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A dish from Leaning Pear
A dish from Leaning Pear
Amy C./Yelp

15 Restaurants Worth the Drive From Austin

Texas dining adventures

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A dish from Leaning Pear
| Amy C./Yelp

Austin’s dining scene is great and all, but sometimes, a change of scenery is a good thing. Food is always a good motivator, so get in that car and drive away from the city with a dining destination in mind.

Here are Eater Austin’s picks for road trip-worthy Texas restaurants. There are barbecue spots (naturally) like Snow’s BBQ and Louie Mueller Barbecue, pie slingers Royers Round Top Cafe and Blue Bonnet Cafe, kolaches galore at Czech Stop, finer dining from Apis Restaurant and Apiary and Leaning Pear, and others. This update adds Pit Stop Bar-B-Q in Temple to the mix.

For the purposes of this map, each restaurant below is at least a 40-minute and at most a two-hour drive away from the center of Austin, and, as always, road trippers should take traffic and the time of day into consideration when making their plans.

For other nearby dining destinations, check out Eater’s barbecue guide to Lockhart, as well as restaurants picks for the Hill Country, Dripping Springs, and heatmaps for San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. Keep up with the rest of Eater Road Trip Week on Eater Austin, as well as the other sites.

If your favorite Texas restaurant worth the drive missing below? Let Eater know through the tipline or within the comments.

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Czech Stop, Slovacek’s, and Gerik’s Ole Czech Bakery

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While there are kolaches to be found east of Austin (hello, Hruska’s and Weikel’s), opt for the one-two-three punch of the best kolaches found in West, Texas with Czech Stop, Slovacek's (just across the street) and the nearby Gerik's Ole Czech Bakery (also known for its cinnamon rolls).
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 45 minutes

The strawberry and cream cheese kolache from Czech Stop
The strawberry and cream cheese kolache from Czech Stop
Ania K./Yelp

Korean Kitchen

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Killeen is known for its strong Korean community (military base Fort Hood is nearby), which means the city’s Korean restaurants are top notch. Try Korean Kitchen, which dishes out kimbap, bulgogi, soft tofu stew, and all sorts of banchan.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 15 minutes

Dishes from Korean Kitchen
Dishes from Korean Kitchen
Hanh M./Yelp

Pit Stop Bar-B-Q

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For Korean and barbecue, head to Temple, Texas for Pit Stop Bar-B-Q, where owner Kim Dunn whips up brisket, ribs, bulgogi, kimchi, and jambalaya with ease from the small restaurant.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 20 minutes

Kimchi and jasmine rice from Pit Stop Bar-B-Q
Kimchi and jasmine rice from Pit Stop Bar-B-Q
Wayne N./Yelp

Fargo’s Pit BBQ

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Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn is a big fan of this joint that serves top-notch brisket, ribs and sausage, so much so it landed on the magazine’s top 50 barbecue list again. Chicken is usually a bore, but here, it’s crisp-skinned and well worth ordering.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 50 minutes

Barbecue from Fargo’s Pit BBQ
Barbecue from Fargo’s Pit BBQ
Madi F./Yelp

Dixie Chicken

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The longtime College Station Texas A&M campus bar, aka the Chicken, is home to burgers, chicken strips, dominoes, and beer for Aggies and everyone else.
Distance from Austin: approximately two hours

Dixie Chicken
Dixie Chicken
Ray D./Yelp

Blue Bonnet Cafe

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The longtime charming Marble Falls restaurant is also known for its pie obsession, so much so that it hosts a pie happy hour with slices of apple, cherry, all the way to German chocolate and lemon meringue. Plus, it has a solid breakfast menu, boasting of pancakes and Texas toast.
Driving distance from Austin: approximately an hour drive

A slice of pie from Blue Bonnet Cafe
A slice of pie from Blue Bonnet Cafe
Annie N./Yelp

Louie Mueller Barbecue

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Wayne Mueller knows his barbecue, he does helm from the ever-famous barbecue family of Central Texas. His grandfather, Louie, opened the Taylor, Texas barbecue joint in 1949, followed by Wayne’s father Bobby in 1974. Wayne took over in 2007, and the quality has kept up with its legacy.
Distance from Austin: approximately 40 minutes

Louie Mueller Barbecue’s smoked meats
Louie Mueller Barbecue’s smoked meats
Daniel Krieger/E

Snow’s BBQ

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The Lexington barbecue spot is the domain of pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz. Snow’s was named as the best barbecue joint of the state, and rightly so, serving out brisket, chicken, pork steaks, and more. It opens only on Saturday mornings, which makes it the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Wander down to the Lexington Livestock Market to watch the cattle auction, too.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour

