Ultimate Guide to San Antonio Restaurants
Whether you're a lifelong local or just landed at SAT hungry for flavor, San Antonio’s food scene will blow your expectations out of the water. This guide dives deep into the city’s most mouthwatering eats—from elite brisket joints and taco trucks worth chasing, to family-friendly hangouts and playground-packed patios. At RoamerSA, we don’t do generic. Every spot on this list has been personally visited, rated, and curated to help you eat like a local, not a tourist. Use this as your go-to map for memorable meals across the Alamo City—BBQ, birria, bulgogi, and beyond.
Best San Antonio Barbecue
San Antonio is a city built on flavor, and when it comes to barbecue, it doesn’t hold back. From old-school smokehouses to innovative new kitchens, the best BBQ restaurants in San Antonio serve up everything from tender brisket and juicy ribs to creative fusion bites you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re near the San Antonio Riverwalk BBQ scene, exploring beloved neighborhood joints, or searching for standout San Antonio Korean BBQ, this list highlights the most unforgettable San Antonio BBQ spots. We've tasted our way through the top San Antonio Texas BBQ restaurants to bring you a guide to the absolute best in town. If you're after truly great San Antonio barbecue, start here.
Reese Bros Barbecue - Our Rating: 9.4/10
If brisket is the measuring stick, Reese Bros Barbecue is getting our top spot for best barbecue in San Antonio. Its exceptional brisket is tender, flavorful, and expertly smoked. It's not just the brisket that shines; the South Texas-inspired sides, like poblano mac & cheese and queso fundido sausage, elevate the entire experience.
The atmosphere is laid-back and inviting, with shaded outdoor seating, overhead fans, and a small bar for drinks. There’s ample parking in their private lot and it’s conveniently located on the Eastside, just minutes from downtown, it’s one of the few elite BBQ joints in the city that doesn’t require a long drive. This Bon Appétit-featured spot blends classic Texas BBQ technique with bold regional flair, making it a must-visit whether you're a local or visiting.
Featured Dishes: Brisket, Queso Fundido Sausage, Poblano Mac & Cheese
2M Smokehouse - Our Rating: 9.2/10
2M Smokehouse was once the undisputed top BBQ spot in San Antonio, and while the quality is still excellent, it’s lost a bit of its edge in recent years—especially compared to newer standouts like Reese Bros. Prices remain high, partly due to its lasting reputation, and small details like skimping on utensils detract slightly from the overall experience. That said, the BBQ is still some of the best in town. 2M is known for blending Central Texas barbecue with Mexican influences, offering standout dishes like Prime Angus brisket, tender ribs, and house-made serrano-Oaxaca sausage.
Helmed by nationally acclaimed pitmaster Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse a must-visit for both locals and BBQ enthusiasts from afar. Don’t miss the unique sides like Chicharoni Macaroni and house-made pickles. 2M recently hit the Michelin Recommended list and also in their best barbecue in Texas list.
Featured Dishes: Prime Angus Brisket, Ribs, Serrano-Oaxaca Sausage, Chicharoni Macaroni
Burnt Bean Co. (Seguin) - Our Rating: 9.2/10
Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin is a standout BBQ destination that blends bold Tejano flavors with classic Texas barbecue. Their brisket is exceptional, the pork ribs and sausage are consistently strong, and on weekends, you can splurge on the massive beef Dino rib (available only Saturdays and Sundays). Don’t skip the sides like the bacon ranch taters.
Burnt Bean Co. recently received the #1 spot on Texas BBQ monthly’s Best BBQ in Texas list, so while other people may disagree on its ranking at 3rd here, expect a long line that could be over an hour wait! Co-founded by pitmaster Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean has earned national acclaim, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand. With inventive specials like brisket huevos rancheros and menudo, it’s one of the most innovative and celebrated barbecue spots in Texas.
Featured Dishes: Brisket, Pork Ribs, Beef Dino Rib, Bacon Ranch Taters
Hungry for the best barbecue in San Antonio? Our full guide ranks top San Antonio BBQ spots by the quality of their brisket—Texas’s ultimate test—while also factoring in standout sides, unique vibes, and bold cultural influences. Check out our full 👉 Best San Antonio Barbecue article to explore everything from Michelin-recognized brisket to Tejano-style plates and Cajun-inspired comfort food that define the city’s smoky soul.
Best Tacos in San Antonio
When it comes to tacos, few cities do it better than San Antonio. From legendary San Antonio taquerias to late-night food trucks and hidden neighborhood gems, this city is packed with flavor at every corner. Whether you're craving an iconic San Antonio breakfast taco to kick off your morning or scouting the best San Antonio taco restaurants for lunch or dinner, this guide has you covered. We’ve rounded up the top places to experience the true spirit of a San Antonio taco—pastor, barbacoa, breakfast, and more—all served the way locals like it: bold, fresh, and unforgettable.
