Top Date Night Restaurants in San Antonio

top date nightOh, date night.  How I love thee.  A couple of hours dedicated to a meal where you aren’t up and down out of your seat chasing children, trying to order while wrestling a toddler, or praying that your waiter will bring three extra baskets of bread to hold over your three-year-old until his delicate plate of chicken tenders and french fries arrives at the table.  These evenings are truly a glorious thing and for most of us busy moms and dads, a special occasion.  Whether or not you are dining out this weekend in honor of the quintessential Hallmark holiday that is Valentine’s Day, here is a list of Alamo City Moms Blog approved and recommended San Antonio restaurants for an adults-only night out!

For the Lover of All Things Steak

The classic San Antonio steak house, Bohanan’s is located downtown and has a fantastic and romantic ambiance.  The speciality steaks are top-notch and delicious, so much so that one of our contributors, Elizabeth, says confidently that it is the best steak she’s ever had. This family owned restaurant is known for superb service and a wonderful dining experience.  You and your significant other can converse and relax at their fancy bar for a fun cocktail and some appetizers before having a quality meal, making it a real night out on the town.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Bar came to San Antonio’s Quarry a few years ago and has quickly become a go-to for delicious wet and dry aged steak as well as a fun place for yummy appetizers and a killer happy hour.  Fleming’s prides itself on having over 100 wines to order by the glass as well as great menu that includes a variety of small plates for those not looking for a full-on meal.  ACMB contributor Taylor shares, “Fleming’s Potatoes are the best things EVER!” so make sure to order these as a side.

Originally founded in New Orleans, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse has two locations in San Antonio, including a brand-new restaurant in the River Walk Grand Hyatt Hotel and one in Concord Plaza.  Known for steaks that are literally sizzling when brought to the table, part of the fun of dining here is ordering an array of sides to share.  My favorites are the creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin.  If you are dining for a special occasion, make sure to tell your waiter so you can spoiled with a yummy dessert.

Downtown Deliciousness

Nothing says San Antonio quite like having a breath-taking meal while over looking the River Walk, so if you are in search of a great experience you should try out Biga on on the Banks.  The decor in the restaurant is unique and fresh, offering a romantic vibe without being over the top.  Priding itself on a “New American” cuisine, there are a number of seafood options that are quite sumptuous.

One of the first San Antonio restaurants that my now-husband took me to is Boudro’s.  It’s a good place to go if you are looking for a casual yet classy date with great food.  The menu offers a mix of classic San Antonio dishes as well as fresh Gulf fish.  This is a fun spot to sit outside, have some margaritas, to order some guacamole (prepared table side), and to enjoy watching the crowds and river (without worrying that a sippy cup or child will mistakenly go into it).

San Antonio Staples

Don’t let this restaurant’s title fool you: Liberty Bar is way more than a watering hole with yummy drinks.  Want to feel young again on date night?  Go here.  The fun atmosphere mixed with a great menu that has eclectic deliciousness in every section.  The goat cheese appetizer, salmon, pot roast, and Puntas Nortenas are all highly recommended by ACMB contributor Shana.  I have to give a shout-out as well to Liberty Bar’s takes on classics such as hamburgers and pizza.  Monday night is half-off bottle of wine night and on the weekends, mimosa’s and bloody mary’s are half-off too.  Side note: If you have a Twitter account, make sure to follow @LibertyBar.  They are always posting fun deals and pictures that make you want to have date night immediately!

Pizza Liberty Bar
Pizza and a beer at Liberty Bar, san kids? Come to mama!

With the romantic setting, low lighting, and snazzy food, Paesano’s is a fantastic place for date night.  The menu sports all of the classic Italian dishes, but the hands-down best thing in the world is the Shrimp Paesano.  Make sure to get a little extra bread so you can dip it into the sauce that accompanies this dish.  You can thank me later for this insider tip.  Don’t be afraid to order the Calamari appetizer.  It’s not like the normal calamari you order at a restaurant, it comes steak-fry style and is also quite delicious.  There are also several locations, so you can find one closest to you so your drive home with a very full belly will be a short one!

La Fogata.  Margaritas the size of a fish bowl.  Guacamole.  Mexican food that makes you want to lick the plate.  Need I say more?  Located on Vance Jackson, La Fogata is a great place to go if you are looking to kick-back, relax, and enjoy a fun and bustling environment that has a wonderful San Antonio flair.

