WIMBERLEY OFFERS CHARMING SPACES AND ECLECTIC OPTIONS
WORDS BY ASHLEY BROWN
Ten years ago, Wimberley would not have been considered a food destination. Yes, it boasted a few tasting rooms serving primarily Texas wine, and there were a handful of restaurants the locals counted on. But these days it’s tough to keep up with all of the options, each bringing something unique to the town. You now need more than a full weekend to hit up all of the great eateries and drinkeries. Here are just some of our favorites to start with:
THE LEANING PEAR
Photo by Leaning Pear
“The Pear,” as it is affectionately known, has been a Wimberley institution since 2006. It’s one of a handful of restaurants that’s long been the place for delicious food in a beautiful setting, atop a bluff overlooking a meadow along Cypress Creek. Having moved into a new space in 2013, the environmentally sensitive design concept is the perfect mix of clean, modern, and rustic. The spacious interior features tall ceilings and plenty of windows looking out onto the meadow and woods. Outside, in addition to garden beds of herbs and large rainwater collection tanks (that are actually visually appealing), there are a number of tables on the shaded porch, family-friendly picnic tables on a lower level, and the beloved “treehouse,” a small semi-enclosed indoor/outdoor dining area among the trees. The eclectic menu has something for everybody from seasonal soups and always-scrumptious salads to sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas. If you’re craving comfort food, you can choose from Mac & Cheese, Meatloaf, Chicken & Grits, or The Crab Cake. They offer a great wine and beer selection, and, in exciting news, this winter they’ll be expanding their bar menu!
JOBELL CAFÉ & BISTRO
Jobell Café & Bistro was like a gift to Wimberley, bestowed by David and Jessenia Bober, eight years ago after they moved their family from New York to bring their dream of opening a small, creative, locally sourced restaurant to life. At the time, there weren’t many “romantic” dining options where ambience and design are just as important as the menu. The bistro combines local rustic character — reflecting its charming woodsy surroundings — with the European flavor of little sophisticated bistros David and Jess loved in New York. The space, both inside and out on the patio among the trees and twinkle lights, exudes a spirit of family, friendliness, and intimacy while also offering a lovely, relatively upscale dining experience.
Photo by Jobell
Jobell is located on RR 12, just north of town. Whether you choose to dine al fresco, or inside where you can enjoy a cozy atmosphere — including a fireplace — you’ll want to start with an order of the Crispy Thai Chili Brussels Sprouts. If you think you don’t like brussels sprouts, give these a try and think again! In addition to tasty salads and soups, the menu features a wide variety of entrees from Steak Diane and Smoked Duck Breast to Shepherd’s Pie…and they always have at least one seasonal vegetarian option. If you’re on your way into, or out of, town on a Sunday, Jobell is the perfect place for a traditional brunch.Relax with a mimosa — or a glass of wine from their carefully curated list — and fuel up with Chicken and Waffles, Eggs Benedict or The Lox (among many other options).
LONGLEAF CRAFT KITCHEN + BAR
Photo by Longleaf
Despite its convenient location right in the middle of the bustling Square, Longleaf Craft Kitchen & Bar is a charming oasis with a beautiful bar area inside, and what might be the most peaceful restaurant courtyard in town. You don’t want to come here if you’re in a rush. Sit down, relax, make a friend if you’re sitting at the bar, and please order the Fried Olives appetizer! If you eat nothing else, these delightful little balls of crunchy brininess are the perfect snack to go with whatever drink you choose from the extensive cocktail menu or wine list. Bartender Fletcher Wright has made quite a name for himself, having won 12th place in an international cocktail competition with his “Lord of the Rings” inspired cocktail made with Laphroaig Scotch. Fletcher also won the Flor de Cana’s Sustainable Cocktail Competition with his “Hill Country Huerta.” While you could make a meal out of the apps — from the olives to the Hangtown Deviled Eggs topped with fried oysters to the Bruschetta with fresh local tomatoes, mozzarella and kalamata olives — there are plenty of satiating entrees to choose from, like the Red Snapper, Eggplant Parmesan or Lasagna (Wagyu Beef or Vegetable). With its charming setting and satisfying menu, it’s no surprise Longleaf was recently featured in an episode of Outside Watch’s “Road Less Eaten,” in which “Chef Biju Thomas connects with his outdoor adventure-loving friends in their hometowns to find some of the town’s best apres eats.”
RR12 THE SUPPER CLUB
The Supper Club offers a dining experience like no other in town. Its beautiful décor — marble bar, chandeliers, green leather booths, warm lighting — attentive staff dressed in formal all-black attire, and eclectic yet traditional steakhouse-esque menu make this a true fine-dining supper club. And it is an actual club, where members enjoy perks like unlimited free drinks and one members-only night a week (Tuesdays). Outside of Tuesdays, anyone is welcome, though reservations are highly encouraged. This is not a place to pop by for sustenance. This is a place to luxuriate in the ritual of dining. In fact, there’s even a note at the top of the menu: “At your Supper Club, we take pride that all our menu items are fresh and made to order. Your dining experience may last anywhere from 11⁄2 to 21⁄2 hours, during which we hope you will enjoy the atmosphere and the pleasure of your guest’s company.” While the interior is stunning, there’s also a lovely patio underneath a large oak tree, lit up with twinkle lights, where you can dine al fresco and enjoy the cool night air with a stiff drink from the elaborate bar menu. The entrée menu features prime steak, fresh seafood and pasta.