Barbecue from Snow’s BBQ
Barbecue from Snow’s BBQ
Anthony N./Yelp

Apis Restaurant and Apiary

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Apis cares about its food (so much so, it strives to become Austin’s Blue Hill Stone Barns, with a fully vertical farm), and it shows with its fare. Indulge and linger over the prix fixe or casual bar menu, showcasing the best of what Apis can do, from house-aged and cured meats, fresh scallops, to honey combs (though entry is a bit confusing). While you’re out there, it’s worth checking out its casual counterpart, Pizzeria Sorellina, right next door.
Distance from Austin: approximately 40 minutes

Apis’ New Bedford diver scallop
Apis’ New Bedford diver scallop
Apis/Facebook

Otto’s German Bistro

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For German fare, opt for Otto’s in Fredericksburg, where dinner and Sunday brunch includes an array of meats, from schnitzels to wursts and a notable version of the BLT with foie gras, along with hearty bread, all of which pair well with its beer and wine list.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 30 minutes

Otto’s duck schnitzel
Otto’s duck schnitzel
Amy D./Yelp

Maxine’s on Main

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The Bastrop cafe offers up a strong breakfast game, with giant pancakes, omelettes, and Southern offerings (think biscuits, gravy, and griddle cakes), and a side of Texas charm.
Distance from Austin: approximately 40 minutes

Breakfast at Maxine’s
Breakfast at Maxine’s
Kelsea K./Yelp

Royers Round Top Cafe

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Although Austin is still without its branch of the Texas pie mecca, but fans of the dessert can head to the original location of the shop out in antiquing haven Round Top. Not only does it make damn good pie, it also turns out a mean steak and rack of lamb. Round up a few friends and get the pie sampler, which comes with four different slices topped with an unholy amount of vanilla ice cream.
Driving distance from Austin: approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes

Royers Round Top Cafe
Royers Round Top Cafe
Royers Round Top Cafe/Facebook

Leaning Pear

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It’s all about Hill Country cuisine with the Wimberley at the comforting and cozy with ever-fresh takes on sandwiches, pizzas, and entrees for lunch, brunch, and dinner and plenty of outdoor space overlooking the creek to properly digest any meal before hitting the road again.
Distance from Austin: approximately 50 minutes

Leaning Pear’s sausage plate
Leaning Pear’s sausage plate
Ben P./Yelp

Gruene Hall

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While there isn’t much food beyond snacks and drinks, Gruene Hall, considered one of Texas' oldest dance halls, is still worth the trip. The Gruene honky tonk has hosted big country acts from Kyle Lovett to Kacey Musgraves to Rosanne Cash to BB King have all performed. Maybe you’ll luck into a special performance by Willie Nelson. Look out for gospel brunches, with food served by the nearby Gristmill River Restaurant.
Distance from Austin: approximately 46 minutes

Gruene Hall
Gruene Hall
Gruene Hall/Facebook

City Market

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Beyond Lockhart is some of the best damn barbecue in the state, found at this temple of smoked meats. Get there early for pork ribs and sausages and mustard sauce.
Distance from Austin: approximately 55 minutes

Barbecue from City Market
Barbecue from City Market
J.M./Yelp

Czech Stop, Slovacek’s, and Gerik’s Ole Czech Bakery

While there are kolaches to be found east of Austin (hello, Hruska’s and Weikel’s), opt for the one-two-three punch of the best kolaches found in West, Texas with Czech Stop, Slovacek's (just across the street) and the nearby Gerik's Ole Czech Bakery (also known for its cinnamon rolls).
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 45 minutes

The strawberry and cream cheese kolache from Czech Stop
The strawberry and cream cheese kolache from Czech Stop
Ania K./Yelp

Korean Kitchen

Killeen is known for its strong Korean community (military base Fort Hood is nearby), which means the city’s Korean restaurants are top notch. Try Korean Kitchen, which dishes out kimbap, bulgogi, soft tofu stew, and all sorts of banchan.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 15 minutes

Dishes from Korean Kitchen
Dishes from Korean Kitchen
Hanh M./Yelp

Pit Stop Bar-B-Q

For Korean and barbecue, head to Temple, Texas for Pit Stop Bar-B-Q, where owner Kim Dunn whips up brisket, ribs, bulgogi, kimchi, and jambalaya with ease from the small restaurant.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 20 minutes

Kimchi and jasmine rice from Pit Stop Bar-B-Q
Kimchi and jasmine rice from Pit Stop Bar-B-Q
Wayne N./Yelp

Fargo’s Pit BBQ

Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn is a big fan of this joint that serves top-notch brisket, ribs and sausage, so much so it landed on the magazine’s top 50 barbecue list again. Chicken is usually a bore, but here, it’s crisp-skinned and well worth ordering.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 50 minutes

