Stopped by Tryst for Sunday brunch and really enjoyed the overall atmosphere. There's free parking in the adjacent garage, which is always a win, and they had a live DJ creating a fun backdrop. There was even a photographer floating around capturing moments throughout the restaurant. We grabbed seats at the bar and started with the Lavender Lemonade topped with Belvedere. Smooth, refreshing, and the lavender flavor was a nice touch. Now, the food! The collard dip was AMAZING - and yes, you read that right...collards! Definitely one of the highlights of the meal. The bowl of gumbo was also flavorful, although it was definitely on the salty side, which happens to be right up my alley. The Praline French Toast was really good! The egg-to-bread ratio was spot on, giving it that perfect custardy texture without being overly heavy. And the side of bacon was cooked just the way I like it. Service was a little slow during our visit, but having good company definitely made it easier to overlook. The Sunday we went was also pretty quiet. I was hoping for more of that brunch-party vibe but maybe we just caught them on a slower day. Overall, a nice brunch spot with a great atmosphere, good food, music, and plenty of potential for a lively Sunday experience. I'd definitely come back to see it on a busier brunch day! read more

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I wanted to enjoy Tryst more than I did. It's a pretty popular spot on the weekends with live music, great drinks, and a lively atmosphere. It's beautifully decorated and has a dark and moody vibe, especially around the bar. The drink I had was a lemon drop made with lavender. I'd never had that twist before so I was curious. It was suggested by our waitress. It was good but not great and my husband's old fashioned was disappointingly lightweight. Our food was okay, not great. It was lacking flavor especially the greens. The dish I would recommend however, would be the Collard dip appetizer. It was the best part. read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Our party of six traveled from Houston to San Antonio for a leisure trip and decided to visit Tryst Kitchen after seeing it featured on Goodtaste with Tanji. We were also genuinely excited to support a Black-owned restaurant. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not meet our expectations. We arrived for our 7:00 p.m. reservation and were surprised to learn that the restaurant had already run out of both paper and cloth napkins. We were told that additional cloth napkins were being washed. Once they were brought to our table, two of the six napkins were still dirty and had dried food on them. This immediately raised concerns about cleanliness and attention to detail. The atmosphere was lively, and the DJ played a great selection of music. However, the volume was far too loud for a dining environment. We had to speak over the music just to hear one another, and even our waitress had to raise her voice when communicating with the table. Our waitress was wonderful throughout the evening. She remained pleasant, kept a smile on her face, and apologized for the extended wait for our meals. Her professionalism and positive attitude were among the highlights of our visit. We ordered our appetizers and entrées at the same time, but our entrées did not arrive until approximately 45-50 minutes later. Considering the wait, we expected the food to be well prepared. Instead, the seasoning was extremely inconsistent. The collard dip served with crostini was overwhelmingly salty. Three members of our party ordered the fried catfish platter, and the catfish was so heavily salted that we could not eat it. In contrast, the fried shrimp and French fries served on the same platter had little to no seasoning. Another guest ordered the lamb chops with mashed potatoes, but the mashed potatoes were noticeably underseasoned. From a culinary standpoint, the meal lacked balance, consistency, and proper execution. Some dishes were far too salty, while other components seemed to have received no seasoning at all. With three guests unable to eat their catfish entrées, this was more than a matter of personal preference. We truly wanted to enjoy Tryst Kitchen. While the service and music selection were good, the dirty napkins, excessive music volume, long wait, and poor quality of the food left our entire party deeply disappointed. read more

I've been here twice, once on a Friday evening and once for Sunday brunch. I had the oxtail flatbread and shrimp salad. For brunch I had the fish and grits (added cheese) to my grits. All items delicious. I also tasted a friend's oxtail dish and it was tasty. The atmosphere is nice, they play good r&b music. Each time I was there the staff members were friendly and on my last visit I met the owner. He was very nice I will be back to try more items soon. read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Fish & grits added cheese -on the brunch menu - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

