Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in San Antonio

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in San Antonio? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Zanzenberg Tavern

5.0

5 (39)

$30 and under

American

Comfort

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Diana

Dined 1 day ago

What a special place and special people that run it, the ambiance and the overall feel was magical and just so special and the food was phenomenal! Everything about the experience from arrival to our late night exit after a wonderful conversation with the chef and owner that truly made the whole experience 5 star…I so recommend this dining experience!

The Study at Dean’s

4.9

4.9 (19)

$31 to $50

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

Study the Classics.

Tucked away in a historic courtyard under century-old live oak trees, find The Study at Dean's. This reservation-only, intimate bar is a cocktail aficionado’s haven, ideal for those who appreciate higher touch ingredients, presentation, and ambiance. Linger over high-end cocktails and small bites in a charming atmosphere with raised banquettes, brass details, and original limestone walls - this is the educated choice for a place to connect and unwind.

Top review

LarryVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The study is an interesting room tucked into the back of a hotel restaurant area. It is quiet, and a great place to enjoy a late night cocktail. The bar menu could use a couple of other items besides little hors d’oeuvre size portions but overall it was what we needed last night a place to sit and talk.

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Experience

New Year's Eve, A Lesson in Libations - Evening

Experience

Study The Classics This Thanksgiving

Nicosi

4.9

4.9 (54)

$50 and over

Dessert

Downtown

About the restaurant

Submerse yourself in a dessert bar that will challenge your expectations by embracing acid, sweet, bitter, and savory all while extracting the nuances that truly makes them unique. Located at The Pearl, Nicosi only has only 20 seats that hug the kitchen, fostering one on one dialogue with the chefs.
To best accomodate your experience, reservations are required. We are offer 2 seating times per night: 5:30 and 8:00. Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Chef de Cuisine Karla Espinosa will guide an intimate journey through every dish, its ingredients, what makes it special and why it has been chosen for the evening. We offer wine and cocktail pairings or non-alcoholic beverage pairings for each course. Because Nicosi is about delighting in the present, we have a no phone/photography policy and the menu will be revealed as you dine. We are able to accommodate most dietary aversions and special requests with 24 hour notice. Please allow 90 minutes for your visit. Guests 16 and up, please.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Had a nice experience last night at Nicosi. Very unique experience and my group and I enjoyed it overall. Food courses are top quality, artistically presented and most were delicious. Drink pairing was really nice—even the alcohol-free versions. Not enough to consider this a meal, but more than just a dessert. Main opportunity I found is that the pace of the service was surprisingly fast. No down time at all between courses so the whole experience goes by extremely too fast. I think it was all over in about 30 minutes. Was really expecting it to be slower paced. Nice interaction with staff. Good for splurge.

Sidecar at Prince Solms Inn

4.9

4.9 (510)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

New Braunfels

About the restaurant

"Where craft meets quality. An evening at Sidecar, located in the heart of New Braunfels at the historic Prince Solms Inn, is like stepping back in time. The ambiently lit speakeasy features an extensive whiskey selection, live jazz and fantastic tapas. Whether you're enjoying the live music downstairs or imbibing in one of the private party rooms upstairs, the beauty of the building does not disappoint."

Top review

BrendaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Always a great date night at Side Car. Waitress was great and attentive. Piano man created the perfect night

Gonzales Bistro

4.9

4.9 (239)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Seguin

About the restaurant

Gonzales Bistro is an upscale restaurant that makes its home near the very heart of Independence square. We are the only restaurant by the square with prime & waygu aged steaks, fresh seafood, New England oysters. The bistro offers a Wine Spectator Magazine award winning wine list, craft cocktails including house made Tiki drinks. Our reputation is based on repeat diner loyalty not marketing.

Gonzales Bistro changes menus often in order to take advantage of local, seasonal products. Chef Parind's food has big flavors & is seasoned assertively, yet is nuanced, complex, and most importantly, balanced.

Come join us and experience big city dining without all the hassles. Gonzales Bistro is a intimate space with an open kitchen, wood ceilings, framed by great black & white pictures from a bygone era while the charming independence square offers free parking, wide open spaces & vistas of historic buildings. Nearby parks, art galleries and shopping define the sophistication of Gonzales.

Top review

Mandy

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

The food at Gonzales Bistro is always absolutely phenomenal! Each dish is a work of art. The Ahi tuna is some of the best I've ever had. The filet mignon is cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasoning so that you can really taste the flavor of the steak. It’s clear the chefs put a lot of care into their craft. The cocktail menu has a variety of expertly crafted drinks to choose from. The Mexican Martini and Espresso Martinis are personal favorites.