Barbecue from Fargo’s Pit BBQ
Barbecue from Fargo’s Pit BBQ
Madi F./Yelp

Dixie Chicken

The longtime College Station Texas A&M campus bar, aka the Chicken, is home to burgers, chicken strips, dominoes, and beer for Aggies and everyone else.
Distance from Austin: approximately two hours

Dixie Chicken
Dixie Chicken
Ray D./Yelp

Blue Bonnet Cafe

The longtime charming Marble Falls restaurant is also known for its pie obsession, so much so that it hosts a pie happy hour with slices of apple, cherry, all the way to German chocolate and lemon meringue. Plus, it has a solid breakfast menu, boasting of pancakes and Texas toast.
Driving distance from Austin: approximately an hour drive

A slice of pie from Blue Bonnet Cafe
A slice of pie from Blue Bonnet Cafe
Annie N./Yelp

Louie Mueller Barbecue

Wayne Mueller knows his barbecue, he does helm from the ever-famous barbecue family of Central Texas. His grandfather, Louie, opened the Taylor, Texas barbecue joint in 1949, followed by Wayne’s father Bobby in 1974. Wayne took over in 2007, and the quality has kept up with its legacy.
Distance from Austin: approximately 40 minutes

Louie Mueller Barbecue’s smoked meats
Louie Mueller Barbecue’s smoked meats
Daniel Krieger/E

Snow’s BBQ

The Lexington barbecue spot is the domain of pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz. Snow’s was named as the best barbecue joint of the state, and rightly so, serving out brisket, chicken, pork steaks, and more. It opens only on Saturday mornings, which makes it the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Wander down to the Lexington Livestock Market to watch the cattle auction, too.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour

Barbecue from Snow’s BBQ
Barbecue from Snow’s BBQ
Anthony N./Yelp

Apis Restaurant and Apiary

Apis cares about its food (so much so, it strives to become Austin’s Blue Hill Stone Barns, with a fully vertical farm), and it shows with its fare. Indulge and linger over the prix fixe or casual bar menu, showcasing the best of what Apis can do, from house-aged and cured meats, fresh scallops, to honey combs (though entry is a bit confusing). While you’re out there, it’s worth checking out its casual counterpart, Pizzeria Sorellina, right next door.
Distance from Austin: approximately 40 minutes

Apis’ New Bedford diver scallop
Apis’ New Bedford diver scallop
Apis/Facebook

Otto’s German Bistro

For German fare, opt for Otto’s in Fredericksburg, where dinner and Sunday brunch includes an array of meats, from schnitzels to wursts and a notable version of the BLT with foie gras, along with hearty bread, all of which pair well with its beer and wine list.
Distance from Austin: approximately one hour and 30 minutes

Otto’s duck schnitzel
Otto’s duck schnitzel
Amy D./Yelp

Maxine’s on Main

The Bastrop cafe offers up a strong breakfast game, with giant pancakes, omelettes, and Southern offerings (think biscuits, gravy, and griddle cakes), and a side of Texas charm.
Distance from Austin: approximately 40 minutes

Breakfast at Maxine’s
Breakfast at Maxine’s
Kelsea K./Yelp

Royers Round Top Cafe

Although Austin is still without its branch of the Texas pie mecca, but fans of the dessert can head to the original location of the shop out in antiquing haven Round Top. Not only does it make damn good pie, it also turns out a mean steak and rack of lamb. Round up a few friends and get the pie sampler, which comes with four different slices topped with an unholy amount of vanilla ice cream.
Driving distance from Austin: approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes

Royers Round Top Cafe
Royers Round Top Cafe
Royers Round Top Cafe/Facebook

Leaning Pear

It’s all about Hill Country cuisine with the Wimberley at the comforting and cozy with ever-fresh takes on sandwiches, pizzas, and entrees for lunch, brunch, and dinner and plenty of outdoor space overlooking the creek to properly digest any meal before hitting the road again.
Distance from Austin: approximately 50 minutes

Leaning Pear’s sausage plate
Leaning Pear’s sausage plate
Ben P./Yelp

Gruene Hall

While there isn’t much food beyond snacks and drinks, Gruene Hall, considered one of Texas' oldest dance halls, is still worth the trip. The Gruene honky tonk has hosted big country acts from Kyle Lovett to Kacey Musgraves to Rosanne Cash to BB King have all performed. Maybe you’ll luck into a special performance by Willie Nelson. Look out for gospel brunches, with food served by the nearby Gristmill River Restaurant.
Distance from Austin: approximately 46 minutes

Gruene Hall
Gruene Hall
Gruene Hall/Facebook

City Market

Beyond Lockhart is some of the best damn barbecue in the state, found at this temple of smoked meats. Get there early for pork ribs and sausages and mustard sauce.
Distance from Austin: approximately 55 minutes

Barbecue from City Market
Barbecue from City Market
J.M./Yelp

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