When planning the perfect trip to anywhere, food is a huge consideration. It can be stressful trying to find the perfect place to eat for the family or a nice brewery or winery to visit on your own. Fortunately, when it comes to Texas Hill Country, we’ve got you covered. Our New Braunfels camping resort, nestled along the Guadalupe River, is tucked away in the Texas Hill Country. As a result, we’ve become experts on the area. Below, we’ve outlined a few restaurants, wineries, and breweries that we personally recommend and hope you give a try during your next visit!
Restaurants
Finding a place to sit down and grab a bite can be tough. With so many different options and varying reviews, it can be difficult figuring out what places are truly good. Well, we can help with that! The Hill Country area has tons of restaurants to choose from with delicious food options. We’ve compiled our top five Texas Hill Country restaurants below!
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar
Located along the banks of the Guadalupe River in the historic town of Gruene, the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar has been a local staple for the past 45 years. Said to be one of Texas's most unique dining spots, the restaurant is located inside the ruins of an 1878 cotton gin. Combining history with a beautiful location, great menu, and friendly staff, this restaurant is one of the very best in Texas Hill Country. When you spot the iconic Gruene water tower, you know you're near! The Gristmill is just under it.
Abby Jane Bakeshop
This locally-owned bakery, located in Dripping Springs, is owned by an extremely talented baker, Abby Love. At the Abby Jane Bakeshop, you can find breads, pastries, sandwiches, seasonal treats, desserts and so much more at this delightful bakeshop. What makes this local bakeshop extra special is that they use grains created by their next-door neighbor, Barton Springs Mill. Talk about fresh! They have indoor and outdoor seating and also offer a full coffee menu.
The Oasis on Lake Travis
With over 20,000 reviews, The Oasis on Lake Travis is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The Lake Travis area, known as the Sunset Capital of Texas, is absolutely breathtaking. While you're here, you can go for a refreshing swim in the lake, rent a boat or jet-ski, or just walk around the lake and take in the beauty on foot. The Oasis' tiered outdoor decks are the place to be. Open for lunch and dinner.
Opie's BBQ
You can smell this barbecue joint, located in Spicewood, TX, before you even enter it. When you arrive and enter the building, a giant pit greets you that is full of deliciously seasoned brisket. You can also find enourmous pork chops, jalapeno-cheese sausages, or tender pork on the menu at Opie's BBQ. One of the best parts of Opie's are the sides — like spicy corn, tator tot casserole, and even Coca-Cola cake. Open for takeout and dine-in, this local gem is a must-stop while in the area.
Der Lindenbaum
One of the finest German restaurants in Texas, Der Lindenbaum serves up German specialties like shnitzel, steaks, and excellent sandwiches. Said to be a symbol of the homeland to German natives, this Fredericksburg restaurant holds a special place in the heart of German's in the area. The restaurant is located inside a historic limestone building built by German pioneers who founded Fredericksburg over 100 years ago. Der Lindenbaum gives a cozy and welcoming atmosphere to all who visit this Texas Hill Country restaurant.
Wineries
When it comes to fine wine, Texas Hill Country is Texas Wine Country. With over 50 unique wineries scattered throughout the Hill Country, wineries like these are certainly worth a try when visiting Texas Hill Country.
Dry Comal Creek Winery & Vineyards
Dry Comal Creek Winery & Vineyard is full of character (and great wine!) The current wine maker brings knowledge from Cornell, France, Australia, and the Finger Lakes. The tasting room, located just off highway 46 and a few short miles from New Braunfels, is tucked behind rows of vineyards. If you are headed to the vineyard on the weekend, check out their events calendar for live music, food trucks, and fun events.
Grape Creek Vineyards
Experience 25 acres of vineyards and Tuscan-inspired tasting rooms at Grape Creek Vineyards. Founded in 1983, the vineyard is the oldest in its area. They bottle their wine on site and bottle 1,200 bottles on any given day. Grape Creek stores over 2,000 barrels of aging wine — allowing you to sample 90+ point wines during a free tasting or guided tour. This is a winery in Texas Hill Country you won't want to miss!
