Guidebook for San Marcos
Food Scene
Awesome food in a very modern brew-pub setting. This is the closest San Marcos has to a Gastro-Pub. This is my go-to place when I am taking guests out to eat.
24 locals recommend
AquaBrew
110 E Martin Luther King DrAwesome food in a very modern brew-pub setting. This is the closest San Marcos has to a Gastro-Pub. This is my go-to place when I am taking guests out to eat.
The second go-to place in San Marcos for a good meal in a unique setting. Parking can be a challenge.
62 locals recommend
The Root Cellar Cafe & Brewery
215 N LBJ DrThe second go-to place in San Marcos for a good meal in a unique setting. Parking can be a challenge.
Open 24 hours, has wild game dishes, as well as everything else. Known for brunch and eating after-hours. This place always seems to be thumping.
16 locals recommend
The Buzz Mill
194 S Guadalupe StOpen 24 hours, has wild game dishes, as well as everything else. Known for brunch and eating after-hours. This place always seems to be thumping.
Best courtyard in San Marcos for drinks. This is less of a student place and more of an upscale traditional fine-dining restaurant.
54 locals recommend
Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard
218 Moore StBest courtyard in San Marcos for drinks. This is less of a student place and more of an upscale traditional fine-dining restaurant.
I don't go here often enough. The food is always good and the prices are very reasonable.
Nostimo Mediterranean Cafe
141 South Main StreetI don't go here often enough. The food is always good and the prices are very reasonable.
Torchy's is an iconic Austin phenomenon. One of the best decks for outside eating.
1076 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StTorchy's is an iconic Austin phenomenon. One of the best decks for outside eating.
Italian Garden
415 N LBJ DrAwesome plentiful Italian food at great prices.
There are now two Garcia's. This is the original one, and I think the food is better here. Hands down most popular family-owned Mexican restaurant in San Marcos.
24 locals recommend
Garcia's
104 S Main StThere are now two Garcia's. This is the original one, and I think the food is better here. Hands down most popular family-owned Mexican restaurant in San Marcos.
It's like eating in a tree house. Good food. Moderate prices. Easy to walk to from University.
12 locals recommend
Grins Restaurant
802 N LBJ DrIt's like eating in a tree house. Good food. Moderate prices. Easy to walk to from University.
Pie Society
700 N LBJ DrUpscale gourmet pizza and salads in a very modern atmosphere.
Some people say that the Taproom has the best burgers in town. It's a fun place to grab drinks, play Trivia, etc.
19 locals recommend
Taproom
129 E Hopkins StSome people say that the Taproom has the best burgers in town. It's a fun place to grab drinks, play Trivia, etc.
Irish-styled food in an Irish pub. Great setting with patio and indoor bar.
12 locals recommend
Sean Patricks
202 E San Antonio StIrish-styled food in an Irish pub. Great setting with patio and indoor bar.
Decent, plentiful, cheap mexican food right off the river. Herbert's has been a San Marcos institution for as long as I can remember.
25 locals recommend
Herbert's Taco Hut
419 Riverside DrDecent, plentiful, cheap mexican food right off the river. Herbert's has been a San Marcos institution for as long as I can remember.
All of our BBQ places are fairly equal in my opinion. I listed this one because it's close to the house, and visitors seem to love it. He's from the famous BBQ family that hails out of Lockhart.
30 locals recommend
Black's Barbecue San Marcos
510 Hull StAll of our BBQ places are fairly equal in my opinion. I listed this one because it's close to the house, and visitors seem to love it. He's from the famous BBQ family that hails out of Lockhart.
Drinks & Nightlife
Zelick's is just right across the street. It is an outdoor beer garden, often has live music, and is very popular with both locals, as well as tourists doing the Hill Country Loop.
33 locals recommend
Zelicks Icehouse
336 W Hopkins StZelick's is just right across the street. It is an outdoor beer garden, often has live music, and is very popular with both locals, as well as tourists doing the Hill Country Loop.
Cheatham Street Warehouse
119 Cheatham StThis is where George Strait got his start.
This is a wine bar kind of tucked away on a Cheatham St. I am not a wine drinker, so I have never been, but friends tel me it is quite nice.
23 locals recommend
Patio Dolcetto
322 Cheatham StThis is a wine bar kind of tucked away on a Cheatham St. I am not a wine drinker, so I have never been, but friends tel me it is quite nice.
Rooftop on the Square
126 S Guadalupe StThis seems to be thumping all the time now.
I am putting Cafe in as a center point for the entire square. Almost all of San Marcos's nightlife occurs after 10pm in the myriad of bars that border the Square. Cafe is also a decent place to have breakfast.
13 locals recommend
Cafe on the Square
126 N LBJ DrI am putting Cafe in as a center point for the entire square. Almost all of San Marcos's nightlife occurs after 10pm in the myriad of bars that border the Square. Cafe is also a decent place to have breakfast.
Arts & Culture
Texas State University
601 University DrThis is the main central campus.
Performing Arts Center
430 Moon StTX State's University Theater
LBJ Museum
131 N Guadalupe StEntertainment & Activities
You can take a glass bottom boat ride, picnic, explore the nature trail...
Aquarena Center Ticket Kiosk
201 San Marcos Springs DriveYou can take a glass bottom boat ride, picnic, explore the nature trail...
Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park
1000 Prospect StTrain ride, caves, small amusement park.
Parks & Nature
San Marcos Lions Club Tube Rental
170 Charles Austin DriveRent a tube, float the San Marcos river.
The University-owned park right on the river. Sand volleyball, frisbee, swimming, laying out, etc. No dogs allowed.
22 locals recommend
Sewell Park
601 University DrThe University-owned park right on the river. Sand volleyball, frisbee, swimming, laying out, etc. No dogs allowed.
Ringtail Ridge Natural Area
1814 Ranch to Market 12Greenspace
Prospect Park
1414 Prospect StHiking in the green space area.
Swimming in the Blanco is a little bit warmer than the San Marcos.
19 locals recommend
Five Mile Dam Park
4440 Old Stagecoach RdSwimming in the Blanco is a little bit warmer than the San Marcos.
Dog Beach
400 University DrSwimming hole that has good access for dogs, kids and folks who like to go in slowly.
Schulle Canyon Natural Area
100 Ridgewood LnHiking in green space area.
This is my go-to natural area for mountain biking. People hike here a lot as well. Probably my favorite green space area in town. The waymark I included is an actual sundial in the park.
The Sundial
This is my go-to natural area for mountain biking. People hike here a lot as well. Probably my favorite green space area in town. The waymark I included is an actual sundial in the park.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area
2102 Hunter RoadHiking and biking in green space area.
Really great place to hang out in a park next to the river. This is where the tube chute/kayak course is located.
7 locals recommend
Rio Vista River Dam
Really great place to hang out in a park next to the river. This is where the tube chute/kayak course is located.
Essentials
H-E-B
641 E Hopkins StThis is the "Big HEB" -- has more stuff in it than the "Small HEB".
H-E-B
641 E Hopkins StThis is the "Little HEB" which gears more towards students. Less variety.
Shopping
Tanger Outlets San Marcos
4015 I-35 SouthThis is Outlet Mall Paradise.