Where to Eat at the Pearl Brewery: 17 Best Restaurants

By Sara Branstetter | January 19, 2023

The Historic Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, TX has transformed over the last 20 years from a dilapidated industrial complex to a sprawling, lively, full-service area, complete with apartments, restaurants, and entertainment. It has basically become the IT place in San Antonio for locals and guests alike looking for a pedestrian and family-friendly locale to eat and while away a few hours. And, with an extremely dense concentration of restaurants all within about a half mile of each other, hungry people have lots of excellent options to choose from.

Where To Eat at the Pearl Brewery Historic District

To take the guesswork out of selecting a restaurant, we have put together an exhaustive list of our favorite places to eat at the Pearl Brewery Historic District including everything from coffee shops to fine dining. No matter what you are in the mood for, there is something for you to dine on and enjoy at the Pearl.

Where to Eat at the Pearl Brewery Historic District

Ladino

Best for: Mediterranean

New Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Ladino, has taken over the Pearl Brewery space previously occupied by Andrew Weissman’s Italian restaurant, Il Sogno. Ladino is owned by the Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group out of Austin and Executive Chef Berty Richter is at the helm.

The namesake for the restaurant is the name of the Judeo-Spanish language that Chef Richter grew up speaking at home. Already having been heralded one of Bon Appétit’s “Most Exciting New Restaurants in September 2022,” Ladino looks to go beyond its name and blend the unique flavors of the executive chef’s cultural roots in Turkey, Israel, Greece, and the Balkans.

Ladino's menu is heavily influenced by Mediterranean ingredients and flavors but combines the Sephardic tradition of cooking over a charcoal grill to create some very inventive and original dishes. Highlights include a range of dips and freshly baked pita bread, cold and hot mezes, and full-size entrees.

We really enjoyed the Muhammara dip with a mix of peppers and Texas pecans as well as the hot meze, Arayis, with lamb and beef, spicy tomato, and whipped tahini. For the main dish, we recommend the pork souvlaki covered in a creamy, garlicky tzatziki.

One con worth mentioning regarding Ladino, the music was on the louder side which could make it difficult to hear at times. If you or a member of your party are hard of hearing or sensitive to volume, this may not be the place for you. Ladino is a great option for those on a date night, for adventurous eaters, or for anyone looking for something brand new or very unusual.

WEBSITE | 200 E Grayson St #100, San Antonio, TX 78215

Carriqui

Best for: Upscale Tex-Mex

The uniquely titled, Carriqui (pronounced KHER-ih-key, and the local name of the Green Jaybird) opened its doors in September 2022. Carriqui is housed in a lovely old saloon that dates back to 1890, and previously held the SA landmark, Liberty Bar, from 1985-2008.

After a painstaking renovation, the building has been beautifully restored to its original glory, minus the trademark tilt of the previous occupant.

And while the building and location are stunning, it’s not just the setting that is worth a visit. The service and food are also top notch. The menu is based on the flight path of the Carriqui bird which begins in south Texas and follows along the east coast of Mexico down into the Yucatán.

As such, you will see everything from BBQ and nachos to ceviche and achiote grilled chicken. If you can’t decide what to order, try one of their botana platters which include an assortment of appetizers and entrees from their main menu, so you get a little bit of a whole lot. Why pick just one thing when you can pick 7 or 8?

As with all of the Pearl restaurants, there are lots of options for parking. There is street parking with meters near the restaurant, or you can head to the Pearl garage about a 5-minute walk away (the first two hours in the garage are free). Surface parking is also available for a fee in front of La Gloria or underneath 281.

WEBSITE | 239 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215

Restaurant Claudine

Best for: Southern Gourmet

Restaurant Claudine, an upscale southern comfort food restaurant located near the Pearl district, serves cocktails, wine, and elevated southern food with French influences in a (truly adorable) renovated bungalow house.

From the same owners behind Little Em's Oyster Bar, Restaurant Claudine wows with the decor and design, but is absolutely perfect with regard to the food as well. Expect standard southern favorites with a twist. For instance: the cornbread is served with smoked wallflower butter, made with real edible flowers on top. (Just try to eat that without taking a picture first...)

WEBSITE | 517 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215

Allora or Arrosta

Best Restaurants For Group Dining In San Antonio

Best for: Italian

Sister restaurants, Allora and Arrosta, entered the SA food scene in early 2022 and have been a welcome addition to a city not exactly known for its Italian flavors. Both restaurants are under the helm of the same executive chef and offer slightly different takes on Italian food.

Allora’s game is upscale coastal Italian with an emphasis on freshness and overall experience. Arrosta focuses more on Italian comfort food with classic staples like Chicken Parm and Lasagne Bolognese.

