7 Best Mid-Range Restaurants in San Antonio

San Antonio food scenes offer diverse flavors, eliminating the need to dine at a posh king’s restaurant. Some of the most popular Restaurants in San Antonio align with the ideal balance between value and quality, specifically within the comfortable mid-range price range. San Antonio has many mouthwatering choices in the ~$10–$25 per entrée range, whether your taste is for smoky Texas BBQ, zesty Tex-Mex, or cuisine from around the World.

Here, we have compiled eleven of the finest mid-range eateries in San Antonio that both residents and guests can enjoy. These locations, ranging from small family-owned trattorias to modern fusion hotspots, boast excellent reputations, as evidenced by their stellar reviews and consistently long waits, and each offers a unique experience. Read on to find a varied menu of restaurants offering great taste, atmosphere, and bang for your money. Your wallet and taste receptors will be much appreciated!

Rosario’s | Best Tex-Mex Restaurant 

For almost thirty years, Rosario’s San Antonio has been a beloved institution; entering inside feels like celebrating a wonderful festival. Vibrant décor, the bustle of chats, and clinking margarita glasses establish a wonderful night out. Rosario’s comida mex & bar classics and unusual house specials abound on Rosario’s menu. Savory sauces, searing fajitas, and well-known fish tacos that devoted customers love abound in enchiladas coated in  (Don’t load on the free chips and irresistible roasted salsa,  tempting as they are because you’ll want to make room for meals like their zesty ceviche or robust chile rellenos.)

Every mouthful carries real South Texas taste, thanks to recipes handed down through decades and the utilization of fresh, local foods. A visit to Rosario isn’t complete without one of her renowned margaritas; she has even won honors for them. Try the original frozen margarita or be daring with a prickly pear variation for a zesty change. To toast with, the bar also serves various cervezas and tequilas.

Rosario San Antonio remains competitively affordable, which helps explain why it’s constantly voted one of San Antonio’s best, even with the first-rate cuisine and joyful atmosphere. Come during dinner; you might have to wait for a table, but the vibrant throng adds to the appeal. This restaurant is ideal for relaxing with friends, savoring large amounts of Tex-Mex comfort food, and absorbing genuine San Antonio energy without breaking the bank.

📍 Location: 722 S St. Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Smoke Shack BBQ | Restaurants in San Antonio

Smoke Shack BBQ is the ultimate destination for those seeking exquisite smoked meats and genuine Texas hospitality. Originally a modest food truck, the barbecue mainstay has drawn residents and visitors with its delicious mesquite-smoked brisket. The vibe is laid-back and friendly; you will see friends and relatives seated at picnic tables trading nods of approval with smiles stained from sauces. Everyone is welcome to join the picnic at this friendly joint, where the cuisine speaks for itself. The menu of Smoke Shack follows simple BBQ techniques brilliantly. The ribs are delicious, falling off the bone with a gently sweet glaze, while the brisket melts in your mouth with a lovely smoke ring.

Complementing the all-star lineup are pulled pork and jalapeño sausage. Unable to make decisions. To experience a touch of everything with traditional sides like creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, zesty collard greens, and pickled jalapeño, choose a combo platter. Their delectable brisket grilled cheese is a gooey, meaty masterpiece, pure comfort in each mouthful.

Given big portions, arrive hungry, perhaps even wearing your looniest jeans! Although Smoke Shack is a BYOB and counter-service restaurant, you could stroll over to The Pigpen, the laid-back bar managed by the same people, to have your BBQ with a clever cocktail or cool beer. Smoke Shack BBQ Restaurants in San Antonio are great hangouts with a laid-back atmosphere, sporadic live music, and airy smoke from smoked meat. Best of all, rates are reasonable; you get a big, filling dinner without going broke. Smoke Shack consistently delivers a mouthwatering feast that epitomizes Texas BBQ.

