In a land where the breakfast taco is king and weekends call for Big Red and barbacoa, can there still be room for brunch at the table? We don’t see why not. Serving up everything from Southern classics to feisty fusions and tasty experiments, San Antonio offers way more than just Tex-Mex.
Southerleigh
Chef Jeff Balfour merges Southern comfort with the Texas Gulf Coast, sprinkling in some Tex-Mex along the way, at this restaurant and brewery. Located in the sprawling mixed-use space, Pearl, Southerleigh is simple and elegant without being pretentious.
Start with a glass of frosé or the Southerleigh’s spin on a michelada that swaps out the Mexican beer and spices for Gold Export Lager brewed in-house and spicy horseradish.
Gulf shrimp adds a little surf to a Mexican breakfast classic in the Third Coast chilaquiles, while the braised country ham Benedict will wake you right up with its jalapeño cornbread and cajun hollandaise. And, of course, you can never go wrong with the chicken and waffles.
Botika
Also at Pearl, Botika’s sleek, contemporary interior makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a stylish bar, so go ahead and sip on a Pisco Sour or Paloma Botika while you peruse the menu featuring Asian and Latin American flavors expertly paired by Chef Geronimo Lopez.
Order up a round of small plates for the table — we recommend the brasa-roasted shishito peppers and steamed buns — or indulge in the savory Peruvian staple lomo saltado or the decadent torrejas, a twist on French toast with sweet plantains, dulce de leche and passion fruit syrup.
Can’t make up your mind? Get a bento box brunch sampler and try it all.
Ocho
At the downtown Havana Hotel’s restaurant Ocho, the blue accents and vintage décor transports you right to the heart of Cuba. Whether you’re on the breezy patio or in the cozy restaurant space, you have a beautiful view of the River Walk to remind you you’re in San Antonio, not Havana.
Every item on the brunch menu is worth mentioning, but the standouts are the hearty Cuban hash and eggs with tender Cuban-style pulled pork, roasted potatoes and sweet pepper sofrito, and the Tejas crab cake Benedict starring jalapeño bacon crab cakes, spicy chorizo and Havana hollandaise.
Top it all off with a brunch cocktail: the Yaupon for the citrus lover, Bruja Blanca for the one who likes it spicy, and the Espresso Old Fashioned for the one who keeps it simple.
Halcyon
After taking in the local art scene at Blue Star Arts Complex, grab a seat at Southtown favorite Halcyon. In the summertime, a Midday Margarita or Long Island iced coffee will hit the spot, and when the temperatures drop, warm up with a hot chocolate flight that gives you a taste of Mayan, French, mint and classic hot chocolate.
While there are plenty of savory options to choose from, including egg skillets, three styles of eggs Benedict, and a breakfast burrito, it’s Halcyon’s sweeter offerings that’ll keep you coming back.
For the delectable overnight French Toast, sourdough bread is soaked overnight and topped with brown sugar crumble. If you’re feeling nostalgic, bring back summer camp memories with the s’mores pancakes, complete with marshmallows, graham crackers, and HERSHEY’S chocolate. Those with a more grown-up palate can opt for the lemon ricotta pancakes.
Barbaro
Tucked away in the corner of an unassuming brick building in the historic Monte Vista district, Barbaro looks much like a neighborhood bar. Though perhaps best known for pizza and happy hour deals, the inventive restaurant also whips up a fantastic weekend brunch menu.
If you don’t want just any old fried chicken and waffles, try the fried chicken and zeppole, which trades the waffles for Italian pastry and adds shaved Parmesan and butterscotch to the mix. The eggs Barbaro on homemade focaccia is also a hit.
Need to shake off a rough night? Try the Corpse Reviver cocktail.
Taqueria Datapoint
And if you really want the puro San Antonio experience, you can’t go wrong with Taqueria Datapoint. It might not be the fanciest joint, but locals fill the tables from open to close, and the friendly staff will make you feel right at home.
The extensive menu can be intimidating for first-timers, so we recommend sampling the breakfast tacos or digging into a barbacoa torta. Since there are no cocktails on the menu, wash it all down with a Big Red or Dr. Pepper.
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