The Best Food in New Braunfels: Restaurants & More!

Unlike most of the stops on our foodie road trip across the United States from California to Maryland, we didn’t visit New Braunfels in Texas Hill Country for the food. In fact, we had no idea what to expect.

So, why did we visit New Braunfels? It was on our route, the right distance from our last stop, and we needed to use one of our Radisson Hotel points certificates that was expiring soon. Needless to say, we were pleasantly surprised to find awesome New Braunfels restaurants with great food and some enticing local specialties!

New Braunfels was founded by German settlers in 1845 under the leadership of Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels. It remained an essentially German town for decades and still reveals that German influence in many of its place names and some surviving examples of its early architecture.

Although a number of German restaurants remain, today’s New Braunfels brims with an eclectic mix of delicious food and amazing restaurants to satisfy the appetites of locals and visitors alike.

Food in New Braunfels

Although Texas Hill Country wasn’t on my foodie bucket list, it is most definitely a foodie destination. There are local wineries, wine bars, and tasting rooms in most of the towns in this area. And with its unhurried pace and warm hospitality, this wine region is more like Malibu wine country than Napa Valley.

And any foodie knows, where there’s good wine, there’s good food too! And the New Braunfels food scene is happening!

Lots of people flock to New Braunfels not only for the food, but because it has two of the best rivers in Texas. Families flock here to go tubing down the Guadalupe and Comal rivers.

And in addition to eating and wine tasting, river tubing is one of the top things to do in Texas Hill Country! After tubing, these people need to eat, so the best New Braunfels restaurants fill up quickly. Make a reservation if you can, or be prepared to wait.

Tuber heading to a New Braunfels restaurant. — Tuber heading to a New Braunfels restaurant

Best Restaurants in New Braunfels

Muck and Fuss—Best Casual Food in New Braunfels

For creative takes on some traditional Texan foods, Muck and Fuss in downtown New Braunfels is the ticket! If you have to wait for a table, grab a local craft beer from the outside bar.

We lucked out and got a great table outside overlooking San Antonio Street, the stately main street in town. We began our unscripted feast with the Fried Green Tomatoes. What made them special? Bacon jam! Starting out with this Southern staple with its delicious twist was a very promising beginning.

Fried Green tomatoes at the Muck and Fuss restaurant in New Braunfels — Fried Green Tomatoes at the Muck and Fuss Restaurant in New Braunfels

Then we ordered the Piggy Tacos. I felt a little piggy ordering them, but our server urged us to give them a try. Pulled pork, with pimento mac ’n cheese and tabasco fried onions sounded a little over the top, but they were delicious! I even “out piggied” them, and put some of my slaw in my taco. It was even better!

Piggy Tacos at our pick for best casual food in New Braunfels

Since the restaurant billed itself as a “Craft Beer and Burger” place, we had to try a burger too. I’m always looking for a burger sauce that rivals mine, but we decided to go to the extreme, and shared the Poutine Burger. Topped with pulled pork, fries, cheese curds, and mushrooms, this is the real thing! If you’re thinking it’s huge, you’re right! But you should also be thinking “YUM!” This delicious monster was without question one of the best burgers I’ve had in years!

Less than an hour in town, and we had already found a wonderful local restaurant with amazing food that put our taste buds through a fulfilling workout. Electing to take the outdoor dining option, we had also lucked onto one of the best places in this charming little town to watch the unexpected parade of tubers walking by with their tubes on their way to or back from one of the local rivers.

Since our visit, the owners of this family-run restaurant have renovated the historic Prince Solms Inn next door. Both the inn’s basement cocktail bar—Side Car—and Muck and Fuss offer a weekday happy hour. So, next time in town, we’ll have to check out the Prince Solms in its great location on New Braunfels’ main commercial street and pick up anew at Muck and Fuss for another delicious meal!

Poutine burger at Muck and Fuss New Braunfels restaurant

Gruene Grove—Music & Best New Braunfels Food Truck

The Gruene historical district is located in the town of New Braunfels. This area boasts German buildings from the 1800s. It’s a quaint little strip with shops and restaurants that’s definitely worth a walk through.

If you followed our lead and had a huge late lunch at Muck and Fuss, you won’t be looking at New Braunfels restaurants for dinner. A simple snack from the food tuck at the Gruene Grove will hit the spot. And since this is a German Texas town, the truck is called Wurst in Gruene, and serves a variety of Bratwurst sausages.

