San Antonio's new spots: Mid-year highlights
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The first half of 2024 has been busy with openings as San Antonio's restaurant industry enters an auspicious moment.
Why it matters: The transformation and growth of the industry highlight the city's emerging culinary talent and pave the way for prestigious recognition, like the upcoming Michelin guide, further cementing San Antonio as a food destination.
Between the lines: San Antonio welcomed two all-in-one developments at or near Pearl this year, with the openings of Pullman Market and The Creamery.
- Pullman Market opened in April and is home to Sonora-inspired restaurant Mezquite; adjoining bar Mezcaleria; Italian restaurant Fife and Farro; and no-phones-allowed dessert bar Nicosi. An elevated restaurant called Isidore is slated to open later this summer.
- The Creamery is home to restaurants Hook Land and Sea and Chika. Amelia, Easy Baby, Tribute and Lunatique are also on the property and have quickly become staples in the nightlife scene. Coffee shop Crème opened in November.
What they're saying: "We envisioned an upscale but approachable district along the Riverwalk where people could find a place at any of our food & beverage concepts. It's been amazing to see it all finally come to fruition," Josh Hume, The Creamery's vice president of hospitality, told Axios in a statement.
Yes, but: The food and drink industry has been hit by a list of closings this summer, including Botika, Blue Box and Snake Hill.
Keep reading for a closer look at this year's notable new spots.
Corinne and Anaqua Garden Bar
The newly renovated Plaza Hotel, nestled between Southtown and downtown proper, is home to these two new hot spots.
- Corinne serves food all day (the Navajo fry bread is a must) plus a full menu of cocktails.
- Anaqua Garden Bar is located just outside of the restaurant. It's a picture-perfect backdrop for summer pool parties with bites like the guacapoke and conversation-starting drinks like "Pretty Fly for a Mai Tai."
Barrio Dogg
Owner Pablo Rios describes the new Southtown spot, which is a San Diego original, as "Chicano comfort food." Hot dogs with a long list of mouth-watering toppings like jalapeño, sour cream, salsa verde, Sriracha aioli, crunchy garlic and cilantro are on the menu.
- There's also a menu of flavored micheladas.
- The restaurant also pays tribute to lowrider culture with local art and photography decorating the walls.
Maíz
The Stone Oak restaurant opened in March with new chef Maricela Rangel Trujillo, mother of chef Juan Carlos Bazan (Toro and Cuishe), at the helm.
- We loved the enchiladas maíz, a tasty ensemble of four chicken-stuffed enchiladas smothered in a creamy sauce, corn and lettuce salad. The cecina (dried beef) and the arrachera are also great options.
Nixtamali Molino and Comedor
Southtown's newest restaurant, which opened in June, takes diners on a gastronomic journey to pre-Hispanic times, highlighting the intricate process of nixtamalizing corn.
- All of the dishes, which are reflective of various regions in Mexico, feature nixtamalized corn products.
Fermenteria
Hard water kefir joined the local bar scene in March. The downtown-adjacent East Side spot serves an array of alcoholic and nonalcoholic water kefir on tap or by the bottle.
Roca & Martillo
The Italian restaurant led by chef Jason Dady opened in May at The Rock at La Cantera, the new mixed-use complex owned by the Spurs.
- The burrata di bufala and brisket lasagna are must-tries.
Holy Diver
The cozy Tiki bar opened on top of Hi-Tones in February. Cocktails (and mocktails) are served in glassware begging for an Instagram photo.