The food here is sooooo good!!!! My gumbo and catfish were both full of flavor. The French fries were amazing! Oh, and make sure you order the cornbread-you will not regret it!!!!Came in after the lunch rush so the wait staff were very attentive. They were playing some 90s R&B which is always a plus in my book! Even though we missed it they had some good lunch specials on the menu too! Parking located in the garage right next to restaurant. I plan on coming back for brunch bc it looks like a good time with the DJ set up and plush couches near the windows!!! read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Tryst. Gumbo w/crawfish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Walked in on a Sunday @11am with no reservation for 3. Was told the next table was available at 3pm lol. But we found easy bar space. I would def. come here the next time I visit. RnB music. Not too loud. Everyone was a vibe. Food was sooo good! I had Fish & Grits. 10/10. Friend had the Braised oxtail 20/10 and other friend had the Oxtail biscuits which he enjoyed I also had the Mimosa flight (3 flavors that i picked for $40. There looked like a parking lot behind the restaurant, but we Ubere'd. read more

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The food was exceptional, the drinks were well prepared, and the atmosphere was inviting. I had such a positive experience that I returned the following day and dined there two days in a row. With football games playing and attentive service throughout, it was an enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and look forward to returning to this location. read more

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Let me start with the atmosphere, very trendy, very nice, but it is a bit loud, so if that's not your thing, we'll just a heads up The service was a bit slow but it was busy, so I won't be to harsh on them, our waitress was very nice though... The food was very very good!! I had the burger and fries and the burger was cooked perfectly and was very juicy and fresh. I also tried the cornbread appetizer and the collard green dip...both a must try!! Overall, this was a 4 star experience for me...if you're ok with a louder than usual atmosphere and slow-ish service, the food is worth it!! read more

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Great food and service was outstanding . The catfish was a large portion. The atmosphere was nice with the music and the waitress was very friendly read more

My girls took me here for my birthday, we went during their happy hour which starts at 3. It wasnt very busy but there was a decent amount of customers. We tried a bunch of apps and I got a mojito mocktail that was delish. For the entree I had the spicy cajun pasta. Super yummy, not spicy at all but definitely flavorful. The decor is pretty but they may need to check behind whoever is doing their cleaning... That and the fact that there was only one person doing the bartending, serving, bussing and hosting is the reason I did not give more stars. I would love to come back for the food again and hopefully a better experience next time. Definitely check em out though. They also offer hookah for those who indulge in that!! read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Cajun Pasta - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Food: 3 stars Service: 5 stars Drinks: 4 stars Atmosphere: 5 stars Tryst is a nice new addition to the Pearl "adjacent" area. I would describe this place as southern food, but with a more modern vibe. All the staff are very friendly which always adds to experience. We dined here for dinner and everything went well. The drinks, appetizers, and service were great. As for entrees, the burger was very good,but unfortunately the oxtail was pretty bland. For the price point I was expecting an awesome dish. On Saturday nights a DJ sets up around 8:30 or so. A DJ plays during their brunch times as well. Next time I visit Tryst during the night time, I will probably just sit at the bar for drinks and light bites. Overall it is a solid spot for southern food in the area. read more

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We had a 6:45pm reservation and arrived at 6:37 but when we walked in we were told to seat ourselves. Davion was our server and was great the entire time. R&B music played in the background. We were able to order drinks from happy hour so I got a lemon drop and my husband got the mocktail spicy margarita. We got the shrimp for an appetizer. It was seasoned perfectly. My husband got the oxtails over mashed potatoes instead of dirty rice as recommended by Davion. The oxtails were tender and flavorful. Mashed potatoes were also good. I ordered the fried catfish platter. It came with jumbo shrimp, fries, and hush puppies. We got a side order of the collard greens and the cornbread. Both were delicious. Please try this place. It was the best food we have had in San Antonio over our 10 day stay. We are going back for the Soul Rolls as we heard those are a must try! read more

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First visit for cocktails and appetizers. Full service. Artistic vibe. Parking garage. I recommend. Details below. Party of 2 on a Thursday night 9 pm in October. Self-seated in lounge chairs facing the street. Wait service. Friendly staff. Overhead music. Free parking in garage next to restaurant. Tasty eats and drinks. Inspired to return for DJ night. read more

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Love the drinks, great tasting food, customer service is great, and the atmosphere is everything. Always a great time when I check in. The owners are also pretty awesome read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Oxtail Flatbread my fave - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

My daughter and I came here for brunch, and had a good experience. The energy was incredible; there was a live DJ giving the place a club-like vibe but with amazing food. The bar was fully stocked, and everything we ordered was spot on. The catfish for me was hands down the best I've ever had. It was seasoned and cooked perfectly. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed. Even without reservations, we didn't wait long for a table. We arrived around 11 a.m., which turned out to be a good time because as we were leaving, every table was filled and the line to get in was out the door. Hats off to the chef! If you're looking for some great food, Tryst is definitely worth coming to. read more

