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24 San Antonio restaurants that are always worth the wait

By San Antonio Current Staff

Delicious dishes, gorgeous atmosphere and impeccable service make each of these sought-after spots difficult to get into on a whim. Sometimes, you need to call days (or more) in advance to ensure you get in — especially for a special occasion.

These 24 restaurants may take some extra effort to patronize, but the extra work is worth it.

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Up Scale
1024 S. Alamo St., upscalesouthtown.com
Husband-and-wife duo Houston and Emily Carpenter — the minds behind Southtown Instagram sensation Little Em’s Oyster Bar — recently opened a "sexy" new eatery called Up Scale in the building that once housed brunch and dinner hotspot Feast in Southtown. The new concept, which serves seafood, steak and sushi, opened this fall and is now taking reservations.
Photo via Instagram / upscalesouthtown

Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar
2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., sichuaneats.com
This summer, Kristina Zhao, owner of popular Chinese eatery Sichuan House, will expand her culinary footprint by opening Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar. Located in north-central San Antonio, the food itself is something to celebrate. Dashi also features a full beer, wine, sake and cocktail program created by Benjamin Krick, owner of craft-cocktail havens Pastiche and Jet-Setter, making this experience something you don't want to miss.
Photo via Instagram / sichuaneats

Bar Loretta
320 Beauregard St., (210) 757-3607, barloretta.com
SA foodies can expect “exceptional-yet-approachable” fare from this lively Southtown spot. The new eatery, housed in the previous home to Madhatter’s Tea House and Cafe, features handmade and vintage details creating an ambiance that you’ll be sure to want to check out.
Photo by Richard Casteel of Dandelion Gatherings for Bar Loretta

Nonna Osteria at The Fairmount Hotel
401 S Alamo St, (210) 224-8800, nonnasa.com
It turns out Italian eateries, often house really beautiful bars too, which is probably why some are so hard to get a table at. Nonna Osteria specializes in rustic Northern Italian cuisine as well as wine. The breezy eatery is still fairly new, and the modern decor here will definitely entice you in and keep your eyes satisfied while you down a cocktail or glass of wine — there’s plenty to choose from.
Photo via Instagram / nonnaosteria

The Moon’s Daughters at Thompson San Antonio
115 Lexington Ave, (210) 942-6032, themoonsdaughters.com
This Insta-worthy rooftop bar overlooks the SA skyline from a 20-story perch. Indulge in its sophisticated cocktails while you snap a new selfie and enjoy its Mediterranean-inspired bar bites.
Photo via Instagram / themoonsdaughters

Fairmont Rooftop Oyster Bar
401 S Alamo St, (210) 224-8800, fairmountsa.com
For fans of the SA landmarks such as the Tower of the Americas, the view from this seafood-doling rooftop bar is tough to beat. Post up for a spectacular sunset view of the 53-year-old structure, and the oysters aren’t bad either.
Photo via Instagram / fairmount_rooftop_oysterbar

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 are just damn Instagram-worthy. It's a perfect hangout spot, but be sure to call early enough to get a table.
Photo via Instagram / littleemsoysterbar

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou
312 Pearl Pkwy Building 2, (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, which is why it is so popular with both locals and tourists. Pair that atmosphere with gilded accents, and you’ve got yourself some ambiance. Look at you, all fancy.
Photo via Instagram / brasseriemonchouchou

Battalion
604 S Alamo St, (210) 816-0088, battalionsa.com
This downtown eatery not only offers an eclectic dining space, but also delivers delicious Italian fare and cocktails that go down just right. Make sure to snap a selfie in front of the oversized lollipop for the full effect.
Photo via Instagram / battalionsa

Clementine
2195 NW Military Hwy, (210) 503-5121, clementine-sa.com
Over in Castle Hills, you’ll find this strip mall hosts an incredibly charming restaurant concept from husband-and-wife team John and Elise Russ. What makes this spot so popular is the globally inspired menu, which changes almost daily. The stylish interior is also a plus.
Photo via Instagram / melgeee