Sheila's Guidebook
Food scene
Some of our favorite places in the neighborhood and nearby.
Our favorite breakfast tacos, literally right outside the front door on the corner of Commerce and Smith! My favorite is potato and egg mixed with refried beans and cheese; my husband loves the bacon and egg. Dine in or bring them home to enjoy.
Las Delicias Tacos #1
1603 W Commerce StOur favorite breakfast tacos, literally right outside the front door on the corner of Commerce and Smith! My favorite is potato and egg mixed with refried beans and cheese; my husband loves the bacon and egg. Dine in or bring them home to enjoy.
This great little Mexican bakery is about 1/2 mile from the house at 1225 El Paso Street and will feed the entire family for under $10! Your kids will love the gigantic chocolate donuts, me, I prefer the Apple Fritters.
La Popular Bakery
6634 Binz-Engleman RdThis great little Mexican bakery is about 1/2 mile from the house at 1225 El Paso Street and will feed the entire family for under $10! Your kids will love the gigantic chocolate donuts, me, I prefer the Apple Fritters.
Delicious empanadas one mile west at 2922 West Commerce, bring some home to finish baking later or take out for a picnic. Also has indoor and patio seating. Beware they close at 3 weekdays and 6 on weekends.
Fat tummy Empanadas
2922 W Commerce StDelicious empanadas one mile west at 2922 West Commerce, bring some home to finish baking later or take out for a picnic. Also has indoor and patio seating. Beware they close at 3 weekdays and 6 on weekends.
Great local coffee roaster two blocks from the house at 1333 Buena Vista Street.
10 locals recommend
Shotgun House Coffee Roasters
1333 Buena Vista StGreat local coffee roaster two blocks from the house at 1333 Buena Vista Street.
Delicious wood-fired pizzas with great happy hour from 3:30-6:30 ($8 pizzas and $3
4drafts) and outdoor seating in Southtown at 122 Nogalitos Street.
33 locals recommend
Il Forno
122 Nogalitos StDelicious wood-fired pizzas with great happy hour from 3:30-6:30 ($8 pizzas and $3
4drafts) and outdoor seating in Southtown at 122 Nogalitos Street.
Our favorite Italian restaurant, wonderful food and vibrant atmosphere; features outdoor seating. It’s usually bustling, and quite noisy inside of this restored Fire House, so not where to go for a quiet dinner. Make reservations. 604 South Alamo Street just south of downtown.
98 locals recommend
Battalion
604 S Alamo StOur favorite Italian restaurant, wonderful food and vibrant atmosphere; features outdoor seating. It’s usually bustling, and quite noisy inside of this restored Fire House, so not where to go for a quiet dinner. Make reservations. 604 South Alamo Street just south of downtown.
Fantastic homemade gelato in the Blue Star Art Complex in Southtown. Take your gelato to go and walk along the Riverwalk south of downtown.
52 locals recommend
South Alamode Panini & Gelato Company
1420 S Alamo StFantastic homemade gelato in the Blue Star Art Complex in Southtown. Take your gelato to go and walk along the Riverwalk south of downtown.
Tasty sandwiches in the beautiful King William neighborhood at 108 King William Street. No outdoor seating, but you can carry out to nearby park or to the Riverwalk.
25 locals recommend
Station Cafe
108 King William StTasty sandwiches in the beautiful King William neighborhood at 108 King William Street. No outdoor seating, but you can carry out to nearby park or to the Riverwalk.
Located at the Historic Pearl Brewery, great breakfasts, sandwiches, bakery and coffee. Abundant outdoor tables.
152 locals recommend
Bakery Lorraine
306 Pearl PkwyLocated at the Historic Pearl Brewery, great breakfasts, sandwiches, bakery and coffee. Abundant outdoor tables.
Great atmosphere with outdoor seating, family friendly in Southtown. Tons of beer choices and a small but tasty food menu.
194 locals recommend
The Friendly Spot Ice House
943 S Alamo StGreat atmosphere with outdoor seating, family friendly in Southtown. Tons of beer choices and a small but tasty food menu.
The Cove
606 W Cypress StFamily friendly for food and drinks nearby at 606 West Cypress Street.
We love this vegetarian restaurant in the Historic Pearl Brewery. Delicious bowls and a great Beyond burger. Also, a nice selection of vegan cupcakes. Lots of outdoor seating.
63 locals recommend
Green Vegetarian Cuisine
255 East Basse RoadWe love this vegetarian restaurant in the Historic Pearl Brewery. Delicious bowls and a great Beyond burger. Also, a nice selection of vegan cupcakes. Lots of outdoor seating.
There are some decent Mexican restaurants nearby that are tourist friendly, like Pico de Gallo and Mi Tierra. But Taqueria Chalapa Jalisco is where we bring our out of town guests. It is my favorite place for Chicken Enchiladas Verdes. I’m sure everything on the menu is delicious, but we can’t stop with the Enchiladas. The portions are generous and the prices reasonable compared to the tourist spots. Indoor seating only in this basic restaurant, but they have a window for picking up your call-in order. About 2 miles away at 1902 McCullough Avenue.
