The hottest places to eat in Georgetown, Texas

With its straight-out-of-a-Hallmark-movie town square, Georgetown has no shortage of charm. A walk downtown during one of the Market Days yields small-town community vibes in spades: an honest-to-goodness toy shop, neighbors enjoying glasses of wine on the square, and local artisans selling their wares.

Ushered by a wave of newcomers to the area, the self-dubbed “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas” has welcomed some innovative new dining and drinking establishments in the past couple of years—with more to come as the town continues to grow. Located 25 miles north of Austin, these restaurants are creating a buzz among diners seeking creative food and cocktails.

“I’m noticing more restaurants that have a hipper vibe, and more kid-friendly shops,” says Jesse Coulter, a local blogger who launched the Instagram account @georgetownbites to highlight some of her favorite establishments. “Most of the restaurants are being built near the square and Rivery Park because that’s where people congregate.”

Consider this your introductory guide to Georgetown’s food scene, styled as a self-paced crawl to give you a sample of some of the hottest restaurants in town, as well as ideas for things to do in between bites.

Because we’re in Texas, we start with tacos. In 2021, local entrepreneur Michael Valencia parlayed his successful hot sauce business into his lifelong dream taco shop with Mikey V’s Tacos on the Square. People from Austin and surrounding areas flock here for Valencia’s birria tacos—or to take on the restaurant’s spicy-taco challenge and earn a place on the “Wall of Flame.”

Next, take a short walk to Fuego Latino Gastropub on South Austin Avenue. At this 2020 newcomer, helmed by Executive Chef Jorge Alcocer, guests are treated to dishes representing various areas of Latin America: Argentinian empanadas, a street-corn sampler, and Caribbean shrimp fritters served with a dark Jamaican rum sauce.

Looking for a few bites to take home? Tejas Meat Supply, a butcher shop that sources from sustainable Texas ranches, offers charcuterie and artisanal foods.

A block off the square on Ninth Street, the playful Tiki-style District Six has garage-style doors that open out onto a small patio and frequently hosts live music on weekends. Inside, you’ll find 40 beers and wines on tap, cocktails served in vintage-style glasses, along with elevated bar snacks and shareable foods (be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol). There’s also a kids’ menu and arcade games, because even the bars are kid-friendly in this ’burb.

That’s par for the course in Georgetown. “On any given night, you can find dozens of families, friends, and couples on the grass near the courthouse with their coolers and lawn chairs,” says Coulter. “Many people grab a pizza to go from 600 Degrees Pizzeria and Drafthouse. It’s amazing to see the community come together, and it’s a fun, family-friendly vibe.”

Keep the good times rolling with a stop at The Baked Bear, a new chain from California that allows you to create a customized ice cream sandwich with your choice of ice cream filling packed between a cookie or brownie.

Many of the restaurants on this food crawl opened during the crush of the pandemic, and their persistence speaks both to the quality of food and service and the support of the Georgetown community.

Mango Tango, a Cambodian restaurant that opened the day after the county issued its stay-at-home order in March 2020, is a great example. Owners Jim and Champa St. Jacques created a menu filled with traditional Cambodian and Asian fusion favorites. Try the Khmer Rice Plate (marinated and pan-fried pork, fried egg, and house-made pickled veggies atop rice), an order of taro egg rolls, and, for something slightly sweet, sticky rice with egg custard—or mango sticky rice if the fruit is in season.

Then stop into fellow 2020 newcomer Körk Wine Bar for a sampling of wines from around the world by the taste, glass, or bottle, including a few from Texas wineries. The restaurant also offers Neapolitan-style pizza and charcuterie.

Across from Mango Tango on South Church Street is The Golden Rule, a dark building with opulent, Roaring ’20s–style decor and a spacious outdoor patio. Georgetown local Chet Garner (creator and host of PBS’ The Daytripper) has been known to stop by every so often. Snap a pic in front of the North of Cool mural outside and settle in for craft cocktails with a hint of Texas swagger, like the Whiskey Business with Still Austin bourbon or the Hondo Old-Fashioned with bacon-washed rye. Pair your drink with glazed fried shrimp, steak frites, and—naturally—queso. 

Give your palate a break at bookseller Lark & Owl, a rich, plant-filled space where Nightingale Bistro opened a small wine bar and café in December 2020, and where kids can cozy up with books in a little under-the-stairs nook.

Georgetown’s Market Days are held the second Saturday of every month from March through November, and stay tuned for the town’s annual Red Poppy Festival, typically held the last full weekend in April and featuring live bands, a parade, and an artisan market.

In warm months, take a refreshing swim in the lagoon at Blue Hole Park, or simply hike or bike the local trails to wind down after your meals.

Cynthia J. Drake is a freelance writer in Austin who loves discovering new restaurants throughout Texas.