How to Do the San Antonio Riverwalk in Style
The San Antonio Riverwalk is a classic Texas destination. The combination of winding river, beautiful sights, and ample attractions have made the Riverwalk famous throughout the years. A number of fantastic restaurants and shops reside on the river, while even more inhabit the surrounding area. However, what many may not realize is just how many local favorites call the Riverwalk home. The recent expansion of the Riverwalk to include the San Antonio Museum of Art and Pearl Brewery Complex has only added to the options available for residents and visitors alike. In some sense there are now two great and distinct Riverwalk destinations on any given night. Not just for party goers and bar hoppers anymore, the Riverwalk houses many upscale venues these days. From art, to history, to great food, read on for help creating the perfect upscale Riverwalk evening.
The Classic Riverwalk
The San Antonio Riverwalk was originally proposed in 1929 and has since become the focal point of downtown San Antonio. The most popular section of the Riverwalk resides between Houston Street and Nueva Street, playing host to seemingly hundreds of restaurants and hotels. The area provides the images most often associated with the San Antonio Riverwalk, sporting everything from colored umbrellas and mariachis to the picturesque bridges featured in many films and television shows. This section of the Riverwalk has many well-known restaurants lining its banks, from global favorites like the Hard Rock Café and Rainforest Café, to the iconic umbrella lined Casa Rio. Thanks to the Riverwalk, finding a restaurant when visiting town is easy as can be. While a number of restaurants like the ones above may be well known around the country, many of the best restaurants on the river are those that possess a more local following.
A perfect night in the classic Riverwalk area starts with a sophisticated dinner at Paesanos or Boudros. Paesanos is a local favorite for Italian food that got its start in the Lincoln Heights area. Luckily, the owner expanded to the Riverwalk and introduced more patrons to the restaurant famous for homemade bread, fresh salads, and their signature dish “Shrimp Paesano”. Just a few minutes walk down river Boudro's Texas Bistro has welcomed guests for decades. One of the most highly rated restaurants in town, Boudro’s is famous for steaks and seafood but also for incredible table-side guacamole and prickly pear margaritas. Looking to make your evening one of a kind? Boudro’s is also known for accepting “barge reservations”. That’s right, you and your closest friends can share a delicious meal while floating down the river on your own private tour.
If you’re in the mood for a drink after dinner, head down the river to the Esquire Tavern. A San Antonio institution, The Esquire has served patrons for nearly a century. In addition to serving some of the most popular and original drinks in town, the tavern features the longest wooden bar in all of Texas. Another option nearby for history lovers is the Menger Hotel. Simply follow signs to the Alamo, the Menger sits just next door. Home to a variety of famous tales, one of the most popular involves the hotel bar. As the story goes, Teddy Roosevelt recruited many of his roughriders by spending evenings in the very bar that remains preserved and active to this day. Grab a drink and bask in the old timey feel. If you are looking for more of an upscale place to grab a cocktail, try Vbar at Hotel Valencia or Soho Wine and Martini Bar.
After drinks take a short stroll to the Alamo Plaza and see the Alamo shining in the night. Originally a Roman Catholic mission, The Alamo played host to the most famous battle in Texas history. While Texans suffered a bitter defeat, the battle cry of ‘Remember the Alamo” rallied the Texan forces for the remainder of the Texas Revolution, and to an eventual victory. After snapping a few pictures take the scarcely used above ground shortcut to nearby Morton’s for dessert. When you enter, check out a who’s who of local celebrities to your left, where the restaurant stores favorite wines for frequent guests. While not unique to San Antonio, few can argue the fact that Morton’s has some of the best desserts in town. The most famous of the bunch is the molten lava cake, which is sure to send you home satisfied.
The Museum Reach
A perfect night on the Riverwalk is one that includes equal parts ambiance and satisfied appetite. The newest extension of the Riverwalk, the “Museum Reach” is incredibly helpful in satisfying both aspects. The Museum Reach stretches from the San Antonio Museum of Art to the Pearl complex and includes a number of sights and water features along the way. The San Antonio Museum of Art is a great starting point for an evening out. The Museum proudly displays more than 30,00 objects in its collection, including paintings, sculptures, ancient pottery, and even Nelson A. Rockefeller’s personal collection of Latin Folk Art. A recently added attraction to the museum reach is the fish sculpture exhibit that hangs underneath the Interstate 35 overpass. The sculptures illuminate at night and appear as if they are swimming through mid air. Closer to the Pearl Brewery a beautiful amphitheater sits on the banks of the river, providing ample space to sit and chat just steps away from small waterfalls and bubbling brooks.
Venture into The Pearl itself to explore a number of the local eateries including La Gloria and Cured. La Gloria serves some of the best margaritas in town and often hosts musicians on the outdoor patio, providing a casual and laid back atmosphere on the banks of the river. Cured on the other hand resides in the middle of the Pearl complex in what was once the office building for the brewery’s president. Cured features upscale cured eats, from meats all the way to pickles. The ambiance of the restaurant is what really sets the mood, as one cannot help but feel sophisticated in the clean cut contemporary restaurant.
After dinner at either restaurant make sure to stop by Local Coffee to get the best cup of joe in town. Local Coffee is a San Antonio original, with the Pearl playing host to one of three locations in the city. Stroll along the banks of the river back to your starting point, and if you are feeling extra adventurous, catch a water taxi and take it to Main Plaza. Each Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night the San Fernando Cathedral serves as the backdrop to an incredible light and music show depicting the history of San Antonio. The show is truly one of a kind and sure to cap the evening off on a high note with a newfound appreciation for the Alamo City.
