San Antonio Itinerary for Foodies — Best Things to Do + Eat

My sister moved to San Antonio a few years ago. Which means that by now I’ve been able to experience San Antonio in several ways! We’ve done San Antonio family trips, girls weekend trips, birthday trips, touristy things, and exploring lots of food spots that the local love.

So I figured it was time to share what would be on my favorite San Antonio 3-day itinerary. Of course it’s packed full of food and drinks you won’t want to miss, because if you know me, you know that’s my highlight of exploring any new city and the first thing I research.

PS – Keep reading to see how I book our free flights to San Antonio!

This post is all about a foodie San Antonio itinerary you’ll want to replicate, including the best things to do and eat in the area.

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Tips for Building Your San Antonio Itinerary

Before we dive into the itinerary, let’s cover a few basics you should know while planning your trip to San Antonio.

How Many Days Do You Need?

You can see a lot of San Antonio in a weekend. That’s why this post is a 3-day weekend San Antonio itinerary, with some extra bonus tips if you want to add on more activities.

But of course, if you want to stay longer, you can easily fill in an entire week in San Antonio with lots of great food and sight-seeing!

Best Time to Visit San Antonio

TLDR: spring or fall!

Spring or fall are great times to visit because the weather is super nice, not too hot or too cold, and just right for checking out the River Walk and the Alamo.

Everything’s blooming and beautiful in the spring, plus San Antonio is really big on Fiesta which happens in April. It’s a big party with parades, food, and music! Fall is also a great time because it’s less crowded and still lots to do, with some cool events like the Dia de los Muertos in October.

Summer can get really hot, like 90°F or more, which can be too much for all the walking you’ll want to do. Maybe you can handle it better this Southern Californian wimp who lives in a 70-80 degree bubble of happiness. But my recommendation is to just avoid peak summer heat.

Getting Around San Antonio

Unless you plan on spending the entire weekend in and around the River Walk, I’d recommend renting a car so you can move around the city. Ubers to and from Sea World, the airport, the Japanese Gardens, or even the Pearl District can add up quickly. My favorite budget rental car sites are RentalCars.com or Priceline.

Plus, if you rent a car, you can do day trip through Austin to Waco, Texas and visit the Joanna Gaines Magnolia Farm! I’ve done this day trip a few times, once in October and once in August. It makes a perfect girls day trip from San Antonio. Just make sure you stop at Buc-ees on the way…

Curious how my husband and I both flew free (just the $5.60 taxes and fees) for the last 4 years?
✈️ Check out my blog post How to Fly Free
🚘 My Favorite Site for Cheap Rental Cars

Where to Stay in San Antonio

After lots of research and personally experience, here’s what I recommend for best hotels in the San Antonio area:

My Top Picks

• Hotel Emma at The Pearl (see pics below)
• Canopy by Hilton at the River Walk

Pet-Friendly

• Westin Riverwalk
• Drury Inn & Suites

Affordable

• Riverwalk Plaza Hotel

A San Antonio Itinerary for Foodies

Based on my experiences, this San Antonio itinerary will give you a perfect adventure in about 3-days.

But since there are so many great things to do (and eat). So I’ve added a bonus section at the bottom so you can swap things out and create your own adventure!

DAY 1 (JAPANESE TEA GARDENS & THE PEARL)

Coffee at Commonwealth Coffee House

Starting my day sipping a honey lavender latte at Commonwealth is a happy, happy moment, and a must-do to add to your itinerary. There are a few Commonwealth locations in the area. But the Hemisfair location is my favorite, and conveniently around the corner from the next stop on this San Antonio itinerary, Box Street All Day.

Also the Hemisfair location is in an adorably converted 1880s house. There are tables inside or out on the patio where you can sip your coffee and soak up the good weather.

And it’s more than just good vibes at Commonwealth. The coffee is on point.

