Now, the Alamo City gem is gleaming with yet another accolade from a respected global tastemaker — Food & Wine magazine.
That’s right — the publication once again recognized Hotel Emma as one of America’s 10 best hotels for its culinary caliber, according to its 2026 list ranking the “Top 10 US Hotels for Food and Drink.”
To determine and place nominees for this desired designation, Food & Wine surveys over 400 judges, including chefs, travel experts and wine connoisseurs, each year. The San Antonio stay weighed in at 8th place, up from 10th place in last year’s ranking.
Hotel Emma earned its elevated place among other nationally recognized lodgings, like the Aragosta in Deer Isle and the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City, for continually exhibiting “the spirit of convivial Southern hospitality.”
According to the publication, the charm begins “at check-in with a welcome Margarita.” It’s a signal toward the hotel’s hardy happy hour, which “takes the form of Friday afternoon chef’s tastings in the library.” There, guests can mingle while “sampling seasonal dishes that highlight ingredients from nearby farms.”
But happy hour is just the start, according to Food & Wine judges. Breakfast or lunch at Larder brings a carefully curated list of pastries and sandwiches to the table, along with a wide selection of local libations. If you’re in the mood for something that’ll stick to your ribs, however, Supper offers “elevated American food like truffle omelets and smoked fried quail.”
The publication also praises the hotel’s tavern and club room Sternwirth, which offers a selection of signature craft cocktails — including “The Three Emmas,” named after a legendary 1914 true-crime scandal involving the president of the Pearl Brewery, Otto Koehler, who was murdered by his mistress.
Although Food & Wine offers just a taste of what Hotel Emma is all about, “Those eager for even more can check the event calendar for frequent wine dinners and spirits events,” the publication notes.