Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in San Antonio

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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

La Fonda on Main

4.8

4.8 (5249)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Central

About the restaurant

Located just a few minutes from downtown in architecturally rich Monte Vista neighborhood, La Fonda on Main is the oldest Mexican food restaurant in San Antonio. La Fonda serves both the best of Tex-Mex cuisine as well as authentic dishes of interior Mexico in a fun and casual setting with beautiful patio dining. We're open 7 days a week offering our full menu as well as family meals and catering options on curbside. Happy Hour is Monday-Thursday from 3pm-6pm. We offer a full bar with a wide variety of liquor, beer and wine. Saturday's and Sunday's we serve brunch from 10:00am-3:00pm. Our fabulous margaritas are made with hand-squeezed limes and your choice of a large selection of tequilas and mezcals. Our famous patio is heated from the ground up for chilly nights under the stars and lights in the trees.

Top review

JessicaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food! Amazing service! Beautiful restaurant!

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4.8

4.8 (493)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

North Central

About the restaurant

At Clementine, we’re serving seasonal, innovative eats in a modern & lively atmosphere. Our team, led by John (2023 James Beard nominee for Best Chef: Texas) and Elise Russ, draws inspiration from diverse global flavors. Our ever-evolving menu guarantees fresh and exciting options, while our dishes like the White Mushroom Salad, Ricotta Cavatelli and Clementine Crunch Bar remain cherished favorites.
Our beverage menu is small but mighty, carefully curated to include only the most delicious wines & beers from our absolute favorite producers expertly selected to elevate your dining experience. Want your own bottle? Our corkage fee is $35 per 750ml.
Our Dining Room provides comfortable indoor seating, while the Kitchen Bar boasts an exciting vantage point overlooking our open kitchen, allowing you to witness the creation of each dish. For a change of scenery, our covered patio, is perfect for al fresco dining, complete with heaters and blankets to keep you cozy on those cool nights.

Top review

PamelaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

John and the team outdid themselves tonight. The food was just fabulous, so seasonal, and so fresh. This affirms why we love Clementine and why we will come back repeatedly.

Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba

4.8

4.8 (26)

$30 and under

Mexican

Alamo Heights

About the restaurant

Discover a unique dining experience that marries the bold and spicy flavors of Mexican cuisine with the soulful and vibrant tastes of Cuba. Located in Alamo Heights, we offer a menu that celebrates this exciting culinary fusion. Our cozy restaurant, adorned with an elegant tropical decor, provides the perfect setting for enjoying our innovative dishes.

Every dish on our menu is a harmonious blend of two rich culinary traditions. We pride ourselves on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to deliver a memorable dining experience that transports your taste buds to a world where Mexico and Cuba come together.

Top review

MarinaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food here is exceptional. Everything is so delicious and fresh.

Southerleigh Haute South

4.6

4.6 (636)

$30 and under

Southern

Northwest

About the restaurant

Southerleigh Haute South is a casual restaurant concept that serves lunch, dinner, brunch, take-out, in San Antonio, Texas. Southerleigh Haute South features a menu based on southern-style food including fried chicken, biscuits, and an oyster bar, paired with local Southerleigh craft beers. The restaurant also offers a full bar.

Top review

Candi

Dined 7 days ago

Everything we had was amazing. The staff was so kind and accommodating.

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Popular dish

Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich

Popular dish

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN SANDWiCH

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Luce Ristorante E Enoteca

4.5

4.5 (1201)

$30 and under

Italian

Medical Center

About the restaurant

Founded in 2006, Luce is a local favorite featuring many traditional dishes. Flavors which often bring our guests back to their best memories of Italian specialties.

My goal for this restaurant to create a warm environment for all guests that is typical of a true Italian heritage.

Our menu consists of many Buonincontri family recipes and recipes brought back from travel to Italy.

Fresh fish, meats and produce expound throughout Luce's offerings and a focus on the finest ingredients are what make Luce special.

House made Gnocchi, Italian rice balls and homemade Mozzarella are just a few examples our passion for the finest Italian food.The word Enoteca means wine library. The walls of the entire restaurant are covered with wine bottles as you would expect books to cover the walls of a library. Wine is a very important part of an experience at Luce, with over 125 choices from our wine list available to you.

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Can’t say enough great things about this spot! Party of 10- they seated us immediately, food came fairly quickly even though there were several other large groups besides ours, everyone’s meal tasted delicious, portion size and taste were an incredible value (bonus- HH every day 5-7) plus they allowed separate checks!

La Fogata Alamo Heights

4.5

4.5 (168)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Alamo Heights

About the restaurant

La Fogata Cantina is officially open seven days a week and we look forward to serving you for all of your lunch and dinner needs. With indoor and outdoor seating as well as private dining options available we have the perfect place for you. Accepting reservations for parties of 5 or more in the main dining room. Bartop and patio seating done on a first come first served basis. Call us with any questions or to book private events direct with us.

Top review

DonVIP

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

It was really noisy w a big party. They seemed short staffed. Not as good as usual

Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar

4.4

4.4 (68)

$30 and under

Sichuan

Stone Oak

About the restaurant

大师川菜 DASHI Sichuan Kitchen + Bar celebrates the centuries-old traditions of Sichuanese cuisine and culture with modern inspiration in San Antonio, Texas.

The most influential new restaurant in San Antonio, we’re thrilled for you to join our grand master artists - or “da shi” - on an intriguing journey into the iconic flavors, textures, and colors of Sichuan. Welcome to the amazing DASHI.

大师 'Dashi' means grandmaster or grand artist in Chinese. We hope that Dashi will be a delicious spirited gathering place that not only showcases grandmasters from the culinary world but from all the arts. Eat, drink (responsibly), be inspired, create, be happy.

Top review

Cathy

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

Dashi Sichuan Kitchen is such a great departure from so many nondescript Asian restaurants in town. The food is delicious with both unique and standard options to choose between. The decor and ambiance are inviting and,, well, the bar is definitely a treat. Plan a visit - you will be glad you did.

Boutique Speakeasy in Taqueria Los Cuates

4.3

4.3 (39)

$31 to $50

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

Speakeasy bar with 18 members. Open to the public thru OpenTable only!

Top review

Jamie

Dined on Oct 23, 2024

The concept of a speakeasy restaurant behind a taco restaurant is really neat! The ambiance is really dim and relaxed. The drinks are amazing..very well made. Some of the best tequila drinks I've ever tried. I highly recommend it!

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