San Antonio Downtown Eats

Downtown San Antonio Restaurants - Beyond the Tourist Favorites

Dominated by the Riverwalk, downtown San Antonio is tourist central and there are countless restaurants that cater to the influx of visitors. Many of these are great places to eat, but there are just as many that offer great food and cater to locals.

In the Morning

Start your day off with that ever-important cup of joe, but skip the Big Green national chain, and go for some primo coffee at Chico's Coffee Shack. Chico’s sources its beans from small farms in Latin America, and each cup features their house blend of freshly roasted and ground coffee, brewed in a pour over dripper that makes it so much better than your average cup. Grab a muffin or a scone to hold you over until lunch.

If you’re looking for heartier fare, enjoy a classic southern breakfast at Tony G's Soul Food. Omelets, biscuits and gravy, creamy grits, and Texas toast will get you going for the day. You can even get those grits all day long, and their All Day Shrimp and Grits special is very popular. Check them out on Sundays for an extended brunch experience.

Gotta Getta Cocktail - Outside!

Consistently voted one of the best bar, patio, and happy hours; Elsewhere Garden Bar and Kitchen has a fantastic outdoor space, right on the San Antonio River. Enjoy offerings from their extensive craft beer menu or sip a cocktail as you enjoy a porch swing with a great view. If you’re hungry, they’ve also got great food, with ingredients sourced from local farms and ranches.

For something a little different, check out the Cherrity Bar, where you can not only sip a great cocktail in a relaxed outdoor setting, but that cocktail can also help support the Charity of the Month. Cherrity Bar picks a new charity, and an accompanying cocktail, and donates $1 from each purchase. How can you go wrong?

Rediscover Mexican Food

When you’re ready for more than typical TexMex, expand your horizons and discover the cuisine of Central Mexico at Cuishe Cocina Mexicana. Named after a wild agave plant, Cuishe strives to deliver authentic native flavors through their recipes and cocktail menu. You’ll find dishes as varied as street tacos, to pastor-style octopus, to wagyu tomahawk steaks. They offer an extensive wine list and of course, many agave-centric cocktails. Be sure to take advantage of their great happy hour, weekdays from 2 - 7pm.

For a Special Dinner

While it might be popular with tourists, Biga on the Banks is also a local favorite for upscale, cutting-edge Nouvelle American cuisine. Foodies and non-foodies alike rave about the offerings from James Beard Award Nominee chef and owner, Bruce Auden. Biga has the highest Zagat rating of all the Riverwalk’s restaurant offerings, and the menu is updated daily to reflect the seasons and local and sustainably sourced ingredients. This is one menu that never disappoints.

Late Night

For when you need something to help soak up that alcohol, you can’t go wrong with some street food. Open until 3:00 am, Birria Barrio will satisfy your taco craving. Just don’t wait until the last minute, as this place is far from undiscovered, and they can sell out.

Get out there and dine with the locals. If you’re looking for more to do than eat and drink, check out our other articles on the Riverwalk, and San Antonio’s history.