The Most Fun Restaurants in San Antonio

Every fun restaurant in San Antonio owes tribute to the early ‘chili queens’, the women who used to cook in the plazas as far back as the 1880s. Their cooking style blends Tejano cuisine with American ingredients, and today, we call it, Tex-Mex. The fun restaurants in San Antonio carry on these traditions with surprising twists. Delicacies range from chorizo burgers and tacos to pork shank and chicken fried oysters in this sizzling Texas town. But which restaurants attract the savviest diners for an exciting dining experience? Welcome to Tastemaker 20. By compiling data from thousands of restaurants and OpenTable’s most qualified foodies, we’ve pinpointed the San Antonio eateries that consistently keep guests coming back for more. Discover these fun restaurants in San Antonio and book a table right away!

The OpenTable Team

16 Restaurants

Updated October 31, 2019

Restaurants:	Savor The Culinary Institute of America, Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant, Rails...a Cafe at the Depot…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Contemporary American, American…
Neighborhoods:	Downtown, Camp Verde, Kerrville…

Savor The Culinary Institute of America

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.8

1111 reviews

The Savor Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America offers guests delicious fare and cooking techniques from across the globe. Crafted by advanced students under the direction of culinary experts, the offerings at this fun restaurant in San Antonio give patrons a truly unique opportunity to become food tourists without ever leaving the city. The menu is constantly changing, and guests can build three or four course meals with options like Irish Pointe oysters, steak tartare, braised veal osso bucco and pistachio olive oil cake. All this is enjoyed while surrounded by abstract art, modern lighting and other contemporary touches that create a perfect ambiance.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant

$$$$

American

Camp Verde

4.5

1212 reviews

Those who want a little taste of history with their meal may not find a more fun restaurant in San Antonio than Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant. It’s been serving the city for over 150 years, and the exterior’s old-school signage, wooden statues and Alamo-like appearance stand as a testament to this fact. The aged appearance continues on the inside where antique lighting and simple dining sets are utilized. Down home country favorites – such as chicken fried chicken and Donna's Meatloaf – are offered in addition to burgers, sandwiches and a variety of other classics.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Rails...a Cafe at the Depot

$$$$

American

Kerrville

4.7

758 reviews

If one were to combine historic tastes with a fun restaurant in San Antonio, they’d undoubtedly end up with Rails…a Café at the Depot. Guests enjoy their meals inside of a fully restored 1915 train depot, and the vintage appeal continues with décor ranging from antique partitions to distressed wood nearly everywhere one could look. And while it may be located in a Texas depot, they have a wide range of cultural offerings such as Mahi Mahi tacos, grilled Norwegian salmon, shrimp Creole and chicken Florentine.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Brasao Brazilian Steakhouse - San Antonio

$$$$

Brazilian Steakhouse

La Cantera

4.8

2151 reviews

Only opening in 2019, Brasao Brazilian Steakhouse is one of the newer fun restaurants in San Antonio. Its imposing entrance is reminiscent of the Far East – thanks to the eatery that formerly occupied the space – but the fare offered is certainly more Texan. Guests are treated to a salad bar and tableside all-you-can-eat meat selections. This means patrons can enjoy nearly 20 meats – from beef ribs and lamb chops to chicken legs and pork tenderloin – that are cut right at their table. When combined with their selection of hot side dishes, there’s a meal literally everyone can enjoy at this eatery.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Battalion

$$$$

Italian

Downtown

4.7

3093 reviews

Southtown's crown jewel had long been Firehouse #7 – better known as 'The Rock' – and while it may have lost this designation for a bit, it’s easily earned it back with the opening of Battalion. After two years of renovation, this eatery started up in the historic building adding a new fun restaurant to San Antonio’s dining scene. The classic appeal of the inside is contrasted by the varied colored lighting of the bar, art deco plates, contemporary seating and other modern décor. The distinct Italian offerings include spinach manicotti, grilled octopus, eggplant parmesan and additional options from the Old Country.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bliss Restaurant

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.9

4143 reviews

Located in the Southtown area, Bliss Restaurant offers guests contemporary American cuisine at its finest. This includes a menu that changes with the season and could feature anything from roasted bone marrow and beef tenderloin tartare to wild boar and Lockhart quail. The focus is on fresh ingredients combined in creative ways. Outdoor fire pits and distressed brick walls combine with minimalist artistry and unique lighting to create an ambiance that’s just as contemporary as what’s offered on the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Signature

$$$$

American

La Cantera

4.9

1767 reviews

If there were ever a fun restaurant in San Antonio, it would undoubtedly be located at the La Cantera Resort & Spa. Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman holds this distinction. Resort guests often enjoy a nice swim or the variety of available family activities offered before heading over for a taste of classic American cuisine with contemporary twists. The Sunday brunch menu shouldn’t be missed, but roasted pheasant, pan-seared sea scallops, roasted lamb racks and crispy escargot will keep weekday guests happy as well.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

