Whether you’re a fan of juicy classics, funky toppings, or riverside burgers with a side of live music, there’s no shortage of crave-worthy options in and around New Braunfels. We’ve rounded up the area’s best burger joints where every bite is big on flavor and local personality.
Let’s get to it.
Muck & Fuss Craft Beer and Burgers
If you love a big burger and cold beer, Muck & Fuss Craft Beer and Burgers delivers. Tucked in downtown New Braunfels, this spot feels like the whole town drifts over for half-pound Wagyu patties on fresh-baked Naegelin’s buns. You really taste that local pride when you bite in. They’ve got over a dozen creative burgers, from the Aloha with grilled pineapple and honey chili sauce…sweet heat at its finest, to the Scape Goat with bacon and a thick slice of goat cheese that adds a funky twist. The Juicy Lucy doubles down with two patties, pimento cheese, bacon, and jalapeño aioli, and somehow it holds together long enough for you to conquer it.
The vibe is laid-back and lively, perfect for gathering with friends or date night. On the side, you can get Cajun fries with a kick or swap them for truffle fries, poutine, or a mountain of wild tots. They’ve also got 38 beers on tap, boozy milkshakes if you’re feeling adventurous, and a patio that’s packed with dogs and live music. No drive-thru here—just a casual handshake with the locals that welcomes everyone.
Guadalupe Brewing Company & Pizza Kitchen
The moment you step inside Guadalupe Brewing Company & Pizza Kitchen, you get the sense this place is all about good beer and hot pizza. Spread across three taprooms surrounding a covered beer garden, it offers fire pits for cool evenings, live music when the timing’s right, and even a pollinator garden that feels as wholesome as it sounds. The vibe is casual—you can bring your kids and your dogs…heck, even a cigar if you want to hang in the outdoor lounge.
The menu keeps things focused. Burgers are hand-formed from steak-quality beef, eight ounces on fresh-baked buns from down the road, with all the classic toppings. Fries are hand-cut, and fried pickles are perfect for leaning into your cravings. Pizza comes in New York and Detroit styles, with no frozen shortcuts. On tap you’ll find ales, pilsners, stouts, and IPAs all brewed in-house. Plus, the staff is always ready to chat beer styles or recommend a new slice.
Texas Bistro At Park View
Over at Texas Bistro At Park View, you get a laid-back Texas vibe with a touch of fancy. Chef Collin Campion keeps things fresh by updating the menu with seasonal ingredients and herbs from the garden out back. They slim down the burger list to the essentials: the Bistro Burger layers white cheddar, grilled onions, and a punchy house-made Creole mustard sauce. The Jalapeño-Bacon Burger steps it up with jalapeño-bacon cream cheese and roasted garlic aioli. Fries are crisp and classic, and you can top your burger with a fried egg or avocado for just a few extra bucks.
The spacious patio gives you room to stretch out without bumping elbows, and the interior nails Texas chic without overdoing it. They’ve got a private room for small parties, plus plenty of parking in their big lot. With full table service, highchairs, a kids menu, and accessible restrooms, they cover all the basics. Whether you’re grabbing dinner after a long day or lining up for Sunday brunch, this bistro hits the mark. Add rotating weekly specials, and you’ve got a spot that’s proud of its local roots and welcoming to everyone.
Clear Springs Restaurant
Clear Springs Restaurant nails the Texas roadside legend vibe without feeling contrived. Step into the barn-shaped, 1874 German saloon and you’ll see picnic tables, creaky floorboards, and antique finds lining the walls, all genuine and unforced. It’s casual enough to let the kids run around and roll in off the river wearing flip-flops.
The burgers get plenty of love here for a reason. Half-pound beef patties come with standard fixings or turn into jawbreakers like the Outlaw with bacon, cheese, barbecue sauce, and world-famous onion rings stacked on top. The Cowboy stacks house pico, cheddar, bacon, onions, mustard, and mayo for a flavor overload. You’ll get a heap of hand-cut fries on the side, but you can swap those for hushpuppies or oversized onion rings if you’re feeling adventurous.
With a beer garden hanging over the Guadalupe River, shrimp and catfish on the menu, and enough quirky history to keep you smiling, Clear Springs is the sort of Texas stop that’s worth the pull-off every single time.
Gruene River Grill
When you’re serious about burgers, Gruene River Grill has a menu that makes you rethink your go-to order. They’ve got the Gorgonzola Burger with melty bacon and pico, the Black Jack Queso Burger with a Cajun kick, all on toasted buns, plus those seasoned fries you won’t want to share. If you’re skipping beef, the chicken sandwiches come fried or grilled, so variety’s covered.
Inside, it’s super laid-back. Wooden floors and big windows let in light, and you can’t miss the view of the Guadalupe River. Since 2004, locals and families have packed the booths. Kids juggle mini corn dogs or chicken strips while everyone else sips frozen margaritas. The bar is deep, from local craft brews to frozen cocktails, and even the wine list is ready for a good time.
