People ask me all the time where I like to eat. As someone who grew up in Fredericksburg, I have watched the food scene here grow up too. These are the places my husband David and I keep going back to, whether it is a weeknight with the kids, lunch with a client or a date night just for us.
Los Tios
Los Tios is a Houston Tex-Mex institution, and it opened its first location outside of Houston right here in Fredericksburg. It is our easy, everyone-is-happy family dinner. My order is a skinny margarita with Tajín on the rim and their famous puffy queso for the table.
Los Tios is a Houston Tex-Mex institution, and it opened its first location outside of Houston right here in Fredericksburg in 2025. It is our easy, everyone-is-happy family dinner. The puffy tacos are the order, and the frozen margaritas are hard to skip. The dining room has a fun hacienda feel with Saltillo tile and leather booths, and there is plenty of patio seating when the weather is nice.
Why I love it: It is reliable, it is relaxed, and the kids are always excited to go.
Vaudeville
Vaudeville is part boutique, part art gallery and part restaurant, and it is my favorite spot for lunch with the girls. The very best time to go is lunch after church for their famous fried chicken. Upstairs you can shop for hostess gifts and home pieces, and dinner is served in the bistro downstairs.
Vaudeville is part boutique, part art gallery and part restaurant. Upstairs you can shop for hostess gifts and home pieces. Lunch is a great stop during a busy day downtown, and dinner is served in the bistro downstairs. It feels a little bit secret and a little bit glamorous, which is why I love bringing visiting friends there.
Why I love it: No other place in town feels quite like it. It is a whole experience, not just a meal.
Emi's on Austin
Where: 318 East Austin Street, one block off Main Street
Emi's on Austin is owned by a good friend and client of mine, and I love sending people there. It is a locally owned Fresh-Mex spot inspired by treasured family recipes and abuelita-style hospitality, with breakfast tacos, scratch-made pancakes, bowls and burgers. The Chicken Tinga Bowl is their signature, the horchata is homemade, and there is wine on tap and a beautiful patio. Their motto says it all: "Haz todo con amor or not at all."
Good to know: Open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch, and Sunday late morning. Breakfast ends at 10:30.
Bottega Salaria
Where: East Austin Street, in the former La Bergerie space
David and I were married in Capri, Italy, so anything that tastes like Italy has my heart. Bottega Salaria is a Roman-style osteria from chef Valerio Lombardozzi. Think cacio e pepe, carbonara and amatriciana done the traditional way. There is also a little market with fresh house-made pasta, sauces, imported Italian products, cheeses and salumi, so you can take some of it home.
Bottega is where I discovered I love cantaloupe with prosciutto, and their pistachio gelato is my favorite.
Why I love it: It takes me right back to Italy without leaving town. Grab pasta from the market for an easy night in.
Signor Vineyards
Where: 10984 East US Highway 290
Signor Vineyards sits on a hillside overlooking the Pedernales River Valley and Grape Creek, and the grounds are beautiful. They focus on wines from their estate vineyard, with dry whites, rosés and dry reds. The setting has an Italian feel that I adore. There is lots of outdoor seating, so it is a perfect spot for an afternoon with friends or a slow Saturday.
Why I love it: The tasting room at the vineyard is so beautiful and peaceful. But I especially love their newer tasting room in town on North Orange Street. It is just as beautiful, and it is close to home, so it is easy to stop in.
Calivence Wine Tasting Bar and Bistro
Where: 419 West Main Street
Calivence is in a historic Sunday house on West Main. It is a little different from a typical Hill Country tasting room. The wines are Bordeaux varietals from the owners' estate in California's Santa Ynez Valley, and the experience is built around wine flights paired with small plates. It is a fun way to taste, and the setting is so charming.
Why I love it: It is one of my favorite spots for lunch with my girlfriends, and the croque monsieur is my go-to order (with a glass of their sparkling rosé). I also love their ticketed events. They are always fun and lively, and I always run into friends.
Cabernet Grill
Where: 2805 South State Highway 16, at Cotton Gin Village
Cabernet Grill is our favorite steak in town, and the setting is beautiful. It sits at Cotton Gin Village among gardens, koi ponds and historic log cabins, a few minutes south of downtown. Chef Ross Burtwell's menu blends Texas ingredients with a little international flair, and the wine list is one of the best collections of Texas wines anywhere. It was named one of Wine Enthusiast's 100 Best Wine Restaurants in America.
Why I love it: It is our go-to for a special dinner. The steak is always perfect, and the setting makes the whole night feel like a celebration. Reservations are a must on weekends.
Sushi Tiki
Where: 507 West Main Street
Sushi Tiki is our date night spot. It is in a cute craftsman house on West Main, with sushi, creative small plates and island-style cocktails. The vibe is casual and fun, and the music is upbeat. When David and I get a night to ourselves, this is often where we end up.
Why I love it: Great sushi in a small town, and it never feels stuffy.
Tips for Eating Out in Fredericksburg
- Reserve on weekends. Fredericksburg is a busy visitor town, and popular spots fill up on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Check hours before you go. Some places close earlier in the week or keep shorter hours on certain days.
- Walk when you can. Many of these spots are on or near Main Street, and parking downtown can be tight on busy weekends.
- Plan your ride home after wine tasting. Our area has wine tour companies and drivers who make it easy.
Living Close to the Places You Love
One of the best parts of living in Fredericksburg is how much of this is close to home. Many of my buyers want to walk to dinner, or at least be a short drive from Main Street. Others want a quiet place in the county and a fun night in town once a week. Either way, I love helping people find a home that fits the way they want to live, including where they want to eat.
Want to live near your new favorite restaurant? Explore Fredericksburg neighborhoods with me.
