The Best Mexican Restaurants in San Antonio

Tastefulness abounds in this artfully decorated restaurant before the waitstaff even presents the menu. The breeziness of a modern-day hacienda, along with both stone and wood floors, gives a casual, comfortable vibe that extends to the patio, where diners sit among water features, plants, and brickwork. Known for its friendly staff, Paloma Blanca also delivers some of the best Mexican food in town, and its enchiladas verdes and ceviche are both customer favorites. Try the guacamole, made fresh tableside, and save room for dessert—specifically, the flan or the tres leches cake.

La Fonda on Main looks the part of one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Antonio from the outside, with its white walls and terra cotta tiled roof. Step inside and the feeling continues in its bricked and tiled floors, wood log ceilings, expansive windows, and solid hacienda wooden chairs. The oldest Mexican restaurant in the city, La Fonda serves more than the ubiquitous Tex-Mex. Order the La Fonda Special for a sampling of pork tamale, beef taco, and cheese enchiladas, or go truly south of the border with the arrachera al guajillo, guajillo marinated skirt steak with esquite potatoes, corn, cream, and manchego cheese.

This contemporary Mexican restaurant along San Antonio’s River Walk seems uber modern, yet vintage ‘50s at the same time. Grab a pre-dinner cocktail at the Atomar Bar, where happy hour is a daily affair, or a post-dinner drink in the upstairs Balcony Lounge. In nice weather, try to score a table on Ácenar’s patio to enjoy the river view, but be prepared to either wait or come at off hours, as most diners ask for outside seating when it’s not too hot. Customers here rave about the pork carnitas and fish tacos, served in Texas-size portions.

No doubt about it: Dining at La Margarita is a colorful experience, from the flags over the patio and the red-ceilinged bar to the restaurant’s dishes and even the food served on them. The festive and energetic atmosphere here often includes strolling mariachi musicians and patio diners are frequently treated to performances in nearby historic Market Square, especially during fiestas. La Margarita’s fajitas are a specialty of the house and, as the restaurant is also an oyster bar, customers may want to start their meal with a selection of fresh seafood appetizers. Straight tequila drinkers can choose from a variety of añejos, reposados, and blancos, while cocktail lovers have a choice of margaritas.

This restaurant has been dishing out authentic Mexican food to generations of San Antonians and tourists, first as La Carreta Mexican Steakhouse in 1979, and then as Pico de Gallo from 1991 to present day. The Cortez family owns many of the best Mexican restaurants in San Antonio, including this one, which serves breakfasts, lunches, and dinners featuring Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes. Start the day with chilaquiles—scrambled eggs with tortilla chips, ranchero sauce, cheese, and refried beans. Or bring a friend at dinnertime for the parrilladas for two (or four), consisting of various meats. Enjoy the murals on the wall and the mariachi bands in this comfy and casual eatery.

Primero Cantina is one of four dining options at La Cantera Resort & Spa, but is open to non-guests as well. An indoor/outdoor bar, outside fireplace, and views of the surrounding Hill Country make Primero Cantina a great dining choice in nearly any season, and even indoor seating feels expansive and uncrowded. A colorful menu bursts with choices—nachos, carnitas, enchiladas, quesadillas, and more—but the chile relleno burger offers something out of the ordinary. Dessert? It’s a tough decision, but guava empanadas with coconut lime sorbet entice.