1011 Bistro

$$$$

Bistro

Kerrville

4.8

1183 reviews

Although it’s a little drive from the city, 1101 Bistro still maintains a spot as one of the fun restaurants in San Antonio. The open terrace is great to enjoy a bottle of wine with friends and family, but even those sitting inside are greeted with beautiful views of the Guadalupe River. The architecture outside is a contemporary taste on classic bistro design, and the inside exudes a fine dining atmosphere. A touch of Texas is added to French, American and Italian specialties on the menu. This creates great options like steak frittes, duck breast, prime rib and sea bass.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Melting Pot - San Antonio

$$$$

Fondue

North San Antonio

4.8

1739 reviews

Fondue was a cultural centerpiece in the 1970s, and The Melting Pot is bringing this vintage reality directly into the present day. Each table is equipped with a fondue pot where guests can create their own four-course meal by choosing the ingredients they like best. Patrons are treated to a variety of cheese offerings to choose from, salads, entrees that include several types of meat and then a selection of chocolate fondue to finish off the meal. All this is enjoyed surrounded by décor specifically selected to create a relaxing environment in one of San Antonio’s fun restaurants.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Cypress Grille

$$$$

Contemporary American

Boerne

4.7

1086 reviews

The extensive beer and wine list at Cypress Grille sets the stage for this to be one of the best fun restaurants in San Antonio. The music-focused art, wine racks throughout, string lighting and vintage flair also add to this ambiance. They locally source their meat, acquire herbs from their own garden and bring in sushi grade fish what was pulled from the Hawaiian coast less than 24 hours earlier. Smoked bobwhite quail, buffalo burgers, pork chops and grilled Mahi Mahi constitute just a small sampling of what makes this eatery great.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Botika

$$$$

Asian

Downtown

4.5

1210 reviews

The whimsically hung lights, motorcycle in the dining area, unique tiled walls and live feed of exotic environments all point toward Botika being one of the fun restaurants in San Antonio. The cuisine is equally as unique and includes 'Nikkei' (Japanese-Peruvian) and 'Chifa' (Chinese-Peruvian) offerings. Their Happy Hour menu makes the fun of chicken wings and frozen cocktails affordable, and their sushi-ceviche bar combined with delicious selections like jerk chicken, octopus, short rib noodles and Huancaina fries really round out the experience.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Biga on the Banks

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.8

5209 reviews

Located along the river walk inside the International Center, Biga on the Banks is a highly respected eatery that also qualifies as a fun restaurant in San Antonio. It’s been called one of the five best eateries in Texas, and with offerings like chicken fried oysters, sticky toffee pudding, Gulf crab stuffed American snapper and tempura shrimp, this designation is no surprise. The novel art sculptures, unique wall décor, starlit dining room and massive wine rack all create an ambiance that’s modern at its best.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar

$$$$

American

North San Antonio

4.8

759 reviews

A large blue arrow points the way through the alley to Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar, but this basic level of direction does little to prepare guests for what’s inside. Gorgeous wooden beams, chandeliers and rustic décor combine with an overall fine dining atmosphere to create an experience that’s completely unique to this fun restaurant in San Antonio. The menu can change frequently thanks to close relationships with local farmers, but items like fried chicken, pulled pork, pizza, Louisiana blue crab toast and country cornbread are just a few of the likely options.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

SILO Elevated Cuisine - Alamo Heights

$$$$

American

Alamo Heights

4.8

1645 reviews

One of the most fun restaurants in San Antonio – SILO Elevated Cuisine – is also considered one of its most eclectic. Located just over 4 miles from Downtown, this location provides guests with different dining experiences. SILO focuses on contemporary twists on American classics while NOSH is more geared towards tapas. The menu provides a huge selection of offerings that include shrimp & grits, fried oysters, portabella melt, duck spring rolls and a variety of other dishes that simply can’t be found anywhere else. The cuisine is only equaled by the live music and contemporary design aspects.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Member Patio and Stout's Signature

$$$$

Contemporary American

San Antonio

4.7

1278 reviews

Located among a beautiful vineyard, Stout’s Trattoria at Grape Creek was created when the two properties decided to pair up as one. This established a unique pairing that brought together tastes of Italy, the Mediterranean and America cuisine. Menu offerings include Margherita and other pizzas, paninis, cheesesteak, avocado toast, signature meatballs and a variety of delicious salads. Guests can enjoy their meal indoors in the Old World setting – complete with beautiful views of the vineyard – or stake their claim outside near the fountains and lush foliage.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Texas de Brazil - San Antonio

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown

4.1

3143 reviews

When it comes to fun restaurants in San Antonio, it’s difficult for some eateries to live up to Texas de Brazil. The rounded ceiling, vintage lighting and gorgeously crafted pottery create a classic feeling, but the deep red colors, massive flower arrangement and daunting wall of wine bring a more contemporary atmosphere to the table. Gauchos visit guests where they carve a variety of grilled meats tableside. Lamb, Brazilian sausage, pork chicken and seasoned beef are all options. This is a truly unique experience made better only by the award winning wine selection that helped them earn the distinction as one of the best fun restaurants in San Antonio.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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The Most Fun Restaurants