The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in San Antonio
There’s no doubt about it, San Antonio is home to a bangin’ culinary scene that can hold its own against cities way more well known for their food (Chicago, New Orleans, New York – yeah, we are just as good!). But unfortunately, our diverse fare doesn’t do justice to one of the major types of food worldwide – seafood. Seafood in San Antonio is a bit behind the in-crowd, but certainly not out of the game.
Seafood is obviously best, by the sea. And if you haven’t checked your maps lately, San Antonio isn’t exactly in a prime position, by the sea. So, it definitely isn’t the place to come if you are looking to access your super fresh, exceedingly affordable, caught-this-afternoon-and-cooked-immediately type seafood. In Texas, you have to head to Galveston, Port Aransas, or South Padre for that.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t get quality fish, shrimp, lobster, oysters, or crab here. You just have to be prepared to look in the right places, and then pay for it.
Most of the seafood restaurants in SA are on the pricier side since they have to ship the fresh food in. Seafood can’t exactly be found on every corner and isn’t as accessible as it is in coastal cities, but well worth it for those who are looking for a nicer evening out, or who just want that perfectly cooked red snapper filet.
Below are the 10 best seafood restaurants in San Antonio including a bonus for those who prefer to do the seafood preparation themselves.
Rebelle
Located in the historic St. Anthony Hotel, Rebelle is an upscale seafood restaurant with gorgeous chandeliers, and an early 1900s luxury-feel.
Rebelle is under the helm of renowned SA chef Stefan Bowers (the mind behind Italian restaurant Battalion, adult-only burger concept Pumpers, and the quirky, though sadly closed, Feast) who has crafted a menu highlighting quality seafood with a Texas twist. The result is fresh, delicious, and surprisingly very filling – no portion skimping here!
If visiting Rebelle, I recommend the Red Snapper Veracruz, shrimp and grits, or pan-seared diver scallops. Make sure and add a side of smoked gouda mac and cheese for the whole table and your meal will be set.
Protip #1: Rebelle offers FREE valet parking for guests that aren’t already staying in the hotel so you won’t have to fuss with looking, or paying, for a place to park. Just bring your valet ticket inside and the restaurant will validate it.
Protip #2: As the St. Anthony is located directly across the street from Travis Park, try making your visit to Rebelle during the holiday season when Travis Park is home to the largest Christmas tree in the city. A lovely seafood dinner followed by a romantic holiday stroll through the park is just about as lovely as it gets.
WEBSITE | 300 E. Travis St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Photo Credit: Yelp Ruthie W.
Sure, it’s a chain, but it’s a darn good one. Eddie V’s, located on San Antonio’s northside off of loop 1604, is typically considered THE BEST seafood restaurant in San Antonio for fish aficionados.
Variety abounds here with Chilean sea bass, oysters, salmon, caviar, lobster, and so much more available on the menu. If you are simply after the best fish that San Antonio has to offer, come here. But be prepared, because the best fish doesn’t come cheap. Entrees average $50 here.
WEBSITE | 1834 N. Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78248
Costa Pacifica
Photo Credit: Yelp Sam O.
Mexican seafood restaurant Costa Pacifica, which happens to be just down the road from Eddie V’s, is a much more affordable seafood option dishing out the flavors of coastal Mexico in a relaxed atmosphere.
The menu is a mashup of your standard Mexican fare and a solid number of ceviches and mariscos. Entrees here average $15-$25, making Costa Pacifica one of the cheaper options on this list.
Protip: Costa Pacifica is a popular happy hour location that hosts live music a few nights a week. If you happen to visit Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening, be prepared for crowds and noise. Not your scene? Come another night when you have a better chance of being able to hear those you are dining with.
WEBSITE | 434 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 2101, San Antonio, TX 78232
Little Em’s Oyster Bar
It’s all about the oysters at Little Em’s Oyster Bar. This super cute (think white, blue, and pink pops of color) eatery is one of Southtown’s culinary gems and a great place to sip on a glass of champagne while enjoying quality oysters sourced from all over the continent.
Not an oyster fan? Admittedly they aren’t my personal fave – so I just pair my champagne with some tangy shrimp cocktail, octopus aguachile, or a Maine lobster roll instead.
