More commonly known for its crown as the young party destination, San Antonio’s first-rate gastronomy scene may come as a surprise to most. Not least because the gems of this west coast town often lay hidden in plain sight. We take the guesswork out of where to find them with our rundown of our favourites below. As the saying goes, ‘never judge a book by its cover’!
Tucked away off of the bay’s colourful strip, Es Virot is dreamy escape from the bustle. Set within 360-degree glass walls, the refined, yet easy going, restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Guests often accidentally discover this spot while getting off the water taxis that station nearby. Enjoy excellent homemade Mediterranean fare indoors or out on the terrace where tables circle the turquoise pool. Blessed with a generous sea view, the quiet, peaceful settings are great for unwinding over mouth-watering seafood, steak and rice dishes. Don’t miss a bottle from their in-house wine cellar!
Sister restaurant, Es Gerret pulls through with more lashings of stellar cuisine. Situated in the heart of San Antonio, it’s incredibly easy to miss this restaurant. On an unassuming road and encircled by casual cafes and restaurants a sublime experience awaits! Bask in rainbow ceviche, prawn tempura ladled seabass and burrata draped in fig and serrano ham. Plates are finessed in such a manner it’s hard to resist photographing everything. Tapas and lots of exquisite, deconstructed desserts are on tap to be enjoyed on their cozy veranda or in their ambient interiors. Take it from us, you may just find yourself stopping by more than once.
In stark contrast, the Wi-Ki-Woo is hard to miss! The Instagrammable art-deco hotel is a fantasy land chock full of fun. Dine within their palm-tree littered terrace in perhaps the most coveted location, a quiet nook near the sunset strip with unobstructed views for catching sundown. Top chefs transport guests into a world of high-end, fusion food while expert barmen stand ready to shake up any cocktail of your imagination! Think sesame-crusted tuna steak, dumplings, prawn tempura and steaks with sharing platters for large groups. DJs often play, so don’t forget your dancing shoes.
Mint Lounge offers a table right on the famous sunset strip. Take in the crowds, a closeup of the sunset and a fantastic Italian menu all within white-washed settings. Ideal for those who like a buzzier atmosphere, you won’t get better than this. Fresh pastas, salads and woodfired pizzas go hand in hand with punchy cocktails. If waistbands allow, their fresh-berry cheesecake and panna cotta is a hit. And sit back for a slow-dining experience, the build-up and fanfare for the sunset is something to be seen!
One of the rarer offerings is a taste of Morocco with Al Ayoun. A new face to the circuit, their doors on the sunset strip opened in 2020. With a charming courtyard and balcony space, their menu is upscale dining. Rich, warming flavours come in the shape of apricot lamb, couscous plates and delectable prune and almond chicken. The lavish grounds are spectacularly ornate with antique-inspired furniture and pillar-box red carpets. Tea is served in traditional metallic teapots for afters with honey-soaked sweets.
And for something wildly different to the rest, groovy architecture and a bohemian get-up make for this otherworldly hideout. Kumharas is a popular nook that feels a million miles away from town. The restaurant gloriously spills right out onto the coast, so revel in an international menu featuring tuna, salmon and king prawns right by the ocean breeze. At night its watchtower lights up and the palm-trees glow ethereally purple. Their beach-side bar sports an extensive menu for long-drawn out evenings basking in the glow with family or friends. You’ll have yourself thinking, ‘this is the life!’.