Little Italy is known as one of the best places to go in San Antonio for traditional Italian food, and if any country nows how to do romance, I’d have to go with Italy.  Located off of West Avenue near Blanco, I’ve been told by a very well-trusted source and fellow ACMB contributor, Taylor, that the Chicken a la Sorrentina is simply to die for.

Keeping it Real in King William and Southtown

If there is one restaurant I continue to see popping up in my Facebook newsfeed, it’s for sure Feast.  Offering “mediterranean flair in a variety of appetizers, entrees, and small plates”, just looking at the pictures on the website made my mouth water.  One ACMB contributor, who shall remain anonymous, says, “the potato chips at Feast are drizzled with a Nutella/olive oil infusion and tossed with caramelized red onions and they haunt my dreams almost every night.”  The awesome menu features a plethora of yummy items including wine, royal cocktails, and even has a full beer menu for the brew-lover.  Perfect for a date night in San Antonio!

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I was first introduced to La Frite a few years ago and since then, this restaurant has been one of my favorite places to go.  Before you go judging and thinking, What’s up with all the mussels?, I urge you to step outside of your comfort zone and try them.  My absolute favorite is the Moules Marinières combined with a side of fries, but the entire menu makes my mouth water.  If you really don’t think mussels are your thing, there is plenty to choose from that will please the palate of both you and your date.

A restaurant that strives “to be consistently among San Antonio’s best restaurants in terms of quality, service and atmosphere”, Bliss is another popular date night fixture among my group of mom friends.  The hip and intimate atmosphere is combined with a menu that frequently changes, because variety is certainly the spice of life.  Looking for some recommended dishes?  ACMB contributor Kelly says to go with the oyster sliders and charcuterie- you won’t regret it.

Off the Beaten Path

The Grill at Leon Springs has received numerous accolades for being a top restaurant in the Hill Country surrounding San Antonio, including one from our resident mama Sara.  Located next to the Leon Springs Dance Hall, this fun restaurant has a great happy hour 7 days a week as well as live music every Thursday through Saturday.  Looking for a place to dance while enjoying a night out sans kids?  Definitely consider a trip to this restaurant!

Located off of 281 on Josephine Street, Minnie’s Tavern and Rye House comes highly recommended by one of ACMB’s contributors.  It’s so fresh and hip it doesn’t even have a website (gasp!), but it does have a slew of excellent reviews and critiques.  Bridget suggests the Steak Frite and says her husband is obsessed with the Burger Royale.  The bartender makes a mean champagne cocktail, so make sure to check that out when you are there, too! [hr]

Whew!  These are just a few of the fantastic date night restaurants in San Antonio.  Do you have any you want to share as a must-do for a night on the town with your husband or significant other?  Please tell us in the comments section below!

Lindsay
Lindsay is the co-founder of Alamo City Moms Blog. A native New Orleanian, Lindsay found her way to the Alamo City via her husband, Steven, who is a born and raised San Antonian. She is a mom to three young children. Lindsay earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rhodes College and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from UTSA. She was a preschool and first-grade teacher for 10 years and is now a Reading Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.

1 COMMENT

  1. Hehehe, the hubby told me on Monday that he’d booked our V-Day reservation for Fleming’s on Saturday night (we’ll celebrate a day late). He’s on the ball this year! Although, hilariously enough, his procrastinating is how we found Fleming’s…

    A few years ago, I found him asking me, “Where would you like to go tonight?” in the middle of the afternoon on Valentine’s Day. I was stunned he hadn’t made a reservation anywhere: “Um, if you haven’t made a reservation by now, I don’t think we are going anywhere, do you?!” He took out his Open Table app and started searching for steakhouses. All of our usual favorites–Ruth’s Chris, Bohanan’s, The Palm, etc.–were booked for the entire evening. But lo and behold, there was a crazy early 4:45 dinner reservation available at some place called Fleming’s…so we took it. Dinner was early enough that we were the only people at the restaurant under 75. I was still annoyed at his lack of planning, but that wore off by the time we’d both devoured a shared dish of petite filet mignons, stuffed crab, and Fleming’s potatoes–the best dinner in SA we’d had in a long time–not to mention that we were finished up with dinner by 6:30 and now had hours to do whatever we wanted until we had to return to pick up Harper at about 11:00.

    Fleming’s is now our go-to restaurant for special occasion dinners, and since we don’t live near the Quarry, I don’t know if we would’ve found it had it not been for my hubby’s Valentine’s reservation blunder! 🙂

    Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone! Can’t wait to try some of these! 🙂

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