The Most Flavorful Cafes in San Antonio

SP Café

★★★★☆ 4 (365) • $$

"I'm new to the area & had finished my morning appointments, & started out looking for A) coffee, & B) something new. This place came up I guess because they do serve coffee, but this was not the original search intent. That being said, I am glad we stopped! The server was so helpful! We ordered, and based on the small conversation happening, she made suggestions which turned out really well! I had the grilled beef sandwich, & a matcha milk tea. The milk tea was very good; flavorful & not too sweet! The grilled beef sandwich was delicious! It had a bit of heat, but it was not spicy. I love spicy, so that would not be an issue, but this just wasn't. It was so tasty & the meat was cooked perfectly. My lunch & tea were delicious, service was awesome & friendly, & the meal in total was not expensive! Will absolutely be back to try other new things on the menu!"

Cafe At The Ridge

★★★★☆ 4.1 (316) • $$

"Haven't even eaten yet and the smell of the bakery has my mouth watering. Our waiter Tyler, is a total gentlemen, and recommended French toast over pancakes, Exquisite! We are still waiting to decide what dessert to choose. !!!!"

Outlaw Kitchens

★★★★★ 4.7 (239) • $$

"We made reservations to visit after trying to walk in last week and finding out they had already filled their last spot. It was worth the wait! We were seated in a cozy little cubby near the back, which was perfect. The staff shared the story of the owners--a husband, a graduate of the CIA culinary school, and his wife, who has a background in construction. Together, they created a warm and inviting restaurant where they used to live before expanding due to their success. We couldn't decide on a red wine, so our waitress graciously let us sample a few before we settled on a lovely French dry red. Our meal started with a fantastic pork and grape appetizer, which was the highlight for us. For the mains, we chose a vegetable and a fish dish. The eggplant was a bit too rich for my taste, and I would have preferred a lighter, crunchier panko coating. The redfish had a bit of a strong flavor, but the corn succotash that accompanied it was excellent. The fresh, crisp salad was another standout.We were too full to enjoy dessert at the restaurant, so we took a nectarine tartlet and chocolate cake home. Both were a hit the next day! For everything we enjoyed, the bill was very reasonable, and the service was exceptional. We'll definitely be back to try more from their weekly-changing prix fixe menu."

Kolache Stop

★★★★★ 4.5 (217) • $

"First time I stopped to give a review in the middle of eating. This place is absolutely AMAZING! Very pleasant people serving delicious kolaches. Try the blueberry cream cheese if you have a sweet tooth. Will come back over and over again!"

Maria's Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (191) • $

"I've wanted, and was meaning to try this place for many years. It is a much lauded place in our city. The New York Times did an article on it. Thus reinforcing its place in the lore of our city. Its seemingly "Hole in the wall" sensibility has people buzzing about it. But alas time waits for no one, thus the opportunity finally came to try this place. Firstly parking is pretty sparse. Lucky for us we went early and found a spot. Inside the place, it is really small. All over the restaurant are memorabilia: a photo of Elvis, automotive placards, a Willie Nelson bust, signage of all sorts, etc. It felt too excessive for me. People have chimed in that it feels like you're at someone's house. To me the way you decorate your house and a business are two different things.We sat ourselves in a booth next to party who were as loud as an AC/DC concert. To carry on a conversation was next to impossible. For that matter, its small interior ensures everybody's conversation is front and center. A server brought a menu with its array of "crazily crafted tacos." Some of the items are named after customers or local dignitaries. One is cleverly named "The Ron" after the mayor. Filings of all sorts, weenies, eggs, gravy and carne guisada close to topple the menu over. There's a taco with the aforementioned fillings. But they can make any taco you want, with whatever you like. I'm a simple man. I ordered a carne guisada(absolutely no cheese!) and a bean & cheese taco.Surveying the place, again I can see maybe why The New York Times mentioned them. My question is was the write-up based on irony or a legitimate liking of their food? I will say the owner is a hoot, which probably propelled the writer to come to their conclusion. When the food arrived I was kind of perplexed. The tacos were skimpy, definitely not in keeping in this area. The carne guisada and bean & taco were good. However, there are good tacos everywhere to be found in the city. In addition the food was not cheap. I suppose the pricing either reflects the reality of its location, the NY Times write up or inflation. The very next day we bought the same items elsewhere at a much lower price I know people absolutely laud this place and my review is not to rebuke nor chide them. However living in this city an aeon I've experienced taco palaces whose names are never mentioned. But writers and patrons alike can be lulled by the trappings of a culinary piece. If Maria's were in Maine the argument would be valid. But in Taco City, SA the competition is too fierce to empirically confer any spot. This place was just "okay" for me. While I'm not against a place that by design is kitschy or campy. I need at least an assemblage of a memorable experience. I did appreciate the owners personal touch but that's where my affinity ends."

