Cappy's, and Cappy himself has been a staple of the Alamo Heights district in San Antonio for over three decades. In a word, superb! This upscale American cuisine restaurant is a sure thing if you're looking for a wonderful meal in an elegant atmosphere. They offer some of the freshest seafood, excellent steaks and regional/seasonal options as well. For lunch, you can't go wrong with the Oak-grilled Akaushi Burger, Chicken & Brie Sandwich or the Spiced Ahi Tuna Salad. If you're looking for something a bit more adventurous, try the Pecan-crusted Catfish or the Mussels and Fries. They also offer a great wine list and an outdoor patio where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful San Antonio sunshine!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: One of the oldest restaurants in town, Cappy's is a great choice for any meal and has a lovely patio for Sunday brunch.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to try the specials, as the chef is so creative here, featuring unique dishes such as a chicken and waffle salad with spicy maple blackberry vinaigrette, pickled radishes, bacon, candied pecans and spinach.
La Fonda is one of the prettiest restaurants in the city, with its white stucco and gorgeous patio covered by a giant oak tree. Sipping a margarita and eating La Fonda's signature salsa that tastes as if the ingredients were picked fresh that day, you feel like you just might be in Mexico. Although this delicious Tex-Mex restaurant has all of your favorites, the level of quality that La Fonda's is known for makes the meal as guilt-free as possible. Some local favorites are the Chile Relleno, the Shrimp Enchiladas and the Fish Tacos, which comes with a zesty salad and a spicy grilled jalapeno. If you have the appetite, be sure to start the meal out right with some of their addictive queso or homemade guacamole!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: La Fonda has one of the prettiest patios in town, great margaritas and superb Tex-Mex cuisine.
Kimberly's expert tip: Their fish tacos are a must for seafood lovers... light, refreshing and full of flavor!
Not only is this Pan-Latin restaurant and bar located along San Antonio's picturesque Riverwalk, but it has one of the most stunning dining rooms in the country, with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall the opens up when the weather's cool enough to enjoy it. They serve up an array of Latin-inspired breakfast dishes, from sweet plantain griddle cakes to a Cubano con Huevo. Go for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner. They also offer happy hour, and good eats from their downstairs speakeasy-esque bar and late night options, when most restaurants are closing down. The perfect choice before or after an event at the Tobin, as they're within walking distance.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: The restaurant at this beautiful historic hotel is a showstopper with glass doors that open up for a nice spring breeze.
Kimberly's expert tip: After dinner, head to the underground speakeasy bar for some cocktails in one of the coolest bars in town.
The Cookhouse just opened their doors in early September of 2014 but is already the talk of the town, which comes as no surprise as it's the only restaurant in San Antonio that showcases traditional New Orleans cuisine, the kind you might find at some fine dining establishment in the French Quarter. The roasted Duck and Dumplings made with an exceptional marjoram potato gnocchi and served with tomato confit and a red wine demi-glace is utterly divine. Other favorites include the Tomato Artichoke Canoli, made with house-made pasta, goat cheese, tomato confit, artichoke hearts and marjoram, not to mention the Grilled Trout Amandine with meuniere butter, toasted almonds and fresh green beans. If you adore fresh seafood, you can bet The Cookhouse serves up some of the freshest gulf oysters and shrimp from here to the coast. The New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp is served in a pool of savory spicy garlic butter and beer sauce (a secret recipe!) and charred French bread that is ideal for dunking. So addictively delicious, you may find yourself wanting to drink it. It's okay, nobody's looking!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: The Cookhouse is great for some truly-inspired, scratch-made New Orleans fare with a Southwestern twist. They also have a little patio.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to order a round of oysters on the half shell. They're so fresh!
Conveniently located across from the Tobin Center, this unique cafe's slogan is "eat to live." Pharm Table's mission is to offer nourishing yet delicious foods to the community because they understand how food impacts not only the body but the mind as well. Besides offering breakfast and lunch in the cafe, they also offer to-go meals and health-centric classes and events such as yoga, essential oils and more. The globally-inspired menu offers dishes made with ingredients that are locally-sourced from Texas farmers. For breakfast enjoy dishes like porridge made with clove, coconut, pecans and dates or steel cut oats with honey crisp apple, raisins and sweet potato. For lunch, you can expect a mix of savory soups like Winter Squash Moqueca, vibrant salads and bowls, such as the Laab Bowl made with zucchini noodles, carrots, cherry tomatoes, mint, basil, cabbage and chicken, if you need your protein.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: Chef Johnson is a trailblazer, creating dishes that are incredibly crafted to nourish the body using a bounty of local spring veggies.
Kimberly's expert tip: Don't be afraid to order one of their healthy desserts, such as their non-sinfully delicious Vegan Cashew Cheesecake!
