19 Best Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas

You can't get too far in San Antonio without stumbling into a Tex-Mex restaurant, but when you need something that relays the authenticity of true Mexican cuisine, La Gloria is the place. Inspired by the street foods of Mexico, chef/owner Johnny Hernandez has created a vibrant taqueria-style restaurant celebrating the bold flavors and classic offerings you'd typically find with Mexican street vendors. Mini-tacos dorados verdes (crispy chicken in salsa) and torta loca de carnitas (a sandwich of braised pork) are top picks, but you can't go wrong with any of the selections from the fresh ceviche menu or with an order of quesadillas, tostadas, or enchiladas. Corn tortillas are made daily in-house from the restaurant's own non-GMO native crop in La Costa, Texas. Don't miss the daily selection of aguas frescas or their specialty cocktail, the Mangonada. They have at least six kinds of margaritas, or try the Sangria La Gloria: red wine, light rum, simple syrup, and lime and orange juices, with a fresh-fruit garnish. Tequilas, spirits, and beer round out the beverage menu. 

In a city filled with Mexican bakeries, brothers José and David Cáceres kicked the whole pan dulce (pastry) game up a notch with La Panadería. Their love for baking comes from selling their mama Doña Josefina's loaves of fresh-baked bread on the streets of Mexico City, and they've translated that passion into a winning combination of fresh, quality products available for only a limited amount of time each short day. Bestsellers include empanadas, tres leches (three-milk) croissants, and Nutella cruffins (a croissant-muffin hybrid). Brunch items include avocado toast with grilled chicken, ranchero eggs Benedictine, and tequila-butter steak and eggs. They also have salads, tortas, cakes and cookies, and a nice assortment of freshly baked breads. Ordering can be fast and furious at peak times—grab a tray, get in line, pay for your selections, and settle in to a nearby table. To avoid disappointment, check the website to see how many of what you want they have left. Aficionados have been known to drive from location to location in search of their favorites. Their other locations are 8305 Broadway (Alamo Heights) and 17030 Fiesta Texas Drive (La Cantera Heights).

This venerable and popular downtown institution has been serving up hearty German soul food for breakfast (served all day), lunch, and dinner since Mama and Papa Schilo established their first location in 1917. The delicatessen moved to its current spot on East Commerce Street in 1942; Schilo's even lays claim to being the oldest operating restaurant in San Antonio and nobody has challenged them for the title. Fuel up with their famous split-pea soup; Reuben, sausage, and deli sandwiches; or weekday lunch specials, such as chicken and dumplings or meat loaf. There are also plenty of German classics like schweineschnitzel (panfried pork loin) or wienerschnitzel (panfried veal). Wash it down with fantastic homemade root beer, and top off your meal with rich, creamy cheesecake or delectable apple strudel. They also offer draft beer and spiked root beer specials. To add to the cool history, the building was originally a bank; the old bank vault is now the restaurant's walk-in cooler. They don't take reservations for groups smaller than 20, so be prepared to wait a bit during peak breakfast and lunch times.

This popular restaurant is housed in a stately 1860 home built by the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills. Breakfast is served all day, and options like fluffy Pioneer Brand biscuits, breakfast tacos, Southern sweet cream waffles, and delectable pastries are half the reason to eat here. The other half is the 1920s art nouveau decor of stained, beveled, and etched glass along with plant motifs that create the illusion of a fine home's conservatory.

A continuation of a family-run Southside business since 1958, this version of B&B opened in 1984 and has a menu that goes beyond the usual barbecue fare. In addition to the typical brisket, smoked sausage, and pulled pork, they also offer burgers, club sandwiches, tacos, and a veggie chef salad that's fresh and flavorful. Choose from barbecue plates with multiple meats or pork rib plates with a half-rack or full-rack. Huge baked potatoes start with only butter and cheese, then you can add chicken, brisket, or turkey to top them. Among other tasty sides, the potato salad is a standout.

Here expertly crafted croissants, cookies, muffins, macarons, rolls, tarts, and danish pastries are as delicious as they come. Heartier breakfast fare includes quiche Lorraine, croque madame, Turkish eggs, and French toast, while lunch features Cuban roast pork loin sandwiches and other options on their homemade breads. You can even take home fresh loaves of sourdough, whole wheat, and white bread.

Pick up fresh Mexican pastries from this long-standing neighborhood panaderia (bakery) in Monte Vista. They make all the traditional pan dulce plus novelty cakes and frosted cookies. Conchae are soft and fresh, while pumpkin empanadas are a favorite. The fastest sell-outs are the campechana flaky glazed pastry—they can sell through three batches in the morning alone. They also have fresh flour tortillas and a tiny produce display if you need a lemon or avocado. The line can get long on weekend mornings, so plan accordingly. They have another location at 2714 Hillcrest Drive.

For a smallish place, Cheesy Jane's has a surprisingly varied menu, with big burgers, milk shakes and malts, and nostalgic decor dominating this throwback to old-time malt shops. Flavors for shakes and malts—made with Cheesy Jane's ice cream—include plain vanilla, peppermint, Dreamsicle, chocolate peanut butter, amaretto-espresso, and more. Ground-chuck burgers come in different sizes, with variations like a deluxe bacon burger with applewood-smoked, sugar-cured bacon; a Wurst burger topped with Kiolbassa sausage; and a bean burger with refried beans, cheddar, and Fritos corn chips. Adventurous diners should definitely try the Spicy Splinters—battered and fried slivers of onion and jalapeño peppers.