Taqueria Chapala Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
1902 McCullough AveThere are some decent Mexican restaurants nearby that are tourist friendly, like Pico de Gallo and Mi Tierra. But Taqueria Chalapa Jalisco is where we bring our out of town guests. It is my favorite place for Chicken Enchiladas Verdes. I’m sure everything on the menu is delicious, but we can’t stop with the Enchiladas. The portions are generous and the prices reasonable compared to the tourist spots. Indoor seating only in this basic restaurant, but they have a window for picking up your call-in order. About 2 miles away at 1902 McCullough Avenue.
Another neighborhood favorite at 117 Matyear Street, bring home Jamaican food and some Mac and Cheese to make the whole family happy.
12 locals recommend
The Jerk Shack
10234 Texas 151Another neighborhood favorite at 117 Matyear Street, bring home Jamaican food and some Mac and Cheese to make the whole family happy.
An upscale branch of HEB, you can find everything you need if you’re cooking at home. Excellent bakery, deli, produce and seafood/meat department at 4821 Broadway.
168 locals recommend
Central Market
4821 BroadwayAn upscale branch of HEB, you can find everything you need if you’re cooking at home. Excellent bakery, deli, produce and seafood/meat department at 4821 Broadway.
This beautiful little bakery is all about cookies, and they make special frosted cookies perfect for holidays or special occasions. About 2 miles away at 2716 McCullough Street.
13 locals recommend
Lily's Cookies
2716 McCullough AveThis beautiful little bakery is all about cookies, and they make special frosted cookies perfect for holidays or special occasions. About 2 miles away at 2716 McCullough Street.
This is my favorite Happy Hour spot at 709 South Alamo Street. There is a huge outdoor patio where you can enjoy cocktails and appetizers for $3.50 each from 4-7 during the long daily happy hour.
48 locals recommend
Azuca Nuevo Latino
709 S Alamo StThis is my favorite Happy Hour spot at 709 South Alamo Street. There is a huge outdoor patio where you can enjoy cocktails and appetizers for $3.50 each from 4-7 during the long daily happy hour.
Just really delicious decadent burgers! About 10 minutes north at 1900 Blanco Road.
102 locals recommend
Chris Madrids
1900 Blanco RdJust really delicious decadent burgers! About 10 minutes north at 1900 Blanco Road.
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
136 E Grayson StRecommended at The Historic Pearl Brewery.
Recommend if you are looking for a place for a special night out. In Southtown at 926 South Presa Street.
123 locals recommend
Bliss
926 S Presa StRecommend if you are looking for a place for a special night out. In Southtown at 926 South Presa Street.
A great coffee shop with a good breakfast and outdoor seating, located in the bustling Hemisfair Park. There are several other branches, all equally tasty.
23 locals recommend
CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery Hemisfair
611 Hemisfair BlvdA great coffee shop with a good breakfast and outdoor seating, located in the bustling Hemisfair Park. There are several other branches, all equally tasty.
We love this busy downtown spot for breakfast and lunch, but be prepared to stand in line! Delicious pastries, as well as bowls, sandwiches, avacado toast, French Toast, and homemade bread.
60 locals recommend
La Panaderia Bakery Cafe
301 E Houston StWe love this busy downtown spot for breakfast and lunch, but be prepared to stand in line! Delicious pastries, as well as bowls, sandwiches, avacado toast, French Toast, and homemade bread.
The nearest tourist friendly Tex Mex restaurant, lively atmosphere and decent food.
15 locals recommend
Pico de Gallo
111 S Leona StThe nearest tourist friendly Tex Mex restaurant, lively atmosphere and decent food.
A local and tourist favorite one mile east of the house, you can enjoy Mariachi music while dining in this family/tourist friendly spot. Be prepared for a wait during peak hours.
231 locals recommend
Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
218 Produce RowA local and tourist favorite one mile east of the house, you can enjoy Mariachi music while dining in this family/tourist friendly spot. Be prepared for a wait during peak hours.
Neighborhoods
This historic neighborhood is less than 2 miles away, south of downtown and adjacent to the Blue Star Art Complex. It is a great place for walking to see beautiful historic homes in this lovely and friendly neighborhood.
131 locals recommend
King William
This historic neighborhood is less than 2 miles away, south of downtown and adjacent to the Blue Star Art Complex. It is a great place for walking to see beautiful historic homes in this lovely and friendly neighborhood.
This eclectic neighborhood includes great restaurants and an arts scene. Visit the Blue Star Art Complex for artists and a few good spots for food and drink, right on the river; great access to a less busy section of the river walk by the Blue Star Arts Complex.
142 locals recommend
Southtown
This eclectic neighborhood includes great restaurants and an arts scene. Visit the Blue Star Art Complex for artists and a few good spots for food and drink, right on the river; great access to a less busy section of the river walk by the Blue Star Arts Complex.
