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A charcuterie board from The Parlour in Johnson City
The Parlour/Facebook

14 Places to Eat and Drink in Johnson City

From barbecue to coffee shops and much more, where to find great fare in the Hill Country town

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A charcuterie board from The Parlour in Johnson City
| The Parlour/Facebook

Roughly an hour’s drive west of the capital city lies the hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson and the gateway to the Highway 290 Wine Road. Whether you are visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, in the middle of your Texas winery tour, or just passing through, chances are you’re going to want to eat and or drink in this quaint town.

Below you’ll find ample suggestions, from the chicken fried steak classic Hill country Cupboard to a swanky wine bar brought to you by Southhold Farm + Cellar, and tons in between.

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Hot Mess Pizza & Grill

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The Johnson City food truck offers artisan pizzas as well as various fried and grilled items, like buffalo wings, burgers, curly fries, fried pickles, and more.

Fat Boy Burgers

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The name is not a misnomer — this joint serves up enormous burgers made from Braveheart Black Angus Beef and served with fries or hand-dipped onion rings. Head to the Fatz Garten to relax and enjoy food under the live oak trees.

Pecan Street Brewing

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Located in the old Blanco County Supply and Hardware building, this brewery is the optimal place to gather officially with friends over a craft beer in their pet-friendly biergarten. Beers range from blonde pale ales to nitro dry stouts.

The Parlour by Southold Farm + Cellar

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In addition to wines sourced from Southold Farm + Cellar, this bright-and-airy wine bar also pours other low-intervention wines co-owner Regan Meador is currently crushing on and offers small bites and snacks, like tinned fish and more.

Southold Farm & Cellar’s The Parlour
Southold Farm & Cellar’s The Parlour
Southold Farm & Cellar/Facebook

Proof and Cooper at The Lumberyard

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This family-friendly lounge offers something fun for the whole family: a playscape for the kiddos and a pool table, dart room, and large outdoor stage and patio for the grownups. Beer and cocktails pair easily with slow-smoked barbecue dishes, fried chicken, burgers, and other Southern specialities.

Johnson City Coffee Co.

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With freshly roasted beans courtesy of Dripping Springs roastery Greater Goods Coffee Company, this drive-through caffeine provider slings high-quality espresso beverages, cold brew, and simple cups of joe. For those not in a rush, the small coffee shop has cozy tables both inside and out and free Wi-Fi.

Hill Country Cupboard

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This Johnson City staple cheekily claims to have sold “nearly three dozen” of its “world-famous chicken fried steak.” Swing by this 40-plus-year-old institution for Southern fare and hospitality, as well as all-day breakfast.

Bryans On 290

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Located on Main Street in the heart of Johnson City, this live-fire restaurant offers fine dining in a cozy, casual setting. Highlights include smoked duck breast tartine, roasted escargot, and grilled scallops with corn risotto.

Lady Bird Lane Cafe

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This lunchtime cafe located at the Science Mill offers an organic and healthy menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads.

Reck 'Em Right Brewing Company

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The use of Kveik yeasts lend to a hazy, unfiltered beer at this small brewery, which only brews three to six barrels at a time. Sandwiches and snacks are on the menu, and there’s typically fun live music gracing the place.

Ronnie's Ice House Barbeque

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Classic Hill Country barbecue (think brisket, jalapeno sausage, and chopped beef) is served along with specialty nachos, Frito pie, and stuffed potatoes.

El Charro Restaurant

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Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week (and dinner every day but Wednesday), this eatery has been dishing up authentic Mexican cuisine for almost 20 years. Enjoy the best tacos in Johnson City, along with al pastor, carnitas, carne guisada, and so much more from their massive menu.

Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant

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Housed in the Carter Creek Resort & Spa, the rustic-yet-refined Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant offers hearty, Texas-inspired cuisine, including prime rib, burgers, and steaks, with the award-winning wines from Carter Creek Winery.

