San Antonio is a melting pot of cultures, and one of the best ways to experience the city is through its food. From Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, where the French vibe may make you feel like you’re in Paris, to Lonesome Rose, where the air is thick with the irresistible aroma of barbecue, San Antonio’s culinary scene is thriving. Writer Sherry Spitsnaugle takes Real Food Travelers on a culinary tour of some of the most varied and delicious food in San Antonio, Texas.

Save this article to Pinterest to help you find some of the best food in San Antonio. Photos by Sherry Spitsnaugle. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Great Food in San Antonio: The Culinary Scene Heats Up in This Texas City

The iconic French melody, La Vie en Rose, played as I savored Pinot Gris and decadent bites of onion soup made with Cognac and thick bread topped with melted Emmental cheese. I felt like I’d been transported to a romantic streetside café in Paris.

But I was in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, dining at Brasserie Mon Chou Chou.

Located in the swanky Historic Pearl District of this friendly Texas city, Mon Chou Chou is one of a dozen eateries, from upscale to casual, within walking distance.

The Pearl, a lively 22-acre neighborhood situated along San Antonio’s Riverwalk, is also home to a posh grocery store, weekend markets, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. It’s like being in a little bubble of elegance and fun.

San Antonio Food Scene Includes French Fare

Designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015 and 2017, San Antonio’s culinary scene has exploded in the last few years.

Even my server spoke in a lilting French accent, as she described the cuisine at Brasserie Mon Chou Chou as “French comfort food.”

“We serve lots of potatoes, cheese, and bread,” she said as she poured a splash of wine for me to sample.

With its combination of French elegance and Texas charm, the brasserie’s affordability was also a plus. The bill for my glass of Pinot Gris, bowl of Lyon-style onion soup, and crème brulée with mixed berries totaled less than $40.

“Mon chou chou” is a term of endearment in the French language, often used as a nickname for someone special. The name made me like the stylish eatery even more.

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, a French restaurant located in San Antonio’s Pearl District, has a vibe reminiscent of a French café.

Hotel Emma Has a History as Juicy as a Margarita on a Hot Texas Day

In the heart of the Pearl District stands Hotel Emma, a 152-room luxe property with two outstanding restaurants: Supper and Southerleigh.

But it was the racy stories behind the hotel’s name that intrigued me. My chatty driver from the airport shared information about city sites and mentioned Hotel Emma as the “best (and priciest) hotel in town.”

He went on to tell the story of the “three Emmas.”

“A German immigrant named Otto Koehler arrived in San Antonio in 1881 and founded a brewhouse for the Pearl Brewery,” he began the tale.

Otto’s wife, Emma, was injured in a car accident, so her husband hired a live-in nurse to take care of her who was, coincidentally, named Emma. She had a friend, also a nurse, also named Emma. Otto set the nurses up in a house nearby and began an affair with both of them.

Trouble soon commenced.

According to a framed story on a wall at Hotel Emma, “Otto’s simultaneous dalliance with the two mistresses, both named Emma, ended abruptly in 1914 when one of them shot him dead.”

After her husband’s death, Otto’s wife, Emma Koehler recovered and took over brewery operations. A savvy businesswoman, Emma kept the brewery afloat even during Prohibition.

Emma continued as CEO of the brewery until the age of 84. According to reports, she had a reputation as a generous employer and philanthropist.

The luxury Hotel Emma in San Antonio’s Pearl District feels more like a rancher’s private estate.

Hungry for more? Read about a San Antonio Brewery Tour.

Hotel Emma—Sophisticated and Stylish

Today, the hotel feels more like a rancher’s private estate. Overstuffed sofas, soaring ceilings, and remnants of brewery operations fill the lobby and bar.

Southerleigh, located in Hotel Emma, serves “Texas cross-cultural cuisine,” including a Galveston-style shrimp boil, beef carpaccio, and cracker-crusted Gulf redfish. True to its location in the former Pearl brewhouse, Southerliegh taps into its history and offers 15 beers on tap.

Supper, offers a lovely patio and a pricier menu with entrees like grilled black angus and crispy country quail. Interestingly, Supper also serves breakfast and lunch.

A library open to guests at Hotel Emma offers a quiet space to linger.

Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio campus

Recognized for its culinary programs and state-of-the-art facility, the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio is also located in the Pearl District. The highly regarded institute turns out talented graduates, many of whom stay in the city to share their craft.