Signature

4.9

4.9 (2611)

$50 and over

American

La Cantera

About the restaurant

If you find yourself dreaming of the Texas Hill Country, savory comforts, spice, and the sultry depth of a fine Burgundy, you’ll be pleased to know about Signature at La Cantera Resort & Spa.

The menu is straightforward and beguiling, featuring contemporary interpretations of classic dishes — fresher, brighter versions of traditional cuisine enlivened with unconventional Texas spirit. Gulf seafood conspires with Atlantic Coast oysters flown in fresh, and the Hill Country is well-represented year-round. Local and organic ingredients change the menu as the seasons peak and wane, but the constants are quality, flavor, artistry in the kitchen and a warm welcome when you walk in the door.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food with attentive service. Highly recommend

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Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1564)

$30 and under

American

Camp Verde

About the restaurant

For more than 150 years, Camp Verde General Store has occupied this little piece of Texas. Give yourself a moment to indulge in the rich history of this timeless gem. Come relax in the shade, enjoy an ice-cold Coca-Cola™, have a one-of-a-kind sandwich from our enticing lunch menu and try our wide variety of savory jams, jellies and sauces.

Top review

Susan

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Great lunch today. Fantastic service from Patty, and the whole team. The meatloaf and the chop steak are delicious, the atmosphere is very festive, and the dining room is beautiful. Will be back!

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4.9

4.9 (2363)

$31 to $50

American

North San Antonio

About the restaurant

SILO Elevated Cuisine is sure to bring delight to all your senses. Enjoy creative, world-class cuisine served with meticulous attention to detail. Featuring contemporary American classics, prime steaks and seafood in a casual yet elegant dining environment.

Four Private Dining Rooms available for groups ranging in size from 8 to 90 with audio visual provided.

If a more relaxed experience is desired, visit Silo / Nonna Bar where you can sip classic and creative cocktails.

Top review

AshleyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

John & the team out did themselves!! Amazingly delicious meal & drinks! Service 1000/10. That Chilean sea bass was out of this world!!

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Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin

Popular dish

Signature Chicken Fried Oysters

Popular dish

Duck Spring Rolls

Dean's Steak & Seafood

4.6

4.6 (202)

$50 and over

Steak

Downtown

About the restaurant

Embrace the unique and step into the old school at Dean’s Steak & Seafood. Adapted into a historic 19th-century schoolhouse, this classic steakhouse and bar offers an elevated menu of prime steaks, A5 Japanese and Texas wagyu, and top-quality seafood. Simply put, this one-of-a-kind steakhouse is unlike anything else in the city.

If you're looking for an elevated bar experience, visit The Study at Dean's. This intimate speakeasy bar is a cocktail aficionado’s haven, ideal for those who appreciate higher touch ingredients, presentation, and ambiance. Linger over high-end cocktails and small bites in a charming atmosphere with raised banquettes, brass details, and a dedicated outdoor patio shaded under century-old live oak trees - this is the educated choice for a place to connect and unwind.

Top review

kathryn

Dined 1 day ago

It is a beautiful, modern, stylish restaurant. The food overall was fantastic, a miss with the Caesar salad and lobster tail but scallops and wedge salad amazing. Service was outstanding. We visited the rooftop bar after dinner and it is outstanding. Beautiful city views and great cocktails. This is a great addition to downtown dining.

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Experience

Get Cozy in The Courtyard - Dinner Service

Experience

Get Cozy in the Courtyard - Lunch & Brunch Service

Experience

Christmas Dinner at Dean's

Bazille – Nordstrom La Cantera

5.0

5 (99)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Cantera

About the restaurant

Bold flavors elevate beloved bistro classics in chic and inviting Bazille. Meet up with friends at the bar for internationally sourced wines and handcrafted cocktails. Stay for appetizers, salads, brick-oven pizzas and our tempting housemade desserts.
The Bazille is located on level 2 inside Nordstrom at The Shops at La Cantera.
Join us for Brunch on weekends.

Top review

Roel

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

I appreciate that Bazille maintains a positive vibe. The food is varied and always fresh and tasty. The large windows offer a nice view. Our server, Jason, provided excellent service, which is most important.

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Experience

Weekend Brunch 11am-3pm

Experience

Happy Hour at the Bazille!

Experience

Wine Wednesdays

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