17 Romantic Restaurants in San Antonio

Traveling as two? You’ll find a spot for every date night mood on this list of romantic restaurants in San Antonio.

Spanning all kinds of cuisine, atmospheres, and price ranges, our lineup will walk you through the city spots guaranteed to deepen connections and make memories that last long after the evening’s wrapped up.

After all, the Alamo City is a city practically built for couples. Its deep sense of culture, rich history, and lovely vistas are all conducive to long strolls and shared experiences.

17 Most Romantic Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas

So grab your special someone and get ready to plan your perfect romantic dinner in San Antonio!

Silo

$31-60 | Website | (210) 824-8686

There are a few Silo locations throughout the city, each with its own unique atmosphere and chef-driven menu–Silo Alamo Heights, Silo 1604, Silo Terrace Oyster Bar, and Silo Prime.

They could all top the list of most romantic restaurants in San Antonio. Between the four, you’ll find elegant interiors, extensive wine lists, world-class cuisine, and even a rooftop bar with fabulous skyline views (at Silo Prime).

However, the Alamo Heights location was Silo’s first in the city and has become particularly popular as a date night destination. 

Among the menu highlights of this upscale restaurant are its signature chicken-fried oysters, grilled Atlantic salmon, and pan-seared sea scallops.

Read next: Best Wine Bars in San Antonio

Zocca Cuisine D’Italia

$11-30 | Website | (210) 444-6070

Italian food is an easy go-to for a San Antonio date night, and few spots do it better than Zocca Cuisine D’Italia.

Choose between their warm, relaxed indoor dining room or a riverside patio (some of the city’s prime real estate) when the weather’s nice.

Pizza and pasta dishes dominate Zocca’s menu, among which the chicken fettuccine alfredo, seafood pasta, and margherita pizza come highly recommended.

Craft cocktails and fine wines, plus an indulgent tiramisu for dessert, round out a dining experience that’s sure to send sparks flying.

Best Quality Daughter

$11-30 | Website | (210) 819-4236

Bored of staples like steak and pasta for date night? If you and your partner enjoy novel settings and creative cuisine, then Best Quality Daughter is the place to be.

This concept restaurant opened recently (in 2020), yet quickly drew a crowd of loyal customers. Their Asian fusion dishes and funky dining room, located within a refurbished 1900s home, set them apart from the downtown competition.

Best Quality Daughter’s menu draws inspiration from Chef Jennifer Dobbertin’s “comfort food of her youth as a second-generation Chinese-American.”

As a result, you’ll be treated to delicacies like cashew chicken, potstickers, and fried rice, plus an impressive selection of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

El Taco Stone Oak

$ Under 11 | Website | (210) 495-8226

San Antonio is the city of TexMex, a fabulous fusion of Texan and Mexican cuisine that draws on fresh ingredients, colorful dishes, and plenty of spice.

If that’s what you’re seeking, then El Taco Stone Oak delivers. Plus, every meal starts with a shared order of fresh, homemade tortilla chips and dip.

Early birds will be spoiled for choice with huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and more Mexican food. But don’t worry–their famous breakfast tacos are served all day long.

As for dinnertime dishes, the el dumpster, barbacoa, and carne guisada specialty tacos all come highly recommended.

Although it may not seem like one of the most romantic restaurants in San Antonio at first glance, the meals are well-priced and, in the end, nothing brings people together better than incredible food.

Maverick Brasserie

$11-30 | Website | (210) 973-6050

As its name suggests, Maverick Brasserie brings together bold Texas flavors and classic French dishes, delicately balancing between friendly neighborhood hangout and upscale eatery.

The dining room is chic and modern, with cozy candlelit tables perfect for conversations and shared plates.

You can also opt for more action with a seat near the roaring flames of the open kitchen, or sunnier seating on a leafy outdoor patio.

Among Maverick Brasserie’s most popular (and shareable!) dishes are their brussels sprouts, calamari and octopus, and arugula salad.

The staff is super knowledgeable when it comes to food recommendations and wine pairings, so trust their judgment. You can also order from a stellar selection of Texas beers and craft cocktails.

Biga on the Banks

$31-60 | Website | (210) 225-0722

A tried-and-true classic when it comes to romantic restaurants in San Antonio, Biga on the Banks dishes up Riverwalk views, adventurous New American fare, and wines from all across the world.

It was created by renowned chef Bruce Auden, and puts forth what one reviewer called, “extraordinary creations that play havoc with tradition.”

You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu (which changes daily), but some standout dishes–if they’re available when you go–include venison, rack of lamb, and quail. Wrap things up with their beloved sticky toffee pudding.

For an even more indulgent experience, try the Three-Course Prix Fixe menu with wine pairings, which costs around $75 per person.

Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano

$31-60 | Website | (210) 696-2536

The refurbished farmhouse that holds Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano brings instant charm to any night out. Pair that with stellar Italian fare and a carefully curated wine list, and sparks are sure to be flying!

This Italian restaurant has enough starters, soups, salads, pizzas, and pastas to feast to your heart’s content, so order a few dishes for the table and share with your special someone.

Escargot, eggplant Parmigiano, and salmone Pavarotti are all worth a try, and their signature homemade cheesecake is a must-order to finish off your meal.

Got a double date? Aldo’s offers a family-style dinner package for 4, which includes house salad, bread, and a selection of their most popular dishes.

Whiskey Tree Bar and Grill

$ Under 11 | Website | (210) 758-5376

Sports, live music, drinking and dancing…oh my! As San Antonio’s “biggest small bar,” Whiskey Tree truly has everything you need for a fun-filled, action-packed night on the town.

You and your date can catch the latest sports game on one of the bar’s 22 TVs or simply enjoy the shade of the live oak tree that towers over the outdoor patio.

