine, Ming’s offers a fusion of Asian flavor’s. Flavorful dishes like their ma-la noodles, curry bowls and iconic steam buns add to the identity of the city’s diverse palate.
Cherrity Bar
302 Montana St., (210) 598-0496, cherritybar.com.
Seated at the corner of Cherry and Montana streets on the East Side, Cherrity Bar covers nearly an entire city block, combining cocktails, charitable giving and a ramen shop. Guests can sit in the huge covered patio area, where a spectacular view of the Tower of the Americas adds to the vibe.
Stella Public House
1414 S. Alamo St., (210) 277-7047, stellapublichouse.com.
Southtown’s Stella Public House dishes out wood-fired pizza and craft beer in its sleek contemporary American setting just off the river. Be sure to check the seasonal menu: a rotation of salads, cheeses and shared plates with locally sourced ingredients.
ReRooted 210
623 Hemisfair Blvd., Ste. 106, (210) 239-9763, rerootedwine.com.
San Antonio’s first-ever urban winery and tasting room made a splash on the local scene with its state-of-the-art draft system for pouring inaugural house wines on tap. The venue takes advantage of the newly redeveloped Hemisfair complex and its open-container rule, giving guests the option to take their vino on-the-go.
Dos Sirenos Brewing
231 E. Cevallos St., (210) 442-8138, dossirenosbrewing.com.
Since 2019, Dos Sirenos has produced inventive brews named for Greek gods. You can sip on Zephyr and Kronos’ IPA while you relax on their large patio, friendly for both kids and dogs. Their food menu also offers brunch opinions until 2 p.m. and bites ranging from shareable pretzels to big ol’ pub burgers.
Tony G’s Soul Food
915 S. Hackberry St., (210) 451-1234, tonygssoulfood.com.
It’s hard to find a Sunday brunch that beats authentic Southern comfort food accompanied by live jazz music. Tony G’s does just that. A longtime crowd favorite, the restaurant offers tasty soul food for breakfast and lunch.
Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E Jones Ave., (210) 201-5595, elsewheretexas.com.
Elsewhere’s notoriety may start with its impressive outdoor space, which backs right up to the San Antonio River, but that’s bolstered by quality burgers, fries and tacos and an impressive bar program to pair them with.
Guillermo’s
618 McCullough Ave., (210) 223-5587, guillermosdowntown.com.
Serving San Antonio for more than two decades, Guillermo’s offers what some locals consider the city’s best Italian-American fare. From pizzas and calzones to classic pastas, they offer plenty of comforting food that will stick with you.
La Frite Belgian Bistro
728 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-7555, lafritesa.com.
La Frite serves its signature Belgian fare in a cozy dining room that oozes comfortable intimacy. Nosh on European dishes and an all-French wine selection at this family-owned Southtown joint.
Birria Barrio
1203 S. Alamo St., (210) 289-4066, facebook.com/Birriabarrio.
To satisfy local night owls’ super-late night cravings, Birria Barrio shuts down at 3 a.m. Don’t wait too late, though: the downtown taco destination often sells out, so get your fixin’ while you can.
Schilo’s
424 E Commerce St., (210) 223-6692, schilos.com.
Claiming to be the oldest restaurant in San Antonio, this Riverwalk deli and German-style eatery has served Alamo City for over 100 years. Grab some split pea soup or one of their many schnitzels, and enjoy the Riverwalk vibes — deep in the heart of Texas.
Boudro’s Texas Bistro
421 E Commerce St., (210) 224-8484, boudros.com.
Boudro’s has been a River Walk highlight since 1986, serving up delicious Lone Star State fare with influences from our Louisiana and south-of-the-border neighbors. Grab a bottle of wine, shrimp and grits or a prickly pear margarita. What’s more San Antonio than that?
Biga on the Banks
203 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 225-0722, biga.com.
Started by Londoner Bruce Auden, this spot has new takes on classic American cuisine while offering great views of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Try the restaurant’s three-course prix fixe menu, or sample from a variety of other offerings, from foie gras to expertly prepared seafood. And don’t forget the signature sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Bohanan’s Prime Steak and Seafood
219 E. Houston St., (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com.
Bohanan’s offers classic steakhouse vibes along with an amazing bar and wine program. This restaurant right across from the Majestic Theatre has fresh seafood flown in daily and the prime aged beef is not to be missed. No need to work around their schedule, either: They’re open seven days a week.
Plantaqueria
124 Broadway, (210) 413-9863, plantaqueria.com.
Craving Tex-Mex, but tired of the same old spots? Plantaqueria offers a new take on classic San Antonio cuisine: all plant-based eats. This vegan joint, only a few blocks down from The Alamo, offers a variety of breakfast tacos and aguas frescas, as well as usuals like tortas and quesadillas. The delicious fare is all heart-healthy and cholesterol-free.
Down on Grayson
303 E. Grayson St., (210) 248-9244, downongrayson.com.
Right outside the Pearl, Down on Grayson is perfect for that fun or romantic night out on the Riverwalk, without the chaos of downtown crowds. Relax on the expansive patio or inside airy, window-filled dining room. The American-style fare is approachable yet creative.