Jaime AlfaroEver spend more time deciding where to eat than actually eating? With so many choices around the city, finding a place that is truly worth your time and money can be harder than it sounds.
If you’re planning a family dinner, meeting friends for lunch, or visiting San Antonio for the first time, the right restaurant can make the whole experience better.
This inspired me to search for the best restaurant in San Antonio and round up a few standout spots. These are the places that locals keep coming back to for great food, service, and atmosphere.
How much does a restaurant cost in San Antonio?
Dining out in San Antonio typically costs around $10 to $20 per person for casual meals, while a mid-range dinner for two usually ranges from $30 to $75.
| Dining Type / Item | Average Cost |
| Budget or Casual Meal | $10 to $20 per person |
| Mid-Range Dinner | $30 to $75 for two people |
| Fine Dining | $50 or more per person |
| Breakfast | $10 to $25 |
| Lunch | $15 to $30 |
| Dinner | $17 to $50 |
| Domestic Beer | $5 |
| Imported Beer | $6.50 |
1. Biga – San Antonio Riverwalk Restaurant
Website: https://biga.com
Address: 203 S St Mary’s
Contact: (210) 225-0722
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 5:00 PM-9:30 PM | Friday – Saturday, 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Craving a dinner that’s truly an experience, not just a meal? This spot drew me in with its stunning River Walk setting and ever-changing seasonal menu. At Biga, fresh ingredients are always the highlight, making each visit unique and memorable.
During a recent holiday dinner, I noticed the service was just as memorable as the food. The staff was attentive but never intrusive, and everything about the experience felt polished from beginning to end.
What really impressed me was the variety of drinks on offer, and I loved seeing families feel right at home with the dedicated kids’ menu. It made the atmosphere feel warm and welcoming.
The main drawback is the strict no-substitutions policy on fixed-price menus. Guests should also know that valet parking is no longer available, so self-parking is required.
Customer Reviews
Excellent food and service
What a delight! We went for dinner and were treated like royalty. Excellent food and service. The lamb was lovely and the salmon was sublime. We finished the meal with their amazing sticky toffee pudding. Excellent dining experience.
- Andrew| Google Reviews
Great selection of fine food and wine, the service was superb
While visiting friends in San Antonio, Biga was suggested to us if we wanted to enjoy a great restaurant with great ambiance and food on the river walk. This was certainly an exquisite restaurant with a great selection of fine food and wine, the service was superb, the establishment was centrally located within the city, and the experience met my every expectation of fine dining. I highly recommend this place to others.
- Humphrey Vives | Google Reviews
2. Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse
Website: https://chamagaucha.com/san-antonio/
Address: 18318 Sonterra Place
Contact: (210) 564-9400 | [email protected]
Hours: Lunch, Monday – Friday, 11:00 AM-3:15 PM | Dinner, Monday – Thursday, 3:15 PM-9:30 PM | Friday, 3:15 PM-10:00 PM | Saturday, 1:30 PM-10:00 PM | Sunday, 12:00 PM-8:30 PM | Bar, Monday – Friday, 11:00 AM-Close | Saturday, 12:30 PM-Close | Sunday, 11:30 AM-Close
If you enjoy meals that feel like an event, this restaurant delivers something a little different. Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse uses traditional rodizio service, where servers bring fire-roasted meats directly to your table throughout the meal.
The experience starts with a large salad bar packed with fresh options, making it a solid choice even for diners who aren’t focused on the meat selection.
I’m impressed by how well they accommodate food allergies and by the discounted salad bar option for lighter eaters. The all-inclusive pricing also means you know exactly what to expect before you even sit down.
One downside is that weekend guests pay dinner pricing all day. Private events also require a minimum of twenty guests, which may not work for smaller gatherings.
Customer Reviews
The kind of great service where your water glass is always refilled
You will definitely leave full! We chose this place because of the great reviews and it did not disappoint. We went on a Monday night and it was packed. The kind of great service where your water glass is always refilled. Constant attention. You don’t need to dress up for this place. We went on a whim so I thought I’d be underdressed, but when we got there folks were in t-shirts. Everyone is comfortable, kids and babies, just eating and drinking and being merry.
- Romy Frazier | Google Reviews
The food was delicious
We came to celebrate my daughter’s 30th birthday! We had Robert as our server who is amazing! Ask for him and you will have the best service. He anticipated our needs. Helped me know what things I was allergic to (have a bad berry allergy) The food was delicious. Great experience all the way around.
- Lee Ann Robinson | Google Reviews
3. Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
Website: https://mitierracafe.com/
Address: 218 Produce Row
Contact: (210) 225-1262 | [email protected]
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 AM-10:00 PM | Friday – Saturday, 8:00 AM-11:00 PM
A few restaurants go beyond just serving delicious food and become woven into the city’s identity. Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia is one of those special places.
