Restaurants in Bastrop County, Texas

Ask anyone around here where to eat and you had better have time to listen, because folks in Bastrop County, Texas take their food personally. We do too. This is barbecue country in the truest sense, the kind of place where the smoke starts before sunup and the sausage has been made the same way for generations. Whether you are after a plate of brisket, a basket of enchiladas, or just a good cup of coffee on Main Street, our little corner east of Austin punches well above its weight.

Below is our local guide to eating well across Bastrop County, from the pitmasters of Elgin to the cafes of downtown Bastrop and Smithville. Use the buttons to jump to a kind of food, or read on for the places we take out-of-town guests.

Browse Restaurants by type

Barbecue and Elgin, the Sausage Capital of Texas

If Bastrop County has a signature dish, it is smoked meat. Elgin is the officially recognized Sausage Capital of Texas, and it earns the title. Southside Market and Barbeque has been at it since 1882, which makes it one of the oldest barbecue joints in the whole state, and Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse is the other institution locals argue about in the best possible way. Come hungry, order the sausage rings, and do not skip the brisket. Find more pitmasters under BBQ.

Tex-Mex, burgers, and honest comfort food

When it is not barbecue, it is likely enchiladas, breakfast tacos, a good burger, or a chicken-fried steak the size of the plate. Bastrop County is full of family-run spots where the recipes have not changed in decades and nobody is in a hurry. Browse Mexican and Tex-Mex and Burgers and American to find your new regular.

Coffee, cafes, and a slow morning downtown

Some of our favorite meals are the small ones, a latte and a pastry at a cafe on historic Main Street, a patio table with a river view. Downtown Bastrop and downtown Smithville both reward a slow morning. See where to sit a while under Coffee and Cafes.

Explore by town

Every town in Bastrop County, Texas has its own personality. Pick one and we will show you around:

Bastrop County Restaurants FAQs

What food is Bastrop County known for?

Barbecue, first and foremost. Elgin is the Sausage Capital of Texas, home to Southside Market and Barbeque (serving since 1882) and Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse. You will also find excellent Tex-Mex, burgers, and downtown cafes across the county.

Where is the best BBQ in Bastrop County?

Elgin is the heart of it, with historic smokehouses that draw people from all over Central Texas. Browse our BBQ listings to find pitmasters countywide.

Are there family-friendly restaurants in Bastrop?

Yes. From casual Tex-Mex and burger joints to relaxed downtown cafes, most Bastrop County restaurants are easygoing and welcoming to families.

Where can I eat in downtown Bastrop?

Historic Main Street in Bastrop has cafes, Tex-Mex, and riverfront dining all within an easy walk.