Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is a restaurant and brewery located inside The Pearl's historic brewhouse and is the place to eat in San Antonio for a delicious, fine dining experience. Southerleigh serves up incredible East Texas home-style cuisine that's very coastal and is also influenced by other southern states. These hearty, flavorful dishes are part of a farm-to-table menu that is constantly changing because they use as much of the whole animal and seasonal produce as they possible can. Large plates might include Whole Crispy Gulf Flounder with parsley and drawn butter or Brick Griddled Diamond H Quail with pickle mustard chow chow. They also offer an assortment of Boils like a Shrimp Boil with pork jowl, okra, corn and potato as well as a long list of savory sides such as dirty rice and wood-fired creamy grits. Beer connoisseurs will likely appreciate Southerleigh's commitment to honoring the tradition of this historic brewery by brewing their own craft beers like Big Shell Coconut Porter, Seawall Belgian Wheat and Conjunction Curry Porter. No matter which way the winds are blowing, Southerleigh is bringing in some phenomenal cuisine to San Antonio and raising the culinary bar here just a little bit higher!
Recommended for Family Friendly because: This upscale but casual restaurant is a great place for Mom and Dad to enjoy some craft brews while the kids will love the fried foods.
Kimberly's expert tip: A great place to grab an affordable lunch too.
Chef Jason Dady is considered an innovative pioneer of the culinary culture in San Antonio and has developed quite a following because of his dedication to quality, excellence and professionalism. So when Dady opened up Two Bros. BBQ Market, serving classic Texas Pit BBQ in a family atmosphere, locals flocked to it. This little joint is open 7 days a week and you can eat in or get your feast to go. Their succulent meats include brisket, pork butt, chopped beef, pork ribs, baby back ribs, sausage and chicken thighs. When Anthony Bourdain was in town, this is the barbeque restaurant he went to. Enough said!
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Two Bros. BBQ is one of the best places to go for families who have young children.
Kimberly's expert tip: This is a great place to take the kids, with a play yard on site!
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 muniere 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 Family Friendly because: The Cookhouse is the perfect place to grab some amazing grub, especially for lunch. Their Po'Boys are affordable and delicious crowd pleasers.
Kimberly's expert tip: Go for lunch to get fresh, gulf-caught shrimp Po'Boys and more!
There's nothing better than take-out pizza, and no one does it better than Grimaldi's, who serves up authentic New York style thin crust pizza. When it comes to pizza, you can't go wrong with their brick-oven cooked options which are made to order. The ingredients are superbly fresh and piquant. With their homemade mozzarella, sauce, and crust, you be pleasantly satisfied, not overly-stuffed with greasy food. They have some great salad options if you're wanting to avoid carbs, but if you're eating pizza, you might want to consider sharing the salad. The meatball is definitely one of the best around, but you can never go wrong with pepperoni!
Recommended for Family Friendly because: It's not often a bar with great pizza is family-friendly, but Barbaro hits the mark!
Kimberly's expert tip: Head straight to the bar to pick up your to go order!
This recent addition to San Antonio eateries is just one example of why San Antonio is a supreme vacation destination. The Luxury is Chef Andrew Weissman's (one of San Antonio's finest) newest restaurants. Located across the river from the San Antonio Museum of Art, this funky fun outdoor restaurant has a small but utterly delightful menu and an impressive list of beer and wine. There's no doubt it's all delicious, but you can't go wrong with the pulled-pig sandwich, slathered in grilled onions and red peppers or the crispy fish banh mi sandwich topped with dill, onion, cilantro, mint and, yes, even a sunnyside-up fried egg. Yum! For dessert, dip into the chocolate pudding with salted caramel and Chantilly cream. Are you in heaven yet?
Recommended for Family Friendly because: The Luxury is probably the best casual outdoor restaurant for families, and the food is amazing, if not a bit decadent!
Kimberly's expert tip: This place is super casual, so don't be afraid to go in shorts or swim trunks, before an afternoon at the pool.