Culinary aficionados and aspiring home chefs can take classes at the institute to learn innovative cooking styles. The day I visited, a couple celebrating their anniversary was taking a class along with one student who had enrolled in his fifth class.

The onsite restaurant, Savor, serves a beautiful Beef Bourguignon in wine sauce with potatoes and bacon in an unpretentious setting.

Aspiring home chefs can sign up for classes at the Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio, located in the Pearl District.

Pullman Market

Pullman Market, which opened in 2024, is known for its emphasis on local foods, the freshest and most beautiful produce, a Chili Festival, and gourmet tacos.

The market is described as a “chef-driven, circular grocery store.”

The day I visited, the atmosphere was communal and fun. Music played, and the aroma of sizzling onions wafted through the air as shoppers waffled over whether to purchase white or purple cauliflower.

Restaurants such as Fife and Farro, and food stalls offering sushi, baked goods, and specialty coffee, create a lively atmosphere that captures the city’s essence.

Described as a chef-driven, circular grocery store, Pullman Market features beautiful, fresh produce that is locally grown.

Hungry for more? Read Sherry’s article about Oklahoma City’s dining scene.

Dining on San Antonio’s Riverwalk

One of the most popular—and tourist-filled—areas in San Antonio is the iconic Riverwalk.

Two friends and I selected Zocco Cuisine d’Italia on the Riverwalk for scallops, gnocchi, artisanal bread, and fried octopus. People-watching was at its best sitting near the Riverwalk.

Zocco Cuisine d’Italia on the Riverwalk adds a special touch to a dining reservation.

If you’re in town during Fiesta or certain holidays, you can see the quintessential San Antonio experience known as a river parade. People in colorful dress stand on decorated floating barges and drift down the river, waving to spectators.

The parade is a fun and festive celebration of the city’s history and culture.

On certain holidays throughout the year, the city hosts a river parade.

San Antonio’s Oldest Restaurant

When I asked my concierge at the Westin Riverwalk for dining ideas, her first recommendation was Schilo’s German Texan Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in San Antonio.

Located downtown, Schilo’s (pronounced “She-lows”) has been a San Antonio staple since 1917.

An old-fashioned German deli, Schilo’s features classic dishes like bratwurst, schnitzel, and sauerkraut.

The restaurant is famous for its homemade root beer and even ships the soft drink to places around the country.

I polished off an order of chicken and dumplings and then ordered a root beer float made with vanilla Blue Bell Ice Cream, named after the ubiquitous Texas wildflower.

Schilo’s, San Antonio’s oldest restaurant, is a German deli serving schnitzel and sauerkraut. The building has its original floor tiles and tin ceiling.

Honky-Tonk Time

Lonesome Rose, located a three-minute drive from the Pearl District, but a world away in vibe, is the place to two-step the night away.

The saloon is in a weathered building with a bright mural. Inside, the noisy, dimly lit bar brims with Lone Star beer, hot wings, queso, and Mesquite.

You can punch in a song on the jukebox or listen to a live band on certain nights, and the air is thick with the aroma of barbecue.

Adorning the walls are cowboy hats, mounted steer horns, photos of performers including Charley Pride, and a clock with the Pearl logo. The menu includes a cowboy breakfast, which consists of a shot of whiskey and a Slim Jim.

One of my travel companions asked, “What’s a Slim Jim?”

For those unfamiliar with the novelty, a Slim Jim is a cylindrical stick of “meat” commonly found in gas stations and convenience stores. Encased in plastic packaging, the to-go snack has a chewy texture, similar to beef jerky.

A Slim Jim pairs well with beer, or in this case, whiskey.

At Lonesome Rose, the atmosphere is rowdy and fun, complete with a live band. On the menu? A cowboy breakfast that includes a shot of whiskey and a Slim Jim.

San Antonio’s Culinary Charisma

From Coq au Vin to Tex-Mex to brisket, the dishes of San Antonio immersed me in the city’s rich culture and the traditions of the Lone Star State.

And, everyone I met, from Uber drivers to servers, made me feel right at home. I didn’t need to feel like I’d been transported to Paris. I was more than happy to be in San Antonio.

 If You Go to San Antonio

More dining choices in San Antonio include Biga on the Banks for fine cuisine, Best Quality Daughter for New Asian American dishes (don’t miss the garlic noodles), and Soluna for authentic Mexican food.

To enjoy an excellent location, book a balcony room at The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio.

For the best and most up-to-date information about San Antonio, check out Visit San Antonio.

 -Story and photos by Sherry Spitsnaugle