Tacos West Avenue – Our Rating: 9.2/10
Tacos West Avenue is a longtime San Antonio staple for classic street tacos, especially beef steak and pastor. The location was revamped in recent years, but parking can be tough—especially in the small main lot. While the surrounding area isn't the most ideal, the tacos remain strong, though some locals say quality has dipped slightly. Specialties include pastor, bistec, lengua, cabeza, suadero, tripas, and chorizo. For the full experience, top your taco with salsa first, then squeeze fresh lime juice over it—the proper way to enjoy a true Mexican taco.
Award:
Taquitos El Jefe – Our Rating: 9.1/10
Located on the Southside, Taquitos El Jefe is a beloved food truck and a go-to for many longtime San Antonians. It’s especially popular among those who grew up in the area and crave a truly traditional taco experience. The truck consistently delivers bold flavors and solid portions—this is real-deal Mexican street food.
Award:
Original Donut Shop – Our Rating: 8.8/10
The Original Donut Shop is a breakfast icon in San Antonio, known equally for its fluffy donuts and hearty breakfast tacos. It's a nostalgic and satisfying place to kick off your morning with strong coffee, good vibes, and one of the city’s most dependable breakfast taco menus.
Craving more of the best tacos in San Antonio? From sizzling pastor and loaded breakfast tacos to standout picks like machacado at Pepe’s, brisket at Garcia’s, tacos al vapor or birria done right, we’ve got your cravings covered. Check out our full guide to the 👉 Best Tacos in San Antonio for top picks in barbacoa, carnitas, vegan tacos, fusion favorites, and more.
Best Family Restaurants in San Antonio
Looking for the best family restaurants in San Antonio? You’re in the right place. Finding a spot that satisfies both picky kids and hungry adults can be tough—but here in San Antonio, family-friendly dining doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or fun. From backyard icehouses with playgrounds to Korean BBQ spots where you cook at the table, these restaurants offer more than just great food. Think goat pens for photo ops, live music, spacious patios, and even gluten-free and vegan options.
These are the San Antonio family restaurants where parents can relax and kids can play—because a great family meal should be fun, stress-free, and full of flavor.
KPOT Korean BBQ - Our Rating: 9.1/10
KPOT is a lively all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ hot spot that offers a unique dining experience where you cook your own food at the table. It's an interactive, San Antonio fun family restaurant outing. They’ll even sing to you on your birthday, and you can take a picture with their mascot. The food is top-notch, and the variety makes it a memorable experience.
The entire table must agree on one dining format: hot pot (a soup-based option), Korean BBQ (the most popular choice), or a combination of both (at an added $5 cost per guest). Leftovers aren’t allowed to discourage over-ordering.
One highlight is their amazing sauce bar, where you can mix your own sauces or ask the staff for suggestions. The servers will even make custom sauces for you—mixing the right flavors can be an art form in itself.
As of now, weekend dinner is $30 for adults, $12 for kids (ages 4–6), and $16 for ages 7–10. Parking is easy, but expect crowds—call ahead for parties of 8+ or join the Yelp waitlist for smaller groups. My personal favorite dishes: the spicy beef and spicy pork bulgogi for the BBQ.
Screaming Goat Yard & Tap - Our Rating: 9/10
Screaming Goat Yard & Tap is a lively, country-style spot with great live music acts, outdoor seating, corn hole, and a goat pen perfect for kid photo ops. The atmosphere is casual and fun, making it a great stop for families or groups looking to hang out and unwind.
The food is excellent—don’t miss the red beans and rice with andouille sausage, the massive pretzel, or the muffaletta sandwich. Honestly, everything we've had here has been great. They also serve craft coffee, which is a nice bonus you might not expect from a spot like this.
They host fun events like goat yoga and all-you-can-eat catfish nights on Thursdays. On weekends, expect a long wait—sometimes over an hour—so it’s a good idea to call ahead and check wait times. Luckily, there’s plenty of space to grab a drink, visit with the goats, and play games while you wait.
There’s also a separate area available to rent for private events. And yes, this place is BYOG—Bring Your Own Grass—for the goats to eat! (Just make sure to call ahead and get permission; we don’t recommend feeding the goats without checking with Screaming Goat first 🙂)
Best with Playground
The Dog Co. Icehouse - Our Rating: 8.9/10
The Dog Co. Icehouse truly has something for everyone: a dog park, live music stage, food trucks, bar, and a large playground. It’s wildly popular, especially with parents, kids, and young adults. There’s also a beach volleyball court above the playground. Drinks are reasonably priced. It can get packed, and parking may require walking from a secondary lot across the street, but it’s worth the hassle for the vibrant, inclusive vibe.
Looking for more of the best family restaurants in San Antonio? From top spots with playgrounds to downtown gems, Hill Country hideaways, and places with activities that serve food, we’ve got you covered. Check out our full guide to the 👉 Best Family Restaurants in San Antonio for picks by best food & environment, location, and more.