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01/14/2026 • 5 min
Best restaurants in San Antonio
The best restaurants in San Antonio have flavors for everyone. Discover a diverse range of cuisines at these popular restaurants in San Antonio with Hertz.Discover one of the most diverse and exciting culinary landscapes in the US by visiting the best restaurants in San Antonio. This Texas city is renowned as the birthplace of Tex-Mex and has a rich and dynamic food scene – so much so, it’s been named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
So, with so many good restaurants in San Antonio, how on earth do you choose? That’s where we come in – start your epicurean journey with Hertz’s recommendations for must-try restaurants in San Antonio for all palates and occasions.
Signature
16401 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256, United States
So, you’ve picked up your premium car rental and want to arrive in style at a Michelin-star restaurant in San Antonio? Look no further than Signature. This warm and inviting fine dining restaurant within La Cantera Resort & Spa comes highly recommended by the Michelin Guide – an ideal spot for a celebratory occasion or special treat. The seasonal menu has a seafood-forward slant, although there are plenty of meat and vegetarian dishes to suit all dietary requirements and palates. Inspired by four-time James Beard Award nominee chef Andrew Weissman, expect a straightforward yet intriguing menu that reinterprets traditional classics with French and Texan lilt. Think Texas quail with pomegranate and a venison and cornbread stuffing, truffle gnocchi with wild mushroom and sun-dried tomato, and scallops in a sweet potato and coconut curry with basil and cashew nuts. All this and more is served in a historic building packed with rustic chic charm – restored oak tables, hand-crafted cabinetry and custom scones, topped with a soaring tile ceiling and rugged chandeliers giving off a warm glow.
Rosario’s
722 South St Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Rosario’s is renowned for serving some of the best Tex-Mex in San Antonio – no mean feat for a city famous as the birthplace of this type of cuisine. This lively local chain often has long lines and a waiting list for tables, with no prior reservations allowed – guests can join the waitlist app on arrival to see the estimated wait time. However, the fun, vibrant atmosphere, top-notch service and award-winning made-from-scratch food more than make the wait worthwhile. And with two free parking lots, you can leave your San Antonio rental car for as long as it takes. The house specialty is Mexican comfort food – expect all the classics – from quesadillas and tacos to enchiladas and nachos – but with a few surprises throughout the menu. The Angelica’s ceviche fino with jicama and jalapeno is a must-try, as is the grilled poblano peppers stuffed with a choice of roast beef, raisins and almonds, or roast cauliflower and sweet potato topped with the signature ranchero sauce and white cheese.
Mare e Monte
9390 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78240, United States
Of all the great Italian restaurants in San Antonio, Mare e Monte holds its own at the top of the league. This is another venue that, due to its popularity, doesn’t take reservations. However, the city’s northwest side has so much to see and do that you can plan to park your rental car and take a wander around the vibrant district while you wait for a table to become available. The restaurant’s name translates to “the sea and the mountains”, and the focus is on bringing the flavors of these areas of Italy to your plate in Texas. That famed Italian hospitality is in full force – arrive as a stranger, leave feeling like one of the family. And not before you all have full bellies, either! With dishes such as Maryland crab and Texas shrimp cakes with lemon pesto, juicy flame-grilled chicken with goat’s cheese, duck fat potatoes and a lemon butter sauce, and the house lobster ravioli with sauteed veal to choose from, that shouldn’t be a problem.
The Guenther House
205 East Guenther Street, San Antonio, TX 78204, United States
Hop in your compact SUV rental and head to one of the top San Antonio brunch spots. Don’t miss out on trying a meal at The Guenther House. Situated in a lovingly restored Art Nouveau house from the Victorian era and surrounded by stunning grounds, this cozy and inviting restaurant used to be the home of the Pioneer Flour Mills founder, C.H. Guenther. This luxurious and beautiful venue not only serves some of the best brunch in town, but it also has several elegantly appointed spaces that can be booked for banquets, private events and more. And if you love the food and the way it’s served, the on-site shop sells everything you need to recreate it at home – from top-quality ingredients to china and silverware. Open from 8am until 2pm and serving all-day breakfasts and an additional lunch menu from 10:30am, with a focus on American classics. Start your day with buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy or indulge your sweet tooth with a strawberry sweet cream waffle. For lunch, the champagne chicken enchiladas are not to be missed.
