Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in San Antonio

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in San Antonio? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Zanzenberg Tavern

4.9

4.9 (108)

$30 and under

American

Comfort

About the restaurant

Chef Edward Rodwell and Maître d' Anthony Mariano bring French-inspired American cuisine to the Hill Country.

Housed in the oldest building in Kerr County, Texas, and registered as a historic landmark with the U.S. Department of Interiors, Zanzenberg Tavern provides a welcoming environment for your next dinner out or special occasion.

Zanzenberg Tavern includes extensive patio seating, fire pit ambience and lush, rolling English gardens.

Social Media: Instagram @zanzenbergtaver & @amusebouchetx

Top review

Heather

Dined 4 days ago

Sunday brunch at Zanzenberg Tavern is an experience everyone should have - wonderful food and cocktails, friendly, welcoming staff, and beautiful ambiance inside and outdoors. Always awesome.

Bliss Restaurant

5.0

5 (5054)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Bliss is consistently among San Antonio’s best restaurants in terms of quality, service and atmosphere. Bliss is located just blocks away from downtown San Antonio in the burgeoning Southtown area. Our mission is to express excellence in the most inclusive, genuine and hospitable way. Bliss serves contemporary American cuisine. Our menu changes frequently with an emphasis on what is seasonal and creative over what is predictable and familiar. Our goal is to create a relaxed yet elegant dining experience in a genuine and comfortable environment.

Top review

TimVIP

Dined on Mar 11, 2025

Bliss is one of our favorite restaurants in San Antonio, top Food Service amazing.

Signature

4.9

4.9 (2691)

$50 and over

American

La Cantera

About the restaurant

*2024 Michelin Recommended*

If you find yourself dreaming of the Texas Hill Country, savory comforts, spice, and the sultry depth of a fine Burgundy, you’ll be pleased to know about Signature at La Cantera Resort & Spa.

The menu is straightforward and beguiling, featuring contemporary interpretations of classic dishes — fresher, brighter versions of traditional cuisine enlivened with unconventional Texas spirit. Gulf seafood conspires with Atlantic Coast oysters flown in fresh, and the Hill Country is well-represented year-round. Local and organic ingredients change the menu as the seasons peak and wane, but the constants are quality, flavor, artistry in the kitchen and a warm welcome when you walk in the door.

Top review

TimVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great food with attentive service. Relaxing atmosphere. So pleased we spent our anniversary evening at Signature. Deeply recommend.

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Mariposa at Neiman Marcus - San Antonio

4.8

4.8 (455)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

La Cantera

About the restaurant

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at THE MARIPOSA® SAN ANTONIO. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let THE MARIPOSA® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined on Mar 11, 2025

Always a pleasure to lunch at Mariposa! Delightful servers and managers & delicious food in a bright & sunny setting ❤️

The Study at Dean’s

4.8

4.8 (28)

$31 to $50

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

Study the Classics.

Tucked away in a historic courtyard under century-old live oak trees, find The Study at Dean's. This reservation-only, intimate bar is a cocktail aficionado’s haven, ideal for those who appreciate higher touch ingredients, presentation, and ambiance. Linger over high-end cocktails and small bites in a charming atmosphere with raised banquettes, brass details, and original limestone walls - this is the educated choice for a place to connect and unwind.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Was a great environment and good drinks. Would 9/10 recommend.

Nicosi

4.9

4.9 (88)

$50 and over

Dessert

Downtown

About the restaurant

Submerse yourself in a dessert bar that will challenge your expectations by embracing acid, sweet, bitter, and savory all while extracting the nuances that truly makes them unique. Located at The Pearl, Nicosi only has only 20 seats that hug the kitchen, fostering one on one dialogue with the chefs.
To best accomodate your experience, reservations are required. We are offer 2 seating times per night: 5:30 and 8:00. Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Chef de Cuisine Karla Espinosa will guide an intimate journey through every dish, its ingredients, what makes it special and why it has been chosen for the evening. We offer wine and cocktail pairings or non-alcoholic beverage pairings for each course. Because Nicosi is about delighting in the present, we have a no phone/photography policy and the menu will be revealed as you dine. We are able to accommodate most dietary aversions and special requests with 24 hour notice. Please allow 90 minutes for your visit. Guests 16 and up, please.

