24 San Antonio restaurants that are always worth the wait

Bar Loretta
320 Beauregard St., (210) 757-3607, barloretta.com
Bar Loretta presents a seasonal menu, with every offering made with mainly Texas-sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s vintage details and ambiance makes it especially inviting.

Carriqui
239 E. Grayson St., (210) 910-5547, carriquitx.com
Inspired by the bird from which the restaurant takes its name, Carriqui is dedicated to fresh and local cuisine that represents foods from various regions across the Lone Star State.

Up Scale
1024 S. Alamo St., (210) 396-7755, upscalesouthtown.com
Husband-and-wife duo Houston and Emily Carpenter — the minds behind Little Em’s Oyster Bar, Go Fish and Restaurant Claudine — opened Up Scale in the building that once housed brunch and dinner hotspot Feast in Southtown. This concept dishes out courses of beautifully plated seafood, steak and sushi.

Biga on the Banks
203 S. St. Mary's St., (210) 225-0722, biga.com
Biga on the Banks brings diners adventurous New American fare, a solid selection of wines and a rotating menu that offers a wide variety of flavors. This chic River Walk spot is a must-try for the area, even if there’s a wait to score a table.

Mixtli
812 S. Alamo St. #103, (210) 338-0746, restaurantmixtli.com
Headed by Diego Galicia and Rico Torres, Mixtli is a hot spot with innovative dishes inspired by regional Mexican fare. Mixtli’s airy, minimalist decor pairs well with its name, which is drawn from the Nahuatl word for “cloud.”

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou
312 Pearl Parkway, (210) 469-3743, brasseriemonchouchou.com
Unlike pricey, upscale French restaurants, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou aims to provide a more casual atmosphere for guests to enjoy an afternoon snack of wine and oysters, making it a popular place for locals and tourists alike.

Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar
2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., (210) 562-3343, sichuandashi.com
Sichuan House owner Kristina Zhao’s second venture Dashi Sichuan Kitchen has made its mark as a local favorite for wining and dining. The menu features a bevy of spicy Sichuanese dishes, but there’s plenty to enjoy for the spice-averse as well. There’s also a full beer, wine, sake and cocktail program, all to be enjoyed in their elegant dining room or patio.

Supper
136 E. Grayson St., (210) 448-8351, supperatemma.com
Open for all three meals of the day, Supper at the Pearl is a go-to for elevated farm-to-table American dishes. As with any Pearl restaurant, a reservation ahead of time will give guests a better chance of scoring savory dishes like chicken paillard or gulf snapper adobo inside this Hotel Emma restaurant.

Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood
219 E. Houston St. #275, (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com
Regarded as one of the top-rated steakhouses in San Antonio, Bohanan’s gives chic vibes in an old-world setting. Complete with a cocktail lounge, patio and live jazz performances, it’s no surprise that the restaurant is often busy.

Little Em's Oyster Bar
1001 S. Alamo St., (210) 257-0100, littleemsoysterbar.com
This bright and airy Southtown joint offers more than seafood, boasting crisp white walls and floors with pops of light pink and periwinkle blue that create a fresh atmosphere. It's a great hangout spot, but be sure to call early enough to get a table.

Clementine
2195 NW Military Highway, (210) 503-5121, clementine-sa.com
Over in Castle Hills is a strip mall that hosts Clementine, a charming restaurant concept with a stylish decor and a globally-inspired menu. With the “Feed Me” option, Chef John Russ and his team will craft a menu catered to a guest’s needs.

Ocho at Hotel Havana
1015 Navarro St., (210) 222-2008, havanasanantonio.com
With Pan-Latin fare, mojitos and a chic aesthetic at the forefront, Ocho is a San Antonio favorite for a reason. Its cozy interior doesn't afford for many guests at a time, however — best to call in for a spot ahead of time.

Box Street All Day
623 Hemisfair Blvd. #108, (210) 476-5705, boxstallday.com
This casual, chef-driven concept serves up all types of brunch foods. Not only that, Box Street All Day also features an espresso bar, craft cocktails, bubbles and local beer, too.

Rebelle
300 E. Travis St., (210) 352-3171, rebellesa.com
Found inside the St. Anthony Hotel, “modern classic” Rebelle is a favorite for inventive cocktails and seafood that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.

Signature Restaurant at La Cantera Resort & Spa
16401 La Cantera Parkway, (210) 247-0176, signaturerestaurant.com
Signature’s menu focuses on French and Texas cuisine. Connected to the La Cantera Resort & Spa, the restaurant is already fit for plans for a staycation or special occasion.

La Fonda on Main
2415 N. Main Ave., (210) 733-0621, lafondaonmain.com
A classic for Tex-Mex and Mexican fare since 1932, the longstanding La Fonda on Main is one of those SA spots that everyone has to try at least once. Hurry to claim a shady seat on the patio.

Bliss
926 S. Presa St., (210) 225-2547, foodisbliss.com
Found in trendy Southtown, Bliss keeps diners coming through the doors with its New American-inspired menu. Housed in a restored former filling station, the restaurant also boasts an impressive selection of wine and beer.

Restaurant Claudine
517 E. Grayson St., (210) 527-3116, restaurantclaudine.com
Opened just last September, Restaurant Claudine is newcomer that’s serving up Southern comfort food. Even if customers have to wait for their table, it’ll be worth it after some gumbo and blue crab beignets.

Full Goods Diner
200 E. Grayson St., #120, (210) 819-4226, fullgoodsdiner.com
Full Goods Diner has a refined aesthetic while serving everything South Texas diner should have: steak and eggs, migas and Texas hash. For those looking for something a bit on the “alternative” side, Full Goods has it covered with ricotta toast or a carnitas torta. This elegant yet homey experience is a must-try.

Mama’s Cafe
2442 Nacogdoches Rd., (210) 826-8303, mamascafesa.com
Mama’s Cafe offers classic Southern comfort food in an old-fashioned diner. Stop by for a brunch of biscuits and gravy, or relax over a dinner of their Texas Meat Loaf. It may seem like an unassuming spot at first glance, but the food brings in customers in droves.