Destination SA: Serving Looks, Citywide

Essex Modern City is one of San Antonio’s most photographed spots.

As part of the Summer 2025 launch of Culinaria’s new San Antonio Restaurant Weeks website, we’re expanding the way we explore the city—because great experiences don’t happen in a vacuum. These guides are your go-to for making the most of San Antonio in and out of the dining room. Scroll through, get inspired, and start planning your next bite, sip, or stroll.

San Antonio’s beauty isn’t limited to the River Walk or historic missions—it’s tucked into funky murals, perfectly plated eats, and hidden rooftops that locals love to show off. For travelers and locals alike looking to upgrade their grid, this city serves up plenty of offbeat, eye-catching backdrops with personality to spare.

Start your photo walk at Essex Modern City, a vibrant mixed-use space tucked in Denver Heights that’s become one of San Antonio’s most photographed spots. From fashion shoots to food truck hangs, Essex is a visual playground for creatives and content-lovers alike. San Antonio’s The RIM shopping center isn't just for retail—it’s also home to three bold, large-scale murals commissioned through San Anto Cultural Arts, offering colorful art stops that double as a fun mid-shopping photo break.

RIM's mural trio includes vibrant macarons, a bold dot‑pop art wall, and a geometric rainbow grid.

The city’s Museum Reach is like an open-air gallery with moving water, colorful art, and architecture that begs to be photographed. Stretching about a mile, from Josephine Street to Lexington Avenue, the Museum Reach adds sculptural installations and public art to an already scenic riverside pathway. Expect whimsical creations like Donald Lipski’s suspended school of glow-in-the-dark fiberglass fish— dubbed F.I.S.H.— and an immersive faux‑bois cavern lined with sculpted waterfalls and niche. 

If you're looking to catch the best light, make your way to The Moon’s Daughters, or Rosario’s, where golden hour turns both rooftop terraces into glowing canvases, and nearly every photo becomes a visual moment worth saving. And for a pop of retro, don’t skip The Bang Bang Bar—a locals-approved dive with kitschy decor, velvet art, and quirky charm that feels straight out of a Wes Anderson film. 

In San Antonio, the best backdrops aren’t always polished—but they’re always full of character and we’re filled with pride at that fact.