Cool neighborhood with great restaurants and bars. We like Demo’s Greek Restaurant, Tycoon Flats for burgers, and Singh’s for Vietnamese food, and there are a lot additional places with outdoor seating. Lots of new places opening all of the time for drinks and night life.
North Saint Mary's Street
North Saint Mary's StreetCool neighborhood with great restaurants and bars. We like Demo’s Greek Restaurant, Tycoon Flats for burgers, and Singh’s for Vietnamese food, and there are a lot additional places with outdoor seating. Lots of new places opening all of the time for drinks and night life.
Shopping and More
Everyone loves The Pearl only two miles away! It has a great, family friendly outdoor area, shopping at unique boutiques and shops, a weekend farmer’s market, a great variety of eateries, and access to my favorite stretch of The Riverwalk headed towards downtown south and to Brackenridge Park directly north. I love the layout of The Pearl which is super pedestrian friendly.
527 locals recommend
Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl PkwyEveryone loves The Pearl only two miles away! It has a great, family friendly outdoor area, shopping at unique boutiques and shops, a weekend farmer’s market, a great variety of eateries, and access to my favorite stretch of The Riverwalk headed towards downtown south and to Brackenridge Park directly north. I love the layout of The Pearl which is super pedestrian friendly.
The Quarry is a shopping and eating area with Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, a pretty good variety of eateries, and a good assortment of national chain stores including Nordstrom Rack, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sephora, Pottery Barn, and many more. It is off of 281 towards the airport, about 5 miles from the house .
54 locals recommend
The Quarry
444 E Basse RdThe Quarry is a shopping and eating area with Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, a pretty good variety of eateries, and a good assortment of national chain stores including Nordstrom Rack, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sephora, Pottery Barn, and many more. It is off of 281 towards the airport, about 5 miles from the house .
Near the Alamo, this shopping area, which also has a cafe and restaurant, is made up of really charming, small historic buildings. I love just strolling around and browsing the unique shops.
91 locals recommend
La Villita
Near the Alamo, this shopping area, which also has a cafe and restaurant, is made up of really charming, small historic buildings. I love just strolling around and browsing the unique shops.
Upscale shopping center north of the downtown area, along with other staples like Target, TJ Maxx, and Lowes. You’ll also find a lot of places to eat, movies, and more to keep you entertained.
218 locals recommend
The Rim
17703 La Cantera ParkwayUpscale shopping center north of the downtown area, along with other staples like Target, TJ Maxx, and Lowes. You’ll also find a lot of places to eat, movies, and more to keep you entertained.
Parks
I love these area parks for walking, picnics, and the occasional shade!
This park is next to the zoo and has many picnic tables, nice walking and biking paths, and an abundance of bird life along the river.
13 locals recommend
Brackenridge Park Trail
Brackenridge Park TrailThis park is next to the zoo and has many picnic tables, nice walking and biking paths, and an abundance of bird life along the river.
While everyone loves to visit The Alamo, as they should, I love the old missions that can be visited by automobile or by bicycle along the Riverwalk south of downtown. Also great picnic sites!
234 locals recommend
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
6701 San Jose DrWhile everyone loves to visit The Alamo, as they should, I love the old missions that can be visited by automobile or by bicycle along the Riverwalk south of downtown. Also great picnic sites!
Lake Elmendorf Park at 3700 West Commerce Street is at Our Lady of the Lakes University. Nice walking path, plus playground for the kids. It’s the nearest park to the house .
Our Lady of the Lake University
411 SW 24th StLake Elmendorf Park at 3700 West Commerce Street is at Our Lady of the Lakes University. Nice walking path, plus playground for the kids. It’s the nearest park to the house .
Sightseeing
Well, because it’s the Alamo and if you haven’t seen it you should! Plus, it’s walking distance from the house.
879 locals recommend
The Alamo
300 Alamo PlazaWell, because it’s the Alamo and if you haven’t seen it you should! Plus, it’s walking distance from the house.
While the River Walk extends for miles from The Pearl Brewery to the Historic Missions, the downtown segment is the busiest and most frequented by tourists. There are many popular restaurants with outdoor seating on both sides It is about 1.5 miles directly east of the house.
804 locals recommend
San Antonio River Walk
610 River WalkWhile the River Walk extends for miles from The Pearl Brewery to the Historic Missions, the downtown segment is the busiest and most frequented by tourists. There are many popular restaurants with outdoor seating on both sides It is about 1.5 miles directly east of the house.
A nice place to visit if you are with your family, the zoo offers abundant free parking, a kiddie train, and outdoor picnic areas adjacent at Brackenridge Park. Only a 10 minute drive from the house.
568 locals recommend
San Antonio Zoo
3903 N St Mary's StA nice place to visit if you are with your family, the zoo offers abundant free parking, a kiddie train, and outdoor picnic areas adjacent at Brackenridge Park. Only a 10 minute drive from the house.