75 Best Restaurants in The Hill Country, Texas

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.

In the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, August E's features a sleek Zen-like atmosphere thanks to its contemporary Asian decor. Chef-owner Leu Savanh adds a subtle hint of his Thai background to such dishes as the New Zealand lamb with balsamic honey-glaze and a cloudlike fillet of Hawaiian escolar pan-seared and served with a tempura-fried lobster tail, baby bok choy, and mascarpone whipped potatoes. In addition to the constantly evolving seasonal menu, a sushi menu and a fairly extensive selection of sake are also on offer. 

Although Black's now has locations in Austin, New Braunfels, and San Marcos, there's nothing like a visit to the original location in Lockhart, where pitmaster Ken Black still smokes the meat just like his grandfather did in 1932. The brisket here is thick and juicy and the 9-inch beef ribs are memorable, but the sides also stand out, with less-common offerings like Mexican street corn, green beans, black-eyed peas, and extra-cheddar mac 'n' cheese. 

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 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 light and crispy chicken-fried steak, homemade meatballs, and smashed potatoes.

If you want a Texas-size meal in the heart of the Hill Country, the Cabernet Grill has just what you're looking for. Chef-owner Ross Burtwell uses a smattering of local ingredients to inspire a menu that reflects the bold flavors of the Lone Star State. Menu items range from Black Diamond buffalo enchiladas with green chili crema to sesame-seared Gulf red snapper with ginger-basil vinaigrette. The grilled jalapeño-stuffed quail is a fan favorite, as are the myriad special dinners with wine pairings that Burtwell hosts throughout the year. It should also be noted that this is the only restaurant in the state devoted exclusively to an all-Texas wine menu, giving diners a chance to truly taste Texas terroir.

Dining at the Gristmill is as mandatory as shuffling your boots along the floors of Gruene Hall when visiting Gruene. On a sunny day, request a seat on the multitiered deck that climbs the side of the cliff overlooking the Guadalupe River. Though you can find fabulous soups and salads, there's nothing quite like the Gristburger. The secret to this burger's success is the spicy chili con queso that oozes from the sides.

This is the gathering spot in the morning for locals looking to savor a rich cup of coffee or a fully cooked breakfast. But lunch is just as popular, with a daily menu of flavorful soups, salads, and sandwiches, including the "salad trio," which is a scoop of homemade chicken salad and a scoop of homemade tuna salad on a fresh field-greens salad. The creamy pimiento-cheese sandwich on nine-grain bread is easy on the mayonnaise and spicy with black pepper, while thick and garlicky hummus with crispy pita chips makes a great appetizer for sharing. Save room for a sweet treat from the dessert case of fresh baked goods, including fudge-walnut brownies, lemon cupcakes, and chewy chocolate-chip Cowboy cookies.

This sprawling landmark barbecue spot is another must when touring Lockhart for barbecue. Like Smitty's, this one has pits, so you can watch while you wait, but unlike Smitty's, they have more rules here: no sauce and no forks (so don't try asking for any!).

Named for the longleaf pine lining the interior of the dining room, this craft kitchen and bar lets local and seasonal ingredients drive the menu, so the offerings may change, but they are always incredibly fresh and flavorful. Offerings might include dishes like Hill Country quail stuffed with mushroom and apples and served with caramelized brussels sprouts, paired perfectly with local Hye-fig cider. The wine and beer list are robust, but the cocktails, which also utilize fresh and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, are some of the best in town. Enjoying one in their garden courtyard is a must when in Wimberley.

Though it's also open for lunch, most locals flock to this family-owned restaurant for a delicious and hearty breakfast. Lacy German pancakes come with butter pats, orange slices, and powdered sugar for sprinkling. Order schnitzel with eggs or skip straight to lunch and enjoy homestyle plates of sausage, kraut, and potato salad. If you don’t order a pastry with your meal, be sure to visit the bakery counter on your way out to get an apple strudel, prasselkuchen, or pretzel nut twist for the road.

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. 

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. 

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.

Drawing Texans and visitors alike out to the Hill Country since 1967, at Salt Lick you can order barbecue plates a la carte, but most folks opt for the family-style option, which comes with unlimited brisket, sausage, pork ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, and beans. You can BYOB or head to the adjacent Salt Lick Cellars space to purchase beer and wine made from the estate’s own fruit (including a BBQ Red designed to accompany the food).

If you're coming to Lockhart to experience its barbecue, a stop at Smitty's is an absolute must: it's still housed in the original 1948 Kreuz Market, which Edgar A. "Smitty" Schmidt started (it's a long story), and you can scope out a good look at the historic building while you queue for your 'cue. The line moves quickly here as you watch their team in action cutting meat and tending the live fire, which is said to have been burning for more than a hundred years. The brisket, sausage, and turkey are not to be missed, but they also offer a decadent smoked prime rib if you're feeling fancy. 