I love a coffee shop with a variety of unique flavors. Some of their signatures include the honey lavender, spiced caramel white mocha and other seasonal flavors. Their pastry and brunch menu is also impressive, which makes this a popular spot especially on weekends.

Highlights: Honey Lavender Latte

Brunch at Box St Social

Just around the corner from Commonwealth Hemisfair is another San Antonio local brunch favorite, Box Street All Day. Fun fact… this popular spot started as a food truck called Box Street Social, but evolved to a restaurant serving their infamous brunch and delicious house-made donuts all day.

The decor is really trendy and fun, and the instagram-worthy decor is all throughout the space, even in the bathrooms. I particularly enjoy asking for a table on the patio if the weather is nice!

Box Street All Day Menu

You can’t go wrong with anything on the Box Street menu, but there are definitely some fan favorites. Make sure you order the house-made donuts. The Box St Brekky is also a solid choice for a classic breakfast, and the house-made milk bread toast and jam was chef’s kiss.

There are plenty of amazing cocktails to choose from and an entire section on the menu dedicated to Ritual zero proof mocktails if that’s your jam.

Highlights: House-Made Donuts, Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast, Box St Brekk

Optional: Tower of the Americas

After brunch, consider spending a few extra minutes walking off your brunch and strolling around the Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair and the park and splash pad. These are all in the same complex where Commonwealth and Box St All Day are located.

You won’t be far from Hemisfair Park, where you can find a unique San Antonio experience, the Tower of Americas. This 750-foot tower has an incredible view of the city, plus a rotating restaurant and a 4-D theater ride.

The Tower of Americas was constructed in 1968 for the Hemisfair World’s Fair, and is currently the tallest observation tower in Texas. Fun fact… it used to be the tallest in the US, until the Stratosphere in Las Vegas took the title in 1996.

Cost: $18.50 per adult. Or purchase a GoCity Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 50% on many San Antonio attractions.

Walk Around the Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is a great place to walk around and see some beautiful greenery. The garden is over 100 years old, and was originally a limestone quarry. It is full of lush flowers and plants, stone bridges, a giant pagoda, a koi pond. A perfect spot for an afternoon walk and lots of photos!

Cost: Free

Explore The Pearl

The Pearl is hands down my favorite part of San Antonio and an absolute gem with really fun vibes. If I were to ever live in San Antonio, it would definitely be in one of the nearby apartments.

This spot was once a brewery, but is now a mixture of eateries, shops, restaurants, good vibes and a popular farmers market on weekends.

And food-wise, it’s a total win. You can find pretty much anything here, from fancy restaurants like Cured or Supper to quick service spots like Lick Honest Ice Cream and the food hall favorites. Keep reading to learn more about my favorite spot, Southerleigh.

The Pearl is also where you’ll find Hotel Emma, a beautiful boujee hotel right in the heart of The Pearl. The decor is rustic but elegant with exposed brick walls, massive steel beams, and towering fermentation tanks; all seamlessly integrated with elegant, modern furnishings and art. Every corner of the hotel is just perfection. Whether you stay at the hotel or not, it’s worth a visit.

Dinner at Southerleigh

In my opinion, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery is hands down the best dinner option in San Antonio. Do not miss this on your San Antonio itinerary!

I love it so much I wrote a full post about it here: Why Southerleigh is a Must-Visit

Southerleigh Menu

The menu at Southerleigh is a Texas twist on Southern and coastal cuisine. They have their own microbrewery on-site offering 15 brews on tap. They also serve an impressive brunch menu that I’d love to try sometime, but I’ve always visited for dinner.

I could go on and on about the delicious food options here, but just trust me on these three…

1. Fried Chicken
2. Jalapeño Cheddar Grits
3. Banana Mud Pie

Their hand-crafted cocktails are also fabulous. The Madame is my favorite, made with Flor De Cana rum, jalapeño, passionfruit and lime, served like a martini. It tastes like a classy tropical vacation with a spicy kick.

