San Antonio has us spoiled with so many great eateries. Heck, even UNESCO thinks so, naming the 210 as a Creative City of Gastronomy. But that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of Texas joints that can hold their own against San Antonio’s wide selection of fare. So fill up the tank and venture out to these small towns to enjoy some of the best eats around.

Krause’s Cafe 148 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels, (830) 625-2807, krausescafe.com In the home of Wurstfest, you can trust this New Braunfels eatery to know what it’s doing when it comes to food and beer. Whether you order the pork schnitzel, bratentaschen, or beef stew, you’re in for some classic German fare. krausescafe / Instagram
Hermann Sons Steak House 577 US Highway 90 E, Hondo, (830) 426-2220, hermannsonssteakhouse.com This family-owned steakhouse provides indoor and outdoor dining, so you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air out in Hondo. Plus, the restaurants has a full bar and music entertainment to complete your dining experience. cati_jolyn / Instagram
Texas Pride BBQ 2980 East Loop 1604, Adkins, (210) 649-3730, texas-pride-barbecue.hub Texas Pride BBQ has the fix for your fried fish and barbecue cravings. Go visit and don’t forget to try their famous peach cobbler while there, unless you make another trip out there. oolordii / Instagram
The Gristmill 1287 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, (830) 625-0684, gristmillrestaurant.com Looking to dine by the River Grove? The Gristmill allows you to choose from indoor and outdoor dining views of the river. And it has a full bar, as if you weren’t already sold. gristmillriverrestaurant / Instagram
Kreuz Market 619 N Colorado Street, Lockhart, (512) 398-2361, kreuzmarket.com Kreuz’s barbecue stands on its own with meats being made up of 85% beef and 15% pork. No sauce or forks offered, so that’s how you know the meats are going to be lit. robertjacoblerma / Instagram
Southside Market and Barbecue 1212 Highway 290 W, Elgin, (512) 285-6830, southsidemarket.com Choose to order family-style with meats by the half pound, or order your own plate. Just split the brisket baked potato with a friend if you know what’s good for you. southsidebbq / Instagram
Black’s Barbecue 215 N. Main Street, Lockhart, (512) 398-2712, blacksbbq.com Black’s Barbecue uses generations of barbecue knowledge to cook up brisket, sausage, turkey, beef ribs, chopped beef and pork ribs. You’ve got to go for all the flavors, like jalapeño sausage and sweet cream corn. food_justbecause / Instagram
Dodging Duck Brewhaus 402 River Road, Boerne, (830) 248-3825, dodgingduck.com Dodging Duck Brewhaus is open everyday with happy hour offered weekdays from 3-6pm. Make it a family outing, you and the fam can sit out on the covered porch and the kids can be entertained by the ducks. alamocity_eats / Instagram
The Salt Lick 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, (512) 858-4959, saltlickbbq.com Looking for live music to enjoy with your barbecue? The Salt Lick allows you to BYOB for the show and meal, just remember to bring cash. Credit: Photo via Instagram / saltlickbbq
Haby’s Alsatian Bakery 207 US Highway 90 W, Castroville, (830) 538-2118, habysbakery.com Haby’s provides a large selection of freshly made cakes pastries and bread, both traditional bakery treats and those from the Alsace region. Swing by to get your sugar fill with doughnuts, honey buns, cinnamon rolls and so much more. michaellajsmith / Instagram
Peggy’s 128 W. Blanco Road, Boerne, (830) 572-5000, peggysonthegreen.com Headed by Chef Mark Bohanan, Peggy’s is the place to go for some tastefully made selections. Stopping by for brunch means you have to order the milk punch (trust us) and pair it with the short ribs benedict. by Kody Melton via peggysboerne / Instagram
Valeria’s 109 Waterview Parkway, Suite 105, Boerne, (830) 331-1393, valeriarestaurant.com With lunch specials and pizza combinations like these, you’ll be heading out to Boerne on the regular. Although a little pricey, you can’t go wrong with the shrimp Valeria. If you’re feeling a little more traditional, share the sausage and roasted red pepper pizza with the table. lavidayessi / Instagram