Texas Heritage Vineyards
Established in 2015, Texas Heritage Vineyards is a family-run winery honoring Texas history with a 12 and a half acre vineyard, state-of-the-art winery, and gracious tasting room that has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike. The tasting room is the perfect spot to have fun with friends and family. Enjoy award-winning wines and live music on the patio from talented Texas performers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.
Texas Wine Collective
Texas Wine Collective began as a collaboration between three Texas wineries – Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars, which are located in Comanche, Burleson, and Lubbock. Featuring a tasting room and wine club where you can be treated to a diverse collections of wines with various tastes. When you visit, expect to learn more about the past, present and future of the flourishing Texas wine industry!
Benmarl Vineyard
The Kuhlken family has been growing grapes in the Texas Hill Country since 1995. Eventually, the family founded the Pedernales Cellars winery in 2006 and produced their first wine in the same year. They opened their tasting room door to visitors in 2008, and offer a premier experience of 100% Texas wines overlooking picture perfect views of the Hill Country's Pedernales River valley.
Breweries
Texas Hill Country offers plenty of breweries but finding the best ones to visit can be tricky. Fortunately, if you're looking for a cold one or trying to sample some craft brews, these five breweries we've compiled below should have you covered. If you're feeling ambitious, check out the Hill Country Craft Beer Trail.
Jester King Brewery
Jester King Brewery in Austin is a brewery, farm, and event hall and is located on a 165-acre ranch in the hills of Texas Hill Country. This welcoming brewery welcomes people of all ages. Their brews incorporate well water, local grains, fruits and vegetables, foraged plants, and native yeast and bacteria, making it unique to the location. While you're here, Jester King Kitchen serves yummy eats!
Treaty Oak Distilling
Say hello to brown liquor, cocktails, and Texas barbecue — all in one place! Located on a 28-acre ranch in Dripping Springs, Treaty Oak Distilling sits on beautiful historic property and is a great Texas Hill Country brewery. The farm buildings on-site are filled with cozy couches and dining tables, and the land outdoors is lined with picnic tables and sitting arrangements, amidst bourbon barrels. Serving only bourbon whiskey and bourbon-themed products, this distillery is unique and has a personality that sets it apart from the rest.
Bluebonnet Beer Company
The Bluebonnet Beer Company is a sweet venue located in Round Rock, TX and established in 2013. This tap room distillery is named after the famous Bluebonnet flowers in Texas! With over 10 ales, lagers, and seltzers on tap, Bluebonnet Beer Co. is a fun, modern take on local Texas Hill Country's distilleries. Bluebonnet beers are also served in other establishments in the Round Rock area.
Roughhouse Brewing
In San Marcos, Roughhouse Brewing combines the output of its garden with other local ingredients to create a full farm-to-table brewpub experience. Fun fact: Roughhouse Brewing brews with approximately 85 percent Texas grains, on-site well water, and local fruits and herbs. The meats they serve on their menu are sourced locally from a butcher and smokehouse that they partner with nearby.
New Braunfels Brewing Co.
New Braunfels Brewing Co. began producing local brews in 1915! One of the oldest breweries in Texas Hill Country, NBBC has a very interesting story. When prohibition began, New Braunfels Brewing Co. found itself in the bootlegging business... until shut down for good in 1925. In 2010, a new version of New Braunfels Brewing Co. started creating an assortment of beers along with a ton of experimental and limited brews.
Whether you’re looking for a nice family restaurant, a beautiful vineyard & winery, or a cozy taproom to discover, Texas Hill Country has a place for you. If you need a place to stay while exploring, check out our Texas camping resort, Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country, as we are only a short distance from all of these excellent spots! To book your stay, call (830) 743-9803 or click here to view availability. We look forward to seeing you soon!