We got two Germans: They came with house kraut, onions, mustard, and curry ketchup on a pretzel bun. With its ample outdoor seating, this is a great place to enjoy your wurst and a Texas Mule or other beverage of choice while listening to some live music under the stars.

People listening to music at Gruen Grove — Gruene Grove is a fantastic place to listen to live music while enjoying good food and drink.

Alpine Haus—Best German Food in New Braunfels

If you want to experience true German food in this Texas Hill town, head to Alpine Haus, where you’ll find much more than German sausages. Alpine House offers all kinds of German specialties like schnitzels, sauerbraten, goulash, and roulade. And for dessert, don’t miss the Black Forest Cake or Apple Strudel.

This New Braunfels Old World fine dining restaurant can be found right in the downtown area in a charming cottage built more than 160 years ago! The timber beams, solid brick walls, and pitch-perfect décor provide the fitting backdrop for an authentic German Texas culinary experience.

The Alpine Haus Restaurant, best German food in New Braunfels — The Alpine Haus Restaurant, providing the best German food in New Braunfels

Naegelin’s Bakery—Best Bakery in New Braunfels

As the oldest bakery in Texas, Naegelin’s should not be missed! Of course all of the usual bakery items like breads, cookies, and cakes are on offer. But, if you’re looking for a New Braunfels food specialty, you must try the Kolaches.

Kolaches are a Czech pastry with a bit of a controversy about them. In Czech tradition, Kolaches are usually filled with cheese or fruit, NOT meat. But the Kolaches in New Braunfels and other German Hill towns in Texas usually contain only meat.

Don’t let the controversy deter you! When you’re visiting here, it’s a traditional New Braunfels food on offer, not Czech! So, the New Braunfels Kolache will most likely have a local sausage in it. Just dig in and enjoy it!

The oldest bakery in Texas, Naegelin’s Bakery

Gristmill River Restaurant—Best New Braunfels Restaurant Ambience

Overlooking the Guadalupe River in the Gruene Historic District, the Gristmill Restaurant is housed in a building that was constructed as a cotton gin back in 1878. The stone structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and provides a unique atmosphere where it can be hard to tell at times whether you’re inside or outside.

Couple the one-of-a-kind setting with tasty, traditional Texas fare made from scratch, and it’s no wonder locals consider this restaurant one of their favorite places for special occasions. Indeed, no list of the best restaurants in New Braunfels would be complete without this distinctive gem. If you can make it there, go.

But go early, especially in the summertime. The Gristmill’s popularity means at peak times, the wait can be 2 hours or more. If you have to wait, get a drink at the full bar outside and sit at one of the picnic tables and listen to some music. And, of course, roam around and take some photos of one of the most unique restaurants in Texas and its beautiful surroundings.

The Gristmill Restaurant in Gruene, TX — The Gristmill Restaurant in the Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels, TX

Drinking Before or After New Braunfels Food

Whether you’re a foodie, a tuber, or both, the food in New Braunfels will surely impress! And just like any good foodie town, there are lots of places to enjoy locally made beer and wine if you just want a beverage before or after your meal.

Pour Haus: This is your best bet for a late night cocktail in New Braunfels. You’ll also find live music here 7 nights a week in a rustic outdoor setting. Snacks are also available.

The Grapevine: Located in the historic district of Gruene, the Grapevine is nothing like your typical wine bar. It’s more like a tree-canopied oasis of shady garden spots in which to enjoy a selection of wines from more than 25 Texas wineries. It also offers 7 specially curated craft beers. Imbibe outside with live music. If it’s hot, cool down with a frozen Sangria or Peach Bellini.

Water2Wine: Sip a glass or share a bottle of locally made wines. Or, if you’re looking to get in touch with your inner oenologist, one of the best things on offer here might be the opportunity to partake in the winemaking process as you craft your own custom batch of wine.

Busy New Braunfels restaurant and outdoor bar in back — A busy New Braunfels restaurant with its outdoor bar in back

Visiting New Braunfels?

If you’re planning to visit New Braunfels, I’d love to hear if it’s for riding down the rivers, or for the food. And either way, please share which New Braunfels restaurant you most look forward to visiting. Let me know in the comments below!