San Antonio’s 14 best restaurants to try right now

The Cullum’s Attaboy brand has existed in some form for over a decade, since owner Chris Cullum began serving his Attaboy burgers from a traveling Airstream trailer. Now, as a brick-and-mortar open kitchen concept in the Tobin Hill neighborhood, Cullum’s Attaboy is doing what it’s always done with even more of an elevated punch. Marrying French cuisine with the ease of American brunch, this restaurant offers savory bites with skillful execution. The menu includes fun flavor bombs like the escargot and main dishes like the Champagne butter black drum or truffle eggs and toast, not to mention a delectable selection caviar and roe. In the way of drinks, Attaboy nails the classic espresso martini along with the rest of its espresso offerings, so a caffeinated pick-me-up is almost guaranteed. 

Find it: 111 Kings Court, San Antonio, TX 78212

Clementine

No one is doing it like Clementine. From the pristine service to the impressive courses, this Castle Hills restaurant has cemented its place in the San Antonio culinary space with its ever-changing seasonal menu. Clementine bills itself as a globally inspired restaurant, but it’s clear that chef John Russ and his team are creating something wholly unique. The ricotta cavatelli is a must-try for first timers, and yet it is hard not to order the housemade pasta fixture again and again. Otherwise, you’re in good hands when opting for the Feed Me option, a chef’s menu designed just for you. And do try to save room for dessert, as pastry chef Elise Russ’s beautiful confections are truly the icing on the cake at Clementine. 

Find it: 2195 NW Military Hwy., San Antonio, TX 78213

Curry Boys BBQ

From a bright pink shack to a bright pink house with ample indoor and outside seating, Curry Boys BBQ is moving on up, especially since the restaurant’s chef team of Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen were chosen as semifinalists for the current James Beard Awards cycle. With prestige comes a certain amount of pressure, but Curry Boys continues to deliver the same great fusion of Texas barbecue and Southeast Asian flavors that have lifted the restaurant to where it is today. The Brisket Smokeshow is the clear fan favorite, consisting of perfectly smoked brisket paired with a green curry served over a bed of rice, but the restaurant continues to add new and interesting plates, like the new curry chicken salad sandwich, which comes served on toasted potato bread and with a side of Viet-inspired slaw. 

Find it: 536 E. Courtland Place, San Antonio, TX 78212

The Hayden

When talking about restaurants, we often run into the term fusion, or the taking two or more cuisine types, food traditions, or cooking styles and combining them in a way that feels new and distinct. The Hayden lands somewhere in that realm as a classic Jewish-inspired delicatessen that expertly incorporates elements of the Texas food canon. For example, you can get traditional matzo ball soup and in the same visit order a version of chicken and waffles in which the latter is made from a potato latke. The all-day breakfast menu never disappoints, but don’t be afraid to try more eclectic dinner options like the matzo-crusted chicken fried chicken or the barbacoa stroganoff. The Hayden’s selection of fresh cocktails is just an added bonus to the overall high quality experience. 

Find it: Multiple locations

The Jerk Shack

Chef Nicola Blaque is a culinary star who has made her mark on San Antonio’s food landscape with her lauded Caribbean restaurant The Jerk Shack. After moving into a larger space near Westover Hills, Blaque and her team have continued to serve some of the best fried chicken in town. Of course, with a name like The Jerk Shack, you cannot miss out on sampling the jerk chicken, especially with a side of masala fries and/or fried plantains. With Blaque gaining more and more recognition from the JBAs and other reputable organizations, you’ll want to visit her restaurant now before the whole world finds out about this San Antonio gem.

Find it: 10234 TX-151, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78251

La Sorrentina Italian Restaurant

Hidden on Culebra near St. Mary’s University, La Sorrentina has been doing Italian food justice since it opened in 2011. Chef Juan “Pepe” Rangel brings his over 40 years of experience to the table when constructing delicious pastas like tortellini alfredo and three-cheese beef lasagna, which are what his restaurant does best. But do save room for even the tiniest serving of tiramisu, or simply ask for some to go. La Sorrentina requires reservations for dine-in service, as its humble dining room can only take so much foot traffic, but if you can manage to save yourself a seat, you’re in for a flavorful, cozy experience that is oh so worth the planning in advance.

Find it: 3330 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78228

Landrace

Chef Steve McHugh has received high praises for his work at the Pearl’s Cured, so when Landrace at The Thompson Hotel arrived with McHugh at the helm, it came as no surprise that the new restaurant would hit just as hard. Landrace’s culinary focus is regional ingredients with local sources that result in a seasonal Texas-forward menu full of familiarity and surprises. The Landrace kitchen has something of an edge as McHugh and his chef team operate a massive wood-fueled steel grill that produces ideally cooked meats, including Wagyu filet mignon and Berkshire pork chops. From the attentive service to the craftsmanship involved in the food preparation, Landrace is a premier destination for special occasion dining.  

