The Best Restaurants in Kerrville, TX: A Local’s Guide to Where to Eat

ByTAYLORCORBETT
The Best Restaurants in Kerrville, TX: A Local’s Guide to Where to Eat

The Hill Country has become Texas’s go-to place to slow down, and more people are starting to venture past the usual stops, like Fredericksburg, to see what else is out here. I live just outside Kerrville — a river town a lot of people only came to know last summer, after a violent and deadly flood tore through and thrust us into the national spotlight. The one thing gleaned from Kerrville from that time is that the people here are more than willing to help in times of crisis. As for other things, that’s another blog.

The flood devastation also affected local businesses; one of the places we lost was 1011 Bistro, my husband’s and my favorite restaurant in town, which never reopened.

Kerrville is still here, though, and still one of the best places I know to be on the river and actually relax. If you’re looking to get out of Austin or San Antonio and into the hills, it’s a good place to start. Here are the best restaurants in Kerrville, sorted by what you’re craving.

Best breakfast tacos in Kerrville

Breakfast tacos are the thing to get here. My rotation is Mary’s, Taqueria Machetes, and Barrera’s; my husband John is loyal to Taco To Go.

  • Mary’s Tacos (Broadway) — Homemade tortillas and a fast line. I get potato, egg, cheese, bacon, every time.
  • Taqueria Machetes (Sidney Baker) — The one I’d send a first-timer to.
  • Barrera’s Taco Shop (Ingram) — A few minutes west of town, worth the drive.
  • Taco To Go — John’s spot, by the Walgreens since 1987. He gets the barbacoa and the meatier stuff.

Best coffee in Kerrville

This is where I’ll make some enemies, so I’ll just say it.

Two lattes with decorative latte art at Pookie
The latte art at Pookie’s — though the desserts are the real draw now.
  • Pax Coffee & Goods (Earl Garrett) — Expensive, and really expensive the second you need a substitution. To me it tastes like water.
  • Lift Coffee (Ingram) and Blue Roan Coffee (Broadway) — Really good some days, really average others.
  • Pookie’s Patisserie — I hate saying this because I really did love it, but the last few times the coffee just didn’t hit. The desserts are still really fun, though.
  • Most days I just go to Starbucks or Dutch Bros.

Best Mexican and Tex-Mex in Kerrville

Two different moods, both good.

  • Taqueria Jalisco (Junction Hwy) — Family-run, the real thing. This is the weeknight one.
  • Mamacita’s (Junction Hwy) — Big, festive Tex-Mex. Bring a crowd and order a margarita.

Where to eat on the river in Kerrville (and best seafood)

Kerrville sits on the Guadalupe, so a few of these come with a view.

A baked seafood appetizer with crostini at Wahoo
A starter at Wahoo’s Seafood Co.
  • Wahoo’s Seafood Co. (Sidney Baker) — Cajun-rooted and Gulf-fresh, and it doubles as a seafood market. My pick.
  • The Lakehouse (Junction Hwy) — On the water since 1988. Catfish, onion rings, peach cobbler.
  • The Boat Oyster Bar & Grill — I want to like it more than I do. The food’s hit or miss and the service is rough.
  • Chili’s on the river — Yes, really. It’s a good Chili’s.

Best chicken-fried steak and comfort food

The Texas staples.

A fried fish plate with mashed potatoes and vegetables at Billy Gene
A plate at Billy Gene’s.
  • Billy Gene’s (Junction Hwy) — The one for chicken-fried steak. Save room for dessert.
  • Rio Ranch Cafe (Junction Hwy) — A steady country cafe with breakfast all day.
  • Trail Boss (Main St) — The portions are huge, which I love, but the flavor always feels about 20% off. Not a never — I just wish it were more.

Best breakfast and brunch in Kerrville

Beyond the taco run.

  • Pinnacle Grill (Comanche Trace) — Go for the Hill Country view.
  • Rio Ranch Cafe — Breakfast all day.
  • Copper Pot — Low-key and dog-friendly.

Best Thai food in Kerrville

  • Thai Bistro (Broadway) — The owners are the sweetest. That alone gets me in the door.
  • Thai O’cha (Water St) — Downtown, right by the river.

Date night and something different

When you want to get out of the comfort zone.

  • Il Posto (Water St) — Italian, and the date-night spot.
  • Sake (Junction Hwy) — Sushi.
  • Soaring Dragon (Sidney Baker) — Chinese, with some Thai and Vietnamese too.
  • Grape Juice (Water St) and Off Main Brewing (Water St) — A wine bar and a brewery when you want something a little nicer.

Best lunch and sandwiches

A white pizza at Pint and Plow Brewing in Kerrville
The pizza at Pint & Plow.
  • Bumdoodlers (Broadway) — Get a sandwich, leave with a pie.
  • Rails a Café at the Depot (E Schreiner) — In the old 1915 depot. I go for a soup and a sandwich, and the desserts are good.
  • Pint & Plow (Clay St) — The brewery, and the best pizza in town.

Quick picks

  • First meal in town: Taqueria Machetes, then Wahoo’s
  • Out-of-towners: Mamacita’s, or Pinnacle Grill for the view
  • Date night: Il Posto
  • Slow weekend: Rails, soup and a sandwich
  • Dessert: Billy Gene’s, Bumdoodlers, Rails

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