Dedicated to my med school friends who’ve been with me on this food adventure!

As my four years of medical school comes to a close at San Antonio, I decided to write a master post of one of my favorite topics and hobbies: FOOD.

From first year to these very last weeks, my friends and I have done our best with our limited time and money to sample what’s the best of San Antonio. I’m known in my class to have an Instagram that is basically a food Instagram, and I just wanted to close off my year with a compilation post of the best places to eat and drink in SA (in my opinion)!

(These aren’t full reviews – just my recommended places, hours, what to know, and what to order!)

NEW AMERICAN

Biga on the Banks

What to Order: Do a tasting menu! Around $70-80 depending on 5 or 6 course meal. Really, really fills you up and gives you a good view of what their menu is like!

Bliss

What to Order: Oyster sliders, George’s Bank Sea Scallops (some of the best scallops I’ve ever had! So buttery and tender)

Cured

What to Order: Pig cheek poutine, charcuterie boards

Boudro’s on the Riverwalk

What to Order: House guacamole (they make it at the table for you!)

Alchemy Kombucha and Culture

What to Order: Ramen. The great thing about this restaurant is that the menu changes often and by season so there is always something new to try.

Cullum’s Attagirl

What to Order: Southern fried chicken, 3 piece hot

Max & Louie’s New York Diner

What to Order: Pastrami chili cheese fries, philly cheese steak, reuben sandwich

Mash’D – The Rim

What to Order: The menu often changes and you can usually find something good on there to order.

The General Public

What to Order: Bone marrow, Fish ‘n’ Chips

Pam’s Patio Kitchen

What to Order: Chicken saltimboca

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Bella on the River, Restaurant Gwendolyn, Periphery, Picnikins Patio Café, Southerleigh, Supper, Josephine Street, Signature, J Alexander, The Fig Tree, Luce

ASIAN

-KOREAN

Koreana

What to Order: Kimchi seafood pancake, hot seafood tofu soup, bulgogi

Seoul Asian Food Market and Cafe

What to Order: Probably anything off the menu is extremely good! And best part? SO CHEAP for Korean food! I recommend spicy pan-broiled squid, bulgogi, kimbap, hot tofu soup

Gogi Street

What to Order: Gogi fire bowl, hill country bowl

-VIETNAMESE

Berni’s

What to Order: Any of their vermicelli bowls (if you eat at the restaurant, you get complimentary soup and dessert!)

Pho & Grill

What to Order: Any of their vermicelli bowls, thai tea, rare beef salad

Singhs

What to Order: Any of their bahn mi’s or vermicelli bowls! They have creative bahn mi’s like brisket, oyster, and shrimp!

Pho Ha Long

What to Order: Pho…duh

LA Crawfish

What to Order: Crawfish. They even have a crawfish pho (I haven’t had it but it looks good!)

Viva Pho

What to Order: Personally I think this is the best pho place in SA (get that brisket pho – the brisket is so tender!)

-CHINESE

Sichuan House

What to Order: This is my FAVORITE restaurant in SA. Seriously – the food never disappoints. They are always trying to add new items to the menu too. But what to order? Spicy and savory shrimp, ma po dou fu, lamb, combination fiery dry hot pot, dongpo pork belly, spicy lamb with cumin, beef with chinese broccoli

Kungfu Noodle

What to Order: Lamb noodle soup, beef noodle soup (comes with wide or thin noodles), dumplings. Tip: make it spicy!

Lucky Noodle

What to Order: Braised beef brisket noodle soup

China Inn

What to Order: This is the best place to find cheap, fast food Chinese style.

King’s Buffet

What to Order: I know. You’re like – WHAT?! – a Chinese buffet? Having grown up eating a ton of Chinese buffets with my family (seriously my family is made of expert buffet eaters) — this is honestly the best Chinese buffet I’ve ever been to in my life considering quality of food.

-THAI

Saeb Thai and Noodles

What to Order: Duck noodle soup (best I’ve ever had), flying duck, beef noodle soup

Thai Dee

What to Order: Pad khee mao, nam tok, thai tea. Also it’s BYOB!

Thai Lucky

What to Order: Nam (one of the best I’ve had!)

Bangkok 54 Thai Cuisine

What to Order: Any of their noodle or curry dishes

Ya Ya’s Thai

What to Order: Any of their noodle or curry dishes

Thai Basil

What to Order: Because this place was pretty close to us, it became one of our go-to Thai places. I rec any of their noodle dishes.

Rock San

What to Order: Nam

-JAPANESE

Wild Goji

What to Order: Ramen

Yellowfish Sushi

What to Order: Any of their sushi’s but try something more interesting off the menu like japanese tacos or japaritto!

