One of the most popular Texas restaurants, The Gristmill overlooking the Guadalupe River in Historic Gruene is a one of a kind restaurant in a one of a kind location. It’s casual enough for river rats to come in off the river and dine along side visitors celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and those getting something to eat before they head over to watch a show at Gruene Hall next door, the oldest dance hall in Texas. The Gristmill resides in the 1878 Cotton Gin, or what’s left of it, and the unique ruins just add to the loveliness of its setting.
My daughter’s favorite restaurant is the Gristmill in the community of Gruene in New Braunfels, and we’ve made the trip more than once just to eat here for her birthday or some special celebration! It’s also where my husband tried to teach her at 6-years-old to use a knife to cut her (very tender) chicken fried steak, which ended in said knife sticking up out of her foot and a scar to this day, but that’s just another of the stories that we love to look back and laugh about!
The restaurant gets busy on weekends, but they offer a large sitting/waiting area under the trees in the biergarten, and often live music, and that’s sometimes part of the fun! During excessively long waits, you can even take a walk in Downtown Gruene while you wait! I love restaurants where the anticipation of the meal is often as much fun as the meal itself. I’m not as much a foodie as I am an “atmospherie”.
Of course, the food at the Gristmill is amazing. At least the chicken fried steak is, because that’s all any of us have ever ordered here.
All the seating is open air, although fans and a great breeze usually are all that’s needed to stay comfortable while dining.
Things To Do in Gruene
Play
Rockin’ R River Rides offers tubing and shuttles on the Guadalupe River.
There is great shopping in Gruene, and Old Gruene Market Days are the third full weekend of each month.
Stay
We recently stayed at this fun VRBO Casita with river access and a 5 minute walk to the Gristmill! Each unit comes with a cute theme, too!
The Gruene Mansion Inn is a beautiful location to stay while in the Gruene and New Braunsfel area.
The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar
1287 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST! Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns! Click HERE!
© Having Fun in the Texas Sun, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Having Fun in the Texas Sun with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
