The food business is tumultuous, which means San Antonio's culinary landscape is always in flux. Every year, we say goodbye to a wave of restaurants that just didn't make it — even if their food, service or ideas were great.
While time heals many wounds, some closures leave irreparable holes in the local dining scene.
For a variety of reasons, these 20 San Antonio restaurants are no longer here to satisfy our cravings. But one common thread connects them all: we won't stop missing them, no matter how long they've been gone.
The San Antonio restaurants that we miss the most
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Jun 30, 2023 at 2:15 pm
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Bryan Rindfuss
The Monterey
1127 S. St. Mary's St.
The Monterey was a renowned eatery that captured the essence of modern American cuisine with a creative twist. Its innovative menu featured locally sourced ingredients, uber-knowledgable staff and an impressive sherry selection. It's often credited with bringing San Antonio's attention to the beauties of fortified wines.
1127 S. St. Mary's St.
The Monterey was a renowned eatery that captured the essence of modern American cuisine with a creative twist. Its innovative menu featured locally sourced ingredients, uber-knowledgable staff and an impressive sherry selection. It's often credited with bringing San Antonio's attention to the beauties of fortified wines.
Photo via Google Maps
Mr. and Mrs. G’s Home Cooking
2222 S. W.W. White Rd.
William Garner and his wife Addie opened this spot in 1991, focusing on family recipes and old-fashioned hospitality. It quickly became a staple of the city’s East side and remained open for more than three decades before closing in July of 2022.
2222 S. W.W. White Rd.
William Garner and his wife Addie opened this spot in 1991, focusing on family recipes and old-fashioned hospitality. It quickly became a staple of the city’s East side and remained open for more than three decades before closing in July of 2022.
Photo via Instagram / labotanicasa
La Botanica
2911 N. St. Mary's St.
Though Texas' first 100% vegan restaurant and full bar survived the initial wave of COVID-19 closures in 2020, the local favorite was denied a new lease by its landlord and was fated to close in the fall of that year. From its opening in 2015, La Botanica had served the community thoughtful, nutritious vegan eats and drinks and had provided a safe, inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly event space.
2911 N. St. Mary's St.
Though Texas' first 100% vegan restaurant and full bar survived the initial wave of COVID-19 closures in 2020, the local favorite was denied a new lease by its landlord and was fated to close in the fall of that year. From its opening in 2015, La Botanica had served the community thoughtful, nutritious vegan eats and drinks and had provided a safe, inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly event space.
Photo via Google Maps
El Mirador
722 S. St. Mary's St.
Southtown mainstay El Mirador closed its doors in November of 2018. Four years after purchasing the restaurant from the founding Treviño family, Chris Hill decided to sell the property to restaurateur Lisa Wong, who operates Mexican mainstays Rosario’s and Ácenar. Wong demolished the El Mirador restaurant building and built the new flagship Rosario’s location in its place, which opened in Spring 2023.
722 S. St. Mary's St.
Southtown mainstay El Mirador closed its doors in November of 2018. Four years after purchasing the restaurant from the founding Treviño family, Chris Hill decided to sell the property to restaurateur Lisa Wong, who operates Mexican mainstays Rosario’s and Ácenar. Wong demolished the El Mirador restaurant building and built the new flagship Rosario’s location in its place, which opened in Spring 2023.
Photo via Instagram / betosaltmex
Beto’s Alt-Mex
8142 Broadway
Due to a 40% rise in operating costs over the past year, longtime Broadway eatery Beto’s Alt-Mex closed in March 2023 after 25 years. However, Beto’s owners indicated they hope to maintain the brand by creating a cookbook and potentially collaborating with stores like H-E-B on pre-packaged meals.
8142 Broadway
Due to a 40% rise in operating costs over the past year, longtime Broadway eatery Beto’s Alt-Mex closed in March 2023 after 25 years. However, Beto’s owners indicated they hope to maintain the brand by creating a cookbook and potentially collaborating with stores like H-E-B on pre-packaged meals.
Photo via Google Maps
Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro
4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
This Balcones Heights movie theater offered food alongside indie flicks — a concept ahead of its time — and closed abruptly in April 2022. The Woodlawn Theatre is set to take over the space under the new name, Wonder Theatre, in late 2023.
4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
This Balcones Heights movie theater offered food alongside indie flicks — a concept ahead of its time — and closed abruptly in April 2022. The Woodlawn Theatre is set to take over the space under the new name, Wonder Theatre, in late 2023.