📍 Location: 3714 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209

Mare E Monte | Best Italian Restaurants in San Antonio 

Mare E Monte San Antonio, tucked away on the northwest side of town, offers a Texas spin on Italian cuisine in San Antonio. With a moniker that translates to “Sea and Mountain,” the restaurant offers a cuisine that combines light shellfish and substantial meats. Upon entering this family-run Italian restaurant, you will immediately feel at home. The proprietors are quite kind, and the rustic furnishings and cozy lighting in the dining area will make you feel like you’re at an Italian family meal. When you enter this establishment, you’ll feel at ease and ready to enjoy some hearty fare and stimulating conversation.

As the best Italian restaurant in San Antonio, Mare E Monte’s dishes highlight classic Italian cuisine cooked with obvious affection. They start with their decadent burrata cheese starter and top it with house-made chile jam, an unexpected little Texas-inspired kick to a creamy classic. Pasta aficionados swoon over velvety sauce-twirled fettuccine Alfredo and spaghetti carbonara platters. Said to offer a Texas-sized twist that keeps visitors returning for more, their chicken Parmigiana arrives generously portioned and bursting with taste.

Not left out either are seafood enthusiasts; the lemony sole fillet matched with saffron risotto has received excellent comments for its fresh, light taste evocative of coastal Italy. Dining here seems like being part of the chef’s family for a meal with its cozy setting and nice service. Often, you may find multi-generational groups laughing over a bottle of wine and sharing pizzas. To finish the dinner on a sweet note, save room for dessert, maybe a scoop of velvety gelato or a slice of house-made tiramisu. Mare E Monte ensures you can taste a bit of la dolce vita without flying or busting your budget by presenting a real Italian feast at mid-range rates. 

📍 Location: 9390 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240

The Cove | Burgers, Tacos & Live Music

The Cove, a laundromat, car wash, and restaurant, is a popular spot in San Antonio known for its excellent cuisine and enjoyable atmosphere. This oddity has even appeared on travel and food shows for its unusual appeal. The modest façade belies a large beer garden behind which families, foodies, and even furry pals congregate. The Cove radiates relaxed fun with string lights overhead, live music playing on stage many evenings, and the smell of grilled burgers in the air. It most aptly conveys the essence of “Keeping San Antonio Weird.” Grass-fed beef burgers piled with toppings, excellent fish tacos, and even vegan selections that tantalize the taste receptors make up the menu, a dream for a casual foodie.

Their famous “Good ‘Sole Burger” smells strongly of cheddar, and the accompaniment, sweet potato fries, is crunchy. Choices like crunchy fish tacos topped with tangy slaw will thrill taco aficionados. Brisket tacos. The Cove is dedicated to locally sourced, sustainable foods; their handmade salsas and hand-battered onion rings taste fresh. Vegetarian or free from gluten? Not a hitch. Fresh salads and vegan bacon cheeseburgers are among the dishes that guarantee everyone leaves satisfied and full. The atmosphere is about local bands tuning up or children playing on the on-site playground as you enjoy dinner on a picnic bench. Emphasizing Texas craft beers, The Cove also has an excellent assortment.

To honor this local treasure, have a cold pint or homemade lemonade. Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity; hence, you can indulge in a second round of drinks or an additional side of queso. The Cove has everything for a laid-back evening out, combining the finest cuisine, music, and welcoming community atmosphere of San Antonio.

📍 Location: 606 W Cypress St, San Antonio, TX 78212

Best Quality Daughter | Asian Fusion Restaurants 

Best Quality Daughter is everything but a conventional Asian restaurant housed in a quaint old building at the Pearl. Initially pioneering the introduction of New Asian-American cuisine to San Antonio, this trendy spot has attracted attention and delighted palates ever since. Enter, and you will find unique décor equal to a modern art gallery and retro Chinatown elegance; consider neon signs, vivid murals, and playful vintage accessories. When you’re yearning for something artistic, the laid-back and friendly environment is ideal for supper with friends or dating nights.

A lively atmosphere suggests that you will embark on a flavorful experience here. Second-generation Chinese American chef Jennifer Dobbertin brings her background and global experiences into every meal, producing a menu with amazing surprises. Starting with crispy sesame Brussels sprouts or mochi “hush puppies”, which offer a Texan favorite with an Asian spin, Popular among comfort foods at its best, the cashew chicken is tender fried chicken coated in a sweet-spicy sauce over rice. Miss the creative mash-ups like Dan Dan noodles created with a Texas chili kick or curry brisket fried rice. Every dish arrives exquisitely presented and brimming with strong flavors you never would have imagined would complement one another.

