More than just a butcher shop, this counter-service restaurant is one of the town’s few spots to find low-intervention wine and spontaneously fermented beer. Pair a glass with a deli sandwich — the pastrami is fantastic.

The former University of Texas at Austin favorite is now serving its Japanese street food in Forest Hills. Expect donburi topped with ribeye, pork belly, or marinated karaage. Pickup orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This tiny taqueria sells the city’s best breakfast tacos at unbelievable prices. The lunch tacos are solid, too, especially the rich barbacoa. Takeout orders can be placed in person through the walk-up window or drive-thru.

The San Marcos location of the popular Austin noodle house serves pan-Asian hits like mapo tofu, barbecue pork bun, soup dumplings, and yellowtail sashimi. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This craft beer destination, housed in a converted bungalow, serves an unexpected menu of crowd-pleasing Indian fare like butter chicken, tikka masala, and crisp vegetable samosas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Beer nerds gather at this casual bar to try out the latest selections on tap. Still, even teetotalers will appreciate the fancy pub grub like barbecue brisket deviled eggs and an Angus beef burger drowned in queso blanco. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

This stripped-down gem doesn’t have a website and barely bothers with decor. The affordable pupusas, Salvadorean tamales, and stuffed pastelitos speak volumes by themselves. There are indoor dine-in areas.

A charming underground hideaway mere minutes from the university, the Root Cellar serves comfort food with a Mediterranean bent. Carnivores will relish a ribeye drenched in herb compound butter, while vegans will happily nosh the chimichurri-topped cauliflower steak. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are DoorDash deliveries; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A San Marcos classic since 1978, this stately restaurant boasts tranquil courtyard dining underneath a canopy of trees. Hill Country favorites like chicken-fried steak and short rib enchiladas form the menu’s foundation. However, there are a few tributes to yesteryear, like the baked spinach and artichoke fondue. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A standby for generations, this pizzeria was recently revived for a new generation. The giant pies are even better when paired with a frozen whiskey coke. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

This retro lounge is a safe space for San Marcos’s LGBTQ community, who flock there for flavored martinis, pintxos, and snack boards. Pro-tip: Head there on Thursdays for the chicken and chorizo or vegan paella. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

What’s better than a friendly round of mini-golf? A stroll through the greens with a frosty cocktail in hand. There are outdoor and indoor dine-in areas.

This darling cafe and shop makes the most of its shopping center setting, adding crisp black-and-white umbrellas to the patio. Order a sandwich and a few grab-and-go salads for a riverside picnic. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

A collection of mismatched novelty mugs set the tone at this sweet coffee shop, offering breakfast and lunch. The sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit is the perfect morning wake-up. There are outdoor dine-in areas.

This swanky restaurant serves out of a nondescript building off I-35, but don’t be fooled by the storefront. The jazzy interior provides an elegant setting for classic upscale fare like beef Wellington, velvety potato velouté, and kabocha squash risotto. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.