San Antonio's Pearl District blends history, food, and entertainment, making it one of Alamo City's most compelling neighborhoods. Once the site of the 19th-century Pearl Brewery, it's now home to a weekend Farmers Market, Pullman Market, Hotel Emma, and a mix of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Live music venues and the scenic River Walk add to its appeal, offering plenty to see and do. Whether you're here for the food, history, or atmosphere, this weekend guide, based on my stay at the Hotel Emma, will help you make the most of your 24 hours in the Pearl District.
Day One
10:30 a.m. - Arrive and Park
Kel and I arrived at the Hotel Emma at 10:30 a.m. after a 90-mile drive from Austin. I was happy to hand the keys to the valet ($43/night) and not think about driving or parking until the next day. Another option was self-parking in the nearby Koehler Garage ($22/night), which I've used before when dining at the Pearl.
Early check-in was available, and a bellhop brought our luggage up to the room while we joined the complimentary 11 a.m. tour of Hotel Emma available to guests. If you're staying at the hotel, I highly recommend this experience, as the former Pearl Brewhouse has so many tales to tell. Check the hotel events page for details.
Suppose you only visit the Pearl for the day or spend the night elsewhere. In that case, I still recommend walking through Hotel Emma's lobby, which stays true to the brewery's industrial roots and smartly incorporates old equipment into its design.
11 a.m. - Farmer's Market
Following our tour of Hotel Emma, we visited the Farmers Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. This market day is primarily for vendors selling produce and locally raised meats. All of the participants are within 150 miles of San Antonio.
The hours during which the weekend markets are running are my favorite time to be at the Pearl. The events are family-friendly and draw locals as well as curious out-of-towners. Couples are out for a stroll with their dogs, and kids are running around The Park at Pearl. When the weather's warm enough, you'll see them jumping through Gustav's Geysers (a splash pad).
12 p.m. - Lunch at Pullman Market
As lovely as our walk through the Farmers Market was, I was excited to show Kel the newly opened Pullman Market at the south end of the Pearl. Launched in April 2024 by the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, Pullman Market is a 40,000-square-foot feast for the eyes. It was built from the bones of the former Samuels Glass Company.
The indoor market provides a little of everything, from a specialty grocer and wine shop to a bakery and whole-animal butcher. Five counter-service options are available for quick bites and offer burgers, ceviche, sandwiches, ice cream, and coffee.
Diners looking for a full-service restaurant experience have four choices. Mezquite (Mexican) and Fife & Farro (Italian) are open for lunch and dinner and provide a more casual setting. Isidore is a fine dining spot serving Texan cuisine, and Nicosi is an upscale dessert bar recommended by the Michelin Guide. Isidore and Nicosi are only open in the evenings.
I chose Mezquite for our first meal at Pullman Market together. The Mexican restaurant specializes in Sonoran cuisine and was built in a space that shows off the building's origin as a glass factory. A sky-high ceiling allows plenty of natural light during the day, and large tasseled chandeliers help to fill the space. Planters line the floor, splitting up dining sections and adding a semi-tropical vibe.
Our lunch began with complimentary tortilla chips, salsas, fresh guacamole, and creamy calabacitas (summer squash with Oaxacan cheese). I ordered the huevos rancheros with avocado and black beans from the brunch menu. The crunchy tortillas stood up admirably to the sauces.
Kel chose one of her favorite Mexican dishes, the migas, served with black beans, rice, and flour tortillas. At Mezquite, the tortillas are made in-house with Sonoran wheat and heritage lard. Breakfast tacos, chilaquiles, and pozole (soup) were also available. A dessert cart is wheeled to the table for diners seeking a sweet ending. I chose a single, delicious churro for $2.
1:30 p.m. - San Antonio River Walk
Going for a walk after lunch is a good way to burn calories and see more of San Antonio. The Pearl is adjacent to the northern River Walk, making it easy to access. Head south, and you'll encounter art installations, including The Grotto.
The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) is accessible via Brewery Bridge, less than a half-mile south of the Pearl. This world-class institution showcases art, sculpture, and cultures across 5,000 years of history. I was particularly impressed with the East Asian art exhibited. Seeing the colorful Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala was worth the $22 price of admission alone.
