Top Must-Try Restaurants And Grills In San Antonio, Texas

Bliss, named after head chef Mark Bliss, is a fine-dining experience that offers a tranquil and relaxing evening. With an upscale approach to contemporary American food, Bliss has few serious competitors for the top spot in local dining. Located in a modernist building that is as unique as the food, Bliss’ menu changes depending on the season to ensure the freshest ingredients. The gorgeously prepared dishes include crafted selections of charcuterie, artisanal cheese and homemade bread. For a classy approach to dining, try your meal with wines and beers that are expertly picked.

Welcome to Chris Madrid’s, where Chris Madrid has been serving classic burgers since 1977. This quaint and friendly restaurant offers each customer personal attention to make sure they receive a high quality plate of food. Located in an old gas station and cantina, the Tex-Mex décor that adorns this site adds to the relaxing atmosphere. While at the cantina, try out some iced down longnecks and frozen margaritas. Chris Madrid’s is special because they highly value customer feedback and wants customers to be genuinely satisfied. So those who take issue with one of the six amazing hamburgers or the fresh cut fries can voice those complaints. We don’t think there will be anything negative to say, however, as this family of chefs makes the best burgers in San Antonio.

In order to prepare for a lifetime of crafting authentic Italian pizzas, Dough Pizzeria owner Doug Horn flew to Naples to learn the tricks of pizza-crafting. When Horn arrived back in Texas, he brought back his experiences and an original pizza oven. This oven has been used since his return to create dazzling and tasty pizzas that make customers want to come back for more. Opened in 2007, Dough has many customers requesting the ‘pork love’ pizza, which is topped with salami, sausage, speck, pancetta, and mozzarella. For those less fond of pizza, Dough offers other Italian appetizers that range from caprese to burrata cheese.

Opened in 1933, The Esquire Tavern has been fueled by the 21st Amendment which brought about the end of prohibition in America. Today, nearly a century later, this tavern still offers the best beers and cocktails to those in need. With creative names for the drinks served—such as the ‘Desert Bird’ and ‘Capone’s Revolver’—there is nothing better than a Nuestra Margarita, which combines blanco with highland reposado, accentuated by French triple sec and key lime. This margarita is known far and wide as one of the best drinks in the country. The ambiance is also a winner, thanks to the dark color palette and unique design created out of the ceiling, floral wallpaper and 100 foot long wooden bar top. The bar top is the longest in all of Texas, so take a picture while you’re hanging out at The Esquire Tavern.

In a town dominated by locals with a Mexican heritage, it’s important to find good Mexican cuisine. Rosario’s solves this need by offering traditional Mexican fare cooked expertly — try the chorizo quesadilla or the shrimp nachos, or experiment with the Aztec soup with smoky chipotle tomato and shredded chicken. Known for more than just great food, Rosario’s is famous because of its colorful and lighted performance venue. The happy and appealing bar welcomes guests who want artfully prepared drinks to start the night, with a special menu created simply for the margaritas.

Schilo’s, an authentic German deli, has crafted a strong reputation since its opening in 1917. Located in heart of downtown San Antonio this restaurant is one of the oldest, continually operated spots to eat and prides itself on being housed in an old mercantile exchange building from the 1800s. Schilo’s brings back the days when much of the San Antonio population was German. Keeping with tradition, the old signage, postcards, and tiled floor are still intact and grace customers upon entrance. Perhaps what Schilo’s is best known for is the hot mustard, which is sold by the bottle. If mustard doesn’t sound appealing try the homemade root beer, split pea soup, or even a reuben sandwich.