Vaudeville is part bistro, part supper club, and part boutique shopping experience, located in the heart of Fredericksburg’s historic downtown. Daily lunch specials, like Crawfish Etouffé, incorporate the best flavors from around the world with an American spin. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday nights only, with a prix fixe menu. The wine list is heavy on Italian, French, and California wines, with a couple of Texans in the mix. There’s also a good selection of sparkling wines.

Insider Tip

Locals favor Sunday Buttermilk Fried Chicken brunch. Get there early as the line begins before 11:00 am.

Image courtesy of Trish Rawls

The Ausländer Restaurant and Biergarten has been a favorite for authentic German cuisine for 20 years. Known for their hand-cut sausages and schnitzel, The Ausländer also serves American classics like chicken sandwiches and hamburgers, including a classic burger and a schnitzel burger. The menu features a large variety of beers from around the world, but try a local beer and sausage for a blend of Texas and Bavaria.

Insider Tip

The Ausländer has a nice beer garden as well as covered outdoor seating.

Image courtesy of The Ausländer

Cabernet Grill is the quintessential Texas Hill Country fine dining experience, where flavors of Texas and the southwest are paired with the largest Texas wine list in the state. If it’s your first time dining at Cabernet Grill, try the Texas Mixed Grill which includes jalapeno quail, grilled shrimp, and a smoked pork tenderloin medallion. The Mexican street corn side is also a must. Cabernet Grill’s long-time sommelier, Elizabeth Rodriguez, has recently expanded the wine list to include over 180 Texas wines, so don’t miss pairing your meal with a glass or bottle.

Insider Tip

If the weather is nice, sit outside to enjoy the pretty patio and water gardens all lit up with fairy lights. It’s so romantic you may just fall in love with the Hill Country and decide to stay. Note that outdoor dining is on a first come, first served basis.

Image courtesy of Cabernet Grill

Otto’s is an ode to fine dining that showcases the German heritage of Fredericksburg. The farm-to-table menu is carefully curated to highlight what’s available and in season. Starters include a twist on a German-style pretzel served with brie and crème fraiche, as well as the Flammkuchen, which is a bit like a tart flambé, topped with crème fraiche, Spanish chorizo sugo, arugula, pickled red peppers, and blue cheese crumbles. The wine and beer menu features Austrian and German flavors as well as those of Texas and California. Since the venue is a small frame house and seating is limited, just be sure to make a reservation.

Insider Tip

Sunday brunch at Otto’s is truly divine, featuring a menu of unique breakfast and lunch items. There’s a good selection of standard drinks such as mimosas and bloody marys, but take a chance on one of the more creative cocktails.

Image courtesy of Trish Rawls

Hill Top Cafe has 40 years of history, family, good food, and music. Housed in an old gas station, the location is a bit out of the way, but worth the drive. Owner Johnny Nicolas and his late wife Brenda transformed the venue into more than a restaurant; Hill Top is an experience. Go for the excellent Greek-Cajun-inspired food and atmosphere, or just go for the live music. Over the years, Hill Top has hosted such famous musicians as Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan, and Bonnie Raitt, which isn’t surprising given Johnny’s successful music career in the Grammy winning band, Asleep At The Wheel.

Insider Tip

Hill Top Cafe also has a bed and breakfast for those that want to stay up late and listen to music or just gaze at the star-filled sky without having to venture far after dinner.

Image courtesy of Hill Top Cafe

Pontotoc Vineyard and Weingarten was created in the image of a Viennese Heurigen. A Heurigen is a wine bar located in the vineyards where locals bring a picnic basket and enjoy the wine produced by that vineyard. Though Pontotoc is not in the vineyards, it is located in a historic limestone building surrounded by old oak trees, and while the winery is not technically a restaurant, you can order a picnic basket made by the owners to go with your estate wine. Texas sausage, local bread, and homemade pimento cheese are a few of the goodies you’ll find inside. Sit outside, listen to great music, and enjoy one of the most unique wine gardens in the area.

Insider Tip

Kids are welcome and there are alcohol-free beverage options.

Image courtesy of Pontotoc Vineyard and Weingarten

Emma + Ollie is a restaurant and bakery offering delicious food and mouthwatering desserts served in a cozy ‘40s bungalow just off of Fredericksburg’s Main Street. The food is always fresh and many ingredients come from their garden. Entree favorites include the salmon cobb salad and the po-boy sandwiches, but be sure to save room for the desserts, which will make you think of visiting your grandmother. People line up for the lemon bars and hello dollies, but it’s all decadent in the best way.

Insider Tip

Emma + Ollie is open for breakfast Tuesday through Friday and brunch on Saturday, but you can always stop in simply to purchase their homemade desserts to go.

Image courtesy of Penny Sadler

A boutique wine bar and market, La Bergerie is the perfect spot in Fredericksburg for distinctive wines as well as housemade charcuterie, cheeses, and freshly baked bread. If you’re hungry for something more substantial but don’t want a full meal, they also serve small plates. Specializing in Old World wines, the wine list includes unique imports and old vintages, but you’ll also find some local wines on the menu.

Insider Tip

When the weather permits, there’s a lovely wine garden in the back, and in 2022, La Bergerie is launching an Italian restaurant.

Image courtesy of La Bergerie

Family-owned and operated Fredericksburg Pie Company specializes in pies, as the name implies, all made from scratch daily. At their downtown Fredericksburg bakery, you’ll find over 20 types of pie available each day, from coconut cream pie to pecan pie to blackberry pie — just like grandma used to make. Order a slice to enjoy in the dining area or on the front porch, or take a whole pie to eat at home. Just be sure to get there early, as these tasty pies tend to sell out quickly.

Insider Tip

Fredericksburg Pie Company has its own private coffee label, Fredericksburg Texas Coffee, featuring a large variety of whole bean and ground coffee blends for sale. They have a different coffee flavor on special each month, which is available by the cup to sip on-site.

Image courtesy of Visit Fredericksburg