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11 essential dishes at San Antonio's Michelin-recognized restaurants

You can't go wrong at Leche de Tigre, but here's our pick.

By now, most local food enthusiasts are aware that the famed Michelin Guide recently dispatched its famously secretive reviewers across Texas. Although only Southtown's Mixtli garnered a coveted star, seven San Antonio eateries will now be listed as "Recommended." Five others nabbed a Bib Gourmand, a designation for "restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices."

Locals and tourists will no doubt be flocking to the 13 spots in the upcoming months and wondering what to order. While Mixtli and Nicosi's prix fixe format makes that easy with a chef-curated meal, here's the must-eat dish at the others.

Recommended

The Barbecue Station
Perhaps the biggest surprise among the Michelin nods, this North Side joint sticks with Texas barbecue traditions. Patrons should follow suit with a brisket barbecue plate paired with potato salad and a never-ending bowl of pinto beans.

Garcia's Mexican Food
The New York Times named Garcia's smoked brisket taco one of the 23 Best American Dishes of 2023, praising its "blanket-soft tortilla." Who are we to argue with the Gray Lady?

Leche de Tigre
This Southtown cebicheria has had a meteoric rise since debuting in February 2023. The Nikkei cebiche, made with delicate yellowfin tuna, a tamarind ponzu, and fried sweet potato, fires off all the rocket boosters.

Little Em's Oyster Bar
East Coast oysters are the raison d'être of this Southtown spot and undoubtedly worth a slurp. But even landlocked cities deserve the buttery lusciousness of a Connecticut lobster roll.

Signature Restaurant
Perhaps the stateliest San Antonio restaurant to earn Michelin recognition, this La Cantera stunner oozes Provençal charm. Though the short rib burger served during happy hour should not be missed, pony up for the elegant halibut adorned with celeriac, zucchini, dill, and a mouthwatering yuzu beurre blanc.

2M Smokehouse
It may seem strange to advocate a side over smoked meats, but folks seldom eat with logic. The Chicharoni Macaroni, a pile of mac 'n' cheese topped with crunch fried pork, is a lightning bolt.

Bib Gourmand

Burnt Bean Co.
This Seguin barbecue joint is on a winning streak, receiving kudos from the James Beard Foundation and Texas Monthly. The Brass Monkey sandwich, filled with queso mac, sausage, and brisket, distills that success into one bite.

Cullum's Attaboy
No other restaurant in San Antonio does simplicity so well. Order the omelette topped with a miracle hollandaise and a side of dressed frisée. And splurge on a dollop of caviar.

The Jerk Shack
While all the Caribbean dishes are worth a nibble at this San Antonio darling, do as the name commands. The assertively spiced jerk chicken clearly stands out.

Ladino
Only Michelin critics would consider this Pearl eatery as a budget option, but one can eat here without feeling impoverished. Whatever entrée makes the cut, precede it with chef Berty Richter's impeccable hummus.

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
At its root, Southern food is about comfort. Though this Pearl anchor has more fanciful fare, the fried chicken is its keystone.

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Green Light

Healthy-casual Dallas restaurant makes San Antonio debut on Broadway

Bellagreen/Instagram

Bellagreen is now in San Antonio for the first time.

A fast-casual restaurant from Dallas called Bellagreen has sprouted in San Antonio, as of Tuesday, November 12.

The mini-chain's first San Antonio location is at 1900 Broadway St., Ste. 112, and it's giving out a couple of freebies to get things going on opening day. Customers on Tuesday will all get a free craft soda or tea with their meal. Active military and veterans will also receive 15 percent off, but that's a daily policy throughout the year.

Bellagreen is known for its healthy image, which comes from scratch-made dishes and a generally light menu featuring lots of salads, a strong veggie presence, and a protein lean toward poultry and fish. Rotating seasonal menus keep things fresh.

“The decision to open Bella here was easy," said San Antonio location co-investors Sameer Mumtaz and Mark Huffstutler in a press release. Mumtaz continued, "San Antonio shares our values of family and good, wholesome, quality food.”

With nine locations across Texas, much of its popularity also comes from an ease of catering to different diets and preferences, from brunch (with $10 mimosa carafes) through dinner. Many meals are customizable and can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high-protein, and other needs.

“We’ve wanted to bring Bellagreen to Central Texas for years and finally found the perfect spot," said Huffstutler. "Downtown residents, employees and tourists have a wonderful new dining option, and we can immerse ourselves in San Antonio’s vibrant culture.”

The roughly 150-seat restaurant with a patio is located in a popular area for dining, a few blocks from the Pearl neighborhood and next to Nineteen Hyaku (for a very different kind of meal).

"We believe in living a balanced life, and our menu reflects that with delicious and abundant options,” said general Cristian Garcia in the release. “With made-for-you dishes, quick and friendly service and charitable ties, our guests can feel good about their dining choice.”

While the fall menu is in service, those charitable ties lead to Bexar Branches Alliance, an urban forestry nonprofit that will receive a portion of profits from those seasonal items. So far, according to the release, Bellagreen has donated more than 45,000 seedlings to the Texas Trees Foundation and Trees for Houston, the city where most of its locations are, even though it's based in Dallas.

Bellagreen is open weekdays from 11 am to 10 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 10 pm.