Day-by-day eating plans for San Antonio: weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Making a weekend of it

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Day-by-day plans

San Antonio weekend: Tex-Mex, tacos, and the Pearl

  • ★ 4.7
  • 2 days
  • First-time visitor, two days

A weekend built around the dishes San Antonio claims as its own: the breakfast taco, the puffy taco, and barbacoa, balanced with a Saturday at the Pearl and a Michelin-starred Mexican dinner.

  1. Day 1Saturday: West Side tacos, the Pearl, and a tasting menu

    Morning
    Start with breakfast tacos and carne guisada at Garcia's Mexican Food near Woodlawn Lake, then drive to the West Side for the original puffy taco at Ray's Drive Inn.
    Afternoon
    Spend the afternoon at the Pearl: browse the producers-only Pearl Farmers Market, then a glass and a cheese board at High Street Wine Co.
    Evening
    Dinner at Mixtli in Southtown, the city's first Michelin-starred restaurant, where the rotating tasting menu explores one Mexican region. Nightcap at The Modernist near the Pearl.

    StopsGarcia's Mexican FoodRay's Drive InnPearl Farmers MarketHigh Street Wine Co.MixtliThe Modernist

  2. Day 2Sunday: barbacoa morning, Market Square, and River Walk

    Morning
    Sunday is for barbacoa and Big Red: stock up at Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa on the West Side, the local weekend ritual.
    Afternoon
    Head to Historic Market Square for the largest Mexican market in the US, with pan dulce and enchiladas at the 24-hour Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia.
    Evening
    Cocktails at the historic Esquire Tavern on the River Walk, then a late plate of street tacos from Tacos El Regio on the St Mary's strip.

    StopsTellez Tamales & BarbacoaHistoric Market Square (El Mercado)Mi Tierra Cafe y PanaderiaThe Esquire TavernTacos El Regio

San Antonio for the Michelin crowd: a Pearl long weekend

  • ★ 4.6
  • 3 days
  • Fine-dining traveller, three days

A long weekend through San Antonio's new Michelin era, anchored at the Pearl and Pullman Market, with the city's three starred rooms, a Bib Gourmand or two, and a steakhouse night downtown.

  1. Day 1Friday: Pearl arrival and a starred dinner

    Morning
    Coffee and a macaron at Bakery Lorraine on the Pearl plaza, then settle in.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Best Quality Daughter in the historic Mueller House for New Asian American plates, then a glass at Sternewirth in Hotel Emma's restored brewhouse.
    Evening
    Dinner at Isidore in Pullman Market, the Michelin-starred Texas room with a Green Star for sustainability.

    StopsBest Quality DaughterSternewirthIsidore

  2. Day 2Saturday: Bib Gourmands and a dessert tasting

    Morning
    Breakfast and a champagne brunch at Cullum's Attaboy near Alamo Heights, a Michelin Bib Gourmand diner.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at The Jerk Shack on the West Side, the Bib Gourmand Jamaican spot, then a glass at High Street Wine Co. back at the Pearl.
    Evening
    An early dinner at Mezquite for Sonoran grilling, then the dessert-only tasting menu at Michelin-starred Nicosi to finish.

    StopsCullum's AttaboyHigh Street Wine Co.Nicosi

  3. Day 3Sunday: oysters, steak, and a cocktail

    Morning
    A relaxed brunch at Supper in Hotel Emma, leaning on the Pearl market's produce.
    Afternoon
    Oysters and a seafood tower at Little Em's Oyster Bar in Southtown.
    Evening
    A final dinner at Bohanan's downtown steakhouse, then a Prohibition-era cocktail at Bar 1919 in the Blue Star complex.

    StopsSupper at Hotel EmmaLittle Em's Oyster BarBohanan's Prime Steaks and SeafoodBar 1919

San Antonio on a budget: a taco-and-pan-dulce crawl

  • ★ 4.4
  • 1 day
  • On a budget, one day

A full day of San Antonio's best-value eating, from breakfast tacos and puffy tacos to a whole mesquite-grilled chicken and late-night street tacos, almost all under fifteen dollars a stop.

  1. Day 1Dawn to midnight on a few dollars a stop

    Morning
    Open with bean-and-cheese-with-bacon and carne guisada breakfast tacos at Lucy's Cafe, then grab conchas from the 24-hour Mi Tierra Panaderia at Market Square.
    Afternoon
    Lunch on the original puffy taco at Henry's Puffy Tacos on the West Side, then a whole mesquite-grilled chicken to share at Pollos Asados Los Norteños.
    Evening
    Antojitos and a patio beer at La Gloria on the Pearl River Walk, then close out with cheap al pastor street tacos from Tacos El Regio after dark.

    StopsLucy's CafeMi Tierra Cafe y PanaderiaHenry's Puffy TacosPollos Asados Los NorteñosLa GloriaTacos El Regio

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