Pinkerton's Barbecue, located downtown, has quickly become one of the most popular hot spots for Texas barbecue in the Alamo City, and we know why! They have a chef-driven approach to classic Texas-style barbecue utilizing old school techniques along with superior natural ingredients. At Pinkerton's, you buy it by the pound and can expect all of your delectable favorites done right, including prime brisket, sausage (jalapeno cheese, boudin, as examples), turkey, glazed pork ribs and chicken wings. Grant Pinkerton is the owner and pitmaster of this sultry-smoky pit stop and loves barbecue as much as you do. He also gets a lot of compliments on Pinkerton's sides, which are scratch-made every single day. You'll want to sample them all, but for sure get an order of the Baller Rosemary Bacon Mac & Cheese, Duck & Sausage Jambalaya and the Jalapeno Cheese Rice. Deelish! Dine in on one of their three patios. Why not try it tonight?!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Pinkerton's is one of the hot new restaurants for everyone's favorite Texas barbecue.
Kimberly's expert tip: Take your BBQ to-go! There's a nearby park where you can enjoy a romantic or friendly picnic. Don't forget the blanket!
La Fonda is one of the prettiest restaurants in the city, with its white stucco and gorgeous patio covered by a giant oak tree. Sipping a margarita and eating La Fonda's signature salsa that tastes as if the ingredients were picked fresh that day, you feel like you just might be in Mexico. Although this delicious Tex-Mex restaurant has all of your favorites, the level of quality that La Fonda's is known for makes the meal as guilt-free as possible. Some local favorites are the Chile Relleno, the Shrimp Enchiladas and the Fish Tacos, which comes with a zesty salad and a spicy grilled jalapeno. If you have the appetite, be sure to start the meal out right with some of their addictive queso or homemade guacamole!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: La Fonda is known to have one of the best patios for outdoor dining in town. Bask under the beautiful tree in this hacienda-style courtyard.
Kimberly's expert tip: Margaritas and fish tacos for the win!
Boudro's Texas Bistro is the ideal spot for intimate lunches or dinners as well as large parties and convention groups. They can accommodate you inside or on one of their special river barges, catered exactly to your taste. The Chef offers culinary inventiveness with the use of fresh, local ingredients that help make this restaurant so sought after. The delicious frozen margaritas are made with swirls of crimson prickly pear juice, and the menu revels in dishes like black lacquered duck leg, papaya-marinated flank steak, mesquite-grilled Texas quail, and shrimp and crab enchiladas. Boudro's truly has some of the best food on the River, from smoked shrimp enchiladas and blackened prime rib to seafood straight from the Gulf.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Boudro's is consistently one of the best restaurants on the River Walk and also offers riverside dining.
Kimberly's expert tip: Check out their website to sign up for their riverboat dining, a magnificent way to explore downtown San Antonio!
It's difficult to explain what an exceptionally delightful experience Outlaw Kitchens provides without experiencing it for yourself. Tucked away in one of San Antonio's quaint neighborhoods, just a few minutes north of downtown, this husband and wife duo have created a restaurant that is truly one-of-a-kind. Chef Sartory has decades of experience as a chef. He both graduated and taught at the CIA, and yet there's no pomp and circumstance here. In fact, guests compare it to having dinner at a friend's house who happens to be a really, really good cook. The restaurant menu changes every few days and is available a la carte or as a 3-course prix fixe, including an appetizer, entree and dessert. Choices are limited, so be sure to check the website ahead of time, although it's fun to be surprised here. Dishes range from seared Scottish Salmon and Vegetable Lasagna to Pan-Seared Chicken stuffed with shrimp and spinach or Goat Mac-N-Cheese. From the historic building to the herb garden that gets utilized in the dishes, not to mention the charming patio, Outlaw Kitchens simply shines on every level.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Outlaw Kitchens is a charming neighborhood restaurant truly unlike anywhere else in San Antonio.
Kimberly's expert tip: The offerings are constantly changing, so be sure to check out the menu online to make sure it's to your liking.
Somehow, perhaps by pure magic, Brassiere Mon Chou Chou managed to capture the essence of a Parisian bistro in the heart of South Texas, and it's utterly delightful! This new restaurant succeeds on every level, from the cuisine to the service, environment and vibe. Let's start with the food. You simply can't go wrong. The Raclette cheese sandwich on a crisp baguette with smoked paprika aioli, cornichon and (if you so choose) Bayonne ham has received rave reviews, but when it comes to must-haves, the Lyon-style onion soup with Emmental cheese and Cognac is as close to heaven on earth as one can get. The Lobster Bisque with its puff pastry cap is also impressive. Dishes may come and go, but hopefully the crisp duck confit in a green peppercorn sauce will stand the test of time. Every single bite here titillates the tongue.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Mon Chou Chou is one of the newest offerings at the historic Pearl Brewery that's simply slaying with their fabulous menu!
Kimberly's expert tip: They also feature a phenomenal brunch on Sunday, but you'd better make reservations weeks in advance.