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Tryst Low Country Fried Green Tomato Classic fried green tomato topped with grill shrimp with a crabmeat corn salsa abed mixed greens drizzled with a Carolina BBQ Sauce. Very well balanced. Fresh approach. Very tasty! Try it for yourself! Service was good for a large group like we had. Nice laidback vibe. Great experience! read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Fried Green Tomato Appetizer - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

We have been wanting to visit this restaurant for a while. The food did not disappoint. We had the gumbo which was very flavorful, a shrimp dish very good and the money pockets were so so. The bartender was very nice but she was not mindful of what she was serving. My husband ordered a greyhound which is grapefruit juice, vodka and he wanted a splash of agave. The first one was great the second one he ordered was not even close, she put grapefruit soda versus juice. read more

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Robert and EJ! Yall made us feel so welcomed for our first time, thank you for being OUTSTANDING servers. what can i say? food delish, drinks? strong and AMAZING. happy hour goes HARD here yall. half off apps, can't get any better then that! Amazing vibes, love to see a diverse crowd always! we had a great 3 hours here after a long day at university. Tryst, Oscar and Lexii love y'all; we will be back! Robert, tysm for letting us play music as requested, we love yall read more

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This is hands-down, one of my favorite spots in San Antonio for brunch. They always have a DJ when I come and the vibes are immaculate. My favorite dishes are the oxtails with grits. The other dishes pictured my guest tried and they enjoyed it. Additionally, they have outside seating with fans and hookah if that's what you prefer. Most importantly, the owner is very welcoming and I like that there is seating around the tables if you just wanna chill. The bartenders and servers are also really nice and this is why I always come back. read more

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Came here for family meal for my mom. The staff were so friendly and quick on the feet. The music was a whole vibe and we just enjoyed the atmosphere. We did the meal family style with the whole brunch menu. 10/10. It was 8 of us and were able to get full with the plate sizes & drinks. Must give this spot a try! It is a little pricey just keep in mind it'd be a good spot to treat someone. read more

I've been to this restaurant four times. Ive had brunch on the patio. Graduation lunch inside. Cocktails at the bar and a fun girls date with a live DJ. I would recommend for anyone that likes great vibes and music. The food is very flavorful -And the portions are shareable. Just a little pricey but worth every penny to support the quality of food and service. There is an adjacent parking garage and the staff are friendly and helpful. I had a great drink from the bartender. I forgot her name but she is from Philly I believe. Between myself and family friends we've tried most of the menu and it's been delicious. read more

From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the staff. Their professionalism and genuine hospitality enhanced the entire experience. What truly made our first visit special was the outstanding customer service from Camille. She was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from start to finish. The food was flavorful, fresh, and prepared with great attention to detail. We ordered the oxtails, and they were absolutely excellent! The only reasons I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 are that the restaurant was a little warm, and there wasn't a DJ as we had expected. We sat in the lounge section, which was beautiful and had a fun atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to coming back. Hopefully, the air conditioning will be working, and there will be a DJ next time. If so, I'll gladly update my rating to 5 stars! read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Happy Father's Day - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

I cut them some slack since I visited on a Tuesday night, but it was still a disappointment. They were out of several entrees and most draft beers Their gumbo is very bland and very expensive ($24). The Money Bags app was also a disappointment at $16 On top of it all, they charge a 2.5% surcharge for using a credit card. The service is good, but the music is way too loud - especially when there are only 3 or 4 customers in the place. read more

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It was so good had a garlicky taste to it plus it was braised I think the oxtails with grits. Had good ambiance as well. And the service was great read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Oxtail with Braised Oxtails + Rice - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Tryst Kitchen & Cocktails continues to be one of those places you go for more than just the food -- it's the entire experience. The vibe is always on point, and the DJ really helps create an atmosphere that feels fun and energetic without being overwhelming. I forgot to take pictures , but their drinks and starters are always a favorite for me. read more

