Planning a trip to San Antonio? If so, the city’s iconic landmarks, like the San Antonio River Walk and The Alamo, are likely at the top of your itinerary (and for good reason!). However, if you’re also looking to explore a hip, trendy part of San Antonio steeped in rich history — I can’t recommend a visit to The Pearl in San Antonio enough!
The Pearl was arguably the highlight of my entire weekend in San Antonio, and I think it will be yours, too, if you love creative dining concepts, local shopping, and stunning boutique hotels. Keep reading to learn more about The Pearl and discover why you should check out this super cool spot during your trip to San Antonio.
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What Is The Pearl?
The Pearl is a historic district and hub for culture, dining, and entertainment in the heart of San Antonio. It spans over 22 acres and is home to dozens of local restaurants, shops, businesses, a culinary institute, a coworking space, and a boutique hotel, Hotel Emma.
The Pearl is less than two miles from Downtown San Antonio, where you’ll find popular attractions like The Alamo and the River Walk. In fact, you can walk along the River Walk’s north end while exploring The Pearl — Hotel Emma and La Gloria both overlook the river.
What Is The Pearl’s History?
The Pearl might be known for its shopping and dining, but the thing that sets this entertainment hub in San Antonio apart is its deep roots in the city’s history.
The Pearl dates back to 1883 when the Pearl Brewery (known as the San Antonio Brewing Association) started brewing beer. By 1916, this brewery produced 110,000 barrels of beer annually, making it the largest brewery in Texas!
Just three short years later, in 1919, Prohibition outlawed the distribution and consumption of alcohol in the United States, forcing almost every brewery out of business. However, after changing its name to Alamo Foods Company, San Antonio Brewing Association survived prohibition by bottling soft drinks, performing dry cleaning, running an automotive repair shop, and selling ice cream! The company changed its name to Pearl Brewing in 1952.
Pabst Brewing Company took over the Pearl in 1985, operating for nearly 15 years before closing in 2001 — ending an era of almost 120 years of brewing at the Pearl Brewery. That same year, plans for The Pearl as we know it today were put on paper for the first time!
Best Places to Eat & Drink at The Pearl
One of the best things to do at The Pearl is grab a drink or sit down to eat at one of the dozens of places to eat at The Pearl. From authentic Mexican restaurants and French cafes to trendy brunch spots and delicious ice cream shops, here are the best places to eat at The Pearl:
La Gloria
Shhh, don’t tell the other restaurants, but La Gloria was my favorite place that we ate at when visiting The Pearl in San Antonio! It’s no secret that San Antonio serves up some of the best Mexican cuisine in the US, and the street food at La Gloria — featuring the flavors of Mexico and the Southwest — is easily some of the best you’ll find in the city.
I highly recommend the Bistec Especial Tacos with beef, cheese, cilantro, and onions (they were simple but so delicious!). However, the seafood bar and enchiladas are also popular options on the menu. If you’re looking for something refreshing to drink, the margaritas have been voted the best in San Antonio, and I can personally vouch for the Sangria La Gloria (it was my favorite drink in San Antonio!).
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery was the establishment that finally brought brewing back to the Pearl Brewery. Today, they serve more than a dozen beers on tap. However, aside from beer, there is so much more to love about this restaurant!
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery featured the cross-cultural cuisine that Texas is known for, showcasing the coastal classic of the Gulf Coast with traditional southern cuisine. Our group ordered Southerleigh’s Fried Chicken, Steak Frites, and a side of Whipped Potatoes, and everything was delicious! I also loved the frozen cocktail here — it was so refreshing!
Supper
Located in Hotel Emma, Supper is an American eatery that serves seasonal, local dishes all day — for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can even stop by for light bites and cocktails at the bar!
We stopped at Supper for breakfast and ordered the Chia Seed Pudding and Breakfast Burger. Both were delicious! I also would have loved to try Carl’s French Toast with caramelized brioche and vanilla bean crème anglaise — that literally sounds like dessert for breakfast. Yum!
Though we didn’t have the chance to dine here for dinner, the menu looked spectacular, with several varieties of steak, poultry, and fish as the menu’s stars.
Sternewirth
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a cocktail at the Pearl, you must stop by Sternewirth, also located in Hotel Emma!
First of all, Sternewirth is a beautifully designed building — the vaulted ceilings, cozy sofas, and industrial-chic vibes make this bar absolutely stunning! Second, the extensive menu featuring classic cocktails, signature cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks will satisfy everyone in your group. Even if you don’t have time to grab a drink, peek inside this building — it is incredible!
