4 Best Restaurants in San Marcos, The Hill Country

Located just up the hill from Texas State University, Grins has been a favorite among students and tubers alike since 1975. They're known for their burgers (and have 12 different kinds to choose from) and crispy onion rings, as well as heaping, sizzling fajitas and frozen margaritas in several different flavors.

This modern curry shop is putting out some of the tastiest Indian food in the Hill Country, served alongside a massive and diverse list of global craft beers. While they offer more classic plates of dishes like saag paneer and butter chicken with coconut rice and papadam, they also feature Indian-Mex mashups in the form of curry tacos stuffed with toppings and folded into paratha tortillas. The well-informed staff will walk you through the beer list, which you'll definitely need help narrowing down.  

This breezy, red-toned pizzeria, located a quick jaunt from downtown, is the premier spot for a New York–style pie in San Marcos. They use all fresh ingredients and have a solid menu of specialty pies, plus salads, calzones, and meatball subs. They also feature unique vegetarian options, like the Tempeh of Doom (Italian-marinated tempeh, spinach, roasted red peppers, red onion, and black olives), and they can make any pie vegan-friendly.

This café and art gallery has earned its bragging rights as San Marcos's best restaurant throughout the years. And yet, you'll find no pretense or stuffiness here, just a cheerful staff and bright, eclectic art–filled walls that make for a very comfortable atmosphere. Try the zingy Holy Aioli sandwich of citrus-marinated chicken with cilantro aioli for lunch and the beloved bourbon-pecan chicken for dinner. Texas wine makes an appearance on the list, and local beers are always on tap, too.