The food was great! Good flavor and portions. I want to eat the Oxtails like I would have at home! If you like eating Oxtails, you know what I'm talking about! The service was impeccable! As soon as we walked in the door we were seated at our reserved table for our anniversary. The manager gave us an anniversary card. That was very thoughtful of her and greatly appreciated! In fact, almost all of the wait-staff, including the bartender, wished a happy anniversary! One of the very attractive waitress even came outside as we were leaving to wish us a happy anniversary! WHO DOES THAT!! Rebecca, our waitress, was very attentive throughout our dining experience. This is a very chill spot. You can dress to impress or dress casual. The DJ was on point too with the music selections, although the music was a little bit too loud at times. I liked the selection of men's cologne by the door of the restroom. I haven't seen that in a long time. Sometimes there's a bathroom attendant in some fancier restaurants and they a phenomenal job of keep things clean and in order for the guests. Maybe they could do that at Tryst? Well be back! Ok, bye! read more

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Came from Houston to try this place because my greedy butt saw it on a food show. Wasn't disappointed I had the red velvet waffles & wings and they were nice and filled me up read more

Listen this is my 3rd time coming here and I was able to bring my son visiting from college. From the greeting to the food, our experience was amazing! Carl and Chef Brit was "everything", super professional and to finally be able to meet Chef Brit was amazing! Carl said that we would have an amazing experience when he sat us at our table and we were not disappointed. Food came out fresh, hot, seasoned and made with LOVE! The ambiance is always a vibe! You literally feel at home when you enter and the music was just amazing (Holiday Music). Thank you for making this experience exceptional for not only myself but my son! We will be back this time for Brunch! Keep doing what you are doing because we had a wonderful time and great service. If you have never been to Tryst you need to ASAP! You literally can't go wrong with anything on their menu! read more

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Adorable sanctuary somewhere super cute to go and eat with either friends or lovers. The name is one of the best parts. I met some young ladies there -- super friendly & the food was hitting hard. there was also a guy offering photos but obviously yes they were $20. read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Food and drinks were very good and strong. The DJ was definitely putting you in a nice chill vibe. Definitely would return and oh yea our waitress who just moved to from Houston was great. read more

This was an amazing brunch located off broadway to right by the pearl. Reservations were made and are NEEDED. It's no joke. And it was worth the effort. The building had parking and was free for patrons of the kitchen. The menu was very simple and the food ordered was beyond tasty. We had issues but I wanted to see how tryst served their food and considering I saw the menu and price before I wanted to see what they offered. My drink the spicy affair tasted delicious and essentially a margarita. I wasn't super impressed with the presentation and cost. It was tasty. Was it $15 tasty? No. The fire powder didn't have flavor and it made me feel awkward licking the glass for no flavor. The chicken and waffles plate was delicious. Clean plate club. It tasted fresh and the wings were super meaty fried perfectly. Just the right savory with the sweet waffle. Hot sauce was just the right ticket for this dish. I was disappointed I was not offered butter or syrup but again I did not ask because at these prices I wanted to see how tryst served. I ordered the side of biscuits with my meal and it came during, not a huge issue because they were pillow soft and perfect. I felt like someone's grandmother was back there making this food. It showed in the taste that this was a work of love. Again I didn't say anything so this could be interpreted as being my entire fault for not speaking up. But I noticed my biscuits weren't served, my husband noticed, and the table even asked, "didn't you order a side of biscuits?". My mentality was if they didn't show up I definitely wouldn't be charged for them it would have left a bad taste in my mouth. I wasn't offered butter, jams, jellies, preserves. I got exactly what I ordered a side of biscuits. I was disappointed, again it was my own fault for not asking. All in all this was a great place. The music was stupid loud and made us at our table have to yell at each other to be heard. And I felt like I wasn't given what should have been offered or included with the prices of the meal. 3/5 stars Most likely will return but will save it for special occasions. read more

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First we reserved a very relaxed sofa dining area so it was like sitting in someone's living room having dinner. My favorite DJ just happen to be there so the music was perfect. We picked this place to eat at before the Breezy concert. Our waitress was friendly and served us with a smile on her face. I ordered the fish and grits and when I tell you the fish was seasoned and cook to perfection. The grits were cheesy and creamy just like I like them. I will be back soon for more. read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Catfish Grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Pros: -Food is downright amazing. Everything we tried was great -Drinks are strong and taste great - Host & Servers truly did their best and I can't blame them for anything. Cons: - We sat down and the tables were sticky with syrup from previous guests -My food came out 45 mins before my wife's food. So that was cool.......no actually it wasn't. - Charging $50 for a $7 bottle of champagne is downright criminal. All in all the energy was great & the food was PHENOMENAL! The one thing that got to me was our food being brought out so far apart. It was my wife's birthday and I kinda had to sit there like an A-hole choosing between eating and watching wifey not eat...the server was extremely gracious and comped her food so I appreciate that, but in the moment of it all happening it kind of sucked. The host? Amazing! Dude was everywhere making sure things got done. The waiters? Top tier. The pure energy in the building? Love it! read more