Local bands play every Friday and Saturday starting at 9 PM, and other events like karaoke, poker, and piano sing-a-longs keep things lively throughout the week.

As for dining, choose from a hearty array of burgers and hot dogs, all washed down with a frozen margarita.

Nonna Osteria

$11-30 | Website | (210) 224-8800

No list of romantic restaurants in San Antonio would be complete without a mention of Nonna Osteria, an elegant yet understated dining destination serving rustic Northern Italian cuisine.

This spot is found in the city’s iconic Fairmount Hotel, built in 1906 and boasting a storied history as a Victorian-era inn.

At the helm of the venture is Chef Luca Della Casa, who draws on decades of food knowledge, inspired by the flavors and family recipes of his childhood in Italy.

The result? A menu overflowing with love, which includes highlights like their decadent signature Tartufo, Branzino cooked in fennel butter, and Pappardelle Al Cinghiale with roasted bell pepper and wild boar.

Green Vegetarian Cuisine

$11-30 | Website | (210) 233-1249

Calling all vegans and vegetarians! Health-conscious couples will find lots to love at this inventive eatery that transforms traditional Southern comfort dishes into 100% plant-based alternatives.

They have 2 locations to choose from–one in Alamo Heights and another slightly farther out from downtown. However, both share the same incredible menu.

Kick things off with an appetizer of fried pickles and vegan poblano ranch, move on to a main course of “chicken” fried steak served with a zingy kale salad, and end on a sweet note with a slice of cake or a brownie.

They even serve a Texas-sized cinnamon roll, clocking in at “3.5 pounds of dairy-free and egg-free goodness,” and best tackled by 2.

Iron Cactus

$11-30 | Website | (210) 224-9835

Authentic Mexican dishes, masterful tequila-based cocktails, and a legendary table-side guacamole make Iron Cactus a premier date night destination.

Plus, with its waterside location and spacious outdoor patio, this spot offers prime San Antonio sightseeing. Enjoy watching riverside strollers and boat tours floating past while you eat.

Speaking of eating, the Mexican meatloaf, Southwest paella, and brisket enchiladas are all worth a try, and the Mexican donuts make a perfect dessert.

Ocho

$11-30 | Website | (210) 222-2008

Ocho tops many lists of the best romantic restaurants in San Antonio, and for good reason!

The distinctive dining room features electric blue furniture, dramatic chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out over the Riverwalk.

Once seated with a view, browse a pan-Latin menu full of finger-licking dishes like Cuban sandwiches, fried plantains, and their elevated take on churros. Ocho is also known for its mojitos, so make sure to try one!

The Esquire Tavern

$11-30 | Website | (210) 222-2521

Not all romantic restaurants in San Antonio have to be particularly upscale. For a more fun and casual date night, look no further than the Esquire Tavern.

This ultra-cool vintage bar in the heart of downtown opened in 1933 at the end of Prohibition and has been going strong ever since (aside from a brief hiatus from 2006-2011).

Its claim to fame? Not only is it the oldest bar on the Riverwalk, but it also holds the longest wooden bar top in all of Texas, stretching for more than 100 feet.

Grab a seat at it, or in their intimate downstairs lounge, and get ready to indulge in uniquely elevated bar food (think fried chicken paired with caviar) plus top-notch craft cocktails.

Mixtli

$ | Website | (210) 222-2362

Few date night restaurants in San Antonio are as cool as Mixtli, a dreamy, imaginative culinary experience built around exploring different regions or historical periods of Mexico.

Their multi-course tasting menu shifts with the season, always making the most of fresh, local ingredients. Trust us when we say no detail is spared–from dinnerware to drink pairings.

Mixtli is open Tuesday-Saturday exclusively for advance reservations. Make sure to buy a ticket online prior to your trip, for a date night you won’t forget anytime soon!

Up Scale

$31-60 | Website | (210) 396-7755

Trying to impress your date? Treat them to the sleek dining room and seafood-dominated menu of aptly-named Up Scale and you’re sure to score some brownie points.

Sushi lovers will delight in the inventive and oh-so-lavish rolls, which include classics like a delicious Otoro Nigiri as well as house inventions like the eponymous “Up Scale Roll,” made with toro, caviar, and gold flakes.

For those that prefer turf to surf, the New York strip also comes highly recommended.

Whatever you order (because it’s guaranteed to be good), it’s the posh glamour and air of exclusivity about Up Scale that makes it a truly memorable date night destination.

Bliss Restaurant

$31-60 | Website | (210) 225-2547

Dripping in awards (Diners’ Choice, Travelers’ Choice, 100 Best Restaurants in America for Foodies…the list goes on and on), Bliss Restaurant’s mission is to “create a unique dining experience with each visit, pairing experimentation with reward.”

You and your partner can work together to build your own multi-course experience, pulling from a fine selection of contemporary American dishes always made with seasonally fresh and local ingredients.

Menu standouts include seared scallops, oysters, roasted bone marrow, and charcuterie boards, as well as a classic butter cake for dessert.

Make sure to call in advance if you wish to try a tasting menu!

Liberty Bar

$11-30 | Website | (210) 227-1187

Last but not least of our favorite romantic restaurants in San Antonio is Liberty Bar, an eclectic and easygoing eatery that makes its home in a former convent.

From the cheery pink exteriors to the charming coziness of the dining room to the internationally-inspired menu, you and your date will have plenty to enjoy.

Dishes like matzah ball soup, chile Relleno, shrimp tacos, and falafel wraps take you around the world from the comfort of your own seat.

Among the fan-favorite dishes are their creamy goat cheese starter and low-and-slow pot roast bowl.

Even if you’re full after dinner, make sure to take some homemade sourdough bread or other baked goods home with you (if you can get your hands on them)–they’re famous!