San Antonio’s food scene is ever-evolving — and that applies to more than grand openings. Local mainstays are regularly shaking things up with menu revamps, major renovations and even new chefs.

We know it can be overwhelming to keep up with the latest culinary happenings, so we’ve done the legwork for you. You’re welcome.

From buzzy new openings to limited-time menu offerings at local favorites, this bucket list is chock-full of San Antonio spots worth hitting up before the year ends.

Gimme Gimme 803 S. St. Mary’s St., instagram.com/bargimmegimme Gimme Gimme, along with wine bar A Perfect Day, took over Francis Bogside’s former space in Southtown this summer. Gimme Gimme hit the ground running with a full menu of cocktails and menu items including cheese curds, burgers and frito pie. But the real draw is the Wednesday steak night featuring a Texas ribeye with duck fat waffle fries. Here’s our first look. Credit: Photo via Instagram / txtroublemaker
Rosario’s 722 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 223-1806, rosariossa.com Rosario’s newest (and since March of 2023, its only) location is a two-story building featuring a 5,000-square-foot rooftop bar in Southtown, with breathtaking views of the downtown skyline. Expected to open in spring 2023, the rooftop bar will welcome guests ages 23 and up and have a dedicated bar and small bites menu. Credit: Photo by Nina Rangel
Leche de Tigre 318 E. Cevallos St., (210) 265-5933, lechedetigretx.com This cebicheria serves up Peruvian sashimi plates and cebiche, as well as dishes such as lomo saltado — a Peruvian stir fry with a Chinese influence — and tapas. Make sure to quench your thirst with any one of the spot’s craft cocktails featuring Pisco, Peru’s official tipple. Here’s our review. Credit: Allysse Shank-Rivas
Tokyo Cowboy 135 E. Commerce St., (210) 305-7075, tokyocowboytx.com Nestled right across the San Antonio river from the historic Bald Cypress some call “Geronimo,” this chic Japanese street food spot markets itself as a “whisky diner” and features menu items such as Viet-Cajun BBQ prawns and a sukiyaki burger. Come for the trendy eats, stay for the inventive whisky-based cocktails. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Tokyo Cowboy
Guerito’s Red Tacos 9218 Potranco Road, (210) 612-2805, gueritosredtacos.com This summer Guerito’s Red Tacos temporarily closed its food truck in order to add a brick and mortar location to the mix. Guerito’s is known for its Tijuana-style beef birria, which diners can wash down with a refreshing agua fresca. Credit: Photo via Instagram / gueritos_redtacos
Colette 102 9th St. Floor 4, coletteatthephipps.com Colette joined Paramour on the Phipps’ rooftop this summer, with a menu featuring dishes that blend French, Japanese, Latin and American techniques and cuisines. The new eatery aims to provide a truly elevated experience, but be aware when making reservations: the Texas sun shines across the rooftop spot. Credit: Nina Rangel
Francis Bogside 1170 E Commerce St. Suite 100, (210) 314-2994, francisbogside.com It isn’t common to see Irish neighborhood bars in San Antonio but Francia Bogside, a rustic chic take on a traditional Irish pub, has changed that narrative for downtown. Recently relocated to Commerce Street, Francis Bogside offers upscale pub fare alongside expertly-prepared craft cocktails, wine and beer. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Francis Bogside
Piatti Multiple Locations, piatti.com Piatti’s Quarry Market location reopened in January after temporary closure with a refreshed look, later followed by the reopening of the restaurant’s outpost in the Eilan development. More recently, Piatti debuted a new weekend brunch, featuring French toast made using Bird Bakery’s Nutella Loaf. Here’s our first look at the Quarry location. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Piatti
Dorrego’s 150 East Houston St., (210) 230-8454, dorregos.com This year, Hotel Valencia’s onsite restaurant Dorrego’s revived its made-to-order paella lunch special that is worth checking out — even with a $16.95 price tag. Each diner receives a heaping portion of the dish loaded with their choice of proteins and veggies. Here’s our first look. Credit: Nina Rangel
Dos Sirenos Brewing 231 E. Cevallos St., (210) 442-8138, dossirenosbrewing.com Since 2019, Dos Sirenos has produced inventive brews named for Greek gods. The Southtown spot boasts a large patio and a comfortably shaded kid- and dog-friendly outdoor space, as well as a delicious food menu. Credit: Photo via Instagram / dossirenosbrewing