Photo by Supper Club
If you want to check this place out but aren’t ready or able to indulge in the full dining experience, visit at lunchtime — the extensive menu of “The Carvery” offers equally delicious options but with a slightly more casual flare (and lower price).
RANCH BRAND WINE & SPIRITS
Photo by Ranch Brand
One of the most recent additions to the Wimberley eatery-drinkery scene is Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits. Walking distance from the Square on RR 12, this is an ideal spot to take a break from shopping and relax with a snack and a sip. The intimate interior has a classy, modern ranch-style vibe with its whitewashed barnwood walls and warm Southwestern décor. The staff, and the patrons you’ll find there, are always friendly, and the tasting room radiates that “where everyone knows your name” vibe. Christopher Ware and West Stone brought the restaurant and bar to Wimberley, in addition to their own brand of wine and spirits. Since 2020, Ranch Brand has introduced a diverse range of spirits, including vodkas, gins, rums, bourbons and liqueurs. Axis Jack, Catch & Release, and Cosmic Armadillo were their first wines to showcase small-batch Texas varieties in collaboration with local vineyards through “custom crush” capabilities, and they’ve continued to come out with new varieties, both red and white. The food menu features about 10 options that vary seasonally, though regular favorites are the Cowboy Caviar, out-of-this world Burrata Ball with a balsamic glaze and sea salt, and a uniquely delicious hummus served with buttery slices of baguette and/or pita depending on the day. You can also find heartier sandwiches, as well as nachos, that serve as a full meal.
Photo by Ranch Brand
WIMBERLEY INN + BAR
Photo by Wimberley Inn + Bar
A great place to end your night, especially if you’re staying there, the Wimberley Inn + Bar offers a relatively quiet, beautiful spot to indulge in one last cocktail and nibble. The bar feels like an intimate, cozy but classy living room, with a little library on the other side of the entry, where you can take a drink, peruse the books, and relax on the velvet benches. Renovated and reopened in early 2021, the Wimberley Inn + Bar stands out from the rustic crowd as a modern take on small-town Texas. While the interior is lovely, as is the case with so many spots in Wimberley, it’s really about the patio, where you can settle in among the oak trees lit up with Christmas lights year- round. The cocktail menu is all about delighting in the best local ingredients. It features some Wimberley spins on classic favorites, like the Wimm’s Cup — Pimm’s #1, lemon, simple syrup, fruit bitters, ginger ale, strawberries, cucumber, orange and mint — and Fancy Ass Ranch Water, a jazzed-up version of this popular drink including muddled cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño. Just about every cocktail is enhanced with the freshness of herbs like rosemary, basil or mint. If you are ending your evening here, you might also be interested in a dessert cocktail, like their Boozy Hot Cocoa or Spiced Pear Mule and maybe a cheese plate! And when you wake up the next day, you can head right back to enjoy their special brunch menu, available on Saturdays and Sundays.
THE SHADY LLAMA
Photo by The Shady Llama
If you’d like to enjoy a glass of wine, beer and/or bite of food surrounded by the natural beauty of the hill country, head to The Shady Llama and soak up the amazing sunset view. You might even get lucky and run into one of the many llamas or two mini donkeys who roam the property. This all-outdoor beer and wine garden features 24 taps of Texas beer and a rotating menu of Texas wines. They also carry local ciders and hard seltzers, as well as a wide assortment of non-alcoholic beverages. Perfect for the whole family, including dogs on a leash, there are two kids’ areas, yard games, and hammocks. Food truck, The Deli Llama, serves pressed hot sandwiches (including a pork Banh Mi and a classic Cubano), salads, rice bowls (frequently featuring a Vietnamese pork rice bowl) and small bites like charcuterie boxes and hummus. All food is prepared fresh in house.
SIP! ON THE SQUARE
Photo by Sip!
If you’re spending a day, or weekend in Wimberley, you’re definitely going to want to stop into Sip! on the Square for an energy boost. Smack in the middle of the Square, next door to the Wimberley Café (another Wimberley institution with a diner-style vibe and menu), Sip! is the perfect spot to take a break from milling around. Often, when you walk in, you’ll be met with the aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven, and you may find yourself tempted by the selection of cookies, scones and muffins. No matter what, one of their lattes or cappuccinos is a must. Their espresso is so good, this Wimberleyite has been spoiled and no longer really enjoys lattes from any other coffee shop. For a unique treat, try the Turmeric and Spice Latte (it doesn’t come with caffeine, so if you want that energy boost, ask to add a shot or two). During the holiday season, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is always a great go-to, and it’s not overly sweet. The Mayan Mocha and Mexican-Spice Mocha are also decadent ways to get a pick-me-up. Whatever your pleasure, the super friendly staff at Sip! is always happy to make recommendations and help tailor your beverage just to your liking.
CASA V
If you’re heading into Wimberley from Jobell, just a mile and a half south on RR12, you’ll want to stop into Casa V to pick up a bottle of wine to take home with you for a special occasion. Casa V is a tasting room where you’ll find a unique selection of very carefully and lovingly chosen wines by owner Nancy Sallaberry. As you sip on the day’s offerings, Sallaberry will tell you all about where each wine comes from, why she chose to carry it, and what else you might like given your particular tastes. Unlike other wine bars in the area, Casa V celebrates primarily European wines made by small, family-owned vineyards.
About the Contributor
Writer and editor Ashley Brown lives in Wimberley with her family of rescues: a dog, two cats, and two donkeys. In addition to animal
welfare, her passion is exploring the Hill Country’s natural beauty, small farms, eateries and drinkeries.
