One of America’s most underrated foodie destinations is hiding in the Lone Star State. San Antonio, located about 90 minutes away from Austin, may be best known for its culture and rich history. Still, it has also earned itself the nickname “Texas’ culinary capital.” In fact, it’s one of just two U.S. cities with a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation (the other is in the heart of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, in Tucson), thanks to its diverse and distinct cuisine and blossoming culinary landscape. Its extensive food scene includes everything from upscale riverfront steakhouses to classic barbecue and lively Tex-Mex eateries — but in such a wide-ranging food scene, where do visitors even begin?
To assist you on your foodie tour of San Antonio, we’ve dug through all the top food rating platforms to round up the city’s very best — from long-standing institutions to restaurants that have made their mark in just a couple of years. All of our selections have high ratings across multiple platforms, as well as a large number of ratings. We’ve also done our best to try to showcase some of the diversity in San Antonio’s vast culinary landscape.
Cullum’s Attaboy
Black River caviar, truffle eggs, and champagne butter scallops are all on the brunch menu at Cullum’s Attaboy, a cozy eatery along the St. Mary’s Strip, but the atmosphere is markedly unpretentious, with walk-in counter service and a chalkboard menu greeting guests outside. Since launching in 2022 for brunch service, Cullum’s Attaboy, led by chef Christopher Cullum, has earned a whole host of accolades, from a mention in the Michelin Guide to a James Beard nomination for Best Chef. It’s also shot to the top of San Antonio’s restaurant scene, with a 4.6 rating on Google and 4.3 on Yelp. “What really sets Attaboy apart is the creativity and quality behind each dish,” said one Yelp reviewer. “Each dish was a delightful surprise- well presented and bursting with flavor.”
And in August 2025, the French bistro even added dinner to its repertoire. Offerings include escargot with herbed scotch compound butter and pork, and plums served with white wine sauce. Cullum’s Attaboy is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pinkerton’s Barbecue
Austin may be the top-ranked barbecue city in America, but there’s plenty of highly-rated Texas barbecue right in San Antonio, too. Pinkerton’s Barbecue first opened in Houston, earning features on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Channel. Its San Antonio location opened its doors in 2021 and has since become one of the city’s top eateries, with a 4.5 Tripadvisor rating and a 4.4 on Yelp. Pinkerton’s menu features an array of smoked meats, ranging from Copper Creek prime brisket to jalapeõ sausage and dry-rub pork rubs, along with classic sides like tangy coleslaw and South Texas beans…