Best Things to Eat in San Antonio

San Antonio is really famous for the delicious food served in the local restaurants. The city features a really diverse dining scene that includes everything from Mexican and Italian cuisines to barbecue, dessert and more. Here is the list of the most gourmet dishes you must try in San Antonio.

1. Smoked Chicken at The Barbecue Station

For the best barbecue in all South Texas make sure you head to The Barbecue Station. Their smoked chicken is a real masterpiece of the culinary art. It has a gourmet BBQ flavor and can be served with green beans, creamed corn, fries or potato salad as side dishes. But the best part of this great smoked chicken meal is the price: just $8.99!

2. The Tostada Mixta at El 7 Mares

If you love seafood consider trying this dish that consists of fish ceviche, shrimp, octopus and crab meat mixed with fresh pico and hot serrano peppers. It should be noted that El 7 Mares boasts the reputation of one of the best seafood restaurants in San Antonio, so trying the Tostada Mixta is a must.

3. Pork Lovers Pizza at Dough Pizzeria

Pizza lovers shouldn't miss this place as it is where they can have the best pizza in town. As the name suggests, its main ingredients include house made sausage, speck, Sopressata salami, pancetta, house made mozzarella, and tomato sauce. It was even featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, so it's really awesome.

4. Tonkotsu Ramen at Kimura

One of the greatest examples of excellent Asian cuisine in San Antonio is Tonkotsu Ramen from Kimura. What makes Tonkotsu Ramen so special, you may inquire? Well, it has nothing to do with average ramen you could have tried in college. Tonkotsu Ramen is served in a pork bone broth with a soft-boiled egg, nori, marinated shiitake mushrooms, spring onions, and bean sprouts.

5. Eggplant Josephine from Bella on the River

To experience the refined Mediterranean cuisine in a romantic environment make sure you visit Bella on the River. We recommend ordering this poplar dish that features fried eggplant, Texas Gulf Shrimp, sauce diablo, mozzarella cheese, and hollandaise sauce. The restaurant is a great place to have a romantic dinner with your sweetheart.

6. Menudo at Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia

Served in a bowl, Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with beef stomach and red chili pepper. Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia offers the best menudo in the city and tastes really awesome so consider giving it a try.

7. Seared Sea Scallops at Bliss

To experience fine dining at its best make sure you visit Bliss, known as one of the best restaurants in town. The best seafood dish served there is Seared Sea Scallops with pepper jack-white cheddar, Anson Mills grits, sautéed spinach, avocado mousse, and cilantro lime jalapeno beurre blanc. It not only sounds but tastes great as well, guaranteed.

8. The Tostada Bean Burger at Chris Madrid's

To experience the taste of Madrid inspired food try the Tostada Burger with fried beans, chips, onions and melted cheese. Favorite among both locals and tourists, it's the ideal blend of Mexican food and American cuisine.

9. Puffy Tacos at Henry's Puffy Tacos

Fluffy and mouth watering Puffy Tacos are probably some of the most renowned food in San Antonio. You can never get enough of it, guaranteed. It should be noted that a puffy taco served in Taxes is not identical to a traditional taco as the tortillas are fried to deliciousness. Our favorites at Henry's Puffy Tacos are shredded chicken, bean & cheese, carne guisada, spicy beef fajita, or spicy chicken fajita tacos. They are a great example of true Texas food with the right dab of Mexican flavor.

10. Chips and Guacamole at Boudro's Texas Bistro on the Riverwalk

What can be better than guac? And the guac served at Boudro's Texas Bistro is no exception. I had better stop talking as it's time for you to get some.

11. Nutella x3 at Tre Trattoria

If you are a sweet tooth make sure you try this delicious dessert that consists of a Nutella cake with Nutella ganache on top and served with Nutella chocolate mousse. It is a chocolate delight so no wonder it is one of the best desserts you can have in San Antonio.

12. Enchiladas Mexicanas at Rosario's Mexican Cafe Y Cantina

The dish consists of three cheese enchiladas served with avocado, cabbage lime slaw, and a grilled jalapeño pepper. Enchiladas Mexicanas offered at Rosario's come with fried potatoes, carrots, cilantro & drizzled with sour cream on top. The restaurant is the winner of several Best of San Antonio awards so we highly recommend including their enchiladas in the list of things to eat in San Antonio.

