Since we’ve presented our list of the city’s best new restaurants. We took a break in 2020 as the industry worked to survive COVID-related shutdowns and challenges, and in 2021 opted for a roundup of San Antonio’s top 30 restaurants—a celebration of long-time favorites and newcomers that not only made it through the pandemic but also thrived despite it. With that in mind, this year’s list of where to eat now includes eateries that opened in 2021 and 2022. The restaurants profiled here span from upscale to casual spots, Mexican street food and refined Texas fare to top-notch South Texas barbecue and decadent brunch. Each stands out for various reasons and most have accomplished the rare combination of quality ingredients, creative dishes and tremendous service presented in an environment that complements the food. All are worthy of adding to your dining bucket list and further proof that San Antonio deserves its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Note: Perhaps notably missing from this list are Ladino and Full Belly’s Olmos Park location, which were preparing to open shortly before this issue went to press. We’re excited to visit and take a closer look at them in upcoming issues.
