Location: Bandera
Top Restaurants in Bandera
Top Things to do in Bandera
Bandera Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Bandera
Bandera is the county seat of Bandera County, Texas, United States, in the Texas Hill Country, which is part of the Edwards Plateau. The population was 857 at the 2010 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Things to do in Bandera
1. 11th Street Cowboy Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By Manbyk - San Antonio, Texas
Wow, simply Wow! On Wednesday nights the 11th Street Cowboy Bar fires up the charcoal grills for guests who bring whatever they'd like to grill, steaks, burgers, sausages, chicken, whatever. And, if the bar doesn't sell it (hard liquor), you can BYOB. Beer, wine, mixers are available and must be purchased at a very reasonable price. They provide sides of salad and bake potatoes at $7/pate, all the seasonings for the meats. But wait there's more. The management has a live band where people two-step all night long. This is what Texas is all about. Don't be surprised to see horses hitched up alongside trucks, motorcycles and the like. There is only one 11th Street Cowboy Bar in the world and this is it. By the way, ladies, if your brassieres are too much to deal with, feel free to hang them in the rafters...
2. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Texascouple9290 - San Antonio, Texas
Great place to stop and cool off from a hot ride on the 2 wheels. A cold blizzard will cool you right off.
3. OST Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 453 reviews
Reviewed By Karen S
Old Spanish Trail (OST) restaurant is a great stop for any meal....good basic food plus a salad bar which always includes Texan-famous banana pudding. Super sausage gravy and other tasty offerings. Nothing fusion or gourmet there! Reasonably priced too. We try to sit in the ‘John Wayne’ room (one of two dining areas) with plenty of photos. We usually spend 4-5 days a year in Bandera and eat at OST 2-3 times while there. If you’re lucky you’ll spot a few horses hitched out front amongst the car and motorcycles!
4. Busbee's Bar-B-Que
Overall Ratings
4 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By Jeannene A - Hannacroix, New York
We went for dinner, there were already 6 people sitting, and the place was only opened for about 15 minutes! You walk up to the counter, pick your menu (you can see some of the meat near the counter here), pay for everything, and sit. They bring it all to you. Hubby had the ribs, slaw and beans. I had the smoked Turkey dinner with slaw, and corn on the cob. Everything was very good. Several folks came in and picked up take out orders. Popular place!
5. Brick's River Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By KEJOTU2013 - San Antonio, Texas
We live in San Antonio, Texas, and my husband and I are usually looking for a nice out-of-town restaurant on the weekend. I think we've eaten everywhere in a 100-mile radius, but Brick's River Cafe is one of our favorite places - for several reasons:
1) The food is always good. My husband enjoys the King Ranch Chicken Enchilada Plate - I call it a 'heart attack on a platter' - and I haven't found anywhere else that can fry up liver and onions so tender and moist. The side dishes are fabulous, especially the steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. The salads are always wonderful and the pies are absolutely to die for.
2) The drive from San Antonio to Bandera on Hwy 16 is just gorgeous and this little 'Cowboy Capital of the World' always has something special going on.
3) The prices are very reasonable, which makes the cost of driving from SA to Bandera much easier to swallow.
4) The service is great. All the waiters and waitresses are very attentive and careful to get your order right. These days I really appreciate that.
5) We love the atmosphere. It's a rustic restaurant with sort of 2 levels - the lower level is lined with large windows which gives you a beautiful view of a tropical garden. An outside patio allows a view of the Medina River flowing nearby, lined with gorgeous old cypress trees.
So...the next time you want to visit a small town, enjoy a lovely drive, and end your day with a delicious dinner served by friendly folks in a down-home atmosphere, go to Brick's River Cafe in Bandera, Texas.
6. Sid's Main Street BBQ
Overall Ratings
4 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By seetheworld010 - minneapolis
My husband and I came to sweet Bandera and of course, was Hungary. Stopped at Sid's. Best idea all day. The BBQ sauce was to die for and the sandwiches were great. Don't forget the sweet potatoes casserole--fabulous! Thanks for a great meal!
7. Tj's at The Old Forge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Full service restaurant serving steak, pasta, full salad bar with all you eat baked potatoe and fresh soups. Daily specials. Visit us on line for menu details.
Reviewed By DrewandCrew - Austin, Texas, United States
We dropped in by chance looking for football, music and good food. We found it all at TJ's Old Forge! The owners were omnipresent making sure everything exceeded our expectations! We dined upstairs, inside as it was a little toasty out. We are excited to...MoreThank you Drew for the compliments. We are glad you enjoyed your evening. Please dine with us again soon.
8. The China Bowl
Overall Ratings
4 based on 73 reviews
ChinaReviewed By Nancy S
Good atmosphere and quick service. Lots of varieties cooked fresh with no msg added. The price is good and the dinner portions are enough for two people. The lunch specials are plenty and again many choices. You can also add or subtract ingredients. Food is tasty.
9. Pap's Italian Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By PamRoad - Texas
Pap's Italian Grill is an excellent choice for a family meal in Bandera. The food is very good and reasonably priced, the portions are generous and the service is excellent. They do not have a liquor license, but are happy to serve your liquor, so bring your favorite label and enjoy!
10. Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Charles U - Kittery Point, Maine
We went to this Restaurant while visiting the bandera area for 3 days. Its a friendly little place that was hesitantly recommended by our Airbnb host, and I can see why.
One of us had steak fajita, the other had steak Ranchero. The steak Ranchero was terrible -the meat for Texas, was nothing but fat. The Mexican steak fajita fair to good. The prices and service were average. We did not return.