News: Little Em’s Oyster Bar is set to relocate by the end of the year to the space formerly held by now shuttered restaurant, Up Scale. Keep an eye on our website for details on the upcoming move and new address.
WEBSITE | 1001 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78210
Leche de Tigre
You want oysters, head to Little Em’s. You want fish, Eddie V’s. But if it's ceviche you want, Leche de Tigre is your place.
This stunning little restaurant opened just shy of two years ago and is not only one of the best new restaurants in San Antonio, but one of the best seafood restaurants in San Antonio thanks to its stellar ceviche options.
Leche de Tigre is a Peruvian restaurant with the best ceviche (or cebiche, as it is called in Peru) options in SA. Everything is wonderfully fresh, delightfully sharp and tart, and brightly colored. Exactly what you want in a ceviche. Highly recommend the Cebiche Classico and Nikkei, though you can’t go wrong with any of their options.
WEBSITE | 318 E. Cevallos St., San Antonio, TX 78204
El Bucanero
Photo Credit: Yelp Donna D.
El Bucanero serves casual Mexican seafood from their location near Embassy Row. The shrimp and fish heavy menu is an absolute monster with pages and pages of colorful, baja-style options.
Protip: After your meal, head outside to the parking lot for dessert at the churro truck that makes your churros to order.
WEBSITE | 16505 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78232
Cappy’s Restaurant
Photo Credit: Yelp Stefany V.
The OG of seafood restaurants in San Antonio is most definitely Cappy’s. With years of quality food and service in Alamo Heights, Cappy’s Restaurant has long been a solid option for great seafood in SA.
You can pretty much expect that anything you find at Cappy’s – the scallops, halibut, crab cakes, or whatever the catch of the day is – will be absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. Their paella, in particular, is absolute FIRE!
Highly recommend Cappy’s for an evening of fine dining (quality of food and price), but in a more relaxed atmosphere than you will find at Rebelle or Eddie V’s.
WEBSITE | 5011 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78209
Go Fish Wine Bar
The Go Fish Wine Bar is a great lunch location near the Pearl for a little day drinking and a light seafood meal. Highlights include the Crudo, the Tuna Toast, and the Fish and Chips. Not feeling the seafood? Try the Steak Tartare, Fried Chicken Sandwich, or gigantic Smash Burger.
WEBSITE | 125 W. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78212
Silo Terrace Oyster Bar
Photo Credit: Yelp SunnyTX
We may not be near the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your oysters with a view! The Silo Terrace Oyster Bar boasts a covered rooftop dining area where guests can nosh on some of the best oysters and seafood in San Antonio, while taking in the second story views near the Dominion.
As with all of Silo Elevated Cuisine’s restaurants (Nonna Osteria, the Fairmont Rooftop Oyster Bar, La Fogata, and three other Silo locations), the Silo Terrace Oyster Bar is consistent in service, variety, and great flavors.
In addition to a large variety of oysters, you will find an assortment of other seafood options including Texas redfish, lobster, oak grilled tuna, and a robust Cioppino (a seafood-heavy, Italian, fisherman's stew).
WEBSITE | 22211 IH-10 W. Access Rd., San Antonio, TX 78257
El Jefe Baja Style
Photo Credit: Yelp Khadija E.
It may be a food truck, but El Jefe Baja Style is definitely one of the best seafood restaurants in San Antonio. Baja style botanas platters come loaded (and I mean, LOADED) with fish, shrimp, and shellfish that will explode with flavor and color. Servings are pretty big here and can easily be shared.
El Jefe Baja Style is parked in San Antonio’s river north area and is open Thursday-Sunday for dinner and late night snacking.
WEBSITE | 1221 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78215
*Bonus* Groomer’s Seafood Market
If you prefer to cook your own seafood rather than eat out, check out Groomer’s Seafood Market. Open for curbside and delivery only, Groomer’s is the best place in San Antonio to purchase fresh seafood direct from the wholesaler.
Options change here with some frequency but will always be more varied and of higher quality than what you are likely to find at a local grocery store.
Short of heading to the gulf and catching your own amberjack, snapper, or mahi mahi, Groomer’s is the closest thing you will find to that caught-this-afternoon, ultra-fresh flavor.
WEBSITE | 9801 McCullough, San Antonio, TX 78216