Larder
Larder is the place to go for coffee at the Pearl, and… drumroll, please… it is also located in Hotel Emma! Are you surprised?
I ordered an iced latte with caramel syrup to sip on while we were walking around the Pearl, and it was delicious. Larder also had some fresh-baked pastries that looked delicious (too bad I was still full from breakfast) and a small menu featuring breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads, and lunch sandwiches. This is a great place to grab a quick bite at the Pearl!
Lick Honest Ice Creams
When you’re ready for a sweet treat after lunch or dinner, be sure to pay a visit to Lick Honest Ice Creams for artisanal ice cream made with pure ingredients… no artificial colors and flavors, high fructose syrups, or preservatives here!
I think you can taste the difference in this ice cream. It is so fresh and creamy. I ordered the Caramel Salt Lick (salted caramel is my weakness), but some of the other unique flavors that caught my eye were Dark Chocolate, Olive Oil, & Sea Salt, and Hill Country Honey & Vanilla Bean. My husband liked the Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey, although that sounded a little too adventurous for my ice cream palette that day. The flavors reminded me a lot of Salt & Straw in Portland!
Cured
Imagine a restaurant specializing in build-your-own charcuterie boards and handcrafted meals made with locally sourced seafood, poultry, and beef. Okay, now stop imagining… that’s exactly what you’ll find at Cured at the Pearl in San Antonio!
The concept of this restaurant is so cool, and I love that the chef uses pure, regional ingredients to create a seasonally-inspired menu. The chef also spent much of his career in New Orleans, and I love how that is reflected in some menu items, like Smoked Chicken Gumbo.
Food Hall at Bottling Department
If you’re looking for somewhere with faster service (or cheaper prices) than the sit-down restaurants at The Pearl, stop by the Food Hall at Bottling Department for a quick bite to eat.
The food hall at The Pearl offers several options for fast-casual dining (listed below) that you can order to-go or eat at one of the food hall’s indoor or outdoor tables.
- Howdy Child — Load up on the meat with Texas-sized sandwiches featuring pastrami, brisket, and turkey, served with sides like mac ‘n’ cheese, potato salad, and slaw.
- WonderSlice — Grab a slice of pizza for one, share an entire pizza pie, or enjoy a homemade sub or salad at this casual Italian eatery.
- Chilaquil — Get traditional Mexican street food and comfort dishes, like chilaquiles, tacos, tortas, and other appetizers, from this family-owned business.
- Henbit — Craving a burger? Try a delicious “smashburger” with rosemary garlic fries or sweet potato tots (all made from locally sourced ingredients!) from this hamburger joint.
- Park Bar — After grabbing a bite, order a draft or canned beer, wine by the glass or bottle, or select cocktails, like margaritas, mules, and sangria, to enjoy with your meal.
More Places to Eat & Drink at The Pearl
Although I didn’t have the chance to check these spots out during our weekend in San Antonio — don’t miss these other spots for breakfast, dinner, and dessert at The Pearl!
- Bakery Lorraine — Staple for coffee, brunch, and French pastries, like macarons.
- Best Quality Daughter — Innovative restaurant offering New Asian-American cuisine.
- Boiler House at Pearl — Classic, hearty dishes from the Texas Hill Country.
- Brasserie Mon Chou Chou — Elegant eatery that showcases French comfort food.
- Carriqui — Inspired fare from South Texas, featuring flavors from Mexico, the Texas Hill Country, and the Gulf Coast.
- Fife & Farro — Go-to for wood-fired sourdough pizza and handmade pasta paired with wine flights and craft cocktails.
- Full Goods Diner — Chic diner serving scratch-made breakfast and lunch plates with seasonally-driven ingredients.
- High Street Wine Co. — Classy wine bar serving wine flights, wine by the glass, and small bites, like charcuterie, flatbreads, and cheese wheels.
- Ladino — Flavorful Mediterranean-inspired cuisine made in a wood-burning oven.
- Local Coffee Founders — Coffee shop serving locally roasted coffee and light bites.
- Mezquite — Sonoran-inspired Mexican favorites, like tacos, quesadillas, and carne asada served with fresh tortillas (and margaritas, of course!).
- Savor — Build-your-own three or four-course meals crafted by students at the Culinary Institute of America at the Pearl in San Antonio.
