San Antonio UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
Let’s explore the rich history and foods that represent San Antonio's culinary legacy as a confluence of cultures.
Jeonju Bibimbap Festival in South Korea (2019) by UnknownWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
UNESCO Creative City Network
In 2017, San Antonio joined the UNESCO network as a Creative City of Gastronomy. The Network covers 7 creative fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
Pueblos del Maiz (2022-05) by UnknownWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
Culinary Heritage
San Antonio's culinary heritage evolves out of its history as a confluence and crossroads of cultures, geology and geography.
American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions by American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial MissionsWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
Culinary History
Drawn to San Antonio's river, which runs between the coastal plains and hill country, joins the missions to the historic city center. For 13,000 years indigenous people foraged roots, harvested pecans and hunted game.
Espada Acequia by Robert HowenWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
San Antonio River
In the 1700s, Spanish priests established five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River. These missions brought Spanish colonists and Canary Islanders, who introduced new traditions and tastes.
Mission ConcepciónWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
World Heritage Site
Today, the five missions (Mission San Antonio de Valero, Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada) represent the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America and have been named a World Heritage Site.
Pharm Table (2019) by Chef Elizabeth JohnsonWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
A Confluence of Cultures
Other new flavors, spices and ingredients from Europe, Asia and Africa came with the German and European settlers in the 1800s.
James Beard House Dinner (2018-04) by Tom KirkmanWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
Tex Mex Cuisine
Due to this complex cultural fusion and unique flavor characteristics of San Antonio’s regional clay and chalk soil and the marshy muddy soils of the gulf, Tex-Mex cuisine is distinct from other southwest regions.
Axis Chorizo and Pimento Cheese Tartlet (2022) by Chef Kelly DaughteyWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
Food and Culture
The city's rich culinary heritage is intertwined with its hospitality. The friendly, welcoming environment starts at the dining table where the cuisine is deeply tied to family and culture.
Carnitas Lonja (2022) by UnknownWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
Culinary Legacy
San Antonio is leveraging this international recognition to strengthen our culinary legacy as a confluence of cultures and to lead globally in equity, resilience and sustainability, and to be recognized as a distinctive cultural experience.
San Antonio UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy (2018) by Screenville FilmsWorld Heritage Office, The City of San Antonio
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