Where to Eat in Fredericksburg, TX: A Local’s Honest List

Fredericksburg is maybe forty minutes from me, and it has quietly turned into one of the best food towns in Texas. I am there constantly, still working through the new places, but these are the ones I actually send people to.

A quick honest note before the list: I am picky, I am always trying somewhere new, and a couple of these are just my personal taste. Take what is useful.

The ones I send everyone to

• Eaker Barbecue — my favorite barbecue in Texas, full stop. It is Central Texas smoke with Korean influence, and it works better than that sentence makes it sound. We bring everyone here. Get the banana pudding — it is a little crazy, in the best way.
• Jack’s Chophouse — the bone marrow ruined bone marrow for me everywhere else. It is an old-school Italian steakhouse and one of our regulars.
• Martini’s — seafood in the middle of the Hill Country sounds like a gamble and it is not. The oysters Rockefeller are so good. Another one we keep going back to.
• Vaudeville — a favorite. The bistro is downstairs and there is a beautiful shop and gallery upstairs, so it is a whole afternoon if you want it to be.

Also really good

• Altstadt Brewery — people go for the beer and the biergarten, but the food is genuinely so good. Worth the drive just east of town.
• Prometheus Pizza — wood-fired, hyped, and it earns it.
• Alla Campagna — Italian, right on Main. We had a really good meal here.
• Pi Social — good food, fun room. Nothing knocked me flat but we had a great time, and sometimes that is the whole point.
• Fredericksburg Brunch Co — the name sounds boring and the food is actually really good. Do not skip it because it does not sound exciting.

The honest caveat

Otto’s gets a lot of love and I will be upfront: it is not my favorite. That is a me thing more than a them thing — the farm-to-table German concept is exactly what a lot of people want, so try it and decide for yourself.

And like I said: I am always trying new spots, so this list keeps growing. If your favorite is not here yet, it is probably just next on my list.

Fredericksburg food FAQs

What is the best restaurant in Fredericksburg? My honest pick is Eaker Barbecue — Korean-influenced Central Texas barbecue that made Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ list. For a sit-down dinner, Jack’s Chophouse and Martini’s are my go-tos.

Where do locals actually eat in Fredericksburg? Beyond the Main Street tourist spots: Eaker for barbecue, Jack’s for steak, Martini’s for seafood, Vaudeville for a special night, and Altstadt just east of town for beer-garden food.

Do you need reservations in Fredericksburg? For the nicer rooms — Jack’s, Vaudeville, Alla Campagna — yes, especially on weekends and during peak wine season. Barbecue and casual spots are walk-up.

Does Fredericksburg have good barbecue? Yes — Eaker Barbecue is some of the best in the state, and it is the first place I take anyone visiting.

Making a whole trip of it? Here is where I eat in Kerrville too, and my guide to the best Hill Country swimming holes for after.