18 Best Restaurants in The Hill Country, Texas

Altdorf Biergarten

$$ Fodor's choice

This biergarten on Main Street is always buzzing, and for good reason. Choose from a wide array of craft German beer while enjoying the live music that happens nearly nightly. The hearty fare is also great, whether you opt for a classic schnitzel or a juicy Reuben sandwich on toasty pumpernickel.

Otto's German Bistro

$$ Fodor's choice

At his sleek but cozy bistro, chef Henry Gutkin focuses on some of Germany’s lesser-known dishes, reimagined with creative, refreshing twists. Bavarian Frittatensuppe (crepe soup) is brightened with herbs and rainbow carrots, while the Düsseldorfer Senfrostbraten (Dusseldorf mustard roast) is elevated with Akaushi steak and an onion-mustard-cheese crust. And while there’s plenty of beer here to keep your stein full, as well as a focus on German and Austrian wines, the exceptional cocktail menu should not go unnoticed. 

316 E. Austin St., Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624, USA
830-307–3336
Known For
  • German and Austrian wine selections
  • farm-to-table dining
  • lesser-known German dishes
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.

Pecan Street Brewing

$$ Fodor's choice

Locals will tell you Pecan Street Brewing is one of the area's best-kept secrets—not only for the house brews, but for the food, too. Try their refreshingly light-bodied No Conviction Stout (poured through a nitro tap) alongside the crispy-crusted flammkuchen topped with crème fraîche, house-smoked bacon, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. The brewery also serves as the tiny town's neighborhood hub. 

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Peggy's on the Green

$$$ Fodor's choice

Set in a restored 19th-century dining room, this charming spot showcases elevated Southern cuisine created by chef Mark Bohanan (of San Antonio's Bohanan's steak house fame). Decadent dishes like eggnog-battered sweet-roll French toast and a bourbon-battered ham Monte Cristo with huckleberry jam make this a perfect special-occasion brunch spot, and the creamy-but-light milk punch shouldn't be missed either. In fact, the cocktails are some of the best in town, with a focus on the "classics with a twist" Bohanan's is known for. A seasonal fresh fruit Tom Collins is perfect alongside the jumbo crab cake served on a fried green tomato, or let your server guide you through the extensive whiskey and wine lists for a pairing to match your cheeseburger topped with fire-roasted pimiento cheese. All the perfectly grilled steaks come with a flaky buttermilk biscuit, but be sure to save room for dessert, too: the sweet potato crème brûlée with pecan shortbread and orange segments is a dream with a glass of port.

Vaudeville

$$ Fodor's choice

This hip, modern interpretation of a European bistro also includes a retail showroom, art gallery, supper club, and wine club. The restaurant features rotating specials, such as lump crab curry, duck confit, and herb-roasted chicken, plus a daily menu with gourmet sandwiches (try the French dip, made with Angus prime beef), soups, salads, cheese, charcuterie, and wood-fired pizzas. For dinnertime prix-fixe menus and the Monday night supper club, expect a more elevated menu with dishes like beef carpaccio, venison tenderloin, and grilled rack of lamb.

230 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624, USA
830-992–3234
Known For
  • gourmet sandwiches
  • Monday night supper club
  • on-site art gallery and retail showroom
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Thurs. except supper club

814: A Texas Bistro

$$$

Colorful, quilt-draped walls and a cool ceiling-fanned patio make this a comfortable spot no matter the weather. The menu changes with the season, but you might find an entrée such as a juicy grilled New York strip steak in a balsamic reduction or sautéed rainbow trout. The 814 Burger is a half-pound of grilled bliss.

Chaparral Coffee

$

More than just a coffeeshop, Chaparral is truly a community hub. Owners Taylor and Austin Burge have developed the breakfast and lunch menu of the tiny space to fit the town's growing needs, and they throw DJ-fueled dance parties and other events here, too. But yes, the coffee is also stellar—in fact, it's worlds better than most of the coffee you can find anywhere else in small-town Texas.

Creekhouse

$$

This modern kitchen and lounge, located right on Cypress Creek, is breathing new life into downtown Wimberley. There are several different bars on the property, making it easy to grab drinks and snacks, take in the amazing views, and enjoy the live music likely playing. Try the ranch-dusted fries topped with cheese curds and glazed pork belly or the charred shishito peppers and okra with salsa macha and chili-lime ranch. The Wimberley Way, the house hibiscus margarita, is a winning cocktail.

14015 Ranch Rd., Wimberley, Texas, 78676, USA
512-722–3394
Known For
  • beautiful creek views
  • shareable snacks
  • hibiscus margaritas
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.–Thurs.

Emma + Ollie

$$

Local baker Rebecca Rather, well-known for her now-shuttered Rather Sweet Bakery, opened this sweet breakfast and lunch spot and bakery to much acclaim. Breakfast items span from a build-your-own biscuit bar to a croissant egg sandwich, while the lunch menu exudes farm-to-table Southern comfort, with offerings like fried oyster nachos and a pimiento cheese BLT. Details like speckled enamelware and beautiful garden flowers simply add to the charm.