DAY 2 (RIVER WALK)

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes on day 2! This day has several spots that are best explored on foot like the River Walk and The Alamo.

Breakfast at Magnolia Pancake Haus

This popular breakfast spot was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, and for good reason. The Magnolia Pancake Haus focuses on quality dishes, making 93% of their menu in-house including their “World’s Best Pancakes.” The restaurant has been a breakfast staple in San Antonio since 2000.

Because of its popularity, there’s a good chance you’ll have a wait to be seated, especially on weekends. Get there early if you can, and walk around the property while you wait. It’ll be worth it, I promise.

I got their APFEL PFANNEKUCHEN, a Bavarian puffed souffle-like-like pancake based with apples and spiced, topped with whipped cream. And it was divine.

Highlights: Apfel Pfannkuchen, Pancakes, Brisket Hash

Visit the Alamo

Your San Antonio itinerary would not be complete with visiting The Alamo. Known primarily for the 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution, it serves as a symbol of resilience and freedom. The Alamo was originally a Spanish mission, and today, it stands in the heart of San Antonio as a museum and shrine to the fallen soldiers of the battle.

Entrance to the icon Alamo church is free, and reservations can be made online for entry. If you prefer a guided or self-guided tour, those can also be reserved online at TheAlamo.org.

GO RIO Riverwalk Boat Tour

There’s something peaceful about walking around the Riverwalk. But there’s also something really nice about seeing it from the water on a GO RIO River Walk Boat Tour. Plus, it’s one of the staple things to do at the San Antonio Riverwalk.

GO RIO offers 35-minute narrated cruises every day from 10am – 10pm departing every 15-20 minutes. You can buy tickets in advance online or on-site. The guide will share tidbits of information about the history of the Riverwalk. You just get to sit back and enjoy the Riverwalk scenery!

Cost: $14.50 per adult. Or purchase a GoCity Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 50% on many San Antonio attractions.

Walk around the River Walk

Spend some time just walking around The San Antonio River Walk. This area is a below-ground network of walking paths and bridges that wind through lush greenery and picturesque restaurants, shops and hotels. It’s kinda what makes San Antonio famous!

If it’s too hot, you can always wander around the Shops at River Center indoor mall and a bit of shopping indoors.

Happy Hour or Cocktails at Domingo

During our stay at The Canopy Hilton Hotel on the Riverwalk, we really enjoyed the upscale Mexican restaurant downstairs that sits right on the waterfront, Domingos.

They offer happy hour on weekdays (Mon-Fri) from 3-5pm with $5 draft beer, $6 cocktails and snacks starting at $6. An incredible deal for the quality of food and incredible view on the patio!

But if you can’t make it for happy hour, I’d still recommend stopping by for a margarita or snack on the patio or upstairs at Otro Bar.

Dinner at Paesanos

Paesanos is a favorite spot among the seafood-lovers in my family, and the Riverwalk location is perfect for ending a long day of exploring with lots of carbs on the patio.

Their signature dish is the Shrimp Paesano, similar to a shrimp scampi served with spaghetti and a lemony cream sauce. My mom loved the pasta with clams! I’m allergic to shellfish, so I can’t give my stamp of approval on those… But based on the reviews of my family members, it won’t disappoint!

DAY 3 (EXPLORE NEW BRAUNFELS)

For day 3, I recommend venturing out of downtown and exploring some of the hidden gems outside of central San Antonio.

Try a Food Network Featured “Guilty Pleasure” for Brunch

Find one the Maple Street Biscuit Company locations for a quick-service breakfast that was featured on Food Network’s “Guilty Pleasures.“

Maple Street Biscuit Company is the home of the “Squawking Goat”, a delicious creation that involves a fresh-made biscuit with crispy fried chicken, a fried goat cheese medallion and pepper jelly. I can see why it was featured on Food Network… I was literally scraping the bottom of the plate!