DASHI is the newest offering from restauranteur, Kristina Zhao, who has made a name for herself with Sichuan House. Similarly, DASHI will be serving mouth-watering contemporary Sichuanese cuisine, a rare treat in San Antonio, where Tex-Mex typically rules. Not here. This extensive and diverse menu is filled with Sichuan delights as good as if you were dining in the Southwest region of China at this very moment - the area where Sichuan food first originated. Your biggest challenge here is deciding what to eat. The owner herself recommends the succulent Mongolian ribeye, spicy and savory lobster, the popular Burning Man Noodles (made with crispy beef and veggies), the wok-seared chicken, Combo Sizzling Rice, baby bao and the DASHI Spicy Whole Fish, just to name a few. Is your mouth watering yet? Good thing they also have a menu of specialty cocktails to balance all of that spicy deliciousness, such as the Kowloon Station, made with sake, rice milk, mango and orgeat.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: DASHI is a cutting edge Sichuan restaurant offering an array of scratch made Chinese food that will have you coming back again and again!
Kimberly's expert tip: Order as many dishes as you can and share it all!
The restaurateurs of the hugely popular neighborhood oyster bar, Little Em's Oyster Bar, took it next level with their newest Southtown restaurant, Up Scale. The owners took inspirations from their world travels to curate a divine menu fit for a king and queen. Up Scale promises to bring sexy back to the culinary realm with an eclectic menu that's sure to seduce even the most reluctant diner. The menu is a little bit sushi, a little bit seafood and a little bit steakhouse all rolled into one. Guests can start off with some Akami Tuna and Ora King Nigiri, fun rolls like the Up Scale Roll, made with toro, asparagus, kizami wasabi, yuzu kosho, red onion, cavier and gold flakes. Appetizers range from Cavier Deviled Eggs with white truffle oil to Wagyu Carpaccio with candied pistachios for an umami flavor blast. Entrees range from New Zealand Dover Sole with foie gras buttered farro to 60 Day Dry Aged Tomahawk steak. Keep in mind, the menu aims to be seasonal, so dishes may change. Are you ready to dig in?
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Up Scale makes for a great date night or a fun evening with close friends.
Kimberly's expert tip: Parking can be a challenge in this neighborhood, so make sure to plan ahead and keep an eye out for no parking signs.
James Beard Award finalist, Chef Steve McHugh, has done it again with his newest restaurant, Landrace, located at the stunning downtown hotel, Thompson San Antonio. What has he done? In fact, he has created a "landmark" restaurant worthy of a Michelin star, if only Texas was on the list. Chef McHugh endeavors to honor Texas and its bounty by showcasing foods that can be traced back to the land. His seasonal menu celebrates regional ingredients and heritage growers. The gorgeous dining room and superior service set the tone before you even take a single bite. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The offerings range from seafood, such as wild caught scallops with corn and truffle orzo to favorite Texas meats, such as slow-cooked bison short ribs with raclette grits and dinosaur kale. How about a perfectly-charred Wagyu Filet Mignon with Bramble bordelaise and Hudson Valley foie gras or gulf crab fingers? You got it!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Landrace is one of San Antonio's premier restaurants with exceptional service, cuisine and atmosphere.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to leave room for Chef McHugh's signature carrot cake topped with locally-sourced prickly pear icing. Divine!
Let Enrique Tomas whisk you away to Spain while dining along San Antonio's famous River Walk. This renowned international restaurant featuring authentic Spanish tapas and other dishes, made with fine Spanish ingredients like Iberico ham, called Jamón Iberico, is a true delight that the Alamo City is thrilled to welcome with open arms. The restaurant is large and well appointed with exceptional staff and sophisticated decor. The jamón station in the main dining room instantly catches your eye and a tasting of these aged hams should be your first introduction to this restaurant to gain a tasty perspective. Although every bite is absolutely delicious, be prepared to fall in love with their Patatas Bravas, Asparagus Wrapped in Jamón Gran Reserva, Homemade Jamón Croquettes, and so much more. Buen provecho!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: This rooftop venue takes the downtown San Antonio scene to a whole new level with chic fine dining and elegance in all aspects.
Kimberly's expert tip: You can find convenient parking in Rivercenter Mall. Just head down to River Walk level to find the restaurant.
Carriqui is a sublime new addition to the culinary landscape in San Antonio! Located in the Historic Pearl area, Carriqui is a breath of fresh air, from the moment you see the exterior of the restaurant with its almost coastal vibe. Interestingly, the building has a long and storied past. In the late 1800s, it was home to Boehler's Liberty Saloon, a local watering hole, and eventually evolved into one of the most iconic restaurants in town, called Liberty Bar. As for the cuisine at Carriqui, Chef Jaime Gonzalez, who no doubt earned his stripes at Supper (also at the Pearl), is at the helm here, creating dishes that feel equally homey and refined. The menu showcases South Texas Foodways, such as locally-sourced seafood, brisket and barbacoa and a wide array of Tex-Mex favorites cleverly reimagined by the chef. For example, the Carriqui Nachos, which is actually just one giant nacho that you can break up as you like, is made with grilled nopales, Quesillo, burnt ends and crema on a housemade corn tortilla that's packed with flavor!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Fall because: Carriqui just opened in September of 2022, but is bound to be one of San Antonio's most revered restaurants.
Kimberly's expert tip: With their expansive patio, it's the perfect place to dine this fall. The Achiote Spiced Chicken Al Carbon is a must!