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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.
Townies and visitors alike love this pizza joint housed in a former filling station, for both its wood-fired sourdough pies and its good selection of American and Belgian craft beer. Kick back on the colorful patio furniture (outdoor seating only) and enjoy one of their signature creations, like the California Club pie, which is loaded up with mozzarella, bacon, roasted chicken, avocado, greens, and tomatoes.
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).
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.
