The Best of Alamo City: the Insider's Travel Guide to San Antonio, Texas

This guide contains recommendations from Texan friends, San Antonio locals, and my own experience as a student in SATX that you won't find on a commercial travel guide or website.

Photo by Eric Francis on Unsplash

San Antonio is the nation’s seventh largest city and home to a colorful and Texan culture, making it the perfect destination for those who want to experience something new and exciting without actually leaving the US. Brimming with style, history, and cuisine, San Antonio is symbolic of South Texas with its blend of Mexican and Cowboy culture. Featuring warm weather, the historic Alamo mission, and the magical river walk, San Antonio has plenty to do for locals and visitors alike. 

A world-class city with a flourishing military and tourism industry, San Antonio also holds onto its authenticity, something that sets it apart from most other large cities today. From its nostalgic cultural appeal, to its urban nightlife, to its top-tier Mexican cuisine, San Antonio is the place to be.

Here are some highlights for your visit to Alamo City.

Where to stay

• Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk: Located right on the riverwalk, this Hyatt has a gorgeous and artistically designed interior, including an indoor part of the river, and skyline views. The Riverwalk Hyatt Regency is also walking distance from all the downtown attractions including the Alamo.

• Omni La Mansión Del Rio: This beautiful Spanish-colonial style hotel is also located right on the riverwalk. With luxury amenities and the attractions of the city walking distance away, the Omni is an upscale hotel with historic charm.

• Hotel Emma: The famous Hotel Emma is as splurge, but this historic hotel is worth a once-in-a-lifetime stay. Located in the Pearl district, Hotel Emma offers the best of cuisine and amenities for the ultimate San Antonio experience. 

Where to eat

• La Fonda on Main: Make a reservation at La Fonda on Main to enjoy a plate of enchiladas, fajitas, or any other Mexican fare. With a beautiful courtyard complete with live oaks strung with fairy lights, La Fonda is the epitome of elevated Tex Mex. 

• Tre Trattoria: Located at the San Antonio Museum of Art, Tre Trattoria is an Italian place, with homemade upscale Italian cuisine. From antipasti to housemade pasta, to decadent desserts, the restaurant also offers a view of the riverwalk and is walking distance from the Pearl. 

• Tacos el Regio: If you want a quick yet tasty dinner, stop by the Taco truck on St. Mary’s Street for the best tacos you will ever have. These delicious street tacos are of an authenticity you can only enjoy in San Antonio.

• The Food Hall at Bottling Department: A classed-up food court experience, the Food Hall is located in a renovated brewery at the Pearl and features booths from a variety of cuisines, from Caribbean Roti, to Ramen, to Burgers to tacos. 

• Braza Brava: With its romantic atmosphere, live-piano music, wood-oven fired pizza and homemade pasta, Braza Brava is a locally beloved authentic Italian Restaurant with an elegantly rustic touch. 

• Tycoon Flats: Located in a 100-year old gas station with an added outdoor courtyard beer garden, Tycoon Flats is the ideal Texan burger joint, beloved by locals of the area serving up hearty pub fare classics. 

• Lick: Be sure to save room for Lick’s gourmet and locally sourced ice cream. With both classic and seasonal flavors, like Hill Country Vanilla and Texas Sheet Cake, a scoop of Lick will not disappoint as you stroll along the riverwalk. 

Cafes & Bakeries

• La Panadería: For a pastry or a Tex-Mex brunch dish, La Panadería is a great choice. The bakery/diner serves up homemade pastries with a Mexican flair, like Tres Leches Croissants and Mini Conchas, and delicious meals like El Favorito (Egg and Croissant Sandwich), or the Grilled Chicken Torta. 

• Local Coffee: another cafe located at the Pearl, Local Coffee is considered San Antonio’s first specialty coffee shop. Beyond coffee and tea, they also serve healthy snacks and drinks like overnight oats and house-made horchata. 

• Bakery Lorraine: Located right at the Pearl, the Bakery Lorraine is the perfect place to grab brunch or coffee with friends. With an uplifting atmosphere, homemade French pastries, light sandwiches, homemade granola, and seasonal salads, Bakery Lorraine is always a favorite.

• Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery: Commonwealth is a charming Texan coffee shop with multiple locations in the San Antonio area. serving buttery pastries, new American brunch dishes like avocado toast or the dill chicken salad croissant, and of course coffee.

Sites to See

• The Alamo: A visit to San Antonio would not be complete without visiting the world-renowned Alamo mission. The history and culture of the state itself were shaped by the famous battle that took place here. 

• The Pearl: Mentioned above as the location of numerous restaurants and cafes, the Historic Pearl District is a renovated brewery that now consists of new places to dine, shop, and explore. It's also located right on the riverwalk. 

• The River Walk: Besides the Alamo, the River Walk is San Antonio’s most distinctive feature. With plenty to see and do along the river, including numerous restaurants and shops. Or, you can see the city from a new perspective and take a river boat tour to learn about the history and architecture of San Antonio. The river is also lit up at night, and especially at Christmas time.

• San Antonio Botanic Garden: With greenhouses, cacti, tropical plants, and even a section dedicated to the local landscapes of Texas’ four regions, the San Antonio Botanic Garden is a great place to enjoy the afternoon walking through beautiful flowers and plants.

• John T. Floore’s Country Store: This “quintessential honky tonk” is a historic country store and dancehall where live music, country dancing, a Texas Cafe, and old western decor create a truly Texan experience. Located near San Antonio in Helotes, Texas, John T. Floore’s has hosted country legends at its venue including Willie Nelson, Wayon Jennings, and George Jones.

Mentioned in many classic country songs, from Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues, to Amarillo by Morning by George Strait, San Antonio (or San Antone) is a thriving historic hub that forms the perfect bridge between the old and the new, right in the heart of South Texas.