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April 05, 2019 Slideshows » Food & Drink

The Most Hard-to-get Restaurant Tables in San Antonio That are Totally Worth It

By San Antonio Current Staff

        
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Long lines might keep you from dining at some of San Antonio's most exclusive restaurants, but that's what reservations are for. Whether you need to calls days or months in advance, or need to make some compromises on your ideal visit time to get in the door, these restaurants aren't easy – but are definitely worth it.

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Rebelle
300 E Travis St, (210) 352-3171, rebellesa.com
Getting your fix of seafood has never been as fancy as it is at Rebelle. Found inside the St. Anthony Hotel, this swanky spot is also a favorite for inventive cocktails, so you can expect a good ol’ time here.
Photo via Instagram / rebellesanantonio

Las Canarias
112 College St, (210) 518-1063, omnihotels.com
The Omni La Mansión del Rio RiverWalk is home to Las Canarias, an elegant eatery known for its refined New American fare. With dining outdoors always an option, Sunday brunch makes for a great way to see what’s best here.
Photo via Instagram / lascanarias

Fig Tree Restaurant
515 Villita St, (210) 224-1976, figtreerestaurant.com
Housed inside a historic home near La Villita, Fig Tree is all about upscale cuisine. Fine wines are the cherry on top to dishes such as the beef Wellington or baked Alaska. Or maybe the cherry on top are the views of the River Walk? Either way, you can have it all at Fig Tree – just follow our sage advice of reserving a table beforehand.
Photo via Instagram / sanantonios_places

Bliss
926 S Presa St, (210) 225-2547, foodisbliss.com
Found in the trendy Southtown, Bliss keeps diners coming through the doors with its inspired menu of New American fare. And because the restaurant is housed in a restored former filling station – stylishly, of course – there’s also an impressive menu of wine and beer. If you have a special occasion coming up, Bliss should be on your shortlist – reserve your table soon.
Photo via Instagram / justlikethepresident

Biga on the Banks
203 S St Mary's St, (210) 225-0722, biga.com
Treat yourself to an evening of fine dining and make a point to visit Biga on the Banks. Located inside the International Center, this chic River Walk eatery brings you adventurous New American fare, a solid selection of wines and a rotating menu that gives you plenty of different flavors. Snag a table and you’ll see why Chef Bruce Auden is so respected in this town.
Photo by kodymelton for bigaonthebanks

Supper
136 E Grayson St, (210) 448-8351, supperatemma.com
Open for all three meals, 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 mean you’re that much closer to scoring savory dishes like bronzino fish or lamb inside this Hotel Emma restaurant.
Photo via Instagram / yourgalmacy

Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
136 E Grayson St #120, (210) 455-5701, southerleigh.com
Sitting in the heart of the Pearl is Southerleigh, a prime spot for Texas-inspired bites with a focus on the Gulf Coast. The historic space pairs perfectly with the robust menu of more common dishes such as a chicken sandwich or meatloaf that are prepared with an elevated sophistication.
Photo by agjosh11 via Instagram / southerleigh

Bella on Houston
204 E Houston St, (210) 404-2355, bellaonhouston.com
Formerly known as Bella on the River, this Houston Street spot is still regarded as one of the best restaurants in the Alamo City – just take the unofficial need for a reservation as proof. This intimate destination is worth making arrangements, so you should definitely do so in order to get a taste of the Mediterranean fare served up here. There’s also a selection of steaks and wine available. Whatever you decide, make it a point to request a table on the patio to enjoy the entire experience.
Photo via Instagram / kingsimmons12

Mixtli
5251 McCullough Ave, (210) 338-0746, restaurantmixtli.com
Headed by dynamic duo Diego Galicia and Rico Torres, Mixtli is by all means a hot spot with innovative dishes inspired by regional Mexican fare. Complete with drink pairings, Mixtli is just one of those spots you need to visit in order to say you’ve dining at San Antonio’s best spots – even if that means making arrangements to do so.
Photo via Instagram / b.present.sinq

Restaurant Gwendolyn
152 E Pecan St #100, (210) 222-1849, restaurantgwendolyn.com
Brought to you by Chef Michael Sohocki, Restaurant Gwendolyn provides a true dining experience. Prepare to be amazed that all of this upscale American fare is prepared without motorized machines. Yes, really! The entire restaurant embraces the authenticity of the pre-Industrial Revolution in Europe. An extra treat is that the fix-priced menus features dishes made with ingredients sourced from a 150-mile radius.
Photo via Instagram / safood.e

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Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood
219 E Houston St, (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com
Dining downtown always offers the option of stopping in at Bohanan’s. Regarded as one of the top-rated restaurants in San Antonio, this steakhouse gives chic vibes in an old-world setting. Complete with a cocktail lounge, patio and live jazz performances, Chef Mark Bohanan’s eatery will leave you with an impeccable steak and overall memorable dining experience.
Photo by Jason Risner Photography (RisnerPhoto.com)

Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden
312 Pearl Pkwy Bldg. 3, (210) 354-4644, boilerhousesa.com
Dining at any of the restaurants at the Pearl means you’re in for a treat, and Boiler House is no exception. This industrial-chic eatery offers gourmet American dishes such as sarsaparilla flank steak and pastrami-cured duck. Also on the menu are fine wines that you can sip on at your leisure in this airy venue.
Photo via Instagram / boilerhousesa

