San Antonio is a foodie’s dream, but sometimes you just need to get away from the city for a while.

If you’re heading out to explore the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, don’t think you have to leave your love of good grub back in San Antonio. These 22 restaurants and watering holes are worth working into your next getaway. 

Lost Maples Cafe 384 Main St., Utopia, (830) 966-2221, lostmaplescafe.com Located on Main Street in the Hill Country town of Utopia, a stop at Lost Maples Cafe is a must for those on a weekend getaway. From mind-blowing lamb sliders to the best chocolate meringue on this side of the Mississippi, you definitely won’t be disappointed. Photo via Instagram / globe_trot_pix
Texas Pride BBQ 2980 E Loop 1604 S, Adkins, (210) 649-3730, texaspridebbq.net Texas Pride BBQ has the fix for your fried fish and barbecue cravings. If nothing else, be sure to try their famous peach cobbler while there — you won’t be sorry. Credit: Photo via Instagram / texaspridebarbecue
Hildee’s Texas Dine-Inn
14111 Winters Mill Parkway, Wimberley, (512) 222-9904 hildeeswimberley.com
Critically acclaimed Chef Ryan Hildebrand’s latest creation is something you have to see to believe. Hilldee’s Texas Dine-Inn features a rotating menu with ingredients sourced from local farmers. It’s also a great spot to take in views of the Texas Hill Country, boasting an outdoor patio where you can watch your dinner cooked on the smokers and live-fire table.
Credit: Photo via Instagram / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbbS0U4MM8_/" target="_blank">hildees.dineinn</a>
Krause’s Cafe and Biergarten 148 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels, (830) 625-2807, krausescafe.com Leave it to New Braunfels to do biergartens right. Whether you want Texas brews or German booze, you’ll be able to choose from dozens of ales. This spot also offers authentic German style brats and pretzels. The drive is totally worth it. Credit: Photo via Instagram / krausescafe
August E’s 203 E. San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg, (830) 997-1585, august-es-fgb.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. Photo via Instagram / August_es_fbg
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. 2tartsbakery / Instagram Credit: 2tartsbakery / 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
Dog & Pony Grill 1481 S Main St, Boerne, (830) 816-7669, dogandponygrill.com Spanning nearly 2 acres outside of downtown Boerne, Dog & Pony is a fantastic family-friendly spot worth the drive. The property features outdoor dining, a playground, a dance floor, and even a dog park. All of this — AND amazing food! Credit: Photo courtesy of Dog & Pony Grill
Cooper’s Pld Time Pit Bar-B-Que 1125 State Highway 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 and hot cobbler. Photo via Instagram / coopersbbq
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
Haby’s Alsatian Bakery 207 Old 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 in France. Swing by to get your sugar fill with doughnuts, honey buns, cinnamon rolls and so much more. Photo via Instagram / ycastle
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar 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. Credit: Photo via Instagram / gristmillriverrestaurant
Gather Boerne 946 N School St, Boerne, (830) 331-2182 facebook.com/gatherboerneThis lunch spot in Boerne serves up fresh bread, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads. What makes Gather Boerne quintessentially Hill Country, however, is the fact that it sits on a 2.5-acre property that had previously been a Holiday Farms pet resort. Yeehaw! Credit: Photo via Facebook / Gather Boerne
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. Credit: Photo via Instagram / southsidebbq
Peggy’s on the Green 128 W Blanco Road, Boerne, (830) 572-5000, facebook.com/peggysboerne 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. Credit: Photo via Instagram / peggysboerne
Black’s Barbecue 215 N. Main Street, Lockhart, (512) 398-2712, blacksbbq.com Black’s Barbecue applies 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. Credit: Photo via Instagram / blacksbbq
The Dodging Duck Brewhaus & Restaurant 402 River Road, Boerne, (830) 248-3825, dodgingduck.com If you like beer (and we know you do), know that you’ve got a friend in the folks at Dodging Duck. This country brewpub is known for its house beers, which it pairs with comfort food inspired by the world. Oh, and there’s also a patio where you can see a pond full of ducks. Enjoy, y’all. Photo via Instagram / hillcountryfoodtours
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. saltlickbbq / Instagram Credit: Photo via Instagram / saltlickbbq
Valeria 109 Waterview Parkway STE 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. Credit: Photo via Instagram / valeriaboerne
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. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Loop 107 Cafe 11505 Loop 107, Adkins, (210) 649-2300, loop107burgers.com Loop 107 Cafe is the perfect place to pick up lunch while on a day out in the Hill Country. The barbeque burger and patty melt are particularly worth trying, and don’t forget to order a fried pie! Photo via Instagram / loop107burgers
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