13. New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp at The Cookhouse

Locals flock the Cookhouse because of its mouth watering authentic cajun dishes. The specialty of the place is The New Orleans BBQ Shrimp which is sautéed shrimp in Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. Delicious!

14. Chilaquiles Verdes at Vida Mia Mexican Cuisine

For a taste of the traditional Mexican dish treat yourself to Chilaquiles Verdes that are fried tortillas bathed in green salsa. Vida Mia's chilaquiles are extremely popular among the locals.

15. Southern Sweet Cream Waffle at The Guenther House

Savor this Belgian style dessert in a beautiful environment at The Guenther House. The waffles are fluffy and sweet enough to ensure a real delight. If you would like to enjoy them at home with your tea you can purchase the waffle mix at this place to take with you.

16. Chicken Fried Steak at Lulu's Bakery and Cafe

They like everything big in Texas and even the Chicken Fried Steak served at Lulu's Bakery and Cafe is king size. It is definitely the ultimate comfort food, indeed. You can choose whether you would like gravy or queso on your Chicken Fried Steak.

17. Twice Fried Chicken Wings at Hot Joy

At Hot Joy you will enjoy delicious Asian food in an Asia inspired setting. The Twice Fried is a unique dish that is very popular among the visitors. The wings are served with crab fat caramel, peanuts, and cilantro oil on top.

18. Pea Toast at FOLC

Care for a delicious light dish you've never tried before? Then why not order Pea Toast from FOLC. It is a unique mix of house-made ricotta with pea shoots on toasted house-made bread. A nice bonus is that the dish looks really great!

19. Sticky Toffee Pudding at Biga on the Banks

Inspired by the traditional British recipes, the pudding with crème anglaise offered at Biga on the Bank is distinguished by its rich flavor. This signature dessert is extremely fancy and is just great for a romantic night out.

20. Short Rib Pastrami at The Granary 'Cue and Brew

Love barbeque? Then you are sure to love Short Rib Pastrami rubbed in coriander and black pepper. It was called the best in the country by a barbecue editor of Texas Monthly. Texas residents love barbecue dishes very much and the uniqueness of this one is in its flavorful smoky taste.

21. Taco Sundae at Brindles Awesome Ice Creams

Each Sunday Brindles Awesome Ice Creams features taco sundaes, with 3 scoops of ice cream flavors of your choice in a waffle cone taco and a variety of toppings.

22. The Torre de Mariscos (Seafood Tower) at El Bucanero

A great way to savor some of the best seafood in San Antonio is to try this seafood tower. You may expect to be served exceptional quality Mexican food at El Bucanero.

23. Charcuterie Plate from Cured

On a Charcuterie Plate from Cured you will find a variety of prepared meat products like ham, sausage, bacon, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit. Cured offers a number of mouth-watering options, all made in-house.

24. Turkey Chupacabra at The Station Cafe

If you just need a quick snack make sure you head to The Station Café where you can have the best sandwich in town - Turkey Chupacabra. It is a homemade sandwich roll with smoked turkey, sweet & spicy chupacabra serrano sauce, melted cheddar, lettuce and tomato. And it costs just $4.95!

25. Breakfast Tacos at The Original Donut Shop

The Original Donut Shop is known to have the best breakfast tacos in San Antonio. Their tortillas are always so fresh, and customers can choose what to put into the tacos.

26. Ahi Tuna Tartar at Feast

When you dine at Feast make sure you order several dishes so you could share. Fresh and well prepared the Ahi Tuna Tartar is the most popular at Feast.

27. Macaroon at Bakery Lorraine

Macarons offered at Bakery Lorraine come in a variety of flavors such as salted caramel, dark chocolate, lavender, lemon, pistachio, Earl Grey, raspberry and other. After having one of those nourishing dishes make your gourmet dining experience complete with these mouth watering macarons for dessert.

28. Brisket Grilled Cheese at Smoke Shack

This Brisket Grilled Cheese will give you a chance to experience American classic food but with a unique San Antonio barbecue twist. It should be noted that it's not just your typical sourdough, but rather Texas toast. You are sure to haunt this place for more of it!

29. Tamales at Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa

Everyone in San Antonio loves tamales so be prepared to wait in a line to get those delicious tamales Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa offers. The reason is that they serve some of the best tamales in town and no visit to San Antonio would be complete without savoring them.