Casa Rio

The Verdict

Casa Rio sits at 430 E Commerce St on the San Antonio River Walk — one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the city and a reference point for anyone visiting the area for the first time. If you want a reliable late-night option on the River Walk with outdoor seating and a recognisable Tex-Mex menu, Casa Rio is easy to book and consistently available when other spots have wound down. It is not the most ambitious Mexican food in San Antonio — Mixtli handles that at the $$$$ tier , but it delivers on atmosphere and accessibility in a way that matters when you are on foot and hungry after 9 PM.

What to Expect

The River Walk setting is the primary draw. Colourful umbrellas line the waterside terrace, and the ambient energy runs from lively to loud depending on the hour , expect noise from passing river taxis and a crowd that skews tourist-heavy. That is not a criticism; it is the honest reality of River Walk dining. For a first-timer to San Antonio, the open-air patio gives you the full experience of what makes this stretch of the city worth a visit after dark. The indoor sections are quieter if the terrace energy is not your preference.

The menu leans Tex-Mex rather than regional Mexican. Expect enchiladas, fajitas, and combination plates rather than anything from Yucatán or Oaxaca. For mezcal-focused cocktails and more adventurous seafood, Aleteo is a sharper choice. For a broader read on where to eat across the city, Pearl's full San Antonio restaurants guide covers the range.

Booking is easy , walk-ins are generally possible, and this is one of the more approachable River Walk stops for groups and families who have not pre-planned. If you are looking for a late-night drink and lighter plates rather than a full sit-down dinner, our San Antonio bars guide has options that will suit better. And if you want barbecue rather than Tex-Mex after dark, 2M Smokehouse is the city benchmark , though hours there are more limited.