Wine gets all the attention in the Hill Country, but something has to soak it up. From famed barbecue joints to elegant bistros, some of the region’s best eats are just a short drive from San Antonio. These six spots are our favorite detours.
The Dodging Duck Brewhaus
Named for Cibolo Creek's most famous waddlers, this Boerne gastropub has an international menu that ranges from blistered shishito peppers to fish and chips. But flowing beer calls for a sturdy foundation. Get your ducks in a row with a beer sampler paired with hearty German fare like huge Bavarian-style pretzels or a spicy bratwurst.
Old City Hall Restaurant & Bar
Housed in a, well, old city hall, the graceful New Braunfels newcomer is now more of a hub of languorous date nights than municipal intrigue. Still, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t inspire a few debates. Should the appetizer be the lighter smoked crab dip with farm-fresh crudité or indulgent truffle fries paired with a frosty gin martini?
Eat your heart out at Salt Lick BBQ.Salt Lick BBQ/ Facebook
Salt Lick BBQ
Sure, some Texans obsess about post oak versus mesquite, but this Driftwood barbecue joint is not for barbecue cultists. While the famous circular smoker is mostly just for show, the all-you-can-eat family meal is still a rite of passage. For $33.95, guests can munch on beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, and all the Texas fixings.
The Blue Bonnet Cafe
This Marble Falls charmer, open since 1929, is famed for sky-high meringues that tower as high as five inches. Pie, however, is just the start. Almost all of the fare is a little oversized, from a Dagwood club to a hefty Wednesday meatloaf special. The stripped-down interior isn’t much to look at (there’s a lot of Millennial grey), but that doesn’t mean your eyes won’t be popping.
At Vaudeville, come for the shopping; stay for the bistro cuisine.Vaudeville/ Facebook
Vaudeville Bistro
It’s a boutique. It’s a wine bar. It’s a stylish brasserie. Much like its namesake, Fredericksburg's Main Street stunner likes to lay on the variety. Start with Spanish-style grilled octopus, then head to the showstopping rack of lamb. The curtain call is a chocolate chunk pecan cookie almost richer than the dark chocolate pot de creme.
Calivence
This Fredericksburg winery's biggest surprise isn’t the bright Cab Franc. The property also hosts a charming bistro serving French-Californian fare. Housed in an 1869 Sunday house, the quaint spot serves pairing-friendly dishes like crostini, oysters, and a Thai steak salad with a minty chutney. And, of course, an absolutely killer crème brûlée.