Photo via Instagram / notesonlife2012
Madhatters Tea House and Cafe
320 Beauregard St.
Madhatters owners Joey and Gina Cuellar had been planning to retire even before the pandemic hit, which provided a unique opportunity for restaurateur Roger Herr to acquire the building. Herr has since opened a new concept in the space, Bar Loretta, which offers modern takes on classic Texas dishes as well as a small market.
320 Beauregard St.
Madhatters owners Joey and Gina Cuellar had been planning to retire even before the pandemic hit, which provided a unique opportunity for restaurateur Roger Herr to acquire the building. Herr has since opened a new concept in the space, Bar Loretta, which offers modern takes on classic Texas dishes as well as a small market.
Sanford Nowlin
Pig Stand
1508 Broadway
After 101 years of service, the iconic downtown-area diner Pig Stand announced the sale of its Broadway building to a land developer in February and confirmed its permanent closure in March of 2023. San Antonio’s Pig Stand was the last in a nationwide chain which flourished in the mid-20th century.
1508 Broadway
After 101 years of service, the iconic downtown-area diner Pig Stand announced the sale of its Broadway building to a land developer in February and confirmed its permanent closure in March of 2023. San Antonio’s Pig Stand was the last in a nationwide chain which flourished in the mid-20th century.
Photo via Google Maps
Jacala Mexican Restaurant
606 West Ave.
West Side institution Jacala burned down in March of 2022, marking the end of a chapter for one of the oldest restaurants in the city. The five-alarm fire burned almost everything in the restaurant and was declared a total loss by fire officials as they arrived at the scene.
606 West Ave.
West Side institution Jacala burned down in March of 2022, marking the end of a chapter for one of the oldest restaurants in the city. The five-alarm fire burned almost everything in the restaurant and was declared a total loss by fire officials as they arrived at the scene.
Photo via Google Maps
The Luxury
103 E Jones Ave.
Crack fries and craft beer — that’s what Luxury is made of. Chef Andrew Weissman’s popular Museum Reach eatery closed in January of 2020. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen now occupies the space.
103 E Jones Ave.
Crack fries and craft beer — that’s what Luxury is made of. Chef Andrew Weissman’s popular Museum Reach eatery closed in January of 2020. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen now occupies the space.
Photo via Google Maps
Restaurant Gwendolyn
152 E. Pecan St. #100
Celebrated SA chef Michael Sohocki closed downtown spot Restaurant Gwendolyn in 2021 with plans to reopen in a new location, nixing the chef’s back-to-the-1800s approach in favor of a la carte plates and multicourse options. The new eatery, 5 Points Food and Drink, opened briefly in 2022, but Sohocki closed it shortly afterward, citing lack of staff.
152 E. Pecan St. #100
Celebrated SA chef Michael Sohocki closed downtown spot Restaurant Gwendolyn in 2021 with plans to reopen in a new location, nixing the chef’s back-to-the-1800s approach in favor of a la carte plates and multicourse options. The new eatery, 5 Points Food and Drink, opened briefly in 2022, but Sohocki closed it shortly afterward, citing lack of staff.
Brandon Rodriguez
Twin Sisters
6322 N. New Braunfels Ave.
The loss of this Alamo Heights staple is a fresh wound. After 43 years in business, longtime lunch and breakfast spot Twin Sisters Bakery and Cafe closed in June 2023.
6322 N. New Braunfels Ave.
The loss of this Alamo Heights staple is a fresh wound. After 43 years in business, longtime lunch and breakfast spot Twin Sisters Bakery and Cafe closed in June 2023.
Photo via Google Maps
Fujiya
9030 Wurzbach Road
In 2019, the long-running sushi favorite Fujiya Japanese Garden closed for repairs after a fire, and persistent troubles with fire ensured that the restaurant would never reopen. As of May 2023, the building on Wurzbach that once housed Fujiya was set to be demolished.
9030 Wurzbach Road
In 2019, the long-running sushi favorite Fujiya Japanese Garden closed for repairs after a fire, and persistent troubles with fire ensured that the restaurant would never reopen. As of May 2023, the building on Wurzbach that once housed Fujiya was set to be demolished.
