The 12 best restaurants in San Antonio right now

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No one pizza is created the same, and while Neopotlaian style is the reigning queen in this down, ask any local what their favorite is, and you will get a different answer. But Il Forno tops many lists. From the hand-built brick oven, house-cured meats, and a rotating number of pickled items for their antipasti plates, this place makes a truly great pie. The pizzas are all one size fits all and are 12”, and the menu is diverse, offering a variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Be sure to try the cleverly named "things found underground" with its fontana cheese and preserved lemon, among other unique ingredients, it's a menu standout. And with a great wine list and happy hour, Il Forno’s pizza is hard to beat!

Behind grand illuminated doors of a renovated historical building, Cured serves homemade, sustainable charcuterie, cured meats, and locally sourced produce and seafood from Gulf suppliers. Meats are cured for up to a year and offered with suggested beer, wine or cocktail pairings that enhance the flavors. Multiple James Beard Award finalist chef Steve McHugh’s mains reflect seasonality at its very best. Don't miss the Heritage Hog Poutine with Wisconsin cheddar curds and pickled cauliflower if it's your first time

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou is a serious straight-of-Paris situation. If it weren’t for the twang and extreme patio heat, you’d forget you were in Texas altogether. First, there’s the very French interiors—mosaic tiled floors, brass lights and petit seating, and then there’s the food. The Escargots, Chariot de Fromages and Demi-Poulet Roti are magnifique (translation: y’all will love the snails, cheese and roast chicken). Save both stomach and camera space for the gorgeous creme brulee and profiterole presentation at the end.

Not even a pandemic could stop this 2020 opening from being a runaway success. The pink bungalow is the town’s talk of Asian-American cuisine. Most of the mains are served family-style, such as the Hakka Stuffed Tofu and the ginormous Char Siu Roast Pork Shoulder that comes with heavenly little baos. Still, you’re welcome to go individually and have your own plate of Miso Ginger Noodles and Impossible Potstickers if you wish. A separate bar with Thai tea cocktails and a decent happy hour is worth coming in early for.

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Located in a restored firehouse (complete with a pole) in the center of Southtown, Battalion brings Italian fine dining to San Antonio. The grilled mackerel and red meat dishes are scrumptious, but the handmade pasta dishes—like fettuccine, lasagna and spaghetti—are the real standouts. House favorites like savory bucatini ai frutti di mare (with clams and octopus) and classic eggplant parmesan are served in smaller, tapas-style portions, so order two or three to ensure you leave full. 

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Opened in 2018, The Jerk Shack has risen up the culinary ranks recently, serving up the best Caribbean food in San Antonio and beyond. Nicola Blaque, owner and chef of the restaurant, was nominated for a James Beard award in 2023, and it's easy to see why in the food she is making. With its pretty extensive menu and daily specials, it's sure to please the crowd. Menu items include tacos on Monday with a choice of jerk or chicken or pork, jerk chicken wings with mac and cheese is available Friday through Sunday, and a delectable oxtail you can grab on Fridays through the weekend with sides like cabbage and carrots and rice and peas. Jerk Shack has that if you're after more traditional Caribbean fare, too. From flakey beef patties to complex, well-spiced curries, Jerk Shack has one tasty option after another.

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For native Texans, having a great streak can be a truly transformative experience. One place that has been serving up amazing cuts of meat for over 20 years is the famed steak house Bohanan's Prime Steaks and Seafood, located in downtown San Antonio. Combining the larger elegance of a steakhouse experience with a twist, Bonhanan’s is a local institution. While this can be a pricey experience, having their juicy filets from a mesquite grill is worth it, or you can split the well-portioned double-center cut pork chop with a date. Don't forget the seafood items here, which include some unique dishes such as a mesquite grilled red snapper that's topped with a decadent cream-based sauce featuring crab meat, scallops, and chanterelle mushrooms. 

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Opened in 1970, Niki's has become a stalwart when it comes to Japanese food within San Antonio's Edison neighborhood. Family owned and operated for 50 years, Niki's offers a killer sushi menu, such as maki and sashimi, among other popular items. Other dishes like Japanese-style barbecue beef are served with a side of kimchi, or even Agesakana, a perfectly fried whole fish topped with ponzu sauce. The tatami-style floor seating is a real treat for those who haven't experienced it before.

2M Smokehouse shows up on "best barbecue" lists time and time again, so it's no surprise that the line snakes around the East Side restaurant on the regs. The odd hours don't help; 2M is only open Thursday through Sunday, from 11am to 4pm (or earlier, if they sell out). Pitmaster Esaul Ramos gives a Tex-Mex spin to the more traditional brisket-centered barbecue common in south Texas. Expect dishes like chorizo and jalapeño cornbread in addition to long-standing favorites like baby back ribs, potato salads, and sausage. In a hurry? 2M Smokehouse's turkey sandwiches and tacos are perfect for on-the-go.

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When Vatel Bistro closed its doors in 2017, San Antonio's collective mourning for French food didn't have to last long. Spearheaded by former Vatel Bistro chef Damien Watel, Bistr09 dishes out modern French fare like steak frites and duck confit as well as new creations like elk burgers during the evening as well as a fantastic Sunday brunch that features one of the city's best Eggs Benedict. 

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This is one of San Antonio’s go-to spots for breakfast and—you guessed it—pancakes. With over 20 different varieties, it can be a little overwhelming, but there’s no way to go wrong. And with short stacks for only $7.99 and a tall for $1 more, it's one of the best deals in town. If pancakes aren't your thing, try something else from the list of greasy-spoon classics—think omelets, sandwiches, and more.  

There’s no shortage of authentic Mexican restaurants in SA, but Mixtli is a cut above the rest, offering seasonal menu items made with the freshest ingredients. For a special occasion opt for the family-style tasting menu, which takes place at the 12-seat chef's table. The multi-course experience takes you on a culinary tour of Mexico.