Find it: 111 Lexington Ave., San Antonio, TX 78205

The Magpie

Just east of downtown, The Magpie is one of San Antonio’s best kept food secrets that everyone needs to know about. Under the direction of chef Jŭngsūke “Sue” Kim, the new American restaurant features a semi-exclusive dining room and a menu that ranges from simple milk bread to more intricate offerings like the ddak galbi, a pan-seared, crisp-skinned half-chicken with ddeok, cabbage, shishito, green onion, and gochujang. It’s this balance of the quiet and loud dishes that makes The Magpie so dynamic, and the more you’re willing to try, the more transformative your meal will be. With it’s open kitchen, you get to see the creative process in action; just make sure to make your reservations in advance!

Find it: 1602 E. Houston St., Suite 106, San Antonio, TX 78202

The Original Donut Shop

You can’t miss the line of cars constantly queued up in the drive-thru at The Original Donut Shop on Fredericksburg. Keep in mind there are two separate car lines to order from now, making it somewhat easier to grab some fresh doughnuts and scrumptious breakfast tacos. The restaurant’s toasted bean and cheese is a San Antonio classic that you have to try at least once in your life. And admittedly, it’s difficult to leave the restaurant without grabbing one of Donut Shop’s namesake treats, such as a warm glazed doughnut, perfect for on-the-go breakfast (if you leave your house early enough). 

Find it: 3307 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78201

Sari-Sari Supper Club

The name Sari-Sari is synonymous with great Filipino food, and Sari-Sari Supper Club is no exception. A sequel to the original Sari-Sari restaurant on Wurzbach, Sari-Sari Supper Club is a modern take on traditional Filipino fare, reflecting the uniquely Filipino American experiences of co-owners Adrian and Camille de Los Reyes. Pancit canton, braised adobo, and Filipino breakfast are all menu stars, while the mussels de Manila dish is a beautiful standout. Whatever you order, you’re sure to have a positive experience in the decorative dining room, which also maintains a handful of shelves filled with Sari-Sari merchandise and various packaged foods for purchase.

Find it: 10234 TX-151, Suite 102, San Antonio, TX 78251

Sichuan House

We’ve said it before and it bears repeating: Sichuan House might be the best Chinese restaurant in San Antonio. It is certainly the best the city has to offer in Sichuan-style Chinese food, in part due to dedicated chef and owner Kristina Zhao, who also runs Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar. Utilizing all the flavors of the Sichuan region, Sichuan House produces incredibly well-rounded dishes, from its various takes on pork belly to takeout staples like spicy homestyle lo mein, which tastes just as good at home as it does at the restaurant. The mushroom-heavy Enlightened by Fungi is one of the most original plates of food you can have in S.A., while the restaurant’s hot and sour soup reinvents a classic. Do not sleep on Sichuan House!

Find it: 3505 Wurzbach Road, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78238

Southerleigh Fine Food And Brewery

While there’s plenty of great places to dine at the Pearl, Southerleigh has the gravitas that makes it pivotal to the overall quality of the multi-use complex. Inspired by coastal Texas flavors, chef Jeff Balfour brings elevated Southern comfort foods to the former Pearl brewhouse-turned-restaurant. While the menu rotates seasonally, there’s a few staples that Southerleigh is known for, including the snapper throats and the well sought-after fried chicken. The restaurant’s brunch is also one of the best in the city, serving a one-of-a-kind Gulf Coastal Benedict amongst tried and trues like biscuits and gravy. 

Find it: 136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78215

Taqueria Datapoint

Good taquerias are a dime a dozen in San Antonio, with impressive tacos available on nearly every other city block. But there’s one local mini-chain of taquerias that’ll have people driving out of their own neighborhoods to eat. Taqueria Datapoint is a longtime local favorite that has been put through literal fire and continues to provide consistently delicious tacos of all kinds every single day. The mini taquitos are obviously Datapoint’s claim to fame; they come with a choice of meat (pastor, asada, barbacoa, etc.), cilantro, onions, avocado, and salsa. Datapoint also serves the ultimate breakfast taco: Taco Luz, which is filled with bacon, chorizo, beans, cheese, egg, and country sausage. Wash it all down with a sweet agua fresca, y que mas quieres?!

Find it: Multiple locations