Whether you are searching for the familiarity of a bowl of Fettuccine Alfredo or the refined elegance of seafood like Grilled Octopus, Allora and Arrosta have the Italian aficionados covered.

WEBSITE | 403 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

WEBSITE | 1803 Broadway Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78215

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

Best for: French

Continuing with the theme of comfort food, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou hits it hard on the French side of this particular food spectrum. Mon Chou Chou, part of the Southerleigh Hospitality Group, is the brainchild of three French food lovers who met in SA in 2001 and wanted to share the delights of their home country and their grandmothers’ kitchens with the good folks of South Texas. The result is a restaurant with a quintessentially French culinary style and pure food perfection.

The menu has both time-honored French classics like Cordon Bleu and Croque Monsieur as well as more elaborate options like the Filet de Beef. Our personal favorite though is the ooey-gooey, oh-so-cheesy Sandwich Au Fromage Raclette – just one bite and you will find yourself floating in fancy-cheese heaven.

WEBSITE | 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery

Best for: Southern

It’s all in the name – and at Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery, you get exactly that. Southerleigh recently reopened after a short remodel and menu change and while a few things have changed, the delicious food, craft brew, and personal service certainly haven’t.

The restaurant is built in the old Pearl brewhouse and continues the tradition of the original occupant by brewing all the beer that they serve in their in-house brewery.

Southerleigh’s seasonally shifting menu consists of southern cuisine with standards like deviled eggs, cornbread, and their famous fried chicken. Though, a surprising menu standout (we’re talking MAJOR standout here) is their pork schnitzel and spaetzle drizzled with a buttery beurre blanc sauce - your heart may stop mid-meal while eating this, but at least you will die happy.

WEBSITE | 136 E Grayson St Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78215

Full Goods Diner

Best for: Brunch

Full Goods is one of the most recent additions to the Pearl, having made its debut in September 2022. The concept is a classic all-day diner, with cheerful red and white striped booths carrying this concept throughout the design of the restaurant.

The menu centers on breakfast, brunch, lunch, and cocktail options with a blend of Mexican and US flavors. All food is scratch made in house using seasonal and local ingredients.

Pastries are a feature of Full Goods with a few unique options including their pan de elote, Mexican hot chocolate muffin, and a cardamom knot. For something festive, shareable, and oh so sweet, try their peaches and cream pop tart.

If you aren’t jonesing for sugar, try their Ruvin’s breakfast - a potato, egg, and cheese scramble, barbacoa, and refried beans all on delicious, fresh tortillas. And Full Goods also boasts an extensive cocktail list because no brunch is complete without a Bloody Mary or Mimosa.

WEBSITE | 200 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215

Bakery Lorraine

Best for: Baked Goods

This nationally recognized bakery, headed by 2023 James Beard Award semi-finalist Anne Ng and her partner Jeremy Mandrell, is the place to head to at the Pearl when the bread cravings hit - the croissants, tarts, and macarons are all out of this world. If you require something a little bit denser, you will also find delectable sandwiches, soups, and salads.

While there is seating at Bakery Lorraine, we suggest you grab your food, and then head back outside and find a table along the Pearl’s green space. Or better yet, bring a blanket and make a picnic of it. Pastries + picnics = perfection.

WEBSITE | 306 Pearl Pkwy #110, San Antonio, TX 78215

Cured

Best for: Meat (and lots of it)

As the name suggests, Cured is all about cured meats and foods – think everything from charcuterie to pickles. The restaurant occupies the Pearl’s original Administration Building from 1904 and the now renovated rustic chic design is a fitting theme for a menu of delicately cured meats and cheeses.

Cured’s chef is a James Beard Award finalist, and his menu is absolutely one-of-a-kind. Guests to Cured will undoubtedly be exposed to exciting new flavors and textures so this is the perfect place to bring adventurous eaters.

And no meal at Cured is complete without one of their signature charcuterie boards, any of which can be enhanced with 8 additional types of meat including unusual options like Hazelnut Salami, Diablo Goat Salami, or Smoked Habanero Oysters.

WEBSITE | 306 Pearl Pkwy #101, San Antonio, TX 78215

Supper

Best for: New American

The queen mother at the Pearl Historic District is undoubtedly the Hotel Emma. This beautiful boutique hotel (and one of the best boutique hotels in San Antonio), casts an imposing shadow over the entire area and simply cannot be missed. With a hotel that prominent, you might expect there to be an equally noteworthy restaurant attached. And in this case, you would be right.