Nice n Easy

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From the folks behind Lightsome Wines and Yokefellow Brewing, this new addition to Johnson City offers cold beer, wine, cocktails, and food. Rumor has it an adolescent LBJ sipped “medicinal” wine during the Prohibition at this very site. Nowadays, the century-old building has plenty to entice locals and visitors alike, with two outdoor patios to sip away a breezy day in the Hill Country.

Hot Mess Pizza & Grill

The Johnson City food truck offers artisan pizzas as well as various fried and grilled items, like buffalo wings, burgers, curly fries, fried pickles, and more.

Fat Boy Burgers

The name is not a misnomer — this joint serves up enormous burgers made from Braveheart Black Angus Beef and served with fries or hand-dipped onion rings. Head to the Fatz Garten to relax and enjoy food under the live oak trees.

Pecan Street Brewing

Located in the old Blanco County Supply and Hardware building, this brewery is the optimal place to gather officially with friends over a craft beer in their pet-friendly biergarten. Beers range from blonde pale ales to nitro dry stouts.

The Parlour by Southold Farm + Cellar

In addition to wines sourced from Southold Farm + Cellar, this bright-and-airy wine bar also pours other low-intervention wines co-owner Regan Meador is currently crushing on and offers small bites and snacks, like tinned fish and more.

Southold Farm & Cellar’s The Parlour
Southold Farm & Cellar’s The Parlour
Southold Farm & Cellar/Facebook

Proof and Cooper at The Lumberyard

This family-friendly lounge offers something fun for the whole family: a playscape for the kiddos and a pool table, dart room, and large outdoor stage and patio for the grownups. Beer and cocktails pair easily with slow-smoked barbecue dishes, fried chicken, burgers, and other Southern specialities.

Johnson City Coffee Co.

With freshly roasted beans courtesy of Dripping Springs roastery Greater Goods Coffee Company, this drive-through caffeine provider slings high-quality espresso beverages, cold brew, and simple cups of joe. For those not in a rush, the small coffee shop has cozy tables both inside and out and free Wi-Fi.

Hill Country Cupboard

This Johnson City staple cheekily claims to have sold “nearly three dozen” of its “world-famous chicken fried steak.” Swing by this 40-plus-year-old institution for Southern fare and hospitality, as well as all-day breakfast.

Bryans On 290

Located on Main Street in the heart of Johnson City, this live-fire restaurant offers fine dining in a cozy, casual setting. Highlights include smoked duck breast tartine, roasted escargot, and grilled scallops with corn risotto.

Lady Bird Lane Cafe

This lunchtime cafe located at the Science Mill offers an organic and healthy menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads.

Reck 'Em Right Brewing Company

The use of Kveik yeasts lend to a hazy, unfiltered beer at this small brewery, which only brews three to six barrels at a time. Sandwiches and snacks are on the menu, and there’s typically fun live music gracing the place.

Ronnie's Ice House Barbeque

Classic Hill Country barbecue (think brisket, jalapeno sausage, and chopped beef) is served along with specialty nachos, Frito pie, and stuffed potatoes.

El Charro Restaurant

Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week (and dinner every day but Wednesday), this eatery has been dishing up authentic Mexican cuisine for almost 20 years. Enjoy the best tacos in Johnson City, along with al pastor, carnitas, carne guisada, and so much more from their massive menu.

Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant

Housed in the Carter Creek Resort & Spa, the rustic-yet-refined Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant offers hearty, Texas-inspired cuisine, including prime rib, burgers, and steaks, with the award-winning wines from Carter Creek Winery.

Nice n Easy

From the folks behind Lightsome Wines and Yokefellow Brewing, this new addition to Johnson City offers cold beer, wine, cocktails, and food. Rumor has it an adolescent LBJ sipped “medicinal” wine during the Prohibition at this very site. Nowadays, the century-old building has plenty to entice locals and visitors alike, with two outdoor patios to sip away a breezy day in the Hill Country.

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