With its authentic German architecture, the Ausländer draws quite a crowd for lunch and dinner. For more than 20 years, it has been one of the town's most popular beer gardens, and you're bound to find a few things to your liking—perhaps the Spicy Texas Schnitzel, a bold concoction featuring a hand-breaded pork loin cutlet smothered with Tex-Mex ranchero sauce and melted Monterey Jack cheese.

Dining alongside Cibolo Creek in this historic house while listening to the rhythmic turn of a water mill is a treat. The upscale restaurant offers a nice array of steaks, fresh seafood, and wild game. Highlights are the blue-crab fingers lightly sautéed with lemon and wine and the soul-warming and hearty beef-potato soup.

If you see smoke rising while driving along FM 1826, don't be alarmed. It's just a barbecue beacon calling you to the perpetually smoking pits, long picnic tables, and dance hall–style compound of The Salt Lick. On weekends, and particularly when the University of Texas Longhorns have a home game, this family-friendly hot spot on the edge of south Austin is tough to get into, but always worth the wait. You'll be joined by locals and travelers from miles around waiting to feast on perfectly smoked brisket, baby back ribs, vinegary German potato salad and cole slaw, and enough soft white bread to sop up a gallon of the secret sauce. Oh, and did we mention the sausage? Get some of that, too. You can order the all-you-can-eat, family-style option and share with friends. Though it may seem impossible to save room for homemade blackberry cobbler with Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream on top, we promise it is worth every calorie. If you're driving from the Hill Country back to the Austin airport, this makes a great lunch stop on the way.

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.

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.

You can dig into one of the best burgers in the region here. The more adventuresome eaters order theirs with the jalepeño-cheese bun—it's really not as spicy as it sounds. If you're here in peach season, your Alamo Springs experience isn't complete without a serving of homemade peach crisp.

On weekends you may find a line out the door at this town favorite known for its extensive breakfast buffet with eggs, fruit, and fresh-baked muffins, pastries, and breads. Most patrons brave the long counter line for cinnamon rolls, which are as big as a Frisbee. The breakfast crowd arrives early for one of the few inside tables, and locals swarm here for lunch as well.

Don't even think about coming to Marble Falls without taking a seat at this small-town diner. There's a sign above the hostess stand that commands you to "eat some pie," and you'd be a fool to not listen and sample one of the at least 10 different types made fresh daily. From mountainous meringue to creamy custard, the geniuses behind these sweet concoctions mean business. If you come between 2 and 5, you've made it for "Pie Happy Hour," when you can have a slice of pie and a cup of joe for $3. They also serve all the standards you'd find at an old-fashioned diner.

Chef Bryan Gillenwater serves well-executed New American cuisine in a laid-back environment at this spot that has become a mainstay in the area. Cooking with live fire is Gillenwater’s specialty, so you can’t go wrong ordering flame-kissed dishes like grilled shrimp with Hopi blue-corn grits and andouille Creole sauce or prime Angus rib eye with buttermilk whipped potatoes. It's well-loved by locals and wine industry professionals alike, so reservations are highly recommended. 

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.

At this tiny little bakery housed in an old building, the enchanting aroma of fresh-baked pies and pastries envelops you the second you walk in the door. The question of what to order then immediately overwhelms you as you scour the glass cases showcasing pies, sweet and savory kolaches, and cookies. The German-style sweet pretzel and the cream cheese–poppy seed kolach are great choices. Of course, the jalapeño, cheese, and sausage kolaches and cinnamon rolls are amazing as well, but you'll have to get there before the hunters, fishers, and early travelers do; they go fast.

Townies and visitors alike love this pizza joint housed in a former gas station, for both its wood-fired sourdough pies and its good selection of American and Belgian craft beer. Kick back in the colorful patio furniture 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. 

From Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley, the chef-owners behind Austin's Foreign & Domestic, comes this modern interpretation of a country café. Their famous popovers can also be found on the menu here, and the golden-flaky layers are perfect balanced with the seasonal salad of the moment. The menu is on the short side, but everything on it has been truly perfected, from the cheeseburger to the roasted chicken with molasses carrots and mushroom jus. The real pièce de résistance is the chicken-fried steak, which is fried to featherweight perfection, topped with creamy redeye gravy, and served with herbed potato salad and lemony green beans.

This veteran-owned and -operated Tex-Mex barbecue kitchen is a favorite among locals for its heaping trays of mesquite-smoked chicken, beef fajitas, and pulled pork served in tacos or by the pound. Also not to be missed are the generous loaded nachos, massive enchiladas, and succulent birria tacos.

This Texas legend is serious about barbecue, and it expects no less from its clientele. The menu is literally what's on display in the open pits that greet you at the entrance: pick your meat from brisket, sausage, smoked turkey, ribs, or whatever else they have on hand for the day and step in line for the typical barbecue sides that include coleslaw, potato salad, and plenty of doughy, white bread. Park your tray where you can find a seat at one of the long picnic tables in- or outside, but not before grabbing a few pickles, onions, and a bowl of beans from the serve-yourself condiment bar.