21 must-try new bars and restaurants that opened in San Antonio in 2023

Yozora Sake & Wine & Listening Bar
22211 W. I-10, Suite, 1111, instagram.com/yozora_satx
The chef behind sushi restaurant Shiro Japanese Bistro launched a new concept in the Dominion area. An izakaya-style restaurant and listening bar, Yozora’s menu features yakitori and crudo dishes as well as thoughtfully curated beer, wine and sake selections, complemented by tunes played on a custom-built sound system.

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.

Thirsty Pups Brewery & Bottle Shop
2211 NW Military Highway #130, instagram.com/thirstypupsbrewery
This dog-friendly spot opened in Castle Hills in October, serving craft brews and wine with a side of easygoing vibes. Though Thirsty Pups doesn’t serve food, visitors are allowed to bring in food from outside.

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 Ukrainian food in an all-new dining space.

Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba
3615 Broadway #4, paladarfusion.com
New fusion eatery Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba opened its doors in November, taking over the space previously occupied by Fonda Nostra Bistró. The restaurant’s self-proclaimed signature fusion plate, flautas de lechón, features three nixtamal tortillas filled with lechón, or roasted suckling pig, and fried. Though Paladar’s address is on Broadway, the spot recommends that people access it via the Witte Museum Garage at 3501 Avenue B.

Idle Beer Hall & Brewery
414 Brooklyn Ave., idlebrewing.com
The anchor tenant for the new downtown food hall Make Ready Market made its debut in October. Operating out of a 15,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor space, the craft brewery offers beers made onsite as well as a full bar.

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.

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 Peru’s official brandy, Pisco.

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 Francis Bogside’s rustic and 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. Here’s our first look.

Arenas Marisqueria
19903 Stone Oak Pkwy. #202, (210) 267-5135, arenaslounge.com
Arenas Marisqueria is bringing classy, resort-style food to the Stone Oak area. The menu features fresh seafood and signature cocktails.

Vista Brewing
125 Lamar St., PHONE, vistabrewingtx.com
Austin-based Vista Brewing shuttered its Warehouse 5 San Antonio location earlier this year in order to make the move to Lamar Street. The new spot serves up Vista’s craft brews, as well as a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients overseen by Executive Chef Kyle Barker.

The Ridge at the Hill
2119 N. IH-35, (210) 212-5727, theridgeatthehill.com
The family who operated La Tuna for 20 years entered a new chapter with Government Hill eatery The Ridge at the Hill, which opened in October. The eatery offers casual fare like burgers, beer-battered fish and chips and nachos, as well as a full bar serving draft beer, sangria, margaritas and wine.

Texas Dog Co. & Beer Garden
4302 Hyatt Pl. Dr., texasdog.co
This dog-friendly drinking spot features a full bar and food truck park, sand volleyball courts, a kids playground and gated dog runs. Take advantage of their $3 margaritas on Monday while your dog makes some new friends!

Blu Lacy
1303 Lorenzo St., Castroville, (830) 359-8720, instagram.com/blulacysmokehouse
Brought to us by Esaul Ramos — the brains behind 2M Smokehouse — Blu Lacy made its debut in Castroville this fall. The spot smokes its meats on site in a new pit building that houses a mammoth wood-fired smoker from Texas-based M&M BBQ Company. Blu Lacy also features desserts and bread made by Ramos’ wife Grecia, who recently opened her own venture, Baked, next door.

Rosario’s
722 S. St. Mary's St., (210) 223-1806, rosariossa.com
Rosario’s new flagship location is a two-story building featuring a 5,000-square-foot rooftop bar in Southtown, with breathtaking views of the downtown skyline. The ground level dining room features a menu centered around Rosario’s favorites such as shrimp nachos, fish tacos, ceviche, enchilada plates and sizzling parrillas, while the rooftop space — open to those 25 and up — includes a full bar with a specialty cocktail menu.

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.

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.

Bombay Bicycle Club
607 Hemisfair Blvd., instagram.com/bombay_hemisfair
Bombay Bicycle Club debuted its new location in the historic Espinoza House at Hemisfair, near Yanaguana Garden, this fall. Bombay’s second location features kitschy decor reminiscent of its flagship store, with a menu featuring its signature burgers and loaded nachos, as well as cocktails, beer and wine.

Zito's Deli
1554 Babcock Road, (210) 684-6555, zitosdeli.com
Balcones Heights area locals can now enjoy sandwich fave Zito's Deli’s famous “Serious Sandwich” closer to home! Zito’s has been offering their meat-packed subs off Broadway since 1974, so they know a thing or two about how to make a killer sandwich.

A Perfect Day
803 S. St. Mary's St., instagram.com/aperfectdaywinebar
Southtown wine bar A Perfect Day opened in Francis Bogside’s former space this summer along with cocktail lounge Gimme Gimme. A Perfect Day’s easygoing vibes are complemented by a selection of wines, cocktails and bites.