Barbaro — Restaurant in San Antonio

What we ordered: Caesar Salad and the Bacon, Carbonara, Black Pepper, Parmesan Pizza.

Came into San Antonio for a quick, one day visit and we wanted to eat somewhere away from the standard tourist spots. After searching on Google maps for local places, I found Barbaro. When we pulled in to the place initially, we had no idea what kind of restaurant we would be walking into.

Once inside, however, we fell immediately in love. The ambience, decor, everything about it was amazing. They had dimly-lit Edison-style light bulbs (I'm sure they're called something, but I'm on mobile and rather keep this review real and not look up proper names or synonyms). Their tables were solid wood that were probably older than I am. The place itself was quite small, with seating for maybe 45 - very cozy. We were in shorts and t-shirts and worried that we weren't dressed properly, but next to us was a male in a business suit and his companions, wearing things from pajamas to business casual - proof that this location welcomes any customer.

We went with the Caesar Salad and the Large Bacon Carbonara with an extra topping of Pepperoni, just to keep with our personal customs. The salad was very fresh, had plenty of ingredients, and the dressing didn't taste like something from the Walmart isle. It had very real flavor. The portion was so large that my wife shared it with my son and I and we still had some left over in the end.

The pie came out much quicker than expected. I'll be honest, it was thinner than I thought it would be, but then again we're used to the standard Domino's and Pizza Hut. I was skeptical about it because of how thin it looked but once I took that first bite, I was glad we had decided on this place for our dinner meal. The flavor would be hard to describe other than just flat out delicious. The cheese had this cheesy, buttery, silky taste and texture. The dough was the perfect thickness, doneness, and its chewy factor was somewhere around a 4 out of 10, where your teeth could easily cut through it: a very good thing because it opened up the opportunity to cherish the other plentiful, delectable ingredients. The Pepperoni was thinly cut and just the right spiciness. My wife and I believe this to be the best pizza we have ever had.

If you're in town, do your taste buds a favor and stop by. You will not be...

This spot’s plopped in a quirky corner of San Antonio I’d never stumbled into before—like a secret level in a video game I didn’t know I’d unlocked. It’s got serious SoCal vibes, like someone airlifted a chunk of San Diego and dropped it in Texas. The neighborhood screams hipster so loud, I half-expected to see a guy in a man-bun riding a unicycle while sipping kombucha. The staff and crowd? Same vibe. I’m pretty sure I was the only one there not wearing ironic thrift-store suspenders.

For an appetizer, I went with the mussels, expecting a fancy plate swimming in garlicky butter goodness. Instead, they rolled up with… a can. Yep, a tin of mussels—surrounded by some crackers and lemons like it’s a sad picnic at a gas station. I’m no detective, but I’d bet my left sock they snagged it from Walmart for $3, peeled off the label, and slapped a $15 price tag on it. Genius hustle! I mean, props for the upmarket swagger, but I was hoping for something that didn’t scream “doomsday prepper’s lunch.” Maybe I should’ve whispered “no cans, please” to the waiter while winking dramatically.

Now, the pizza? Oh, baby, that pizza was a whole different story. It strutted out like a New York slice with attitude—thin crust, delightfully floppy, the kind that slaps you in the face if you’re not careful. I’m giving that bad boy a standing ovation and 5 stars. It’s the hero this story deserves.

But then there’s the service. Sweet mercy, it was like dining in a European stereotype—waiters ghosting harder than my last Tinder match. I practically had to send up a flare or sacrifice a goat to get the check. They swooped by every 15-20 minutes, probably to make sure we hadn’t started a new civilization at the table. So, final tally? 3 stars. Killer pizza, Walmart’s finest canned mussels, and service slower than a sloth on a smoke break. Bon...

Our dinner was nothing short of phenomenal! As first-time guests, my boyfriend and I were struck by the warm and amicable service.

We arrived during happy hour and couldn’t resist ordering Aperol Spritzes. They were perfectly balanced—refreshing, lightly bitter, and effervescent without being overpowering. A fantastic way to begin the meal.

For our appetizer, we chose the burrata with pesto, and it was nothing short of divine. The burrata itself was incredibly soft, creamy, and mild, melting effortlessly on the palate. The accompanying toasted bread was a highlight—golden and buttery, striking that ideal balance between crispness and chew. The pesto was vibrant and aromatic, with a nutty depth that complemented the dish beautifully.

For the main course, we shared a classic New York-style pepperoni pizza, and it was executed impressively. The crust was masterfully crafted—crispy on the outside, with a slight chew but never too tough or overly charred. The tomato sauce was fresh and light, providing just the right amount of acidity and sweetness to enhance, rather than overpower, the toppings. The pepperoni was exceptional—slightly crisped at the edges while remaining juicy and flavorful in the center. Crucially, the pizza wasn’t weighed down by excess grease, making for a balanced and satisfying bite every time.

For three Aperol Spritzes, the burrata appetizer (with extra bread), and the pizza, our total came to a reasonable $58.60.

We enjoyed our dining experience at Barbaro would...