Cooper’s Pit BBQ 1125 Texas 337 Loop, New Braunfels, (830) 627-0627, coopersbbq.com Cooper’s offer 13 kinds of meat, so you know this is a spot every Texan should visit at least once. You can also munch on a variety of side dishes, including mac ‘n’ cheese, cole slaw, potato salad, hot cobbler. the.sourchef / Instagram
Mac and Ernie’s 11804 FM-470, Tarpley, (830) 562-3727, macandernies.com The original shack of Mac and Ernie’s is now the entrance to their new building, so there’s a bit of cool history to get you pumped on the drive out to Tarpley. Head over to this tiny town for a taste of cheeseburgers, steaks, catfish or grilled tuna and more. ginamck / Instagram
Loop 107 Cafe 11505 Loop 107, Adkins, (210) 649-2300, loop107burgers.com The fried pie alone is reason enough to make your way out to Elgin. But while you’re there, try the barbeque burger or patty melt. Loop 107 Burgers, Bakery & More / Facebook
2 Tarts Bakery 139 N Castell “Sweet” 300, New Braunfels, (830) 387-4606, 2tarts.com Those with a sweet tooth will love 2 Tarts, even if on a gluten-free diet! This spot offers a full range of dessert delicacies and plenty of cold and hot beverage options to pair them with. Credit: 2tartsbakery / Instagram
Comfort Pizza 802 High Street, Comfort, (830) 995-5959, comfortpizza.com One size fits all at this walk-up pizzeria. All pizzas are 14” and be customized with toppings like opa’s smoked sausage, chévre, capicola citterio and even a freshly cracked whole egg. artsdrive / Instagram Credit: Instagram / artsdrive
August E’s 203 E San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg, (830) 997-1585, august-es.com Stop into August E’s for Thai Tuesday and sushi with fish flown in from Hawaii. Yes, Hawaii! If you’re not already heading over to Fredericksburg, you’re missing out. August E’s / Facebook
Smitty’s Market 208 S Commerce Street, Lockhart, (512) 398-9344, smittysmarket.com With Lockhart being the barbecue capital of the world (not even exaggerating), you’re bound to make a trip to the tiny town. Just make sure you hit up Smitty’s, where you can get up close to the pit where meats are smoked to perfection. cmblodgett / Instagram
Cibolo Creek Brewing 448 S. Main Street, Boerne, (830) 816-5275, cibolocreekbrewing.com Come for the beer, stay for the food! Order up a five-beer flight to wash down your Sunday brunch. Go for the breakfast on a bun or the chorizo & potato hash to make the drive worth your while. Credit: by west.vita via cibolocreekbrewingco / Instagram
Der Lindenbaum 312 E Main Street, Fredericksburg, (830) 997-9126, derlindenbaum.com Come check out the first German restaurant in Texas, where you can get schnitzels, steaks, sandwiches, homemade breads and desserts made in-house. dreammieeee / Instagram
Love Creek Orchards’ Apple Store 14024 State Highway 16 N, Medina, (830) 589-2202, lovecreekorchards.com This spot is open daily for lunch from 11 am to 3 pm, the perfect time to enjoy one of the best hamburgers in the hill country. And because you’re venturing out to this beautiful apple orchard, pair your burger with an apple dessert, including strudel, turnovers, and even ice cream. laylablackshear / Instagram
5 Stones Artisanal Brewing 11335 FM 1863, New Braunfels, (210) 380-8215, 5stonesbrew.com Famous for their Aloha Pina, a golden ale brewed with pineapple and locally grown jalapeños, 5 Stones brews seasonal beers that are made up of season fruits and spices. Credit: 5stonesbrewery / Instagram
McAdoo’s 196 N Castell Ave., New Braunfels, (830) 629-3474, mcadoos.com Originally the first post office of New Braunfels, the restored McAdoo’s seafood and oyster bar serves up creole cuisine and fresh fish daily. Come by to enjoy lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and happy hour while admiring the atmosphere. lindseyoberts / Instagram
Scoop Street 230 W San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, (830) 302-7940, scoopstreetnb.com Grab dinner at one of New Braunfels’ high acclaimed restaurants and stop by Scoops for dessert before heading home. These sweets are hand-made from scratch with all-natural ingredients, so there’s no reason to feel guilty. Credit: scoopstreetnb / Instagram

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