Whether or not you're passionate about the delicious benefits of farm-to-table cuisine, do your taste buds a favor and make you're way over to the Pearl Brewery farmer's market in San Antonio, which takes place every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm and head straight to the new pop-up restaurant at Humble House - located across from Local Coffee shop! Treat yourself to a Frittata packed full of veggies, Mashed Browns made with roasted root vegetables and topped with braised collard greens and a farm-fresh egg, French Toast with local honey and lavender-infused whipped cream or savory homemade soup. Everything at Humble House is made from scratch with the absolute finest ingredients. In fact, what's really unique about what Humble House is doing (even compared to some of the other vendors at the market) is they serve entrees made with ingredients sourced primarily from the farmers and ranchers that also sell at the market. What this means is that the food you're getting is as fresh as it can possibly be, and that equates to unbelievable flavor!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: Humble House is a vendor at the Pearl Farmers Market and the best way to get a taste of the local lifestyle.
Kimberly's expert tip: They make their own homemade sodas, so be sure to get one with your meal.
Savor restaurant, which also doubles as the CIA Bakery Cafe for the first quarter of the year until mid-April, offers a unique opportunity to get a taste of the cutting edge culinary scene happening in San Antonio. The Culinary Institute of America is situated at the historic Pearl, and the culinary students are creating some delights here that are on par with the best of the best at this beautiful location. Go for breakfast and lunch, again while the student pastry chefs are in session, for an array of baked sweets and savories. From delicate almost croissants to classic Mexican pastries, they offer something for every sweet tooth. As for dinner, choose from customized three or four-course meals of modern American fare, such as honey-chili roasted chicken with fat rice and Asian lime. To top it off, the restaurant focuses on farm-to-table, so many of the ingredients are sourced locally.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: Savor offers cuisine made by the CIA Culinary students, so you get a taste of what the up-and-coming chefs are making.
Kimberly's expert tip: Hop on a riverboat from the Pearl or take a stroll along the northern part of the riverwalk after a fine dinner at Savor.
This Texas-style sushi bar is packed nightly with regulars who crave Chef Goro's inventive creations. Come early to snag a seat at the sushi bar so you can observe the master at work, preparing delights like the Louisiana Roll (featuring deep-fried oysters) and the A&M roll (which includes tempura shrimp, avocado, and spicy mayonnaise). Sashimi and Japanese entrees can also be had. Try salmon teriyaki or yakisoba for noodles cooked to perfection. Fusion dishes, including tuna asparagus wraps, are a favorite on the menu as well. For some of the freshest seafood in town served up in both unique and traditional ways, Godai's should be at the top of your list!
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: Godai and its talented and entertaining chef have earned a reputation for making excellent sushi, showcasing beautiful ingredients and creative dishes.
Kimberly's expert tip: Chef Goro is always whipping up something new, so be sure to ask him for his latest creation.
Boudro's Texas Bistro is the ideal spot for intimate lunches or dinners as well as large parties and convention groups. They can accommodate you inside or on one of their special river barges, catered exactly to your taste. The Chef offers culinary inventiveness with the use of fresh, local ingredients that help make this restaurant so sought after. The delicious frozen margaritas are made with swirls of crimson prickly pear juice, and the menu revels in dishes like black lacquered duck leg, papaya-marinated flank steak, mesquite-grilled Texas quail, and shrimp and crab enchiladas. Boudro's truly has some of the best food on the River, from smoked shrimp enchiladas and blackened prime rib to seafood straight from the Gulf.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: Boudro's is one of San Antonio's most well known and exceptional restaurants, located along the riverwalk.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to order their famous table guacamole for dinner and a show!
It's difficult to explain what an exceptionally delightful experience Outlaw Kitchens provides without experiencing it for yourself. Tucked away in one of San Antonio's quaint neighborhoods, just a few minutes north of downtown, this husband and wife duo have created a restaurant that is truly one-of-a-kind. Chef Sartory has decades of experience as a chef. He both graduated and taught at the CIA, and yet there's no pomp and circumstance here. In fact, guests compare it to having dinner at a friend's house who happens to be a really, really good cook. The restaurant menu changes every few days and is available a la carte or as a 3-course prix fixe, including an appetizer, entree and dessert. Choices are limited, so be sure to check the website ahead of time, although it's fun to be surprised here. Dishes range from seared Scottish Salmon and Vegetable Lasagna to Pan-Seared Chicken stuffed with shrimp and spinach or Goat Mac-N-Cheese. From the historic building to the herb garden that gets utilized in the dishes, not to mention the charming patio, Outlaw Kitchens simply shines on every level.
Recommended for Best Restaurants for Spring because: Outlaw Kitchens has a beautiful patio, superb cuisine and friendly staff. It's the perfect place to enjoy a spring dinner.
Kimberly's expert tip: The owners recommend making reservations, although sometimes you can get a table last minute.