With a gorgeous downtown area and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, Bastrop is one of the cutest small towns in Texas, and Bastrop’s best restaurants offer everything from the world’s best catfish to BBQ to Tex-Mex.
Whether you’re looking for a family-run “hole in the wall” where everyone will know your name or you want to eat in Bastrop at somewhere a bit more upscale for a date night or celebration, these are the best restaurants in Bastrop.
As someone who has visited Texas countless times over the course of my US travels, Bastrop always feels like “coming home” and digging into the onion rings at Paw Paws or getting breakfast at Maxine’s is my favorite way to spend my time.
Enjoy this list of where to eat in Bastrop (not listed in any particular order – these are just my favorites).
GET A FREE TEXAS GUIDEBOOK WITH LOCAL TIPS!
With 71 pages of helpful travel tips and the “best of” Texas lists, this is your ad-free key to your Texas trip.
1. Paw Paws Catfish House
Wonderful restaurant with great food, service & reasonable prices. They have delicious catfish, hush puppies and excellent onion rings.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-321-9800 | đź“Ś: 1014 Main St, Bastrop, TX 78602
Looking for the best place to eat in Bastrop?
The catfish at Paw Paws has to be tried to be believed – it’s SO good and fresh, and they have a wide range of sides from onion rings to hush puppies that are all excellent.
You can also check out their fried shrimp, which is another classic, and if you don’t like seafood, they do have chicken, burgers, and other menu items so the whole family will leave happy.
The décor is super cute and rustic and it’s a wonderful, local vibe with a fantastic air of Southern hospitality and charm.
PS – it’s on the historic Main Street, so you can wander around a bit after your meal as well.
2. Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard
Such a cute spot for good food, good service, live music, outdoor and indoor ambient seating and atmosphere
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-988-7036 | đź“Ś: 601 Chestnut St Building C, Bastrop, TX 78602
Neighbor’s has made it onto so many guides to the best restaurants in Texas, and it definitely makes it onto mine.
There’s nothing like enjoying the live music and outdoor seating on the riverside deck while you chow down on some of the world’s best pizzas to make you happy to be in Bastrop.
Try the Greek salad if you want something a little lighter, or go for the honey-drizzled fried Brussel sprouts (trust me) or the sweet sriracha wings if you want something different.
Finish off with a cocktail for those over 21, or enjoy a seasonal special if you’re a frequent visitor.
3. Bassano Del Grappa
I don’t know too many traditional type Italian Restaurants. This is one. We split a huge Chicken Parmesan sandwich which was very good.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-321-3393 | đź“Ś: 57 TX-150 Loop West, Bastrop, TX, United States
If you want a solid plate of delicious Italian food, Bassano Del Grappa is one of Bastrop’s best restaurants and the place for you.
Try the chicken and shrimp alfredo or go for the pizza, soups, or get a pasta sampler if you feel like you can’t decide.
It’s family owned and run, meaning you’ll get friendly and local service, and it’s one of my favorite places for lunch in Bastrop.
The portions are pretty big so you can have some leftovers, and there is a diverse selection of wine that makes it perfect for a date night as well.
4. Guadalajara Mexican
Everything in this restaurant is great! Food, service, and atmosphere are top notch. Food comes out hot, freshly prepared and authentic.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-321-3002 | đź“Ś: 494 HWY 71W STE #180, Bastrop, TX 78602
Dive into authentic Mexican food with everything from chicken enchiladas to sizzling fajitas and of course chips and salsa throughout your meal.
The food is fresh, the service is fast, and the prices are so reasonable that you can incorporate this into your weekly or monthly restaurant list.
The atmosphere is also really nice and friendly, and the tortillas are homemade fresh, which is essential for a great Mexican restaurant.
5. Southside Market and BBQ
First visit will not be my last. The Southside Family Meal did, indeed, feed 6 people. We added 2 Dinosaur Ribs (Couldn’t resist!!). The meat was so juicy and delicious.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-575-9037 | đź“Ś: 534 State Hwy 71, Bastrop, TX 78602
BBQ lovers, this is your place – Southside Market has some of the best brisket and pork ribs in the whole state, as well as a loaded baked potato that you’ll be dreaming about.