Nama Ramen

What to Order: Ramen, okonomiyaki fries

Wasabi

What to Order: Any sushi

-INDIAN/PAKI

Kohinoor

What to Order: One of my other MOST FAVORITE restaurants in SA! Can’t rave on enough about this place! Paratha, tawa chicken, bihari kebab, butter chicken, chicken boti roll

BELGIAN

La Frite Belgian Bistro

What to Order: Mussels in any of their delicious sauces!

GERMAN

Schilo’s Delicatessen

What to Order: Wienerschnitzel with German potato salad, potato pancakes

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Bavarian Restaurant

 

SPANISH

Carmens De La Calle

What to Order: Go try their Bossa Nova Brunch which consists of a bloody mary, appetizer, a main course, and live entertainment!

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Toro Kitchen + Bar

 

BBQ

The Big Bib

What to Get: Loaded baked potato with brisket

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Dignowity Meats on Houston Street, The Smoke Shack

 

BRUNCH

Bite

What to Get: Their crazy topped Bloody Marys or Mimosas

Snooze an AM Eatery

What to Get: Get a combination of two different egg benedicts with their delicious hash browns, corned beef hash with poached eggs on top with hash browns, pancake flight

Feast

What to Order: Different flavored mimosas, the macho, eggs in hell

Candlelight Coffeehouse

What to Order: Salmon eggs benedict, any of their cakes

Mimosa Restaurant & Lounge

What to Order: Flavored mimosas – we got Elderflower, Rose, Lavender and it was amazing! One of the best mimosas ever

The Magnolia Pancake Haus

What to Order: Farmer’s scramble, they have some of the best pancakes in the world (and I am usually not a pancake fan)

Crepelandia

What to Order: Soprano Crepe (yum!), salmon one is pictured below:

Pancake Joe’s

What to Order: the pancakes, the hash browns

Whiskey Cake

What to Order: Farmer’s breakfast, pork egg and grits, chicken and waffles

Mash’D – The Rim

What to Order: Whether it’s migas or bennies or omelet or pancake – they have it all on their menu!

Hop and Vine

What to Order: Strawberry avocado toast, duck confit eggs benedict

Madhatter’s Tea House and Café

What to Order: Have a tea party with tea sandwiches for two here!

Guenther House

What to Order: Pioneer breakfast, strawberry waffle

Bakery Lorraine

What to Order: any of their baked goods or breakfast items

Halcyon

What to Order: anything off their menu

Cured

What to Order: Chicken and doughnuts (if you like sweet and savory)

J Prime Steakhouse

What to Order: Their Sunday breakfast buffet (but go inside and look at what they are offering first to see if it’s worth the money)

Southerleigh

What to Order: shrimp boil, mac n cheese, fried snapper throats, country ham benedict (if you like cornbread), beer flight

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Stella Public House, Cappy’s Restaurant, Panchos and Gringos, Boiler House, Barbaro, The General Public, Tucker’s Kozy Korner, Malinalli Bakery and Bistro, Barrio Barrista, Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, Rosella Coffee, Schilo’s Delicatessen, Cullum’s Attagirl, Supper, NOLA Brunch & Beignets, Panchos and Gringos

 

HAPPY HOUR

Hop and Vine (T-F — 4-6PM)

What to Order: Fried okra

Landry’s Seafood (M-F – 3-7PM; Sat/Sun – 12-7PM)

What to Order: Steamed mussels, fried zucchini

The Esquire Tavern (M-F – 3-7PM)

What to Order: Green eggs and ham nachos

Kona Grill

What to Order: Sushi, flatbreads, calamari, chicken satay

Zinc Bistro and Wine Bar

What to Order: Escargot, faux gras

Stella Public House (4-6:30PM)

What to Order: Wild mushroom mac and cheese, lamb meatballs with country oven bread

Tower of America

What to Order: Mango mojito, ahi tuna nachos

Grayze

Barbaro

What to Order: They have an amazing drink menu

Silo Elevated Cuisine & Bar

What to Order: Oysters, crispy calamari, crispy duck spring rolls

210 Ceviche

What to Order: Tacos!

Wasabi

What to Order: Great sushi specials

Luce Ristorante e Enoteca

What to Order: Salmon affumicato, gamberi al limone

Sushi Zushi (Every day — 3-7PM)

Hopdoddy’s

Liberty Bar (Daily – 5-7PM. 10PM-Midnight)

Sangria on the Burg (Taco Tuesdays – $2 tacos)

