Gruene, Texas is known for its rich history, fabulous boutiques, and scrumptious culinary creations. Day-trippers flock to this tiny area of New Braunfels to dance the night away at Gruene Hall and absorb the stunning Hill Country views. The next time you find yourself aching to get out of dodge, take the 45 minute drive to The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar. You'll love their mouthwatering chicken fried steak, refreshing brews, and gorgeous atmosphere. Dine among the trees at this magical restaurant near Austin.
Not only is this restaurant supremely beautiful, it's also loaded in history.
The Gristmill Restaurant sits in a rustic building that dates back to the early 1900s. The surrounding area was once home to a powerful cotton gin, but the wooden structure burned down in 1922. Fortunately, the three-story brick boiler room survived the flames. In 1977, that expansive building became the famous Gristmill Restaurant.
Beauty is everywhere you turn.
The Gristmill sits beneath the iconic Gruene water tower and overlooks the tranquil Guadalupe River. With magnificent oak trees covering the property, there's always a shady spot to relax in.
The lush greenery will soothe your soul.
Stroll down the wooden staircase and sit along their homey deck. You'll hear birds chirping as the wind blows through the trees. The surrounding nature will call you back again and again.
As the sun sets behind the trees, the area becomes even more wondrous.
The Gristmill's tranquil surroundings have attracted many major celebrities. When the views are this amazing and the menu is this scrumptious, it's easy to see why people would come here from all over.
The Gristmill's hamburgers are what dreams are made of.
The Gristmill's burgers ooze with cheese and burst with flavor. For a unique meal, order their WurstBurger. This sandwich wedges South Texas Polish Wedding Sausage between two freshly-baked buns and coats it in mustard and homemade BBQ sauce.
They serve the finest Southern comfort food.
Their chicken fried steak is pure bliss. Covered in creamy, peppery gravy and served with a side of flavorful mashed potatoes, this dish will blow you away. You'll want to come hungry to the Gristmill. From the moment you lay eyes on their menu, you'll want to order one of everything.
The sweet pies and cakes will make you think of home.
If you don't have room after your epic meal for a piece of dessert, order a slice to go! You can't miss out on their spectacular Jack Daniels pecan pie or their Hill Country strawberry shortcake.
The Gristmill Restaurant is worth going out of your way for.
The Gristmill River Restaurant is located at 1287 Gruene Rd in New Braunfels, Texas. They are open from 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday - Thursday and 11 am to 11 pm on Friday - Saturday. For more information on their menu and prices, visit their website or Facebook page.
What's your favorite thing on the menu at The Gristmill River Restaurant? For more fabulous patios, visit these 10 Austin restaurants.
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