It's been years since my first visit to San Antonio, and back then, I didn't have quite the same love for exploring new cities that I do today. A lot has changed since that trip, and I was excited to experience more of what San Antonio has to offer.
One of the first things I noticed was how deeply Mexican culture is woven into the city. I happened to be visiting around Día de los Muertos, and there were colorful murals, artwork, and celebrations throughout town.
As is often the case with my travels, I was in San Antonio for a nutrition conference. That meant I didn't get to explore quite as much as I normally would, but I still discovered some gems, especially when it came to food. If anything, this trip made me want to come back and explore more of the city's growing culinary scene.
Here's my mini guide to where to eat, stay, and explore in San Antonio.
Where to Stay in San Antonio
AC Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk
I stayed at the AC Hotel, part of the Marriott family of hotels. It's a more budget-friendly option, with nightly rates ranging from approximately $160-220 when I booked.
The location was especially convenient. The hotel is in downtown San Antonio, right near the River Walk, and I could easily walk to and from the convention center.
This isn't a luxury hotel, so don't expect top-of-the-line amenities or service. However, it was comfortable, reasonably priced, and had everything I needed for my stay. I'd recommend it if you're looking for a convenient downtown hotel without spending a fortune.
Where to Eat in San Antonio
Mezquite
This was easily one of my favorite meals in San Antonio! Located inside Pullman Market at the Pearl, Mezquite specializes in Sonoran-inspired Mexican cuisine and has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction.
We ordered the chef's selection for $55 per person, allowing the kitchen to choose our dishes. Everything was delicious, but the ceviche negro was particularly memorable. It's one of those dishes I'll be thinking about for a long time. Other highlights included the guacamole, berenjena asada (charred eggplant), roasted beets, pork chop, and tres leches for dessert.
If you're planning a trip to San Antonio, I highly recommend prioritizing dinner here. Make a reservation in advance!
Pinkerton's Barbecue
Even though I'm not the biggest barbecue person, I knew I couldn't visit Texas without having some good barbecue.
Pinkerton's is a casual barbecue spot with a laid-back atmosphere, a large outdoor seating area, and a building that almost feels like someone's house. There was a line when I arrived for lunch, and I waited approximately 30 minutes to order. It's cafeteria-style, so you choose your sides and order your meats by weight.
And the food? Absolutely delicious. I'd recommend trying the brisket, pork ribs, and a selection of sides. If I enjoyed it this much as someone who doesn't typically seek out barbecue, I imagine barbecue lovers will especially appreciate it.
Just be prepared for a possible wait during popular lunch hours.
Supper at Hotel Emma
Located inside the beautiful Hotel Emma at the Pearl, Supper serves seasonal, farm-to-table-inspired American cuisine. The food was very good, although I wouldn't say it was one of my most memorable meals in San Antonio. Portions were on the smaller side, but they worked well for us.
What really sold me on Supper was the atmosphere. Between the gorgeous hotel, the restaurant's ambiance, and the outdoor views overlooking the river, it's such a lovely place to enjoy a meal.
I'd recommend coming here for the overall experience, especially if you're already planning to explore the Pearl.
Rosario's ComidaMex & Bar
Rosario's is a longtime San Antonio restaurant serving Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites in the Southtown neighborhood. I visited with a group of friends and ordered the mole enchiladas. The food was good, but it wasn't particularly memorable compared with some of my other meals.
I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to eat here again, but it's a perfectly fine option if you're dining with a group. Personally, I'd prioritize Mezquite and Pinkerton's first.
Other San Antonio Restaurants on My List
There were a few other places I wanted to try but couldn't fit into my schedule:
Pharm Table: A restaurant focused on locally sourced ingredients, globally inspired flavors, and a wellness-oriented approach to dining.
Taquitos West Ave: Known for its Mexican street tacos. I'm especially disappointed I didn't make it here!
Best Quality Daughter: An Asian American restaurant at the Pearl known for its creative dishes and colorful, eclectic interior.
These are still on my list for a future visit.
Where to Get Coffee in San Antonio
Local Coffee
Located at the Pearl, Local Coffee is a convenient stop before exploring the neighborhood. The coffee was good. Nothing particularly extraordinary, but I enjoyed it and wouldn't hesitate to return. If you're already spending time at the Pearl, it's worth stopping by for a cup.
Best Things to Do in San Antonio
Visit the Japanese Tea Garden
One of my favorite experiences in San Antonio was visiting the Japanese Tea Garden, located approximately 15 minutes from downtown.
This beautiful garden features winding paths, stone bridges, lush greenery, koi ponds, and a waterfall. Best of all, admission is completely free! The garden isn't particularly large, so you can explore it relatively quickly. I'd recommend visiting earlier in the morning before it gets too crowded.
It's also a beautiful setting for wellness activities. During my visit, I attended a yoga and sound bath experience hosted by Tenshi Health and Fitness. Listening to the sound bowls alongside the waterfall and surrounding nature sounds was such a lovely way to start the morning.
Good to know: The garden is generally open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but check the official website before visiting.
Take a Yoga Class at Black Swan Yoga
I've taken classes at Black Swan Yoga several times while visiting Austin, so I was excited to check out their San Antonio studio.
I attended a 45-minute morning flow. The class was less challenging than some of the classes I've taken at their Austin locations, but it was still an enjoyable way to move my body and start the day. If you enjoy incorporating movement into your travels, this is a great option.
Explore the Pearl District
If there's one neighborhood I'd recommend visiting that is not downtown San Antonio, it's the Pearl.
Once home to the historic Pearl Brewery, this former industrial area has been transformed into a lively neighborhood filled with restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores, and beautiful spaces to explore. A few places worth checking out:
Pullman Market: A culinary marketplace featuring specialty groceries, local food products, a butcher, a bakery-style selection of food counters (including a tortilleria!), and several restaurants. This is also where you'll find Mezquite.
Hotel Emma: A gorgeous boutique hotel housed in the former brewery. The interiors combine industrial details with warm, vintage-inspired furnishings and plenty of character. Even if you're not staying here, it's worth stepping inside to admire the space.
Feliz Modern Pop: One of my favorite little shops in the neighborhood! It has colorful gifts, unique ornaments, and playful home accessories, including plenty of Latina-inspired designs. Such a fun place to browse.
You could easily spend a few hours wandering around the Pearl, stopping for coffee, shopping, and enjoying a meal.
Walk Along the San Antonio River Walk
You can't visit San Antonio without experiencing the River Walk at least once. This network of pedestrian pathways follows the San Antonio River below street level, winding past restaurants, hotels, bridges, and landscaped areas in the heart of the city.
The central stretch is undeniably touristy, and I wouldn't necessarily prioritize the restaurants along it when San Antonio has so many other great places to eat. But it's still a unique part of the city and absolutely worth experiencing.
For a quieter walk or morning run, head toward the Museum Reach section of the river near the Pearl. It's generally less crowded and offers a more peaceful atmosphere.
Final Thoughts on Visiting San Antonio
Although this was a shorter visit than I would have liked, San Antonio surprised me with its food scene, vibrant Mexican cultural influences, and unique neighborhoods.
My biggest highlights were dinner at Mezquite, exploring the Pearl, and experiencing a sound bath at the Japanese Tea Garden.
There's still so much more I want to see and taste, so I have a feeling I'll be back. Until then, I hope this mini guide helps you discover a few places worth adding to your San Antonio itinerary!
San Antonio is just one of the many destinations I've enjoyed exploring. If you're planning your next trip, you can browse more of my U.S. travel guides for inspiration on where to eat, stay, and explore.