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people):
Piatta
Cover 3
Tribeca
TNT (F-Sa — 11PM-2AM) – Tacos
Tre Trattoria (M-F — 3-7PM)
Wild Goji (M-Th – 5-6:30PM || F — 3-6:30PM || Sat – 2-5PM)
Edera (3-6 PM)
Ocho (M-Th – 4-7PM)
Paloma Blanco (M-F – 3-6PM)
Azuca (M-F – 5-8PM)
Cured (M-Sa)
Houlihans (Sat – 9-11PM)
Wildfish (Every day – 4-7PM)
Tucker’s Kozy Korner (T-Sa – 5-7PM)
Red White and Brew
Luna Rosa (T-F – 3-7PM)
Alchemy
Piatta (3-6:30PM)
Sanchos
The Hoppy Monk
Cover 3 (M-T – 4PM-close; W-F – 4-7PM)
Hawx Burger (M-F – 4-7PM)
Copa Wine Bar
Costa Pacifica
Tycoon Flats
The Grill at Leon Springs (Every day – 4-7PM)
Chisme
Toro Kitchen & Bar (4-7PM)
Barbaro (Late Night Menu – Pizza + Cocktail for $10)
Tribeca

 

MEDITERRANEAN

Jerusalem Grill

What to Order: Kebab plates

Azro

What to Order: Quorma, combination kebab plates

Wheelie Gourmet

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Casa del Kabob

 

ITALIAN/PIZZA

Guillermo’s

Tre Trattoria
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Umberto’s Italian Grill

What to Order: Chicken piccata

Fratello’s Italian Market & Deli

What to Order: The lombardo sandwich, bolognese

Big Lou’s Pizza

What to Order: Once in a life time experience to try the biggest pizza ever – go with a group of friends!

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): II Sogno Osteria, Edera Osteria – Enoteca, Southtown Pizzeria, II Forno, Russo’s Coal Fired Italian Kitchen, Tiu Steppi’s Osteria, Tre Enoteca, Cerroni’s Purple Garlic, Florio’s Pizza, Southtown Pizzeria, Piatti

 

STEAKHOUSE

Bohanan’s Prime Steaks & Seafood

Note: One of the best steakhouses I’ve ever been to

1718 Steak House

Note: Great view of The Alamo

Texas de Brazil
Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
Kirby’s Steakhouse

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Bob’s Steak & Chop House

 

SEAFOOD

Wildfish

What to Order: Tartare, crab fried rice, crab cake, truffle mac n cheese, flaming banana foster cake

LA Crawfish

Sea Island Shrimp House

Pinch’s Crawfish

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): El Bucanero

 

CAJUN

Cookhouse

What to Order: New Orleans BBQ shrimp, blackened drum, pan roasted duck breast

Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen

What to Order: Crawfish etouffee

LA Crawfish

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen

VEGETARIAN

Green

What to Order: Falafel burrito with sweet potato fries

5 Points Local

What to Order: Karma bowl

Moshe’s Golden Falafel

What to Order:  Falafel plate with everything on top!!! So delicious!

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Sweet Yams, Senor Veggie

 

BURGERS

Chris Madrid’s

What to Order: Tostado burger

The Cove
Hopdoddy

Fattboy Burgers & Dogs
Big Bob’s Burgers

Bigz Burger Joint

Note: So many interesting sauces!

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Tycoon Flats, Burger Boy

 

HOTDOG

Alamo Hot Dog Co

Note: Best hot dog ever. The corner stand outside Howl at the Moon

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Pugels, Original San Antonio Hot Dog House, Wrigleyville Grill, Wiseguys A Chicago Eatery

 

SANDWICH

French Sandwiches

What to Order: The Continental

The Luxury

Bakery Lorraine

Chicago Bagel and Deli

What to Order: Lox Bagel with Everything

Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy

What to Order: Steak Italian (some of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had!), Rabbi, Philly Cheesesteak

South Alamode Panini & Gelato Company

What to Order: Any of their delicious paninis!

The Station Café

What to Order: Turkey Chupacabra Sandwich (winner goes to the spicy serrano sauce – SO GOOD!)

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): La Panaderia, Bread Box, Zito’s Delicatessen & Sandwich Shop, Picnikins Patio Cafe

 

MEXICAN

Taqueria Datapoint

What to Order: My to go place for late night food and Mexican food. Mini tacos!

Pollos Asados Los Nortenos

What to Order: Seriously some of THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD I have ever had! Get the chicken and the fajitas!

Sangria on the Burg

What to Order: $2 Taco Tuesdays. Heard their sliders and corn are good as well. Try the Sangria Flight.

Rosario’s

Note: Come here for touristy Mexican food

Torchy’s Tacos

Habanero’s Grill

Note: Another version of Chipotle

The Fruteria

Ernesto’s Mexican Specialties
La Tuna Grill

Taco Garage

Get that margarita flight!

Wapo Taco

What to Order: Their breakfast tacos are great and cheap! They have a great variety of salsas!

The Original Donut Shop

What to Order: Cheap, filling breakfast tacos! Try the carne guisado

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Ro-Ho Pork and Bread, El Bucanero

 

LATIN AMERICAN

Ocho

What to Order: Havana papas bravas, chorizo con queso. Also such a beautiful restaurant!