Luna Rosa Puerto Rican Grill y Tapas 910 S. Alamo St., (210) 314-2723, lunarosatapas.com. After a teaching career, Chef Iris Ornelas decided to go into the food business. Consider it a blessing that she did, since she opened this Puerto Rican gem, which recently moved into the building that used to house Rosario’s. The Caribbean Nachos are all you need to try to know that Luna Rosa is the real deal. Credit: Nina Rangel
Never Late Diner 6420 NW Loop 410, Suite 108, (210) 236-9030, instagram.com/neverlatediner This new spot operates 24/7/365, so San Antonians can get their fill on comfort food whenever the mood strikes. Many menu items boast cheeky, Alamo City-inspired names, such as the Cheesemosa Omelette and the Blanco B.L.T. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Never Late Diner
Full Goods Diner 200 E. Grayson St., #120, (210) 819-4226, fullgoodsdiner.com Full Goods Diner has a refined aesthetic while serving everything a South Texas diner should have: steak and eggs, migas and Texas hash. For those looking to shake things up a bit, Full Goods has it covered with ricotta toast or a carnitas torta. This elegant yet homey experience is a must-try. Credit: Nina Rangel
Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar
2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., (210) 562-3343, sichuandashi.com
This swanky spot is perfect for those looking to enjoy authentic Asian-inspired cooking. The restaurant’s menu features a wide selection of Sichuanese dishes, as well as a full beer, wine, sake and cocktail program, all of which can be enjoyed in the spot’s elegant dining room or patio. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sichuandashi
El Pastor Es Mi Señor 8727 Wurzbach Road, Suite 102, (210) 479-3474, elpastoresmisenor.com El Pastor Es Mi Señor is worthy of its recent inclusion on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. The show featured the restaurant’s signature al pastor taco, and for good reason — they’re spectacularly good. Here’s our review. Credit: Ron Bechtol
European Dumplings Cafe 2211 N.W. Military Highway #131B, (726) 219-2483, europeandumplings.com European Dumplings Cafe started as a local favorite food truck on 12157 Potranco Road, but has now moved into a storefront at a shopping complex in Castle Hills. Enjoy the same delicious Ukranian food in their all-new dining space. Credit: Photo via Instagram / europeandumplings
Beacon Hill Deli 1717 Blanco Road, (210) 999-5239, facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086878963700 The duo that brought us SA Bexar Tonics and Philly-style sandwich pop-up Dang!wich is now serving up flavorful deli fare from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Credit: Photo via Instagram / beaconhillmarketanddeli
Mxicanna Cafe 527 El. Paso St., (210) 888-1310, mxicanna.com San Antonio cannabis-focused chef Edward Villarreal’s long-awaited Mxicanna Cafe is now serving its hemp-infused fare to the masses, just south of downtown San Antonio. Credit: Photo via Instagram / putadelafruta
Southerleigh Haute South 5822 Worth Parkway, Suite 112, (210) 236-8556, southerleigh.com/location/southerleigh-haute-south Southerleigh Haute South is enjoyable no matter the size of your party, but the restaurant’s recently introduced family meal deal may be attractive to parents looking for a place to take the whole clan. For $44.44, you get a whole fried chicken, four fried honey butter biscuits, a large salad, a large macaroni and cheese and a large coleslaw. It’s available for both dine-in and takeaway on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Southerleigh Haute South
Casa Hernan 411 E. Cevallos St., (210) 226-3670, chefjohnnyhernandez.com/casa-hernan Chef Johnny Hernandez’s new concept in Southtown offers botanas, cocktails and tequila in a space featuring Mexican art, blown-glass light fixtures and bold color schemes. Credit: Photo via Instagram / casahernan_southtown
Backyard on Broadway 2411 Broadway, (210) 634-1405, backyardonbroadway.com Backyard on Broadway recently debuted new renovations with updates including outdoor shades and fans installed in the spot’s backyard space. What the little ones will care most about, however, is the spot’s playground area. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Backyard on Broadway

Additional Slideshows

The hottest new bars and restaurants that have opened in San Antonio so far in 2023