5 Best New Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas that People Swear By

San Antonio’s dining scene has exploded, blending deep‑rooted Tex‑Mex and barbecue traditions with modern Mexican, global flavors, and chef‑driven kitchens.

These five relatively new or newly prominent restaurants showcase how exciting the city has become for food lovers.

1. Mixtli (New Location Concept)

Mixtli has become one of San Antonio’s most talked‑about modern Mexican restaurants, and its newer iteration continues that momentum.

The space is sleek and intimate, with a tasting‑menu format that feels special but still warm and welcoming.

The menu typically unfolds as a progression through regions or themes of Mexican cuisine, with courses that reinterpret traditional dishes using modern techniques and seasonal ingredients.

Expect surprising combinations, beautiful plating, and a strong sense of storytelling. Cocktails and agave spirits—mezcal, tequila, and beyond—are woven into the experience.

2. Best Quality Daughter

Housed in the historic Pearl area, Best Quality Daughter serves up “Pan‑Asian American” comfort food in a playful, design‑forward space full of color and personality.

It’s lively and fun, with an atmosphere that’s as much about hanging out as it is about the food.

The menu blends Chinese, Taiwanese, and broader Asian influences with a Texas sensibility.

Think crispy dumplings, creative noodles, flavorful stir‑fries, and shareable plates built for the table. Bold sauces, bright herbs, and clever textures keep everything interesting.

Cocktails are equally playful, often using tropical notes, tea infusions, and Asian pantry ingredients.

3. Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

Also at the Pearl, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou brings classic French brasserie fare to San Antonio in a polished, bustling dining room.

The vibe is Parisian‑inspired: tiled floors, leather banquettes, warm lighting, and a hum of conversation.

The menu leans into French comfort: onion soup with deeply caramelized onions and bubbling cheese, steak frites, hearty beef bourguignon, roasted chicken, and rich desserts like crème brûlée and profiteroles.

There are also lighter options—salads, seafood, and shared starters. The wine list highlights French regions, and the bar offers well‑made cocktails and spritzes.

4. Cured

Cured occupies a renovated historic building at the Pearl and centers its identity around house‑cured meats and charcuterie.

The space is airy and brick‑lined, with an open, convivial feel.

The charcuterie program is a major draw—boards with pâtés, sausages, terrines, and pickled accompaniments—but the broader menu is just as compelling.

Dishes often spotlight regional produce and meats, with Southern and French influences.

Expect hearty, rustic plates balanced by bright, vegetable‑driven sides and a solid craft beer and cocktail selection.

5. Jerk Shack (Newer Location / Expanded Concept)

The Jerk Shack has grown from a beloved small spot into a bigger, more polished expression of Caribbean comfort in San Antonio.

The new space keeps the energy casual and welcoming while offering more room to linger.

The menu centers on Jamaican‑style jerk chicken and pork, plus oxtails, curries, and sides like plantains, rice and peas, and mac and cheese.

Flavors are bold, smoky, and spicy, with options to dial heat up or down. It’s the kind of place where you order a little too much on purpose and share everything across the table.