There are plenty of sides to choose from like mac and cheese and corn on the cob, as well as fantastic dessert options (go for the peach cobbler!) and of course plenty of sauces.
This is a must-try for anyone in the Bastrop area.
6. Casa Chapala
I love this place. From being able to decide how spicy you want your salsa for your chips to their happy hour specials like $5 margaritas, you can’t go wrong.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-985-5788 | đź“Ś: 1800 Walnut St, Bastrop, TX 78602
One of the best parts about Casa Chapala, besides the fantastic Mexican food, is you actually get to decide how spicy you want your salsa for your chips as it’s made table side!
Enjoy the seating by the fireplace if you want to feel extra cozy.
I usually get the fajita combo as well as the frozen margaritas, but the enchiladas are always top notch as well.
They’ve got weekly deals like happy hours and Taco Tuesdays, so see if there are any specials on during your visit.
Save room for dessert as well, because the fried ice cream is incredible.
7. Yoli’s Tacos and More
Our go to spot for breakfast tacos, lunch burritos and BBQ! No joke, it’s our favorite BBQ in town. Hands down! Also, our favorite home-made flour tortillas.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-629-8410 | đź“Ś: 1106 Chestnut St, Bastrop, TX 78602
When deciding where to eat in Bastrop, consider Yoli’s Tacos!
They are a Bastrop classic, featuring some of the best brisket in town in a cool outdoor setting – a great go-to for breakfast tacos, lunch tacos, and BBQ. Â
8. Maxine’s Cafe and Bakery
Wow! What a fun place! A friend and I met for breakfast at 8 and by the time we left it felt like most of Bastrop was there and rightfully so.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-303-0919 | đź“Ś: 905 Main St, Bastrop, TX 78602
This adorable café has some of the best chicken fried steak you’ll ever try, as well as eggs benedict and pancakes that I get almost every time we go.
The portions are generous (seriously, you’ll be full) and the décor is cute and quirky and classic Americana.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the coffee is some of the best around.
The biscuits seem to melt in your mouth, and the French Toast consistently gets 10/10 ratings from locals.
9. Roadhouse Bastrop
After passing this restaurant for thirty-five years, my wife and I finally stopped in. If you are near Bastrop make sure you eat at Roadhouse! The burgers were juicy and flavorful.
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-321-1803 | đź“Ś: 2804 TX-21, Bastrop, TX 78602
Burgers and sandwiches are the name of the game at Roadhouse, where you’ll find flavor-filled and juicy burgers as well as some of the best sweet potato fries around.
The chicken sandwich and fries is one of my favorites, but you can also go for something a bit different like the queso fries or the cream cheese jalepeno burger.
The staff are fun, friendly, and welcoming and this is one of those places that you won’t just go once.
10. Texas Grill Restaurant
Good hearty breakfast cooked just right. Place was very busy (so you know it’s good with the locals!) but service was prompt and food came out fast. Good eats!
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-321-5491 | đź“Ś: 101 State Hwy 71, Bastrop, TX 78602
A great breakfast destination in Bastrop, Texas Grill has everything from ham and cheese omelettes to hash browns to fluffy biscuits, grits, bacon and more.
It’s an old school local diner with great service and great food, and you can relax knowing you’re enjoying home style flavors with friendly people around you.
The prices are reasonable and the coffee is good – a win!
11. Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant
My all time favorite place to eat over all the experiences are always the best and they treat me great and always serve fresh delicious food!
đź’»: website | đź“ž: 512-303-2330 | đź“Ś: 495 State Hwy 71 W, Bastrop, TX 78602
This Tex-Mex option in Bastrop is another great one to try if you want to work your way through all of the fajita options in town!
The beef fajita burrito is my favorite, but they’ve also got chicken, pork, and vegetarian options as well.