Photo via Google Maps
Il Sogno
200 E. Grayson St., Suite 100
After almost a decade at the Pearl, Chef Andrew Weissman’s Il Sogno closed after just a week’s notice in May 2018. The regional Italian eatery was one of the first restaurants at the now-popular Historic Pearl and saw a number of now-established chefs.
200 E. Grayson St., Suite 100
After almost a decade at the Pearl, Chef Andrew Weissman’s Il Sogno closed after just a week’s notice in May 2018. The regional Italian eatery was one of the first restaurants at the now-popular Historic Pearl and saw a number of now-established chefs.
Photo via Google Maps
Restaurant Le Reve
152 E. Pecan St.
Before San Antonio chef Andrew Weissman tried his hand running restaurants at the Pearl, refining falafel and flipping burgers, he ran what many considered the best French restaurant in Texas. During its 11 years, Le Reve won praise from the New York Times and Gourmet, and Weissman touched every plate that left the kitchen. It's understandable the chef moved on so he could pursue other, less labor-intensive ventures, but Le Reve's closure left a hole in local foodies' hearts.
152 E. Pecan St.
Before San Antonio chef Andrew Weissman tried his hand running restaurants at the Pearl, refining falafel and flipping burgers, he ran what many considered the best French restaurant in Texas. During its 11 years, Le Reve won praise from the New York Times and Gourmet, and Weissman touched every plate that left the kitchen. It's understandable the chef moved on so he could pursue other, less labor-intensive ventures, but Le Reve's closure left a hole in local foodies' hearts.
Photo via Google Maps
Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe
918 N. Main Ave.
Those who had hoped for a return of Lulu's Bakery and Cafe's three-pound cinnamon rolls post-pandemic have had to find another over-the-top pastry to covet. The iconic San Antonio diner placed its entire equipment inventory up for auction in April 2021.
918 N. Main Ave.
Those who had hoped for a return of Lulu's Bakery and Cafe's three-pound cinnamon rolls post-pandemic have had to find another over-the-top pastry to covet. The iconic San Antonio diner placed its entire equipment inventory up for auction in April 2021.
Photo via Google Maps
Moshe's Golden Falafel
In June of 2019, owner and chef Andrew Weissman decided to shut down Moshe’s, a favorite for Mediterranean fare, to focus on his burger concept Mr. Juicy. The closure came roughly two years after Weissman shuttered the Moshe's location in downtown.
In June of 2019, owner and chef Andrew Weissman decided to shut down Moshe’s, a favorite for Mediterranean fare, to focus on his burger concept Mr. Juicy. The closure came roughly two years after Weissman shuttered the Moshe's location in downtown.
Photo via Google Maps
Playland Pizza
400 E. Houston St.
This trendy downtown pizzeria, which closed in June of 2022, offered an electric atmosphere and an array of craft cocktails and wine as well as cheeky approaches to brunch. Now, Portland-based Voodoo Doughnuts occupies the space on Houston Street.
400 E. Houston St.
This trendy downtown pizzeria, which closed in June of 2022, offered an electric atmosphere and an array of craft cocktails and wine as well as cheeky approaches to brunch. Now, Portland-based Voodoo Doughnuts occupies the space on Houston Street.
Ron Bechtol
Crumpets Restaurant and Bakery
3920 Harry Wurzbach Road
After 38 years in business, chef and owner Francoi Maeder bid adieu to his long-standing Crumpets in September of 2018. Maeder’s culinary career in SA dates back to 1977, and he is now available for hire as a private wine specialist, gourmet chef and pastry chef.
3920 Harry Wurzbach Road
After 38 years in business, chef and owner Francoi Maeder bid adieu to his long-standing Crumpets in September of 2018. Maeder’s culinary career in SA dates back to 1977, and he is now available for hire as a private wine specialist, gourmet chef and pastry chef.
Photo via Instagram / joehouston_09
Mexican Manhattan
110 Soledad St.
After more than sixty years of serving San Antonio, downtown fixture Mexican Manhattan Restaurant permanently closed in late October 2020. The River Walk staple served tacos, chili con carne and margaritas off Soledad Street northeast of Main Plaza and on an extensive patio overlooking the Paseo del Rio.
110 Soledad St.
After more than sixty years of serving San Antonio, downtown fixture Mexican Manhattan Restaurant permanently closed in late October 2020. The River Walk staple served tacos, chili con carne and margaritas off Soledad Street northeast of Main Plaza and on an extensive patio overlooking the Paseo del Rio.
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