A San Antonio burger institution since 1977, Chris Madrid's is synonymous with burgers. The six varieties of hamburger—which locals and tourists alike consider among the best anywhere—come in two sizes: the regular quarter-pound and the Macho half-pound. The varieties include fan-favorite Cheddar Cheezy, the house-specialty tostada burger, and the flaming jalapeño cheddar burger. The only other items on the menu are grilled chicken sandwiches, homemade hand-cut fries, nachos, chalupas (open-face tacos), and a kids' meal (10 and under) of grilled cheese or cheeseburger, served with fries and fountain drink. It all makes for a fun, family-friendly meal out.

A French twist on the usual coffeehouse scene, friendly staff here serve up freshly baked bread and pastries in a hip, stylish location within a beautifully renovated historic home in Alamo Heights. The weekday menu offers breakfast and lunch favorites like croissants béchamel and croque madames, while the robust beverage menu has signature and seasonal coffee flavors, teas, and smoothies. Weekend brunch has crepes, quiches, omelets, and mimosas with Moët & Chandon champagne and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Enjoy your meal on the lovely outdoor patio.

This is a popular old-school neighborhood Mexican bakery. Their pastry-laden cases contain Mexican pan dulce staples like conchas, empanadas, and campechanas, plus cupcakes, cookies, donuts, apple fritters, pink cake, and fresh bread. They also take orders for weddings, quinceneras, and other celebrations. They open at 6 am, and if you have favorites it's best to get there early, especially on weekends. Call with any questions, as they have no website or social media.

Staying true to their name, this company states that 73% of their ingredients come from local farmers and artisans, and they use as many organic ingredients as possible, making every single batch of ice cream by hand in Austin. Their everyday flavors are heavenly—think caramel salt lick, coffee with cream, dark chocolate with olive oil and sea salt, roasted beets with fresh mint, and more, while seasonal flavors include candied pecan-bourbon, Hazel's pumpkin pie, red velvet, and Too Hot Chocolate. Their homemade waffle cones use local cage-free eggs, butter, cane sugar, vanilla extract, and wheat flour. Lick is sensitive to special diets and will gladly answer questions about their ingredients. Dairy-free/vegan flavors include cinnamon apple, no egg nog, chocolate chocolate (made with coconut milk), and caramel oat bar. They even offer a vegan, gluten-free ice-cream sandwich. Other locations are downtown at 639 Hemisfair Boulevard and 17635 La Cantera Parkway at the Rim. 

This is a pleasant hangout with excellent products and a good vibe. They have a great selection of coffees and teas and a small healthy food menu with selected pastries that come from Hotel Emma and Bakery Lorraine. They are committed to sourcing locally as much as possible. 

A much-loved breakfast institution, Magnolia prides itself on dishes made from fresh and wholesome ingredients. The fluffy buttermilk pancakes are a mainstay, but for something different, try the Bodega Bay omelet or Oma's puffed apple pancake made with Granny Smith apples and Haus secret spices, served with powdered sugar and European-style whipped cream. Breakfast is served all day, but at lunchtime a diverse selection of Haus-made salads, soups, burgers, and deli "sammies" round out the menu. No reservations are allowed, so be prepared to wait at this very popular spot.

You'll know this drive-through spot by its lime-green structure that practically glows in the distance, guiding you to what some are saying is quite possibly the best burger they've ever had. The menu is wonderfully simple: burgers, fries, and shakes, but it does it all very well. For dessert, you can sample the Belgian chocolate chip cookies and key lime pie. Don't be put off by the "wet" sauce option on the burgers—it's just au poivre, or peppery French steak sauce, for an extra $1.50. They also have nitro cold-brew coffee, craft and domestic beers, and wine. The fries are hand-cut and perfect, and the shakes are thick and cold. The place gets very, very busy. They have another location at 3910 McCullough Avenue. 

A cute place with top-notch gelato and panini, fresh and handmade are the best words to describe the items here, from the gelato to the pickles and mayonnaise. They import their meats and cheeses from Italy and so far have created more than 125 flavors of gelato, although they only rotate 20 flavors a day. You'll just have to keep coming back to try them all. 

If you've never had a breakfast taco, this is the place to try it in San Antonio. Newbies may pause at the number of possibilities, including chorizo and egg, chilaquiles, and migas (eggs scrambled with fried tortilla strips, cheese, and peppers), but first-timers really can't go wrong with a basic potato and egg taco. Breakfast plates, appetizers, soups and salads, and substantial lunch plates round out the taco extravaganza. Don't be afraid of the long lines out the door, as the morning crowds move quickly. 

Though its former filling station location is inconspicuous—apart from the line of hungry patrons—this family restaurant meets any barbecue hankerings. Mouthwatering, dry-rubbed beef brisket, smoked turkey, pork ribs, pulled pork, and sausages are served with tangy sauce (on the side), pickles, and slices of white bread. Scratch-made sides of creamed corn, potato salad, green beans, pinto beans, and coleslaw help soothe the palate. There's a sizable outdoor patio, too.

This Alamo Heights standard has served fresh, healthy food since 1981. Regulars and visitors love it because it's a neighborhood spot with a tempting bakery case and a varied menu for breakfast and lunch, including some Mexican favorites. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and a bit quirky. Breakfast is a special treat with a good assortment of omelets, including vegetarian, cowboy, and vaquero (Mexican cowboy), plus Mexican favorites like chilaquiles, migas, and even tofu rancheros. Lunch offers homemade soups and freshly made salads and sandwiches. Brunch is served on Saturday only.