Best Things to Do at The Pearl
The Pearl offers a fantastic lineup of restaurants, but there is much more to do in this entertainment district than dining! These are some of the best things to do while you’re at the Pearl in San Antonio:
Weekend Markets
If you’re stopping by the Pearl on Saturday or Sunday, visit one of the weekend markets — one is dedicated to local farmers and ranchers, and the other to local artisans!
On Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, you can visit the Pearl for fresh produce and meat from growers and farmers in South Texas. Vendors can only be within a 150-mile radius of San Antonio, so you can know the food is fresh, local, and authentic.
On Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM, stop by the Pearl to shop for goods from local artisans, like culinary-inspired home goods. This is a great place to find gifts and to shop for souvenirs to bring home from your trip to San Antonio!
Local Shopping
There are just over a dozen retailers at the Pearl, selling everything from women’s apparel and home décor to books and sporting goods. Be sure to spend some time popping into the shops that interest you to support local businesses!
I loved The Twig Book Shop and purchased a few books here. I didn’t have much time for shopping, but I would have loved to also stop in Ten Thousand Villages, showcasing handmade items made by artisans in developing countries, and The Tiny Finch, a store selling a curated selection of beautiful items like candles, home goods, paper goods, and more!
Concerts & Events at Stable Hall
If you love live music, check the concert and event calendar at Stable Hall at the Pearl — a music venue inspired by the look and feel of a classic Texas dance hall and 1900s theater with all the “bells and whistles” of a state-of-the-art concert venue.
Whether you’re a fan of country, rock, jazz, or indie music, you’ll be guaranteed to find an artist playing at Stable Hall that you’ll love, thanks to the venue’s commitment to diverse programming for local, regional, and touring artists.
River Walk
People are always surprised by how far the River Walk stretches in San Antonio… including me!
Though many people associate the River Walk with the “touristy” center near The Alamo in Downtown San Antonio, there is a much quieter stretch of the River Walk at the Pearl, adjacent to La Gloria. I loved strolling along the River Walk at the Pearl during our trip to San Antonio!
Where to Stay at The Pearl
In addition to fabulous shopping and dining, the Pearl is home to a stunning boutique hotel that is one of the best places to stay in San Antonio — Hotel Emma!
Housed in the Pearl’s former brewhouse, Hotel Emma is named after Emma Koehler, wife of Otto Koehler, who took over the brewing operations at San Antonio Brewing Association after her husband died. She was a brilliant businesswoman and is credited for keeping the brewery afloat during Prohibition when nearly every other brewery was forced out of business.
Hotel Emma offers the perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury and is one of the most stunning hotels I have ever stepped foot in! The lobby provides several spectacular restaurants, including Larder, Sternewirth, and Supper, and the rooftop offers a sparkling swimming pool and poolside bar.
The rooms are all furnished to reflect the South Texas culture while incorporating fabulous luxury amenities, like clawfoot bathtubs, scenic terraces, and even two-story suites with wet bars, vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, and grand pianos. Seriously… these rooms are stunning — you have to see it to believe it!
Though we didn’t stay at Hotel Emma, I would absolutely stay here during our next trip to Texas just based on my time exploring inside, and I have no doubt this is the most stunning hotel in all of San Antonio! The location, amenities, and rooms are all top-notch!
FAQs – The Pearl in San Antonio
Do you have to pay for parking at the Pearl San Antonio?
The Pearl offers free parking in all surface lots from 8 AM to 2 PM on Monday through Thursday. Additionally, the Pearl always offers free parking for the first 30 minutes, so if you need to grab a coffee or get some food to go quickly, you will not need to pay for parking.
However, The Pearl only offers paid parking during the weeknights and all day on the weekends. In addition to surface lots, there are also parking garages you can pay to park in.
Is Pearl beer still available?
In 2001, Pabst Brewing Company stopped brewing Pearl beer in San Antonio. However, nearly two decades later, Pearl beer made a comeback in 2020! Pearl beer is now brewed by Oasis Brewing, located in Austin, but is available in Austin and San Antonio.
Is the Pearl dog-friendly?
Yes, the Pearl is dog-friendly. Your furry friends can join you in the outdoor spaces at the Pearl and at the weekend farmer’s markets. Check the Pearl’s FAQs for more detailed information about the Pearl’s dog policies.
Experience the Best of the Pearl During Your Trip to San Antonio
Ready to visit the Pearl in San Antonio? Whether you are booking a staycation at Hotel Emma, planning a three-day weekend in San Antonio, or simply looking for somewhere to grab dinner, I hope this guide to the Pearl in San Antonio was just what you were looking for. Have a great time!
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