The Shuck Shack features fresh oysters on the half-shell from all three coasts in a casual family friendly atmosphere. Located just a few blocks from The Pearl in Government Hill, you'll enjoy signature Clam Chowda ala minute, Lobster Rolls, and even a classic Shack Salad. Add on appetizers like White Cheddar Jalapeno Hush-Pups or Creamy Crab Fritters while dining on the outdoor patio with a glass of wine or craft brews. This is the kind of place where you want to hang outside with friends and the kids love it too! They have a playground with dueling slides while you relax in the South Texas weather. Fish fry dinners, crawfish and lobster boils make Shuck Shack perfect for large parties. Why go to the coast when you can enjoy coastal cuisine right here in South Central Texas! Local restaurateur, Jason Dady, has an unparalleled dedication and passion for food and hospitality that began at a young age.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: The Shuck Shack is a new outdoor eatery with great food and a playground for the kiddos.
Kimberly's expert tip: Try one of everything!
Tito's is your classic hole in the wall restaurant, but it's most definitely worth a visit. Located in San Antonio's acclaimed arts district, Southtown, Tito's is the place the locals go again and again and again. They put the T in Tex-Mex with some of their signature dishes, such as the Chipotle Cream Chicken Enchiladas or their delightfully juicy Crispy Beef Tacos. This is one of the best tasting and inexpensive places you'll find in San Antonio or, possibly, even in Texas. All of the plates come with rice, beans and tortillas. It's practically guaranteed you'll leave Tito's both full and happy!
Recommended for Family Friendly because: This Tex-Mex hole-in-the-wall offers a fun, chill atmosphere the family will love as much as the enchiladas.
Kimberly's expert tip: A great local hangout where you can go watch the Spurs games and enjoy great Tex-Mex!
Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden is a true Texas original. Situated in the historic Pearl Brewery complex on the San Antonio River Walk, this wine-centric restaurant occupies the former "boiler house" which powered the adjacent brewery. The menu focuses on grilled items from local farms and markets, with a focus on "Texas ranch-style" cuisine. The good news is they have a wide variety of gluten-free dishes and are clearly noted on the menu. These delicacies are paired with extraordinary wines from around the world (all available by the glass, bottle and "to-go"), live music and a casual yet energetic atmosphere. The unique list of wines features pricing based on a "retail" model, and boasts some of the lowest prices in the area.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Enjoy a superb meal on the picnic tables outside, which are perfect for family gatherings.
Kimberly's expert tip: Try the Chorizo Sausages or Braised Kurabuta Pork Belly for some gluten-free yumminess!
Big'z claims to have the best burgers in San Antonio, and they may be right! They are certainly worth the drive, no matter where you're staying in San Antonio. Big'z burgers are mouth-watering delights, whether you go whole hog with bacon and cheese or keep it simple. You can order your burger with one, two or even three patties and a variety of fun toppings such a pineapple and jalapenos. Patrons also swear by their milkshakes, which comes in Mexican vanilla, double-dutch chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and banana. Hungry yet?!
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Big'z is a children's paradise, complete with a party barn and tons of room to roam around on.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to order your burger with their signature beer-braised onions! Even better, add some avocado!
Mi Tierra might indeed be a tourist destination, but it's earned that reputation for a reason. This family-owned restaurant has been in business since 1941. It's located downtown near the Mercado, a great place to do a little shopping and pick up some trinkets for friends and family back home. They might not have the best food in town but for ambience, this is it! They're also open 24 hours a day and provide an incomparably festive atmosphere with roving Mariachi singers and Christmas lights all year long. Have we mentioned they also have a bakery? We recommend you pop in for a visit, even if it's only for some cinnamon-laced Mexican hot chocolate and a fresh pan
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Mi Tierra offers a festive atmosphere and good food that's enough to please everyone in your family.
Kimberly's expert tip: Parents should enjoy one of their strawberry margaritas!