Drinks have the same inventive capacity as food. Along with a well-chosen assortment of sakes and local beers, the bar whips up cocktails using Asian ingredients (think lychee martinis or drinks spiced with Thai basil and ginger). Helping you across the special menu to ensure you discover something you enjoy excites the staff. Best Standard of Quality Daughter’s delivery of a high-end vibe with reasonable costs lets you pay for creativity and quality without feeling overcharged. Foodies seeking to savor San Antonio’s avant-garde gastronomic scene in a hip, friendly environment must visit this place.

📍 Location: 602 Avenue A, San Antonio, TX 78215

The Jerk Shack | Best Caribbean Restaurants in San Antonio 

The Jerk Shack is originally a little hut; this laid-back restaurant soon attracted a sizable customer base and even national shout-outs for its real Jamaican cuisine. Currently living in larger digs on the west side, The Jerk Shack maintains that laid-back island ambiance. The scent of jerk spices permeates the backdrop, and mellow reggae music immediately transports you to a Caribbean seashore stand. Army veteran-turned-chef Nicola Blaque gives the food heart and soul, transforming this restaurant into an island haven driven by passion. The menu emphasizes correctly done Jamaican classics.

Marinated in Scotch bonnet peppers and spices and grilled to smoky perfection, the highlight is the jerk chicken over traditional rice and peas. It is savory, fiery, and somewhat addictive. Other hits are slow-stewed oxtails almost melting off the bone and delicate curry goat. Even the sides shine: sour coleslaw provides a cool counterpoint to the meaty meats, and slightly sweet, fluffy coco bread buns are ideal for soaking up leftover sauce. One bite will help you to see why people gladly travel across town for this food.

The Jerk Shack doesn’t cut corners in hospitality; the staff routinely talks with patrons about the menu and heat levels to ensure you get the desired dish. Come early or think about takeaway during busy times; this is a basic arrangement with little indoor seating and some picnic tables outside. To cool down all that spice, don’t forget to get a cold Jamaican soda or ginger beer; indeed, you might break a sweat, and it’s well worth it! Its mid-range rates allow you to acquire substantial amounts of homemade food that tastes as good as home cooking. Unique in San Antonio’s dining scene, the Jerk Shack offers strong island tastes and a kind welcome.

📍 Location: 10234 TX-151, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78251

Pasha Mediterranean Grill Restaurants in San Antonio 

San Antonians who seek rich Middle Eastern flavors are increasingly visiting Pasha Mediterranean Grill. Though there are several websites around town, the original on Wurzbach Road is still a favorite, usually bustling with families, students, and hungry professionals during lunch and evening. You enter and find a clay oven where chefs slap fresh naan bread over the walls, baking. The menu features a broad range of Mediterranean classics and generous portions. Start with a platter of crispy falafel with acidic tahini, smoky baba ganoush, and velvety hummus, and dip everything.

Their gyro dish—tender, seasoned lamb and beef chopped hot off the spit—wrapped in warm pita with chilly tzatziki and all the condiments is nearly legendary. Chicken shawarma, beef kebabs, and lamb biryani are other full meals with well-seasoned, juicy meats. Try the vegetable sampler loaded with grilled veggies, dolmas, tabbouleh, and spicy potatoes to find things to adore. And with that blazing hot naan? This hubcap-sized fluffy interior is perfect for scooping every last bit and has the right chew count. Pasha keeps modest prices despite the huge numbers and great quality; an entire dinner plate normally costs what you would spend for a fast-casual lunch, thus it is rather a value.

The service is quick and kind; occasionally, the owner checks on guests, which suggests their pride in their cuisine. Though they lack alcohol, you can cap your evening with a delicious mint tea or a reviving yogurt lassi. Because of its lively surroundings and consistently good cuisine, Pasha is perfect for anything from a laid-back family dinner to a casual weekday lunch. Come hungry and travel with leftovers; most likely, you are planning your future vacation.