This spot totally ROCKED my palate! Walked in not knowing what to expect and left so impressed! The vibes, the food, the music -- everything was on point. The gumbo (with HUGE shrimp) was an OMG moment -- literally the best I've ever had. Catfish & grits = seasoned to perfection + creamy, dreamy grits! Peach cobbler à la mode for my daughter's bday & that cheesecake? Chef's kiss! The DJ kept the energy high -- from dancing in our seats to singing along. His mix was amazing. If you haven't checked out this gem yet, RUN, don't walk! #FoodieFind #GoodVibesOnly #FoodLovers #SeafoodGoals #SouthernEats #Yum #Foodstagram #HiddenGem #SupportLocal #FoodieLife read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Catfish & Shrimp + Grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Here for a Coheart birthday. The environment is simply amazing. Great energy and good vibes. Some of my Cohearts said it was a bit loud but for me it was great and I'm 68 years old. We could still hear each other talking. Our server Roxie was attentive and friendly provided excellent customer service. Her suggestions were spot on. Now the food. I ordered the catfish platter it came with two large pieces of catfish 3 very large shrimp fries and hush puppies. I had to try the collard greens and corn bread. It did not disappoint. This place is super busy so reservations are recommended. And tops is free parking in a garage attached. Great music great food. Give them a try. No military discount at this time read more

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This place is hype and the food matches the vibe. We were seated immediately and shortly our waiter came by to get our drink orders. The music is a little on the loud side so it maybe hard to have a conversation. However, the music is jamming and I was bopping in my seat the whole time. We tried the collard dip, soul rolls, shrimp, asparagus, and creole salmon. That dip is amazing and we tried it on everything that we ordered. It also worked on everything we ordered too. The food was very good and everything had great flavor. We will definitely be back to try other dishes. read more

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I've revisited Tryst a few times since my initial review. Some experiences were great, some not so great. The not so great was mainly due to noise. If you're looking for quiet reflection and muted conversation this is not your place. But if you're looking for a fun time, a vibe (iykyk) with music you can jam to and great flavors then Tryst is your spot. However, this review update is due to the notable uptick in the level of service. Our most recent service by Robert from Columbus Ohio was outstanding! He was dedicated to ensuring my friend and I had an amazing experience. We also had others checking in and the team seemed to work in harmony. At one point my friend needed something and Robert was serving another table but another team member picked up without missing a beat. Great job Team Tryst! Oh! And the cocktails are 100% better. The old fashioned were on point. I don't know what y'all are doing but keep doing it. read more

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The staff is very nice and the restaurant is clean, very big, and open. They have enough seating he for small and large parties. The only downside is their dishes are not cheap. So go there expecting to spend hunny. The catfish though and Mac n cheese on point. So flavorful and good. Go check this place out. But be prepared for a big bill. read more

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We came for brunch with a large party that included children. They did initially have us seated in a section with three tables close to each other, I didn't mind but we did move the tables to one long table and they accommodated really well, I think this was due to the time and the fact we were outside. Our waitress was amazing, she was quick, attentive, friendly and explained the menu/bar drinks. I loved the music and the vibe of the whole restaurant but the food. OMG the food. We had chicken and waffles, gumbo, collard dip, and catfish with grits. Not one thing missed the mark. Everything was incredible. The chicken was breaded beautifully and the waffle was good. The collard dip and grits I would send people to the restaurant just to try. So happy to have this restaurant in the SA community! read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Menu - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Had a wonderful time at this brunch spot. The dj was amazing and played the perfect music. Catfish! Catfish! Catfish! The catfish was tender, flaky, seasoned well, and not too bready. The grits were nice thick and cheesy. Definitely a good place to go with the gals. Gave a tip but apparently there was already a gratuity on our tab that we didn't know about. We all tipped ‍. read more

Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails - Catfish and tryst. Grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - San Antonio, Texas