Rocoto’s Sabor Latino Grill

What to Order: Causa, shrimp and lomo saltado, chicken, alfajores

Festejo Peruvian Grill

What to Order: Lomo saltado (the best one I’ve had in SA)

Chilito’s Express

What to Order: Chilito’s famous bowl, tamales, ultimate worst burrito. I can’t believe I just found this amazing food truck!

Nao Latin Gastro Bar
Empanada Stand at Pearl’s Farmer Market

What to Order: Get the sangria on farmer market weekends at the Pearl! For empanada, get the peruvian chicken with spicy sauce!

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): El Ceviche de Waldito

 

DESSERT

Kuma

What to Order: Finally a restaurant that serves Hong Kong waffle ice cream!

Snopioca

What to Order: Taiwanese shaved ice. Not your typical shaved ice and so good.

Belgian Sweets

What to Order: Very legitimate Belgian waffle!

Bakery Lorraine

What to Order: Macarons and their seasonal treats! They are always coming up with new creations!

El Paraiso Ice Cream

What to Order: Come here to get your paleta cravings fulfilled! So many flavors and so cheap! Can take an ice box and take plenty home to put in your freezer!

CIA Bakery and Café

What to Order: Alfajores! This bakery comes and goes as a pop-up at the Farmer’s Market.

Romelia’s Bakery

What to Order: Treasures (berry and the mango ones) and cupcakes!

South Alamode Paninin & Gelato Company

What to Order: Best gelato in SA hands down! And they give so much!

The Original Donut Shop
Nothing Bundt Cakes

The House Boozy Ice Cream & Brews

What to Order: What can I say? Ice cream + alcohol

SA Pops

What to Order: Paletas! Get the pistachio chocolate dipped one

Bird Bakery

What to Order: Delicious cupcakes and the CUTEST bakery in SA!

Paciugo

What to Order: Gelato!

Lick Honest Ice Creams

What to Order: The flavors are so unique! Can buy pints for home and ice cream sandwiches!

Tiff’s Treats

Note: Yay for cookie delivery!

Munchies Shakes, Snacks & More

What to Order: Mangonada

The Cheesecake Factory

Delice Chocolatier & Patisserie

What to Order: Macarons!

 

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Honeysuckle, The Ginger Snap Donuts, Chocollazo, Savoureux Patisserie, La Boulangerie, Creamistry, Las Nieves, C’est La Vie Baking Company, Sol Y Luna, Larder at Emma

 

COFFEESHOPS

Local

Larder at Emma (holiday flavors)

Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery (great sandwiches)

Revolucion Coffee + Juice
Aspen’s Brew (get the white chocolate mocha – never disappoints)
Estate Coffee Company

Indy Coffee (cool flavors like coco loco and cereal flavors, get green tea latte)

Madhatter’s Tea House and Café
Summer Moon Coffee Bar

Rosella Coffee

Candlelight Coffeehouse (get the italian steamer – I like the english toffee syrup)

Press Coffee
Cuppencake

White Elephant Coffee
Copalli Café

Mila Coffee (get the iced horchata latte)

Olmos Perk (the best chai latte in SA)

The Cracked Mug Coffee House

Halcyon (love that they give animal crackers with lattes)

Cafe Martinez

Paramour

Bird Bakery

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Barrio Barista, Pendlebury Brew, Theory Coffee Company, Brown Coffee Co, Cyclo Coffee and Barista Academy

 

BOBA

Jollicup Bubble Tea and Desserts

What to Order: Ring around the Roses (jasmine green tea with rose). And this place has mini boba!

Boba Sip

What to Order: Matcha green tea boba

Tealicious Café

 

JUICE

Jugo Juicery and Bar

Urth Juice Bar
JUICEssential

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Revolucion Coffee + Juice

 

BARS

The Esquire Tavern
Downstairs at The Esquire Tavern (gives popcorn!)
Zinc Bistro and Wine Bar
Jazz TX (jazz bar with a cover charge – feels like you’re in La La Land)

The Pigpen (get the loaded nachos too)

High Street Wine Company

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
The Friendly Spot Ice House
Bar Du Mon Ami
The Brooklynite
Davenport Lounge (feels like you’re in The Great Gatsby)
Paramour (rooftop bar)
Halcyon (coffee shop converted to bar at night)
1919 (downstairs bar)
SoHo Wine & Martini Bar (different types of martinis)
The Last Word (downstairs bar)
Who’s Who Cocktails
George’s Keep

Blue Box

The Edison Experiment

Juniper Tar
Sternewirth Bar (in Hotel Emma)
Barbaro
Howl at the Moon (piano bar)

Didn’t Get to Try (but heard good things about from other people): Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, Burleson Yard Beer Garden, Copa Wine Bar

 

HAPPY EATING!

-M