Additional points of interest along the northern portion of the River Walk include the San Antonio River Lock & Dam and Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Downtown San Antonio is a brisk 30-minute, 1.5-mile walk from the Pearl.
3 p.m. - Check-in at Hotel Emma
Official check-in for Hotel Emma guests is at 3 p.m., so if your room wasn't available earlier, now's the time to get settled. You'll also receive a token for a welcome drink in the hotel library, valid from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. If the weather's nice, check out the rooftop pool.
Visitors who aren't staying at the Hotel Emma can use the mid-afternoon to check out the retail shops around the Pearl.
4 p.m. - Happy Hour at Sternewirth
The live music in Hotel Emma's bar, Sternewirth, kicked off at 4 p.m. while Kel and I sipped La Babia Margaritas in the library. After a few minutes of hearing the music through a shared wall, I suggested we walk over. The band was performing on the mezzanine above the bar, and the place was packed.
Sternewirth was built from the former fermentation room at the Pearl Brewery. Three of the 29 tanks used to fill the space were saved, and two were turned into semi-private rooms that can be reserved. The room can get quite noisy because of all the hard surfaces for sounds to bounce off, but you'll have a noticeably quieter time in one of the tanks.
On a previous visit to Sternewirth, we'd tried the Three Emmas cocktail. The mixed drink is an homage to Otto Koehler, the former president of the San Antonio Brewing Association, and the three Emmas in his life (only one of whom was his wife).
6 p.m. - Dinner
Perhaps the hardest decision you'll have during your 24 hours at the Pearl is where to eat dinner. More than two dozen options exist, from casual American to trendy Asian fusion cuisine.
To get to know all aspects of Hotel Emma during our stay, we dined at Supper. Highlights included the Brussels sprouts, double-bone pork chop, and banana pecan financier cake.
Some of the other restaurants I've enjoyed at the Pearl include:
- Better Quality Daughter (Asian fusion)
- Brasserie Mon Chou Chou (French)
- Cured (New American and charcuterie)
- Ladino (Mediterranean) - Bib Gourmand
- Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery (Southern) - Bib Gourmand
7:30 p.m. - Live Music
After dinner at Supper, Kel and I had a nightcap at Sternewirth before retiring to our hotel room. If you're looking for something fun later in the evening, consider catching a show at the intimate Jazz, ATX, a basement lounge in the old Bottling Department building. Or, check out the calendar of events at Stable Hall, a larger music venue built from an 1894 horse stable.
Day Two
9:30 a.m. - Coffee, Pastries, and Brunch
After a restful night, I returned to Supper for brunch bright (and not too early) on Sunday morning. I went with Carl's French toast, a customer favorite, made with caramelized brioche and vanilla bean creme anglaise. Afterward, I took advantage of the free Merit Coffee service in the library for guests at Hotel Emma.
Local Coffee is another good place to get your caffeine fix. In 2009, the founders' first cafe in San Antonio introduced specialty coffee to the city. Full Goods Diner (another restaurant at the Pearl) supplies fresh pastries daily.
Speaking of pastries, I'd be remiss not to mention the French-inspired Bakery Lorraine. Owners Jeremy Mandrell and Anne Ng were 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
Additional morning coffee spots include Larder at Hotel Emma and Pullman Coffee at the Pullman Market. For Sunday brunch, consider Cured (open at 10 a.m.) and Carriqui (11 a.m.).
11 a.m. - Maker's Market
We closed our stay at the Pearl district in San Antonio with a walk through the Makers Market (Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). This market focuses on local artisans, who make everything from craft chocolate and fudge to mead (honey wine). Non-edible products include artistic works and leather goods.
Noon Departure
By noon, the only thing left was packing our belongings and checking out of the Hotel Emma. Spending 24 hours in San Antonio's Pearl District reminded me why this neighborhood is unique. From indulging in incredible food and drinks to strolling along the River Walk and soaking in the history of Hotel Emma, every moment of our time was well spent.
Whether you're here for a quick visit or an extended stay, the Pearl offers something special—so come hungry, stay curious, and enjoy the best of what this district has to offer.
