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Biga on the Banks
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Make a booking
2 people
11 Mar 2025
19:00
Experiences are available.
- Good for special occasions
- Romantic
- Great for scenic views
Why they're an Icon
Executive chef: Bruce Auden
From the OpenTable editors: When he opened Biga in 1991, London-born chef Bruce Auden kicked off a new era of fine dining in San Antonio, amassing a huge celebrity following (Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse) and racking up several James Beard nominations. In 2000, the restaurant moved to a bigger space with sweeping Riverwalk views, the perfect setting for Auden’s ever-changing global menu with Texas accents—think spiced antelope and quail, habañero jerk scallops, and za’atar roasted cauliflower.
Additional information
- Dining styleCasual Elegant
- Price$50 and over
- CuisinesContemporary American, Dining Bar
- Hours of OperationMon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:45 pm
- Phone number(210) 225-0722
- Website
- Payment OptionsAMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
- Dress codeBusiness Casual
- Private party facilitiesPrivate rooms feature floor to ceiling windows overlooking the River and access to terraces. Biga crafts exquisite events from canapes and cocktails to full-scale, four-course meals. Whatever your plans may be Biga can accommodate.
- AreaDowntown
- Cross StreetMarket St.
- Parking detailsBiga does have a parking option under the One Alamo Center (caddy corner from the International Center). The driveway to the One Alamo Parking Lot is on the Market St. Side of the building.Parking costs $8. Bring your ticket for validation.Go to https://biga.com/riverwalk-restaurants-san-antonio-location/ for further details and a link a map.
- Public transitBiga is located in the center of downtown San Antonio. Though we are walking distance from most downtown hotels, we are also conveniently located for any who wish to use the city's public PARKIKNG INFO: transportation.https://biga.com/parking-directions-to-biga/
- AdditionalPatio/Outdoor Dining
Experiences
25th Anniversary Reception Ticket
US$175.00 per person
Prepaid
22 Apr 2025 onlyLike the living bread starter that gives the restaurant its name, Biga on the Banks has risen to become one of San Antonio's most cherished culinary institutions. On Earth Day, April 22, 2025, the iconic landmark restaurant will celebrate its 25th anniversary on the River Walk with an extraordinary culinary event benefiting the next generation of San Antonio's culinary talent. Under the guidance of Chef Bruce Auden, widely regarded as the godfather of San Antonio's dynamic culinary scene, Biga on the Banks has cultivated more than just exceptional cuisine - it has nurtured a legacy of culinary excellence and community partnership that spans a quarter century. The celebration, chaired by longtime supporters Lyn and Pete Selig, will transform the restaurant into a showcase of culinary artistry, featuring eight chef stations helmed by distinguished Biga alumni alongside promising students from St. Philip's College Culinary and Hospitality School. The reception-style event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with plans to expand to the third floor for an evening of desserts and dancing. "Biga's story is one of resilience and community," says Chef Auden, who, along with partners Perny Shea, Pete Selig, and Don Thomas, has steered the restaurant through numerous challenges from 9/11 ot the 2008 recession and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. "When we moved from our original location in Tobin Hill to the River Walk, it was because of an extraordinary coalition of local investors - Team Biga - who believed in our vision for San Antonio's culinary future." Even before they reached the banks of the San Antonio River, the restaurant's name, Biga, was derived from the centuries-old traditional pre-fermented starter used in artisanal bread-making. It reflects its philosophy of patience, cultivation, and tradition. And that approach has fostered remarkable loyalty among staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant for over two decades and are now eligible to participate in a pioneering profit-sharing program. Decades before San Antonio became a UNESCO World Heritage City of Gastronomy, long before the Pearl, Southtown and downtown became culinary destinations, Chef Bruce Auden almost single-handedly elevated the fine dining experience in San Antonio in the 1980s," said longtime journalist and Biga lover Bob Rivard. "Over the years, Bruce trained a whole new generation of talented chefs, who found their first opportunities in the Biga kitchen. More than a few are now household names and in charge of their own successful ventures. The Bruce Auden DNA is found in many of the city's best kitchens today. All proceeds from the anniversary celebration will benefit St. Philip's College Culinary and Hospitality School and the San Antonio Food Bank, reflecting Biga's ongoing commitment to nurturing culinary talent and fighting food insecurity ni the community. The event will feature a commemorative medal for all attendees!
