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Tubing in the Comal
Tubing in the Comal
Comal Tubes/Facebook

9 Restaurants to Refuel After River Tubing in Texas

Post-floating meals in San Marcos and New Braunfels

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Tubing in the Comal
| Comal Tubes/Facebook

Summer’s here, and it’s high season to partake in the time-honored Texas tradition of tubing the rivers. But where should everyone refuel after that arduous water journey down the San Marcos, Comal, and Guadalupe rivers? Luckily, there are many options (with sweet, sweet air conditioning) near the popular starting points in New Braunfels and San Marcos.

For starters, it’s not really a trip to New Braunfels without the authentic German offerings from Uwe’s Bakery & Deli. Those seeking healthier fare can check out salads at Root Cellar, and those with the complete opposite craving can try a hearty queso burger from Tap Room. This update removes shuttered food park The Hitch and Underground Pizza and adds Pie Society and Fuego Tortilla Grill. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, water, and have fun.

Everything is listed in geographical order, from north to south. Is your favorite post-river dining and drinking spot missing below? Let us know through the tipline.

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Milt’s Pit BBQ

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After spending all of that time out on the river, make a pit stop in Kyle for a plate of small town barbecue with homemade sides. The smoky, fatty brisket is a great ending to a fully Texan day — just make sure no one falls into a meat coma.

Milt’s Pit BBQ
Milt’s Pit BBQ
Milt’s Pit BBQ/Facebook

Pie Society

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Featuring New York-style pizza by the slice, Pie Society is a favorite in San Marcos. Try the Spicy Sausage sweetened with a touch of honey.

Pizza from Pie Society
Pizza from Pie Society
Pie Society/Facebook

Root Cellar

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Feel like something light and fresh after a hot day spent in swimsuits? Stop by this cute cafe and brewery for tasty salads, sandwiches, and fruit smoothies.

Root Cellar
Root Cellar
Root Cellar/Facebook

Tap Room

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Look to Tap Room for a wide range of beers (42 on tap) and pub food for a post-river meal. Try one of the beautifully messy, cheesy burgers on Hawaiian buns (the guacamole queso burger is a popular choice) or the baby back ribs.

Tap Room Pub & Grub
Tap Room Pub & Grub
Tap Room Pub & Grub/Facebook

Buzz Mill San Marcos

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The San Marcos outpost of this Austin-based eatery is also open 24 hours, serving diner fare like burgers and flapjacks along with coffee.

Buzz Mill in San Marcos
Buzz Mill in San Marcos
Buzz Mill San Marcos/Facebook

Fuego Tortilla Grill

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Need some cheese-heavy Tex-Mex to soak up river beverages? A favorite of nearby students, Fuego has a large menu of sizable tacos and excellent queso.

A taco from Fuego Tortilla Grill
A taco from Fuego Tortilla Grill
Fuego Tortilla Grill/Facebook

The Gristmill River Restaurant

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A Gruene classic for 40 years and going, Gristmill is definitely a place to come hungry. Enjoy massive, crispy onion rings, burgers, or a smothered chicken fried steak on the shaded patio overlooking the river or the rustic dining room.

Gristmill River Restaurant’s burger
Gristmill River Restaurant’s burger
Gristmill River Restaurant/Facebook

The Buttermilk Cafe

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Pancakes calling? Chef Carol Irwin whips up homestyle comfort food, like carnitas breakfast tacos, chicken and waffles, or meatloaf.

Buttermilk Cafe’s chicken and waffles
Buttermilk Cafe’s chicken and waffles
Christina A./Yelp

Uwe's Bakery & Deli

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Get some baked goods to-go from this German spot in New Braunfels. The more-filling deli offerings (sandwiches, soups, wraps, and salads) get high marks as well.

German rolls from Uwe’s Bakery
German rolls from Uwe’s Bakery
Uwe’s/Yelp

Milt’s Pit BBQ

After spending all of that time out on the river, make a pit stop in Kyle for a plate of small town barbecue with homemade sides. The smoky, fatty brisket is a great ending to a fully Texan day — just make sure no one falls into a meat coma.

Milt’s Pit BBQ
Milt’s Pit BBQ
Milt’s Pit BBQ/Facebook

Pie Society

Featuring New York-style pizza by the slice, Pie Society is a favorite in San Marcos. Try the Spicy Sausage sweetened with a touch of honey.

Pizza from Pie Society
Pizza from Pie Society
Pie Society/Facebook

Root Cellar

Feel like something light and fresh after a hot day spent in swimsuits? Stop by this cute cafe and brewery for tasty salads, sandwiches, and fruit smoothies.

Root Cellar
Root Cellar
Root Cellar/Facebook

Tap Room

Look to Tap Room for a wide range of beers (42 on tap) and pub food for a post-river meal. Try one of the beautifully messy, cheesy burgers on Hawaiian buns (the guacamole queso burger is a popular choice) or the baby back ribs.

Tap Room Pub & Grub
Tap Room Pub & Grub
Tap Room Pub & Grub/Facebook

Buzz Mill San Marcos

The San Marcos outpost of this Austin-based eatery is also open 24 hours, serving diner fare like burgers and flapjacks along with coffee.

Buzz Mill in San Marcos
Buzz Mill in San Marcos
Buzz Mill San Marcos/Facebook

Fuego Tortilla Grill

Need some cheese-heavy Tex-Mex to soak up river beverages? A favorite of nearby students, Fuego has a large menu of sizable tacos and excellent queso.

A taco from Fuego Tortilla Grill
A taco from Fuego Tortilla Grill
Fuego Tortilla Grill/Facebook

The Gristmill River Restaurant

A Gruene classic for 40 years and going, Gristmill is definitely a place to come hungry. Enjoy massive, crispy onion rings, burgers, or a smothered chicken fried steak on the shaded patio overlooking the river or the rustic dining room.

Gristmill River Restaurant’s burger
Gristmill River Restaurant’s burger
Gristmill River Restaurant/Facebook

The Buttermilk Cafe

Pancakes calling? Chef Carol Irwin whips up homestyle comfort food, like carnitas breakfast tacos, chicken and waffles, or meatloaf.

Buttermilk Cafe’s chicken and waffles
Buttermilk Cafe’s chicken and waffles
Christina A./Yelp

Uwe's Bakery & Deli

Get some baked goods to-go from this German spot in New Braunfels. The more-filling deli offerings (sandwiches, soups, wraps, and salads) get high marks as well.

German rolls from Uwe’s Bakery
German rolls from Uwe’s Bakery
Uwe’s/Yelp

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