Growing up in San Antonio, I never visited the Riverwalk. It wasn’t until I moved out and visited downtown San Antonio that I truly began to appreciate it and everything there was to do. However, for the longest time, I avoided eating at the San Antonio Riverwalk because of all of the touristy, overpriced chains selling overly sweet margaritas and burritos at a lower quality and higher price than I could find at my favorite Tex-Mex restaurants. I guess I should start by saying that if you’re looking for the typical touristy restaurant, you won’t necessarily find it here.
Every touristy restaurants on the San Antonio Riverwalk offers about the same thing at the same price, far from the delicious food and authentic experiences I craved. Yet, hidden amongst these establishments, I’ve discovered some of the best restaurants on the San Antonio Riverwalk—gems that defy the touristy norm with their exceptional cuisine and charming views. If you want to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe, you don’t need me to tell you about it.
One insider thing I’ve noticed is that it seems like a lot of the boutique hotels on the San Antonio Riverwalk have been offering some of the best dishes. I think it’s because they usually have an executive chef on board, someone who knows how to expertly combine the variety of flavors of San Antonio with high-quality ingredients, resulting in exceptional culinary experiences that keep diners coming back for more.