25th Anniversary VIP Table
US$275.00 per person
Prepaid
22 Apr 2025 onlyVIP Tables Available for 4, 6 and 8 people. Be sure to enter one of these numbers in the field above. Like the living bread starter that gives the restaurant its name, Biga on the Banks has risen to become one of San Antonio's most cherished culinary institutions. On Earth Day, April 22, 2025, the iconic landmark restaurant will celebrate its 25th anniversary on the River Walk with an extraordinary culinary event benefiting the next generation of San Antonio's culinary talent. Under the guidance of Chef Bruce Auden, widely regarded as the godfather of San Antonio's dynamic culinary scene, Biga on the Banks has cultivated more than just exceptional cuisine - it has nurtured a legacy of culinary excellence and community partnership that spans a quarter century. The celebration, chaired by longtime supporters Lyn and Pete Selig, will be showcase of culinary artistry, featuring eight chef stations helmed by distinguished Biga alumni with promising students from St. Philip's College Culinary and Hospitality School. The reception-style event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with plans to expand to the third floor for an evening of desserts and dancing. "Biga's story is one of resilience and community," says Chef Auden, who, with partners Perny Shea, Pete Selig, and Don Thomas, has steered the restaurant through numerous challenges from 9/11 ot the 2008 recession and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. "When we moved from our original location in Tobin Hill to the River Walk, it was because of an extraordinary coalition of local investors - Team Biga - who believed in our vision for San Antonio's culinary future." The restaurant's name, Biga, was derived from the centuries-old traditional pre-fermented starter used in artisanal bread-making. It reflects its philosophy of patience, cultivation, and tradition. And that approach has fostered remarkable loyalty among staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant for over two decades. Decades before San Antonio became a UNESCO World Heritage City of Gastronomy, long before the Pearl, Southtown and downtown became culinary destinations, Chef Bruce Auden almost single-handedly elevated the fine dining experience in San Antonio in the 1980s," said longtime journalist and Biga lover Bob Rivard. "Over the years, Bruce trained a whole new generation of talented chefs, who found their first opportunities in the Biga kitchen. More than a few are now household names and in charge of their own successful ventures. The Bruce Auden DNA is found in many of the city's best kitchens today. All proceeds from the celebration will benefit St. Philip's College Culinary & Hospitality School and the San Antonio Food Bank, reflecting Biga's ongoing commitment to nurturing culinary talent and fighting food insecurity the community. Reception tickets will be $175 per person and THOSE WANTING A RESERVED TABLE (limited availability) DURING THE EVENT, $275 per person.
Easter Brunch- $75 Adults, $35 Children
20 Apr 2025 onlyCelebrate Easter with us on Sunday, April 20th! Indulge in a fabulous 4-course brunch served from 10:30am to 4pm. Gather your loved ones and enjoy a memorable meal together!
Popular dishes
What 5,829 people are saying
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.8
- 4.8Food
- 4.8Service
- 4.8Ambience
- 4.6Value
Noise • Moderate
Diners' Choice Awards
San Antonio
Great for fine wines
San Antonio
Romantic
San Antonio
Contemporary American
San Antonio
Great for fine wines
San Antonio
Romantic
San Antonio
Great for scenic views
San Antonio
Contemporary American
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
5,829 Reviews
- G
Greg or Angie VIP
San Antonio69 reviews
5.0Dined 1 day ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 4
- Ambience 5
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- D
DeeOndra
Houston1 review
5.0Dined 2 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- L
Lisa VIP
San Diego23 reviews
5.0Dined 2 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- S
Sandra
Austin1 review
5.0Dined 3 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- B
Barry VIP
Kansas City8 reviews
5.0Dined 3 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- P
PAULINA VIP
Mexico City7 reviews
5.0Dined 5 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 4
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- D
David VIP
Mexico City2 reviews
5.0Dined 5 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- J
Jackie VIP
Minneapolis31 reviews
5.0Dined 5 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- R
Ron VIP
Chicago22 reviews
5.0Dined 6 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
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- M
Maureen
Chicago31 reviews
5.0Dined on 2 March 2025
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
FAQs
Biga on the Banks offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (210) 225-0722.
Biga on the Banks is rated 4.8 stars by 5829 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
Make a booking
2 people
11 Mar 2025
19:00
Experiences are available.
Order delivery or takeout
203 S. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Additional information
- Cross StreetMarket St.
- AreaDowntown
- Hours of OperationMon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:45 pm
- Price$50 and over
- CuisinesContemporary American, Dining Bar
- Dining styleCasual Elegant
- Dress codeBusiness Casual
- Parking detailsBiga does have a parking option under the One Alamo Center (caddy corner from the International Center). The driveway to the One Alamo Parking Lot is on the Market St. Side of the building.Parking costs $8. Bring your ticket for validation.Go to https://biga.com/riverwalk-restaurants-san-antonio-location/ for further details and a link a map.
- Public transitBiga is located in the center of downtown San Antonio. Though we are walking distance from most downtown hotels, we are also conveniently located for any who wish to use the city's public PARKIKNG INFO: transportation.https://biga.com/parking-directions-to-biga/
- Payment OptionsAMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
- AdditionalPatio/Outdoor Dining
- Website
- Phone number(210) 225-0722
- Private party facilitiesPrivate rooms feature floor to ceiling windows overlooking the River and access to terraces. Biga crafts exquisite events from canapes and cocktails to full-scale, four-course meals. Whatever your plans may be Biga can accommodate.