Ultimate Guide to Round Top, Texas
We loved our recent visit to the hill country in Texas. This is a beautiful area with friendly people, lovely scenery, and appealing small cities. One of our favorite places that we visited was Round Top, Texas. This is a town of less than 100 full time residents. But don’t let its small size fool you! Round Top is big on heart and charm, delectable food and amazing shopping.
Here are my lists of the most delicious restaurants in Round Top as well as unique and adorable places to stay, and the best things to do in Round Top, Texas.
Enjoy this Guide to Round Top, Texas!
Table of Contents
Ultimate Guide to Round Top, Texas!
Location of Round Top
Round Top is about halfway between Austin and Houston on Hwy 237. It is about 1.5 hours from each. Round Top is also approximately 2 hours ENE from San Antonio. If you are in any of these major cities it isn’t hard to get to Round Top.
Things to do in Round Top
Antiques Week
Antiquing is THE calling card of Round Top. The Original Round Top Antiques Fair started this event over 50 years ago. Now there are two major “antique weeks” held each year in the spring and in the fall and even a smaller one in the winter.
This fair is considered to be one of the best antique events in the nation.
You need to know that the show is HUGE. Much bigger than you might imagine. It is spread over 50 venues with a variety of formats and products. More than 100,000 people arrive in this small community for this event. It’s both wonderful and crazy!
NOTE: If you are planning to attend the antique fair you will need to schedule lodging well in advance and potentially be prepared to drive in for day trips from a different city.
If you are NOT planning to attend the fair check the dates and do not schedule your visit during these times.
Henkel Square
Henkel Square is a shopping and dining destination! In fact, several of the shops and restaurants that are mentioned in this article are located in Henkel Square.
Henkel Square has been a commercial and residential area since the 1800’s and the old buildings are being used for stores and restaurants. Some of the buildings were original to the property and some were moved there in order to preserve them.
It is quaint and beautiful and a place that you have to see while you are in Round Top.
Humble Donkey Studio and Lower 40 Found Objects
At The Humble Donkey you will find a fun and unique shopping experience in a big red barn at Henkel Square. In addition to the studio housing the artwork of artist John Lowery there is an eclectic mix of antiques and decorative items.
Mallorie et Cie
Also located at Henkel Square Mallory et Cie is not to be missed jewelry store. There are some gorgeous and unique items like pendants and charms which are made from French flea market finds. You might also go home with a scarf made from old textiles. Just a wonderful shop!
Junk Gypsy
You will 100% want to stop by the Junk Gypsy! This place was made famous by the show on HGTV. It is a fun, colorful, and thoughtfully curated store. I loved it and bought the cutest pink hat here!
McLaren’s Antiques and Interiors
Discover beautiful and high quality antiques, reclaimed wood pieces, and other contemporary furnishings and accessories at McLaren’s Antiques and Interiors. They are open on the weekends in the summers. Be sure and check opening times and dates!
The Gallery at Round Top
The Gallery at Round Top features a variety of artists who create paintings and prints, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, handmade furniture…this is a great place to shop and discover something unique!
Townsend Provisions
Townsend Provisions is in an old farmhouse on Rummel Square. You will want to explore their antiques, the American made gift items, home goods, bath items, jewelry, and so much more. It really is a wonderfully well-curated collection. You will have so much fun browsing the offerings here, but my favorite section is upstairs. Boots, y’all. Vintage cowboy boots. Amazing!
Winedale Historical Center
(Winedale is currently not open due to Covid 19 – please check before you go.)
Winedale is owned by the University of Texas and is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark, a State Antiquities Landmark, and on the National Register of Historic Places. It is home to numerous nineteenth-century wooden structures including five homes, a one-room schoolhouse, a rare four-square barn and three log cabins.
This is a great place to get a feel for what life was like in the past in this part of Texas!
Take some time to relax
Round Top and this area of Texas is one of the most relaxing places I’ve ever been. The landscape is big and the skies are even bigger. In fact, I couldn’t believe how gorgeous the night skies were!
I know that the amazing shopping will be calling your name but take some time to sit a spell. Be lazy in a rocker on a porch and watch the world go by or sip some wine in the evening and look at the stars.
Where to Eat in Round Top, Texas
Royers Round Top Cafe and Royers Pie Haven
I don’t even know how to describe the deliciousness that awaits you at Royers Cafe or Royers Pie Haven. These are owned by the same family and are famous for their pies. It was truly was one of the best pies I’ve ever eaten. We had the Not Your Mom’s Apple Pie which was scrumptious! We also tried the delicious Hee Haw Pie which is a breakfast quiche pie.
Of course you can get pie at the cafe as well, but they also serve delicious steaks, shrimp, burgers, and salads! Not only that but this cafe is country kitschy adorable.
The Stone Cellar and Round Top Dance Hall
I wasn’t sure if I should include this in restaurants or in things to do in Round Top! The Stone Cellar is a pub, pizza place, and music venue. They serve good thin crust pizza, have 25 beers on tap, are known for their homemade sangria…and there is live music here on Fridays and Saturdays with no cover charge!
This is a true Texas experience.
Prost on Block 29
Prost on Block 29 is located in a wonderful historic stone building. I mentioned relaxing in the things to do in Round Top section and Prost on Block 29 is a perfect place to relax. It is a wine bar where you can sip on a glass of red or white while you nibble on delicious charcuterie.
The small building has a cozy bar inside but there is an expansive and beautiful patio where you can sit in the shade of some trees or under the stars in the evening. I highly recommend Prost!
The Garden Co. – Feed and Firewater
Feed and Firewater is located in a 1914 farmhouse that was moved to Rummel Square in Round Top. The menu here changes periodically but you can count on everything being delicious. They are known for their crispy Brussels sprouts and even if you think you don’t like Brussels sprouts you definitely need to try these! They might just change your mind.
I also highly recommend the Korean Street tacos and the chocolate bread pudding, but honestly I don’t think you can go wrong no matter what you decide to order!
Places to Stay in Round Top, Texas
The Wander Inn
I can’t recommend The Wander Inn highly enough. It is a place that just feels like home. This is a small inn with just a few rooms. It is both simple and lush. The decor is absolutely charming and the land rolling up to the inn is stunning. One of the homey touches is that they bring you hot fresh biscuits in the morning. This is definitely a place to refresh your soul.
To add to the fun this place is owned by the owners of the Junk Gypsy and the store is located on property!
The Frenchie Boutique Hotel
The Frenchie is a perfect place to stay in Round Top, Texas! It is so pretty but still cozy. You can stay in the historic farmhouse or the garden cottage which are both from the 1890’s or you can choose one of the Art Studio Suites or the brand new Pool Suites! We stayed in the Pool Suites and they were amazing. They were colorful and comfortable and the bathtub was a bath lovers dream.
Rancho Pillow
Rancho Pillow has got to be one of the most unique and playful places I have ever seen. It is artsy and whimsical and so much fun! You have a variety of accommodations to choose from. The barn has two queen rooms and is the gathering place at Rancho Pillow. Also check out the air-conditioned teepee with a king sized bed or the Surf Shack which will make you feel as if you are on a beach in Mexico.
I hope that you enjoyed my guide to Round Top, Texas. We enjoyed our visit there SO much and I’m sure that you will, too! Let me know what you think!
Thanks for stopping by!