With its vibrant atmosphere, live mariachi bands, and in-house bakery, dining here feels like a true San Antonio experience.
One thing I really appreciate is the variety on the menu. No matter if you come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s always a wide range of options.
The family-style platters make it easy for larger groups to eat together and save a bit of money. It’s also fun to browse the attached gift shop or nearby candy stores for souvenirs before you head out.
The biggest downside is that the restaurant is no longer open around the clock. Guests with peanut allergies should also check menu items carefully before ordering.
Customer Reviews
The staff are welcoming and the food is awesome
For a classic institution in the El Mercado, it does not sit on its laurels as a well located venue in a tourist trap. The staff are welcoming and the food is awesome with generous portions. Beyond that, however, the ambiance is amazing- a burst of color in every direction, like being at a never ending fiesta. Also, the best Mexican Bakery I have been to outside of (or inside of?) Mexico!
- Rajeev Majumdar | Google Reviews
Delightful breakfast in a vibrant atmosphere with outstanding service
Enjoyed a delightful breakfast in a vibrant atmosphere with outstanding service. The bakery’s selection of Mexican pastries was truly impressive. A leisurely walk around the market afterward was the perfect way to work off the meal.
- Rolando Guzman | Google Reviews
4. Boudro’s on the Riverwalk
Website: http://www.boudros.com/
Address: 421 E Commerce St.
Contact: (210) 224-8484 | Fax: (210) 225-2839
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 AM-10:00PM | Friday – Saturday, 11:00 AM-10:30 PM | Lunch until 3:00 PM
Not many restaurants let you enjoy dinner while floating down the river. That unique experience is one reason Boudro’s on the Riverwalk continues to stand out among local dining spots.
The restaurant offers several different dining environments, so you can pick the perfect spot for your occasion. What I really enjoy is how the menu mixes hearty dishes with lighter fare, making it easy for everyone in a group to find something they like.
Their famous tableside guacamole adds some fun to the experience, and the wine selection is impressive enough to rival local wine tastings.
The biggest limitation is the private barge experience, which requires a minimum group size. Guests planning private events should also know that the dedicated event spaces are located off-site.
Customer Reviews
We finished the meal with a slice of the lime chest pie
Excellent dining experience. Friendly and efficient staff. Delightful menu of local Texas cuisine along with an extensive wine list and full bar. We enjoyed the tableside Guacamole, followed by the mesquite grilled Texas quail and the 8 oz Black Angus center cut fillet. We finished the meal with a slice of the lime chest pie which was the perfect compliment to a delicious meal.
- Andrew | Google Reviews
Food was great
Josiah was an awesome server!! Would come back just for him. Food was great. Shrimp and grits were stellar and the bread pudding was fantastic. Sitting on the water was lovely. Probabaly the best place on the river walk. Great date night spot!
- Cristian Podesta | Google Reviews
5. Corinne San Antonio
Website: https://www.corinnesatx.com
Address: 555 S Alamo St.
Contact: (210) 353-8018
Hours: Breakfast, Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM-10:30 AM | Brunch, Saturday – Sunday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM | Lunch, Monday – Friday, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM | Happy Hour, Monday – Friday, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM | Dinner, Sunday – Thursday, 5:00 PM-10:00 PM | Friday – Saturday, 5:00 PM-11:00 PM | Bar, Monday – Sunday, 11:00 AM-12:00 AM
There are times when convenience is just as important as the food itself. Corinne San Antonio caught my attention because it serves guests all day long.
Covering breakfast, brunch, dinner, and even late-night drinks, making it a go-to spot whenever hunger strikes.
I like how easy they make the overall experience. Online reservations are simple, valet parking is available at a discounted rate, and the weekend brunch is a popular option for locals.
The bar also stays open late, making it a good choice for people who want to extend their evening without changing locations.
One thing to keep in mind is the weekday gap between lunch and dinner service. Weekend visitors also miss out on the weekday happy hour specials.
Customer Reviews
The food was phenomenal
Saw the reviews and was surprised about the 4.8 stars with 1000+ reviews. Decided to try it and was instantly impressed by the hospitality and service. Very respectful and welcoming staff, especially from the host and our server Ariel. The food was phenomenal as well, and we later on learned that everything is made from scratch. Would absolutely eat here again.
- Gavin johnston | Google Reviews
Every dish perfect!
Wonderful evening for four of us in San Antonio. Our server, Ryan, made the night perfect. Every dish perfect! Ambiance very relaxed/classy, and very quiet early in the evening but the noise builds to moderate as the evening carried on.
- Rajeev Majumdar | Google Reviews
