Whereas once the national conversation around dining centered on culinary capitals like New York and San Francisco, now cities of all sizes are on the table. To back up that claim, we went looking for six of the most vital contemporary restaurant genres in six markets of varying size, none of which are well known for their dining scenes—yet. What we found was very good eating.

San Antonio

MEAT-CENTRIC GASTROPUB: Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery Opening this month in San Antonio’s old Pearl Brewery, Southerleigh will...