4 Best Restaurants in Bandera, The Hill Country

Locals and visitors alike flock to Brick's for country cooking with a view. The restaurant itself has a humble interior, but it's the patio overlooking the Medina River that wins everyone's heart. It's a great spot to start with a mason-jar drink while you wait for a table to sample the simple but well-done menu, with comforting classics like a crispy Jager Schnitzel with mushroom sauce and braised cabbage, homemade meatballs, and smashed potatoes.

Once you've had your fill of Tex-Mex and chicken-fried steak, turn to the locally beloved Dough Joe, a pizzeria and coffee shop in the heart of Bandera. Morning brings an entire menu of breakfast pizza to accompany your latte, while lunch and dinner offerings include an array of specialty pies, with the option to build your own creation (even with a cauliflower crust).

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.

This is John Wayne country, and the patrons of The O.S.T. (Old Spanish Trail) don't let you forget it, thanks to an entire wall covered with photos and memorabilia of the Duke. Authentic Tex-Mex and hearty American plates are served (and have been since 1921), including a Texas-sized chicken-fried steak that covers the entire plate.