From barbecue to coffee shops and much more, where to find great fare in the Hill Country town by May 20, 2022, 11:07am CDT View as Map
Roughly an hour’s drive west of the capital city lies the hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson and the gateway to the Highway 290 Wine Road. Whether you are visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, in the middle of your Texas winery tour, or just passing through, chances are you’re going to want to eat and or drink in this quaint town.
Below you’ll find ample suggestions, from the chicken fried steak classic Hill country Cupboard to a swanky wine bar brought to you by Southhold Farm + Cellar, and tons in between.
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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
The Johnson City food truck offers artisan pizzas as well as various fried and grilled items, like buffalo wings, burgers, curly fries, fried pickles, and more.
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The name is not a misnomer — this joint serves up enormous burgers made from Braveheart Black Angus Beef and served with fries or hand-dipped onion rings. Head to the Fatz Garten to relax and enjoy food under the live oak trees.
- Open in Google Maps
Located in the old Blanco County Supply and Hardware building, this brewery is the optimal place to gather officially with friends over a craft beer in their pet-friendly biergarten. Beers range from blonde pale ales to nitro dry stouts.
- Open in Google Maps
The Parlour by Southold Farm + Cellar
Copy LinkIn addition to wines sourced from Southold Farm + Cellar, this bright-and-airy wine bar also pours other low-intervention wines co-owner Regan Meador is currently crushing on and offers small bites and snacks, like tinned fish and more.
- Open in Google Maps
This family-friendly lounge offers something fun for the whole family: a playscape for the kiddos and a pool table, dart room, and large outdoor stage and patio for the grownups. Beer and cocktails pair easily with slow-smoked barbecue dishes, fried chicken, burgers, and other Southern specialities.
- Open in Google Maps
With freshly roasted beans courtesy of Dripping Springs roastery Greater Goods Coffee Company, this drive-through caffeine provider slings high-quality espresso beverages, cold brew, and simple cups of joe. For those not in a rush, the small coffee shop has cozy tables both inside and out and free Wi-Fi.
- Open in Google Maps
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This Johnson City staple cheekily claims to have sold “nearly three dozen” of its “world-famous chicken fried steak.” Swing by this 40-plus-year-old institution for Southern fare and hospitality, as well as all-day breakfast.
- Open in Google Maps
Located on Main Street in the heart of Johnson City, this live-fire restaurant offers fine dining in a cozy, casual setting. Highlights include smoked duck breast tartine, roasted escargot, and grilled scallops with corn risotto.
- Open in Google Maps
This lunchtime cafe located at the Science Mill offers an organic and healthy menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads.
- Open in Google Maps
The use of Kveik yeasts lend to a hazy, unfiltered beer at this small brewery, which only brews three to six barrels at a time. Sandwiches and snacks are on the menu, and there’s typically fun live music gracing the place.
- Open in Google Maps
Classic Hill Country barbecue (think brisket, jalapeno sausage, and chopped beef) is served along with specialty nachos, Frito pie, and stuffed potatoes.
- Open in Google Maps
Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week (and dinner every day but Wednesday), this eatery has been dishing up authentic Mexican cuisine for almost 20 years. Enjoy the best tacos in Johnson City, along with al pastor, carnitas, carne guisada, and so much more from their massive menu.
- Open in Google Maps
Housed in the Carter Creek Resort & Spa, the rustic-yet-refined Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant offers hearty, Texas-inspired cuisine, including prime rib, burgers, and steaks, with the award-winning wines from Carter Creek Winery.
- Open in Google Maps
From the folks behind Lightsome Wines and Yokefellow Brewing, this new addition to Johnson City offers cold beer, wine, cocktails, and food. Rumor has it an adolescent LBJ sipped “medicinal” wine during the Prohibition at this very site. Nowadays, the century-old building has plenty to entice locals and visitors alike, with two outdoor patios to sip away a breezy day in the Hill Country.
- Open in Google Maps
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The Johnson City
food truck offers artisan pizzas as well as various fried and grilled items, like buffalo wings, burgers, curly fries, fried pickles, and more. The
name is not a misnomer — this joint serves up enormous burgers made from Braveheart Black Angus Beef and served with fries or hand-dipped onion rings. Head to the Fatz Garten to relax and enjoy food under the live oak trees. Hot Mess Pizza & Grill
Fat Boy Burgers
- Open in Google Maps
Pecan Street Brewing
Located in the old Blanco County Supply and Hardware building, this brewery is the optimal place to gather officially with friends over a craft beer in their pet-friendly biergarten. Beers range from blonde pale ales to nitro dry stouts.
- Open in Google Maps
The Parlour by Southold Farm + Cellar
In addition to wines sourced from Southold Farm + Cellar, this bright-and-airy wine bar also pours other low-intervention wines co-owner Regan Meador is currently crushing on and offers small bites and snacks, like tinned fish and more.
- Open in Google Maps
Proof and Cooper at The Lumberyard
This family-friendly lounge offers something fun for the whole family: a playscape for the kiddos and a pool table, dart room, and large outdoor stage and patio for the grownups. Beer and cocktails pair easily with slow-smoked barbecue dishes, fried chicken, burgers, and other Southern specialities.
- Open in Google Maps
Johnson City Coffee Co.
With freshly roasted beans courtesy of Dripping Springs roastery Greater Goods Coffee Company, this drive-through caffeine provider slings high-quality espresso beverages, cold brew, and simple cups of joe. For those not in a rush, the small coffee shop has cozy tables both inside and out and free Wi-Fi.
- Open in Google Maps
Hill Country Cupboard
This Johnson City staple cheekily claims to have sold “nearly three dozen” of its “world-famous chicken fried steak.” Swing by this 40-plus-year-old institution for Southern fare and hospitality, as well as all-day breakfast.
- Open in Google Maps
Bryans On 290
Located on Main Street in the heart of Johnson City, this live-fire restaurant offers fine dining in a cozy, casual setting. Highlights include smoked duck breast tartine, roasted escargot, and grilled scallops with corn risotto.
- Open in Google Maps
Lady Bird Lane Cafe
This lunchtime cafe located at the Science Mill offers an organic and healthy menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads.
- Open in Google Maps
Reck 'Em Right Brewing Company
The use of Kveik yeasts lend to a hazy, unfiltered beer at this small brewery, which only brews three to six barrels at a time. Sandwiches and snacks are on the menu, and there’s typically fun live music gracing the place.
- Open in Google Maps
Ronnie's Ice House Barbeque
Classic Hill Country barbecue (think brisket, jalapeno sausage, and chopped beef) is served along with specialty nachos, Frito pie, and stuffed potatoes.
- Open in Google Maps
El Charro Restaurant
Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week (and dinner every day but Wednesday), this eatery has been dishing up authentic Mexican cuisine for almost 20 years. Enjoy the best tacos in Johnson City, along with al pastor, carnitas, carne guisada, and so much more from their massive menu.
- Open in Google Maps
Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant
Housed in the Carter Creek Resort & Spa, the rustic-yet-refined Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant offers hearty, Texas-inspired cuisine, including prime rib, burgers, and steaks, with the award-winning wines from Carter Creek Winery.
- Open in Google Maps
Nice n Easy
From the folks behind Lightsome Wines and Yokefellow Brewing, this new addition to Johnson City offers cold beer, wine, cocktails, and food. Rumor has it an adolescent LBJ sipped “medicinal” wine during the Prohibition at this very site. Nowadays, the century-old building has plenty to entice locals and visitors alike, with two outdoor patios to sip away a breezy day in the Hill Country.
- Open in Google Maps
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