Supper is a new American, upscale restaurant that is the whole package – superb service, outstanding food, and a design aesthetic that makes the restaurant a true extension of the hotel itself. The rotating menu at Supper highlights seasonal flavors that have been sourced from local farms, and dishes are always creative and well-balanced. Supper is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

WEBSITE | 136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215

Boiler House

Best for: Texas Fare

The Boiler House is a true Texas gem. Located in a 130-year-old building, the Boiler House’s kitchen is built right into the original Pearl Brewery’s boilers, and much of the original architecture remains in the restaurant.

The Boiler House’s menu is all about the steak, with a number of steak toppers (don’t miss the yummy gulf shrimp or bacon-wrapped quail) and sides to enhance. Salads, sandwiches, and burgers are also available for those looking for lighter fare.

The Boiler House offers an expansive wine list, craft beers, and a Texas-centric cocktail menu, and all of the drinks are best enjoyed outside on nice days in the restaurant’s outdoor patio and wine garden.

Photo credit: Boiler House

WEBSITE | 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 3, San Antonio, TX 78215

Food Hall at the Bottling Department

Best for: Speed and affordability

For those looking for a quick meal option rather than a full sit-down meal, the Pearl offers its own version of a traditional food court. The Food Hall, built on the original site of the Pearl Brewery’s Bottling Department, kicks out quality, scratch-made food items, and meals, but with the speed, efficiency, and affordability of a quick counter service restaurant.

The Food Hall houses 4-5 rotating, pop-up eateries, giving chefs a chance to flex their culinary muscles and develop a loyal following before they take the plunge into opening up a brick-and-mortar location. As the occupants change on a somewhat frequent basis, you can get the most up-to-date info on the latest offerings by visiting the Food Hall’s website.

To dine at the Food Hall, simply order your food and retrieve it at the counter once you have been paged. The Food Hall has limited indoor dining available, but more tables can be found right outside along the Pearl’s green space.

WEBSITE | 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215

Lick Honest Ice Creams

Best for: Ice Cream

In 2011, two friends got together in Austin, TX, and decided to open an ice cream shop in which they could source every ingredient in their artisanal ice cream so that absolute freshness could be guaranteed. And with that, Lick was born. Lick Honest Ice Creams has since expanded, and they now run three shops in San Antonio.

Lick’s menu strikes a balance between the traditional (chocolate, caramel, and mint chocolate chip) and the unexpected (roasted beets with fresh mint, and goat cheese with thyme and honey).

As many of Lick’s flavors are seasonally driven, you can expect a rotating menu that highlights whatever is fresh and currently available. All of their milk and cream is sourced from family-owned dairies in Texas and Wisconsin, so regardless of whatever flavor you choose, you can rest assured that your ice cream is made from only the best ingredients available.

WEBSITE | 2, 312 Pearl Pkwy #2101, San Antonio, TX 78215

Botika or Best Quality Daughter

Best for: Asian fusion

The Pearl Historic District has not just one, but two great Asian fusion restaurants to choose from – Botika and Best Quality Daughter.

Botika is a Peruvian-Asian restaurant that blends the dynamic flavors of pan-Latin cuisine with the spectrum of Asian flavors for a truly unmatched experience in San Antonio. A few menu highlights at Botika include the Cebiche Caribe, Aji de Gallina Empanadas, Potstickers (the best we have EVER had!), and Lomo Saltado. Be sure to pair any dish with a traditional Peruvian cocktail, the Pisco Sour.

Best Quality Daughter is under the direction of chef Jennifer Dobbertin who brought SA staple Hot Joy to the Alamo City years ago. Best Quality Daughter is located in the historic Mueller House at the Pearl and is absolutely adorable with brightly colored wallpaper and vibrant flavors to match.

The menu is a mix of smallish plates, noodle dishes, and family-style entrees, that are best shared with a group. Nightly specials are also available but plan to get there early as these often sell out quickly.

WEBSITE | 303 Pearl Pkwy #111, San Antonio, TX 78215

Local Coffee Founders

Best for: Coffee

If you’re at the Pearl and all you want is a solid cup of coffee, look no further than Local Coffee Founders, San Antonio’s original Local Coffee Shop, and the genesis for specialty coffee in SA beginning in 2009.

Today, Local Coffee Founders is as consistent as they were the day they opened with excellent cappuccinos, lattes, and pour-overs. LCF proudly brews beans from the Tag Coffee Company, a local roaster that gives 50% of its profits back to local children’s shelters.

At Local Coffee Founders, one of the best coffee shops in San Antonio, you can feel good about feeding that caffeine addiction since with each cup of coffee you drink, you are giving back to the community.

WEBSITE | 302 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215