If you follow me on Instagram , you may have noticed that I spend a lot of time in the charming hamlet of Wimberley, about 40 miles southwest of Austin.
As such, I am thrilled at how the dining scene there has exploded over the last five years. A town which once had no stop lights and just a handful of restaurants is now home to more than a dozen options for dining and drinking.
The scene is growing, and with that evolution come greater strains on natural resources and increased auto traffic and housing costs. But the quality new hospitality options that have accompanied the changes are welcomed by this food lover.
The town, which my parents first visited in the 1950s, and where my family has had a house for almost 30 years, is still my favorite in Texas, my spiritual home. And it keeps getting tastier without losing its soul.
Below are my current favorite dishes in Wimberley. ( You can read about all of the options in town here. )
Community Pizza & Beer Garden
The restaurant, which serves supple, charred pies has become a hub of the scene, with adults sipping cold beers and children of all ages climbing on the adventure netting and playground equipment in the outdoor courtyard. You can create your own pie, or go with my favorite, the Illuminati pizza, made with confit garlic, mozzarella, soppressata, sausage, gorgonzola, hot honey and serrano peppers. 111 Old Kyle Road, #330. 512-858-6756, communitybeergarden.com .
Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar
Sit on the patio overlooking the pleasant Cypress Creek while enjoying a Yardbird sandwich (chicken breast, bacon and brie) or WTX Power Bowl (spinach, quinoa, roasted chickpeas and sweet potatoes, marinated cucumbers and onions, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, Greek vinaigrette and dill tzatziki sauce) with chicken.
Hildee’s
Houston chef Ryan Hildebrand moved to the Hill Country a few years back, and though he and his partners shuttered their original restaurant located on the edge of town, Hildee’s found new life just off the Wimberley Square. I’ve only had the cheeseburger at the new iteration, so that is my default answer, though I am excited to try the steaks here. 13900 RR 12. 512-222-9904, hildees.com.
Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ
Kelly Evers closed his Creekside Cookers on River Road during the pandemic and moved his operation into a trailer with less space but better visibility on RR 12. The former school teacher and coach is right at home in the smaller operation, as proven by the Texan Turkey Sandwich with arugula, pickled onions and Alabama white sauce. 14306 Ranch Rd 12. 512-947-1609, khcbbq.com .
Leaning Pear
Rachel and Matthew Buchanan are as responsible as anyone in town for helping create the modern Wimberley food scene. Their corned beef Reuben, made with house-cured brisket and served on toasty marbled rye is one of the town's most iconic dishes. But trying to decide between it and the Southern Clucker Sandwich (fried chicken with pimento cheese and Alabama white sauce) and Leaning Pear house salad (pear, spiced pecans, goat cheese and shallot vinaigrette) with an added crab cake is always a challenge. 111 River Road, #110. 512-847-7327, leaningpear.com .
The Let Go
This open-air bar directly across from the town square is a perfect place to people watch, appreciate your empty calendar and dig into and a pretty dang good cheeseburger. While you’re at it, cheers owners Michael and Morgan Mekuly, who are also responsible for the good food and vibes at Community Pizza & Beer Garden and the forthcoming Tex-Mex restaurant Nada Mucho. 13904 RR 12. theletgobar.com .
Longleaf Craft Kitchen + Bar
The roster of upmarket Hill Country dishes at this restaurant on the Wimberley Square is exemplified with the mushroom-and-apple-stuffed quail with bourbon-glazed Brussels sprouts. 314 Wimberley Square. 512-842-3044, longleafwimberley.com .
Shamrock Tacos
You're not a proper Texas town until you have a great taqueria inside a gas station. The move at this Diamond Shamrock spot is the Texan Taco (fajita, grilled peppers, onions, pepper Jack queso and potatoes).
Wimberley Inn
Even if you're not staying at this charming revamped inn, you're still welcome to stop in for some lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes during weekend brunch. 200 RM 3237, 512-847-3750, wimberleyinn.com .
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 9 delicious dishes to try at restaurants, cafes in Wimberley, Texas
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