We hope you’ve packed your appetite. This month, we’re finishing our Hit the Road series with a foodie foray into Fredericksburg. Whether you’re interested in taking a tour of Hill Country wineries, putting your cooking skills to the test at a German cooking class, or trying the award-winning Texas fare at Cabernet Grill, this driving-distance destination is every foodie’s dream.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~1.5 hours from downtown
Est. population: 11,300
Avg. high in August: 94°
🎟️ Things to do
If there’s one thing Fredericksburg is known for, it’s wine. The Hill Country town boasts more than 50 wineries + tasting rooms and more than 20 wine tour companies. Between a luxurious limousine tour and a private bus for large groups, there’s an option for every type of traveler.
Not up for a full day of sipping and sightseeing? Stop by one winery — such as Grape Creek Vineyard, William Chris Vineyards, or Augusta Vin — for an afternoon of light tasting + snacks.
With dozens of boutique stores, Fredericksburg’s Main Street is a destination for enthusiasts of all things antiques, clothing, and locally made gifts. Foodies can enjoy spots such as Chocolat, The Peach Basket, and Rustlin’ Rob’s Texas Gourmet Foods.
The Fischer & Wieser Culinary Adventure Cooking School offers classes on cooking cuisines such as classic Fredericksburg German Fare, French bistro, and Spanish tapas. Each class comes with wine pairings — including Hill Country brands, of course.
After all that munching and wine drinking, take in a breath of fresh air at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The famed pink granite dome has almost 11 miles of trails, rock climbing sites, and thousands of years of history.
🍲 Memorable eats
Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant
This award-winning, high-end Texan restaurant is known for perfectly pairing dishes with its 150-bottle wine menu. We suggest trying one of their dishes with famous Fredericksburg peaches, such as the Almond Crusted Breast of Chicken with Hatch chile peach cream.
Before you feast on caviar, seafood gratin, and grilled lamb at this downtown restaurant, feast your eyes on the building’s 100-year-old facade.
What better way to dine in a German town than to eat farm-to-table German cuisine? Otto’s seasonal menu is currently offering Flammkuchen, Paprikaschnitzel, and Gruenerspatzle.
Start your day with freshly baked treats and a locally sourced breakfast from this quaint + aesthetic restaurant.
Texas meets Germany in this 20-year-old downtown biergarten. Where else can you order a crispy schnitzel made with spicy Texas-style sauce?
🏨 Accommodations
Guests at this luxury bed and breakfast receive a hot meal made with local ingredients delivered to their door every morning. But that’s not all — the Haus also collaborates with local chefs to offer private dinners and private cooking classes + demos.
Rarumpelpunzeldornaschenwittchen
This cottage boasts a cozy kitchen and close proximity to local vineyards. How could we resist including a storybook stay like this one?
In addition to an on-site heated pool, spa, and fitness center, this inn is just steps away from downtown Fredericksburg.
This lodge’s outdoor fireplace is the perfect cozy spot to enjoy a glass of locally made wine.
The Hill Country views at this secluded spot is reason enough for the visit, but music enthusiasts will also enjoy live shows at the hotel’s wine bar and bistro.