The Friendly Spot Ice House
943 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Vacationing with the kids isn’t always a picnic – with minivan rental from Hertz taking you to one of the best family restaurants San Antonio has to offer, you can be assured that at least one meal out will be remembered fondly by everyone. The Friendly Spot Ice House lives up to its name –welcoming to people of all ages, and with plenty going on to help keep the little ones entertained during your visit. The spacious outdoor patio backs onto a designated playground, while large-screen TVs throughout offer indoor entertainment. A dedicated kids’ menu also helps, featuring popular choices like grilled cheese, mini nachos, chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. For the grown-ups, the fare is American-Mexican classic – burgers, nachos, mahi mahi fish tacos and more. And to celebrate the “ice house” part of the name, finish with an ice-cream sandwich, cone or bomb pop.
Vegan Avenue on Main
2512 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States
While traditional Texan food tends to be fairly heavy on the meat, San Antonio has become somewhat of a mecca for plant-based dining in recent years. There are now multiple vegan restaurants in San Antonio, and we think this is one of the best. Sharing plates, veggie power bowls, and intriguing plant-based dishes, all served in surroundings designed to be cozy, chic and inviting. Simple, fresh, local ingredients are crafted into recipes that everyone can enjoy – even if you happen to be the world’s biggest carnivore. Breakfast on sunrise hash with scrambled Just Egg, veggie sausage patties, mushrooms, bell peppers and kale. Share a platter of buffalo mac with fried chick’n, cashew queso, hemp ranch and buffalo sauce over gluten-free pasta for lunch. Finish with fluffy buttermilk cinnamon swirl pancakes topped with fresh strawberries. Even better, book a pick-up truck rental – you’ll want plenty of room for takeout.
Landry’s Seafood House
517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Some of the best restaurants are along the Riverwalk in San Antonio. And if the waterfront location gets you hankering for fish, check out one of the best seafood restaurants San Antonio boasts. Landry’s Seafood House is just steps from the famous Riverwalk and serves some of the finest, freshest seafood in town. Soak up the vibrant culture of Alamo City alongside the bold flavors of the Gulf Coast. Winner of the OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award for the best scenic view, expect shimmering waters, bright city lights, and breathtaking views of the wider landscape. Menu-wise, start with the oyster bar trash with lump crab, blackened shrimp and lemon butter over rice, or the tempura lobster bites with a soy and ginger dipping sauce. Share an iced seafood tower for the table, then move on to stuffed flounder, Landry’s gumbo, or the signature fish Pontchartrain in white wine cream sauce. Choose a large SUV rental for when you roll out!
Book your spot for the best seafood restaurant in San Antonio
Pam’s Patio Kitchen
11826 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78230, United States
If you want to get off the beaten track with hidden gem restaurants in San Antonio, then Pam’s Patio Kitchen is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Serving up an eclectic mix of pizzas, sandwiches and tacos – comfort food at its finest – this family-run eatery is beloved by locals but still flying just under the radar for most tourists. Colorful and casual, with a choice of comfortable indoor seating or a spacious patio for soaking up the sun and people-watching while you dine. Only the freshest and finest ingredients make it onto the menu here, with seasonality as a focus point. Sandwiches are served on home-baked focaccia, always fresh from the oven – Claire’s turkey avocado is a must-try. Grilled Scottish salmon is another menu staple, cooked and seasoned to perfection. You can even build your own sandwich, starting with the staples of lettuce, marinated red onion and tomato, and adding your own proteins. Pack up the family in your 8-passenger van rental and give it a try.
Learn more about San Antonio
Before you start salivating over all the great places you’ll get to dine when you visit San Antonio, discover everything you need to know about the local area. Get tips on where to stay and all the top attractions with these handy guides from Hertz.
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