Happy Day Café

★★★★☆ 4.3 (160) • $

"The food here is absolutely amazing and delish!My son always wants to come here, and now I know why! What an amazing experience."

PhiloÇoffee

★★★★☆ 4.4 (143) • $

"Great location, great coffee and nice staff! Easily found off of San Pedro by SAC, it allows some indoor and outdoor seating."

Hanamaru Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (135)

"Hanamaru Café is one of my all-time favorite spots for dessert in San Antonio! If you haven't been, you're missing out--especially on their matcha and vanilla swirl taiyaki. It's the perfect treat: the crispy, warm fish-shaped pastry filled with soft, creamy ice cream, and when you add condensed milk and mochi, it's an absolute game-changer. The matcha ice cream has a robust, authentic matcha flavor that really shines through, and it pairs so well with the sweetness of the vanilla.But Hanamaru isn't just about desserts. The spam musubi here is another standout. If you're a fan of this Hawaiian classic, you'll love their take--it's savory and satisfying. It's definitely a win-win when you can enjoy both a savory and a sweet option in one visit. I've also noticed that people around me are always enjoying their curry, so that's definitely on my list to try next time.The place is always clean and inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making each visit feel special.If you're in the mood for a sweet treat (or even something savory), Hanamaru Café is the spot to be. Their combination of high-quality desserts, tasty bites, and great service makes it a place I'll keep coming back to. Highly recommend!"

Cypress Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (106) • $$

"I started frequenting this place when it was tucked into an HEB office on cypress street. It was a great hidden spot, with an awesome sit down lunch, for around $10. Total mom and pop place, where the appetizer pancake was slowly rolled out on a cart. I often wished they were open for dinner.I was a little scared when they moved, and glad to see them reopen.But it's not the same. A meal costs almost double, and the quaint little spot they had is replaced by one of those urban kitchens with 10 restaurants inside. The only option is togo. There's no cart. It's nice, and it's good for food that you take home to eat,, but it's lost some of the magic."

Oasis Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (107) • $

"Excellent service! Waited on promptly upon entering and checked on regularly. I had the Huevos rancheros with steak and beans and friend had the steak and eggs. Mine came with fresh homemade tortillas, some of the best I've had."

Regio Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (91) • $

"Stopped in the drive thru on a nice breakfast before a day exploring the city. Many options including tacos, burritos, and various breakfast plates to get your day started. There's also dine in, but usually it is crowded in the morning as everyone loves breakfast here. Plus it's not a big joint, but it'll get you going if you're on the go or on the way to work.I simply had two bacon egg and cheese tacos from the drive thru. The bacon had a delicious greasy flavor to it, but it could've been cooked a little less. Crispy bacon isn't bad at all, but I at least like to be able to have it with flavor. The eggs were pretty good, and the cheese wasn't really present in the taco, but overall not a bad way to start the day.Parking is limited, like I said, so just try the drive thru if you don't have time to sit and eat. The huevos rancheros meal looked pretty good, but I didn't try it because I wasn't that hungry. But if you're looking for a nice small breakfast before work, stop on by."

The Nest Boba

★★★★☆ 3.7 (90) • $

"Stopped by The Nest after shopping nearby. We didn't feel like driving home in traffic hour without grabbing a bite to eat first so came in for a small meal. I actually wanted Korean food next door, but didn't feel like we needed the huge portions or leftovers before Thanksgiving.So The Nest's food options hit the spot without breaking the bank. We ordered the ramen which is just a Shin ramen with some kimchi, melted cheese and hot dogs in it. It's not bad, the kind of comfort food I make at home for $8. But well worth it to have some warm soup while out of the house.The carne asada fries were too salty for my liking. It's a shame it doesn't come with avocados or sour cream to balance the saltiness of the fries, meat and cheese. Maybe if they added more crema or an aioli at least?Overall the place is pretty lowkey, they have some board games and a few arcade games. Not a bad place to grab a snack or food after shopping with kids. Also that they love KPop here and they have a few decorations and have some sort of event coming up in line with the Kiss of Life concert on Friday. A good place to check out if you like Korean food, snacks and boba."