607 S. Washington St., Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624, USA
830-383–1013
Known For
  • farm-to-table Southern breakfast
  • homemade baked goods
  • adorable rustic-chic setting
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner

Hill Top Café

$$$

Ten miles north of town, this hilltop dive set in a 1930s gas station truly feels like it's in the middle of nowhere, but it's luckily a beautiful trip to nowhere. All menu conventions are thrown out the window to create the Athens-meets–New Orleans dishes. On weekends your best bet is to grab a few appetizers and a bottle of wine and then sit back for a little live music. (The place is owned by bluesman Johnny Nicholas, who also curates the programming.) The kefalotiri saganaki (a flavorful Greek cheese flambé) and a Cajun-style avocado stuffed with blue crab are fantastic starts, and the snapper ponchartrain (in a white-wine sauce with mushroom and crab) is a decadent adventure.

Lea Lou Co-Op

$$

The vibe is just right at Lea Lou Co-Op, whether you're taking in the beautiful exposed-stone wall interior or kicking back with friends in the spacious yard of the classic 1800s hardware store and lumber yard. The braided-crust pizza is famous here, but the juicy steaks and seafood platters shouldn't be overlooked either. In the back, you'll find live music on some nights at the Cow Palace, a venue with a dance floor, and there's even an adjacent boutique hotel with seven rooms if you wish to stay the night.

114 San Antonio St., Mason, Texas, 76856, USA
325-347–1234
Known For
  • live music and dancing
  • breaded-crust pizza
  • historic setting
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch weekdays

Rocco's Grill

$$

Pronounced Roh-coh as opposed to Rock-oh, this delightful restaurant owned by the local Piazza family has bright murals depicting family events and traditions in bold caricatures. The menu is primarily American-Italian, with personal touches from family recipes. Try the salmon Allessondra, named for the owner's daughter: a salmon fillet with lump crab meat and a bright lemon–caper butter sauce. The views of the rolling Lakeway Golf Course fairways are stunning

The Dienger Trading Co.

$

This quirky bistro and coffeeshop serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch in a 19th-century building, with a connected retail shop selling clothing, housewares, and gift items. Choose from a classic breakfast plate or croissant sandwich, or step up your morning with French toast sliders or chicken-fried steak Benedict. If you're on the go, pop in for a coffee and one of their fresh-baked, homemade pastries for the road. Lunch options include a variety of sandwiches and salads, plus grab-and-go lunch boxes you can take on your next Hill Country adventure.

The Hen's Nest

$

If a hearty, comforting plate of cheesy eggs, crispy bacon, and buttered waffles is what you're looking for, head to The Hen's Nest. The digs are humble (in fact, the day's featured dishes are written on postcards in lieu of a menu), but this tiny little café packs a big breakfast punch.

The Leaning Pear

$$

What started as a quaint farm-to-table restaurant inside an old house has become an institution in Wimberley. Though the look is much more farmhouse-modern these days, the menu still features the same delicious food they've been known for, like their farm-fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches. Heartier offerings, like wood-fired pizza, and an expanded menu of entrées, like market-vegetable curry or pork carnitas with watermelon curry, make for even better dinner options.

111 River Rd., Wimberley, Texas, 78676, USA
512-847–7327
Known For
  • classic farm-to-table cuisine
  • wood-fired pizzas
  • rotating soup-and-sandwich specials
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner Sun.

The River House

$$

The name of the game here is playful, modern Southern cuisine made with local Texas ingredients. You can choose from corn fritters with hot honey and jalapeño ranch, chicken-fried chicken with duck-fat cream gravy, Wagyu meat loaf, and so much more. You really can't go wrong, whether you opt to enjoy the farmhouse-style interior or relax on the expansive patio lit with twinkle lights. But the best night to visit might be Sunday, when there's a three-course special supper starring fried chicken and set to the tune of a live music soundtrack.

1617 New Braunfels St., New Braunfels, Texas, 78130, USA
830-608–0690
Known For
  • elevated Southern cuisine
  • Sunday fried chicken supper
  • regular live music
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Sat.

The Root Cellar

$$

This café and art gallery has earned its bragging rights as San Marcos's best restaurant throughout the years. And yet, you'll find no pretense or stuffiness here, just a cheerful staff and bright, eclectic art–filled walls that make for a very comfortable atmosphere. Try the zingy Holy Aioli sandwich of citrus-marinated chicken with cilantro aioli for lunch and the beloved bourbon-pecan chicken for dinner. Texas wine makes an appearance on the list, and local beers are always on tap, too.

215 N. LBJ Dr., New Braunfels, Texas, 78666, USA
512-392–5158
Known For
  • farm-to-table cuisine
  • extensive wine list with local options
  • attached art gallery
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

The Wander'n Calf

$

This coffeeshop set in a renovated bungalow invites you to settle in and stay a while. And with its cozy vibe, cute decor, great coffee (pour-over, French press, Chemex, espresso, or just plain drip), homemade baked goods, and tasty sandwiches, there's really no reason to say no.