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The Hill Country is an extension of the great eating opportunities—the amazing Tex-Mex and barbecue—of San Antonio and Austin, with the addition of heavy German influences. Fredericksburg certainly corners the market for relatively authentic German fare, but Boerne, Comfort, New Braunfels, and everywhere in between serve decent schnitzel and wurst. Barbecue bests are spread all over: the Salt Lick in Driftwood, Cooper's in Llano, and Cooper's in Mason (it's not a chain; they just happen to have the same name), and Rudy's Country Store in a number of locations between Austin and San Antonio, and in Leon Springs.
On the Hill Country backroads you're not going to get a whole lot of haute cuisine delivered by celebrity chefs, but you'd be surprised at some of the fine dining experiences you can have here. Two upscale restaurants to try in Fredericksburg are August E's and Rebecca's Table.
Most places are casual in the Hill Country. You may want to don your Sunday best for a few places, but you really don't need to. Boots and jeans are formal enough for the average restaurant, especially for men. You'll see plenty of local women wearing "country-chic" clothing, such as embroidered, tailored blazers, or swishy broomstick skirts—with boots, of course. In the summer heat you'll see many patrons wearing just about anything that keeps them cool.
Don't expect to dine too late into the evenings. With the exception of a few live-music bars and venues, most restaurants and cafés are finished serving by 9 or 10, especially during the week.
Occupying a historic building that was formerly home to the Keidel Pharmacy, this modern coffeehouse serves great coffee and local pastries and a small menu of salads and sandwiches—it’s a perfect place to catch your breath during a whirlwind shopping tour of Fredericksburg. Beautiful tiled tables, original tin ceilings and wood floors, and an open, spacious feel create a relaxing environment, perfect for hanging out with a laptop, coffee and a pastry, or friends.
This breezy, red-toned pizzeria, located a quick jaunt from the main square, is the premier spot for an artisanal-style pie in San Marcos. They use all fresh ingredients and have a solid menu of specialty pies, plus salads, calzones, and meatball subs. They also feature unique vegetarian options, like the Tempeh of Doom (Italian-marinated tempeh, spinach, roasted red peppers, red onion, and black olives), and they can make any pie vegan-friendly.
You might rub your eyes when you first walk into this landmark country café, which boasts over 21,000 collector plates lining the walls and ceiling. When it first opened in 1929, Prohibition was still in full swing and countless bootleggers would sell moonshine in the parking lot, but now people come for the perfect fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, and onion rings. The shrimp sampler features shrimp prepared three ways. And by all means, save room for a warm brownie sundae for dessert.
Just off the railroad tracks in Kerrville is a cheery café with red trim, cream timber siding, and a cute outdoor patio. Built in 1915, the house once served as a train depot but has been transformed into a fantastic little restaurant offering a variety of homemade soups, salads, and hearty entrées. Standouts include the curry chicken salad, shrimp tacos, and grilled bison burger.
Natural light floods the brick-laden interior of this renovated 1920s industrial space on the Hill Country Mile, setting the scene for thoughtful and elevated casual cuisine. Start with an order of shrimp ceviche or tuna tartare nachos for the table before moving on to one of their many diverse offerings: towering sandwiches served with house-made chips, wood-fired pizza (try the goat cheese pizza with spinach, prosciutto, goat and mozzarella cheeses), or entrées like Akaushi New York strip and Crispy Skin Salmon. There are even a few unexpected options for sushi. Richter Tavern is also known for their cocktails, which are listed as "regular" or "diesel," so if you're stopping in for lunch, clear the rest of the day's calendar if you can. They have also added a bakery and coffeehouse (Richter Bakhaus) at the same address, famous for their Texas-sized cinnamon rolls.
On a nice evening, dining on the deck is the thing to do here. The views are amazing, and the food holds up its end of the bargain. The house specialty is a generous hand-cut Texas rib eye with two sides, and the thick-cut "tower of onion rings" is mighty impressive. There is a sizable cocktail and wine list, and the friendly waitstaff expertly coaxes people to order dessert, like the warm carrot cake.
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.
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
This low-key café is a longtime local hangout with a fresh, seasonal menu, cheerful staff, and comfortable community atmosphere. Portions are generous, and this is real home cooking! Try the signature Beet Burger with goat cheese, pesto mayo, and microgreens on a toasted brioche bun for lunch, or the crowd-pleasing Bourbon Chicken with pecan sauce served with green beans and garlic scallion mashed potatoes. Satisfy your sweet tooth: For every homemade dessert sold, $1 is donated to the local Hays County Food Bank.
It may not boast a German name, but don't overlook Silver Creek if you're seeking cuisine from the motherland. With an abundance of outdoor dining, regular live music, and an extensive beer selection, this place is a spring and summer favorite, for its "Tex-German" flavor. All menu items are served with a side of sweet and vinegary German potato salad, and the sausage platter is a crowd-pleaser.
Just outside town, this was someone’s cozy house before it was transformed into a great coffee shop and wine bar with delicious food (the Sourdough BLT sandwich is jammed with thick-cut bacon; ask for avocado), all-natural wine flights, and home-baked goods like the olive oil cake that is truly hard to resist. The owners are winemakers and have launched a new natural wine label, Summer Revival Wine Co., here in Texas.
The owners brought the building over from Vietnam and reconstructed here in Texas. The American Nouveau cuisine is outstanding for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the afternoon tea is truly delightful (one of the owners is English), as the Hill Country meets the Cotswolds. Enjoy a perfectly calibrated blend of sweet and savory offerings including beef Wellington with charred horseradish mash, ham and Gruyère puff, deviled egg sandwich, and a pile of lovely sweet treats. Visit the chapel and sculpture garden while you’re here.
If Cooper's is the big-name barbecue spot in town, Tumlinsons is the understated gem that the locals love. Order by the pound and load up a tray of meat or choose the famous 3 Meat Combination to enjoy in the pared-down dining room.
