Rosario's has been a San Antonio favourite for more than thirty years — voted Best Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio by local critics so many times the trophy case stopped counting. The Southtown flagship reopened in February 2023 in a 25,000-square-foot two-story building on South Saint Mary's, complete with a rooftop bar overlooking the downtown skyline that has quietly become the reason San Antonians take visiting guests out for the night.
What to Expect from the Kitchen
The menu is comfortable and modern: Angelica's ceviche fino with jicama and avocado on house tostadas; shrimp nachos that are layered rather than piled; enchiladas Mexicanas with guajillo-pasilla sauce and a fried jalapeño; Griselda's tacos callejeros built on grilled-street-taco bones; relleno de coliflor for the vegetarian table that does not want to be an afterthought. Mains run $14 to $26; family meals to-go and a happy hour Tuesday-Thursday 3-6pm extend the room's reach.
The bar is a destination in itself — the rooftop alone has its own private entrance, a 25+ age requirement, and DJs Friday/Saturday. Margaritas come $8 frozen-or-on-the-rocks during specials; the agave list runs deeper than the menu suggests; and the fire-roasted salsa is properly fire-roasted in front of you with chips that the kitchen brings out warm.
Practical Info
Who It's For
Rosario's suits the birthday group that wants energy and a rooftop after dinner, the visiting-friends-from-out-of-town reservation, the office team-dinner that needs a private dining room (La Cha holds 65; La Caliza handles 30; Casa Isabel is 50 seated or 150 cocktail-style), and the first-date couple who want their first impression to be the rooftop sunset. Children are welcome on the main floor.
How to Book and What to Expect
Open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm; closed Mondays. The Yelp waitlist is the fastest way in; reservations for groups of eight or more go through the private-events team. Phone +1 (210) 223-1806 to confirm rooftop hours (the rooftop runs late on weekends). Parking is structured and free for diners.