Barberry, a new brasserie from Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, is preparing to open at the reimagined Sítio El Tropicano on the San Antonio River Walk later this year.
The restaurant will be located inside the historic property at 110 Lexington Ave., San Antonio, TX 78205, which is being transformed into a 315-room urban resort and members’ club. Sítio El Tropicano is expected to reopen in late 2026 following an extensive restoration of the former El Tropicano hotel.
Barberry will bring a brasserie concept that combines Texas Hill Country and French Country influences, with a menu focused on elevated takes on classic brasserie dishes. Planned offerings include Chicken Fried Quail, Wagyu Steak Tartare, Stetson Chopped Salad and Sweet Corn Ravioles du Dauphiné.
The restaurant is named after the small, tart barberry fruit native to Texas. According to Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, the ingredient’s ability to balance rich flavors helped inspire the restaurant’s broader philosophy of contrast, balance and precision.
Barberry is expected to initially launch with dinner service before expanding to all-day dining. Recent reporting from the San Antonio Express-News indicates the restaurant is targeting a mid-to-late November opening, although the official announcement continues to list the opening timeframe as late 2026.
The restaurant will serve as part of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group’s broader culinary program at Sítio El Tropicano. The Austin-based hospitality group is led by partners Kevin Fink, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Alicynn Fink and Rand Egbert and operates several recognized restaurant concepts across Texas, including Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Canje, Kalimotxo, Ezov, Ladino and Henbit.
In San Antonio, Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group is also behind the culinary program at Pullman Market, where its concepts include Isidore, Nicosi, Mezquite and Ladino. The group has received multiple Michelin Guide recognitions for its Texas restaurants.
Sítio El Tropicano originally opened in 1962 as the first hotel built along the San Antonio River Walk. The property is being reimagined as a 315-room urban resort with approximately 400 feet of River Walk frontage, a 5,000-square-foot spa, a large pool deck, event space and several food and beverage concepts.
The redevelopment is being overseen by Trestle Studio, with partners Town Lake Company and Sopris Capital. The restoration is intended to preserve the property’s history while introducing new hospitality, dining and cultural offerings to the River Walk.
Barberry is expected to open at 110 Lexington Ave. alongside the reopening of Sítio El Tropicano later in 2026. Reservations for the restaurant are expected to open soon.
What Now San Antonio has reached out to Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group for additional information about Barberry, including its opening date and other details about the restaurant, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