Morton’s the Steakhouse
300 E Crockett St, (210) 228-0700, mortons.com
The next time you’re looking for a special meal while dining at Rivercenter Mall (we refuse to use the new name), your best bet is heading to Morton’s. This chain brings you aged prime beef, seafood and other traditional steakhouse fare that will surely hit the spot after a day of shopping. Plan your day ahead of time and reserve your spot for a dinner to remember.
Photo via Instagram / dan_hpr12

Zocca Cuisine D’Italia
420 W Market St, (210) 444-6070, zoccariverwalk.com
Housed inside the beautiful Westin hotel, this riverside restaurant offers relaxed vibes and contemporary Italian bites, including pizza and pasta. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night drinks, you’re bound to find a time to stop by – but you’ll definitely be smart to make a reservation first.
Photo via Instagram / zoccasa

Little Rhein Steakhouse
231 S Alamo St, (210) 225-2111, littlerheinsteakhouse.com
Looking for a fine dining spot that will fulfill everything you’re looking for in your next over-the-top date night? Little Rhein Steakhouse will satisfy on every level. Serving steaks and seafood that’s complemented by fine wines, this romantic spot, complete with storied patio dining on the River Walk, will be worth the wait. Do yourself a favor, plan ahead and make sure your big night out goes smoothly.
Photo via Instagram / omargarciao

Boudro’s
On the Riverwalk Level, 421 E Commerce St, (210) 224-8484, boudros.com
Take a stroll down the River Walk and find your way to Boudro’s. Skip the wait by reserving your table ahead of time so you can enjoy bites like the famed tableside guacamole and prickly pear margarita from this Texas bistro. Plan ahead and you can even enjoy your meal from a barge as it makes its way down the river!
Photo via Instagram / boudrostexasbistro

Silo Restaurant
1133 Austin Hwy, (210) 824-8686, siloelevatedcuisine.com
Make arrangements to dine at this Austin Highway spot so you can enjoy this elevated bistro. Serving up inspired New American fare, Silo is a favorite for wine connoisseurs and brunch enthusiasts. For the all-around badass visit, head downstairs to check out the bar. If you’re truly just dining in, fight the crowd and reserve a table.
Photo via Instagram / jackieapproved

Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman
16401 La Cantera Pkwy, (210) 247-0176, lacanteraresort.com
Head north to La Cantera where you can find Chef Andrew Weissman serving up seasonal fare with a focus on French and Texas cuisine. Connected to La Cantera Resort & Spa, a visit to Signature is a perfect addition to your staycation itinerary, or for just about any special occasion.
Photo via Instagram / signaturesanantonio

The Palm Restaurant
233 E Houston St, (210) 226-7256, thepalm.com
Though a chain restaurant, the Palm still offers an exquisite dining experience that calls for a reservation. High-end steakhouse fare is up for grabs here, as is a robust selection of seafood and wines. This upscale, yet personalized dining experience is completely fitting for the surroundings of downtown SA.
Photo via Instagram / palmrestaurant

The Colonial Room Restaurant
204 Alamo Plaza, (210) 225-6196, mengerhotel.com
Dining at the Menger Hotel’s prime restaurant is a treat you’ll want to call ahead for – especially during the holidays. With an extensive menu that rotates from day-to-day, this beautiful restaurant matches its aesthetic with impeccably prepared buffet-style dishes. Make it a point to try the bread pudding to get the full delight of the Colonial Room.
Photo by Sarah Martinez

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J-Prime Steakhouse
1401 N Loop 1604 W, (210) 764-1604, jprimesteakhouse.com
Head to J-Prime to score a premium cut of meat that spends the right amount of time over a parilla grill, plus a wine of your choice. This contemporary space gives an elegant atmosphere that will make for a night to remember.
Photo via Instagram / notesonlife2012

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
18318 Sonterra Pl, (210) 564-9400, chamagaucha.com
If you have the idea that fine dining means small portions, let Chama Gaucha wow you. This upscale all-you-can-eat churrascaria serves up grilled beef, pork, chicken and lamb – not to mention a sprawling salad bar that lets you get some greens too. Chama Gaucha was seriously made with special occasions in mind.
Photo by Jason Risner Photography (RisnerPhoto.com)

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
849 E Commerce St, (210) 227-1700, fogodechao.com
Eat like a king and head to Fogo de Chão for all-you-can-eat meat that’s carved right by your table. This upscale chain also features an extensive salad bar that will totally balance (or at least try) your meat intake.
Photo via Instagram / vivianbaier_

Chart House
739 E César E. Chávez Blvd, (210) 223-3101, chart-house.com
Honestly, the reviews of the Chart House, the restaurant at the top of the Tower of the Americas, aren’t always positive. But people line up to say they dined at a spinning restaurant at hundreds of feet in the air. If you’re looking to go all out, this is the way to go – so you might as well plan ahead.
Photo via Instagram / diannenicolefit

Las Ramblas Restaurant
306 W Market St, (210) 298-8040, thehotelcontessa.com
Make plans to venture to the Hotel Contessa, where you can dine in at Las Ramblas. This elegant spot specializes in Spanish cuisine and is a prime spot for a romantic evening by the river. For a special night, you can’t go wrong by heading here.
Photo via Yelp / Las Ramblas

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