Top review

DavidG1225

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience for me and my wife’s anniversary the staff was amazing and the food was a great unique experience!

Sidecar at Prince Solms Inn

4.9

4.9 (528)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

New Braunfels

About the restaurant

"Where craft meets quality. An evening at Sidecar, located in the heart of New Braunfels at the historic Prince Solms Inn, is like stepping back in time. The ambiently lit speakeasy features an extensive whiskey selection, live jazz and fantastic tapas. Whether you're enjoying the live music downstairs or imbibing in one of the private party rooms upstairs, the beauty of the building does not disappoint."

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 12, 2025

Wonderful experience. Delicious premium cocktails, cool facility, great service.

La Fonda on Main

4.9

4.9 (5396)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Central

About the restaurant

Located just a few minutes from downtown in architecturally rich Monte Vista neighborhood, La Fonda on Main is the oldest Mexican food restaurant in San Antonio. La Fonda serves both the best of Tex-Mex cuisine as well as authentic dishes of interior Mexico in a fun and casual setting with beautiful patio dining. We're open 7 days a week offering our full menu as well as family meals and catering options on curbside. Happy Hour is Monday-Thursday from 3pm-6pm. We offer a full bar with a wide variety of liquor, beer and wine. Saturday's and Sunday's we serve brunch from 10:00am-3:00pm. Our fabulous margaritas are made with hand-squeezed limes and your choice of a large selection of tequilas and mezcals. Our famous patio is heated from the ground up for chilly nights under the stars and lights in the trees.

Top review

JEZREEL

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and great service! The place was very nice and eating outside at the patio on a beautiful spring day was just perfect.

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In Contrada Vineyard + Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (200)

$31 to $50

Winery

Timberwood Park / Bulverde

About the restaurant

Family owned In Contrada Vineyard, the oldest winery in San Antonio, invites you to visit us! Enjoy an afternoon in the vines while delighting in our house made wines and freshly prepared food.

We offer inside dinning in addition to covered outside seating in the vineyard. Outside you will find gazebos, sun shades, misters and fans. Its really quite nice!

Please make sure to note our Kitchen Hours if you will be dinning with us:
Kitchen closes promptly at 8pm, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday the kitchen closes promptly at 5:30 pm.
Our Wine Tasting Hours are:

Friday 4pm to 10pm,
Saturday 12pm to 10pm,
Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

No split checks on parties of 6 or more & gratuity is automatically added on parties of 6+

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

Service,good food & wine is Great! It's so Beautiful out there & they have live music on the weekends. They also do all kinds of fun events. Need to go there if you haven't been!

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Experience

3/21 Music Bingo

SILO Prime

4.7

4.7 (2367)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Led by Chef Gary Boatman, SILO PRIME is a modern steakhouse offering a dynamic fine-dining experience. Featuring the highest quality PRIME Beef from Allen Brothers of Chicago, the menu features best-in-class quality, including Tristan Island Lobster and Texas-raised Akaushi beef.

Our impeccable chef-driven cuisine, extensive wine list and exceptional hospitality is sure to bring delight to all your senses. Enjoy creative, world-class cuisine served with meticulous attention to detail in a casual yet elegant dining environment.

SILO PRIME offers access to the Rooftop Terrace featuring a wrap - around stunning view of downtown San Antonio.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on Mar 7, 2025

At Silo we shared the crab cake appetizer, which is delicious and quite large. My husband thoroughly enjoyed a 10 oz Filet Mignon, and Brussel Sprouts side. I’ve had weight loss surgery so he gave me about 2 oz of his steak which was truly cooked to a perfect medium heat. I also got the “Small Wedge” which has a nice Maytag Blue Cheese and very good tomatoes. Our overall experience was top notch. We try to come to Silo whenever we are in San Antonio.

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