Spotted Deer Coffee Company

★★★★☆ 4.4 (63) • $

"What a nice, relaxing, coffee shop "away from the fray." This sweet spot was "discovered" through the Yelp Elite event and when I saw it was essentially across the freeway from where I live, I got excited!Spotted Deer Coffee Company is tucked away in Fair Oaks - the corner store in a cute little "plaza" of 3 other small shops (will have to come back to the ice cream shop at the end!). When we came in, the sweet barista greeted me and my little one (she's 2.5yo and insisted on riding in Mama's car to go to the store, lol). They had a lovely menu, but I went with my tried and true, chai tea latte with nonfat milk The barista recommended a hot chocolate with whip cream for my little lady - who was immediately on board I caught site of the most epic looking pop tart I'd ever seen - and had to have it! However, their gooey cinnamon roll looked delicious too - so I'll be back to try that one next time.After we paid, we went an sat at one of the tables and my girl spotted a nice little shelf of kiddie books across the shop. How perfect!! A Mickey and Minnie book was immediately brought back to the table and we "read" until our drinks came. The chai tea was good, but I tend to like my creamier - and not as "spicy." Nonetheless, I sucked it down happily My little one loved her hot chocolate - and because she couldn't finish it (she never finishes her drink), I got to sample that as well - soooo very good! If I come back, I'm definitely going to get that with some biscotti cookies...mmmmmm. I have to say, the giant pop tart definitely looked better than it tasted. The actual dough/crust was rather bland - even with the frosting and sprinkles on it. It probably could've used some more butter in it The mixed berry center was fantastic though! I won't be getting it again, but I'm glad I tried it!! Like I mentioned earlier, I have to try the cinnamon roll next time anyway I came on a foggy, drizzly Sunday, so I'm not sure how busy it gets during "peak" hours or days, but I will absolutely be returning for a nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon for tea and pastries :)"

Trailblazer Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (60)

"A little hidden gem in San Antonio! The city is so well known for its Mexican food, but this place has a little something special that I think everyone ought to check out!They have American food with a cool little twist on it. I had the delicious beet & artichoke salad and my husband ate the Whiskey Chick sandwich with a side of fries. The food was made fresh and ready! We decided to sit outside on the patio since the weather was nice and it turned out to be a great idea, because we had a clear and direct view of all the planes taking off and landing!My husband and I enjoyed ourselves! It was something different, relaxed, and definitely entertaining. The place is quaint, small, clean and there's indoor and outdoor seating, as well as bar seating. When you walk in you pick a menu up and order what you want and find your favorite spot to sit."

Hearthstone BakeryCafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (48) • $$

"I went for the first time with my coworkers today and we all stared at the menu for so long because literally every single thing sounded so good! And it was! I got a spicy chicken wrap and my coworkers all got paninis and it was a 10 out of 10, everyone loved it. Excellent atmosphere and the best customer service too! I will definitely be going back :D"

Rita's Fiesta Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (72) • $

"The tacos here are huge almost like the ones from Rolando's ,Ray's Taco Hut, Teran's but far much better. My favorite tacos here are the country sausage with gravy, barbacoa, carne guisada and chorizo and egg. I've been coming here since 2008 when I would get tacos to go before heading to work when I used to be a 411 operator up the street at Infonxx/kgb."

Scooped Cookie Dough Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (50) • $

"This was a must try being new to San Antonio! We purchased a deal on Groupon and are so glad we did. The entire experience was wonderful! The monster and brownie batter mix was delicious!! I'd also recommend the experiment 626. We'll definitely be back for brunch!!! Yummy"

Martindale River Cafe and Mercantile

★★★★☆ 4.4 (33) • $$

"Nice little spot with pretty good food, best interior, nice folks working there, and general good vibes.The inside is kind of narrow and can be crowded if it's a happening time, like when we stopped in. I dig the brick and plants.Everyone liked their food. Above average but not great or amazing or incredibly memorable. Just solid and worth a second visit if you're in quaint, cute little Martindale. I believe I had an adult grilled cheese? Hope I'm not confusing this meal with another - lulz - but everything else I said definitely applies to this place.Not a ton of choices right along Martindale's little main drag, so it's nice that this is a good one. Looking forward to the next stop in this little town that I predict will grow rapidly..."

Extra Fine Southtown

★★★★☆ 4.3 (20)

"I finally got to try Extra Fine in Southtown and I am so glad I did!Extra Fine is a neighborhood bakery and cafe with some amazing and delicious breakfast and lunch menus. Their first location is located in Monte Vista, but they just recently opened a second one in Southtown. This location has plenty of indoor seating and they tables are very large which is perfect for those that like to work and/or study from a coffee shop. Their food menu is small but might with some really good and healthy options. For my first time I decided to go with their Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwich. The sandwich was absolutely delicious! It was the perfect blend between a classic chicken sandwich and a caesar salad. It was absolutely delicious and nothing like I've ever had before at any other restaurant. The only downside about this location is that it seems they are struggling with their A/C because the place was pretty toasty, but in their defense I understand it is really hard to keep a place this large cool when is 105 outside. Regardless, I can't wait to come back and order their Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwich again!"

Niki's Mexican Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (20) • $

"I will actually go out of my way to stop by this hole in the wall restaurant to get their breakfast tacos. Let put aside the fact that when your ordering for a while department or more than twenty people, things can get a little tricky. Niki's labels their bags makes fresh flour tortillas, and really knows how to make a multitude of great breakfast tacos. The inside of the restaurant is pretty dated and drab but I could care less, with food like that, it doesn't matter. Stop by and check them out. I have yet to try them for lunch but if it is as good as their breakfast, I'll be in for a real treat."