The riverside patio is a great spot to soak up the Texas sun and linger a bit longer than you planned.
Huisache Grill
Stepping into Huisache Grill, you immediately notice wood-paneled walls, exposed beams, and some cool chandeliers that add a touch of flair. It all feels cozy, not stuffy, and the old building charm is real. Being family-owned shows up in the service—it’s organized but never rushed, like they actually want you to relax and enjoy.
The menu leans into chef-style bistro fare, especially with burgers made from 8-ounce Akaushi beef from Yoakum or fresh ground lamb if you’re looking to mix it up. The Cheezy Burger stacks cheddar and fried onion chips on a toasted ciabatta roll, and the lamb burger offers tzatziki or mayo, plus a choice of feta or blue cheese. Sides are customizable—sweet potato wedges are hand-cut if that’s your thing. They’ve also got a full bar, wine list, sangrias, and kids’ options if you’ve brought the little ones.
They’re closed on Mondays, but otherwise the daily blue plate specials are worth checking out. There’s also a patio for when you feel like dining outside, and parking is always easy.
Union Station Diner
Hometown charm defines Union Station Diner with its train-themed décor and friendly vibe. It’s been family-run for over 15 years, and you can see it in the steady flow of folks swinging by for coffee, burgers, or an afternoon hangout. Seating is cozy inside, and there’s a patio too when the weather’s nice.
Burgers are the real draw, served as six-ounce or twelve-ounce patties cooked to order. You can keep it classic or go for something adventurous like the Frito Pie Burger loaded with chili and Fritos, or the open-faced Chili Size Burger smothered in house-made chili and cheddar. There’s also the Texan Burger piled with sautéed mushrooms and grilled onions. Every burger comes with hand-cut fries, but if you’re eating breakfast-smothered burgers you can swap in hash browns or grits. Kids get their own mini burgers, and if coffee’s your jam they’ve got plenty. They don’t serve beer, but soda selections are solid. Parking is easy and it’s right in downtown New Braunfels, so everything else is just a short walk away.
Spud Ranch
When potatoes take center stage, Spud Ranch delivers in big, Texan style. Forget buns—their burgers come between thick slices of Texas Toast holding beef patties, chili, mushrooms, or even smoked brisket. The menu keeps going with over 20 loaded potatoes piled high with brisket, pulled pork, or whatever the kitchen dreamed up that day. It’s a flavor adventure in every bite.
If you want standard fries, they’ve got those too, but funnel cake fries, fried okra, and fried pickles prove they’ll fry just about anything. Inside is laid-back and cozy, and the second-floor balcony looks over Common Street so you can watch the scene below. Kids get their own Little Russets menu, complete with spud tots and a drink, which is a nice touch. The beer cooler is stocked with Shiner, Dos XX, and other lagers to wash down all that fried goodness.
Parking is easy and the drive-thru stays open, so you don’t even have to hop out of your car if you’re in a hurry. This no-frills spot is all about potatoes, burgers, and fried sides stealing the show.
Lone Star Float House And Grill
Right on the river, Lone Star Float House And Grill lets you dine in your swimsuit with a cold beer in hand while you watch floaters drift by. There’s no table service here—walk up to the counter and place your order. The grill serves up hand-pressed, never frozen patties piled into classics like double cheeseburgers, chili cheeseburgers, patty melts, and a bacon and mushroom combo that locals swear by.
Fried sides are front and center. Think onion rings, tater tots, sweet potato fries, and Texas Tots, which basically means you’re dipping with your hands or calling in backup. Kids get grilled cheese or mini burgers, and the place has been family-built since the ’70s. The outdoor space lets you wade into the Guadalupe between bites.
Live music mostly happens on Sundays, turning the place into a seasonal party spot until they close after Labor Day. If you want a beer, their cooler is packed with Lone Star and whatever lager keeps you cool on a hot Texas day.
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar in Gruene has been serving classic Hill Country flavor since 1977. Housed in the brick boiler room from an 1878 cotton gin, this place skips the chain vibe and goes full-on river bluff charm. Whether you’re there for lunch or dinner, the view of the Guadalupe River just steps away seals the deal. Inside, you’ll find native stone fireplaces, patios under giant oak trees, and a genuine Texas atmosphere.
Their burger game is simple and satisfying. Choose the Hamburger, Cheeseburger, or the GristBurger topped with house-made spicy queso for a bit of swagger. Half-pound beef patties arrive with pickles, tomato, lettuce, and onion on the side…build it how you like. Homemade sauces like Garlicky Hot Sauce or Tomatillo Verde let you get creative, and those Texas-sized onion rings are a must. The full bar pours everything from margaritas to wine you might not be able to pronounce, and the desserts rack up awards. If you spot the Jack Daniel’s pecan pie, don’t skip it.