We also tried “The Cowboy” which has country fried steak, egg, cheese, and gravy with a kick. It was rich and flavorful. We had to take a few of the iced cinnamon biscuits home and heat them up later, which I highly recommend.

Highlights: The Squaking Goat, The Cowboy, Cinnamon Iced Biscuits

Explore New Braunfels

Just 30 minutes outside of San Antonio is a charming Texas town with a German twist called New Braunfels. It’s a cute little town with the famous Gruene Hall, the oldest continually running dance hall in Texas, where you can catch live music nearly every night.

If you love the outdoors, New Braunfels doesn’t disappoint. Landa Park has several picnic areas, a miniature train, and beautiful walking trails. The Natural Bridge Caverns are nearby for a unique underground adventure.

Float In

When we visited in October with the whole family, the Float In riverfront hangout spot was hosting an adorable pumpkin patch! It was great for the kids to run around, play with sidewalk chalk, play pumpkin bowling and hang out by the river.

Tubing the Comal River

If the weather is nice, you can rent tubes and float the Comal River. Because it’s one of the shortest rivers in the US, it stays a perfect 70-ish degrees and is great for floating on a hot day!

Dinner at Muck & Fuss

Stop for lunch or dinner at Muck & Fuss in New Braunfels for a laid back meal with a delicious menu. Just be prepared… this is a popular spot and can get busy on the weekends.

They have a dog-friendly patio, and a beer garden with occasional live music. The energy is really fun. It’s casual, but really high quality. And it’s locally owned!

There’s something on the menu for everyone including salads, burgers, tacos, boozy shakes, 38 draft beers, and specialist cocktails.

I really wanted a burger, but also wanted some greens. So I got the Aloha Burger as a salad, which had grilled pineapple, honey chili sauce, green onions, Asian slaw, and Japanese mayo. A great choice!

BONUS: MORE THINGS TO DO + EAT IN SAN ANTONIO

There are so many other things that I just couldn’t fit into this 3-day San Antonio itinerary. So here’s a bonus list of some of my other favorite things to do and eat!

• Sea World
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas
• The San Antonio Zoo
• Chicken N Pickle — pickleball and fried chicken, a glorious combo! Follow to link to check out my blog post all about it.
• Natural Bridge Caverns
• Summer Moon Coffee — multiple locations
• Early Bird Coffee — try the horchata milk latte!
• Umiya — seiously the best all-you-can eat Japanese food for only $21/per person at lunch and $31/per person for dinner!

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Chicken N Pickle San Antonio

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery – San Antonio

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San Antonio Itinerary FAQs

What is San Antonio known for?

San Antonio, Texas, is famous for its deep cultural roots, history, and popular tourist spots like the San Antonio Riverwalk, making it a top destination in Texas. The Alamo in San Antonio is probably the most famous historical site in all of Texas. People visit from all over to see the museum and honor its history.

When is San Antonio Fiesta?

The San Antonio Fiesta celebration takes place in April every year because the Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836. These are the future dates of San Antonio Fiesta:

2024: April 18 – 28
2025: April 24 – May 4
2026: April 16 – 26
2027: April 15 – 25
2028: April 20 – 30

Where is San Antonio located?

San Antonio is located in the southern region of Texas, about 80 miles southwest of Austin and 200 miles west of Houston.

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Ready to Build Your San Antonio Itinerary?

I hope this post inspired you to build your own San Antonio itinerary! Of course, these are just my personal favorite things to do and eat in San Antonio, and there are lots of other great places to explore.

If you’ve been to San Antonio, comment below with your favorites. I’d love to hear from you because I’ll definitely be back soon and I’m confident that there are more great places I’d love to try!

And if you’re planning your trip, let me know what you’re most excited for.

Happy travels!

-Hannah

This post was all about a foodie San Antonio itinerary you’ll want to replicate, including my favorite things to do and eat in the area.