Plan Your Stay
You’re here to slow down and enjoy New Braunfels, not research it. We’ve gathered our favorite local restaurants, wine bars, dessert spots, and things to do — all within a short walk or quick drive from Sophie’s Gasthaus. Treat this like your weekend itinerary.
Eat & Drink
From sunrise coffee to late-night jazz, every great stay starts with good taste. Here are a few of our favorite spots — all just moments from Sophie’s Gasthaus.
Naegelin’s Bakery – The oldest bakery in Texas, serving strudel, kolaches, and a taste of history since 1868. A must for a true New Braunfels morning.
Crosswalk Coffeehouse & Café – A charming corner spot with scratch-made pastries, light breakfast plates, and locally roasted coffee — all just a short stroll downtown.
Fork & Spoon – Family-owned and welcoming, with generous breakfast classics and their famous German pancakes. Always bustling, always warm.
Buttermilk Café – Southern comfort meets Hill Country charm. From fluffy biscuits to lemon ricotta pancakes, everything feels like home-cooked perfection.
El Nopalito – Classic Tex-Mex breakfast tacos and fresh tortillas made daily. Simple, authentic, and delicious — a true local staple.
Muck & Fuss – Upscale-casual burgers, creative cocktails, and a fun, open-air atmosphere just down the street from Sophie’s.
Huisache Grill – Hill Country comfort meets refined dining. Seasonal menus, twinkle lights, and one of the prettiest patios in town.
Pat’s Place – A local staple for generations. Classic comfort food, friendly faces, and that old-school charm that feels like home.
Union Station Diner – Retro diner energy, hearty plates, and breakfast-all-day favorites. Great for families or laid-back evenings.
Cravings – Fresh, casual, and close by. Sandwiches, soups, and healthy plates made with love by locals.
Myron’s Steakhouse – A classic Texas steakhouse housed in a historic 1920s movie theater. Perfect for celebrations or slow, indulgent evenings.
Cody’s Bistro & Lounge – Elevated dining with a modern twist. Inventive plates, cozy atmosphere, and a refined bar program for lingering late.
Sidecar – Hidden beneath Prince Solms Inn, this speakeasy serves candlelight, live jazz, and classic cocktails with Prohibition-era charm.
Cowboys & Cadillacs – Rooftop views, two-stepping, and modern country energy. Grab a drink, catch a show, and take in the Hill Country skyline.
The Clubhouse – Stylish but easygoing sports lounge with craft cocktails, billiards, and plenty of TVs. Great for groups or a casual nightcap.
Downtown Social – Bowling, pizza, and cocktails all in one place. A high-energy night out just a few minutes from Sophie’s Gasthaus.
The Downtowner – Retro-cool restaurant and bar serving elevated comfort food and craft drinks in a historic downtown building.
Moonshine & Ale – Late-night fun, live DJs, and creative cocktails. The place to go when you want a lively crowd and Texas energy.
Mozie’s – Located in historic Gruene, serving casual bites, signature cocktails, and cold beer just steps from Gruene Hall.
Sweets & Treats
The Cake Bar & The Crosswalk – Sister spots serving up decadent cakes, cozy coffee, and homemade breakfast pastries. A favorite for locals with a sweet tooth.
2 Tarts Bakery – Bright and whimsical downtown bakery known for handcrafted cakes, cookies, and their famous homemade “Pop-Tarts.”
Scoop Street Ice Cream – Small-batch ice cream and inventive seasonal flavors, all made locally. Perfect for a warm afternoon stroll.
Le Citron – A French-inspired café offering espresso, pastries, and elegant desserts that feel straight out of Provence.
Naegelin’s Bakery – Texas’ oldest bakery, serving strudel, kolaches, and history since 1868 — a must-stop near Main Plaza.
New Braunfels Farmers Market – Saturday mornings under the oaks: local coffee, artisan pastries, fresh flowers, and the friendly hum of a New Braunfels weekend.
The Gristmill (Desserts in Gruene) – End your evening on a sweet note with a slice of their famous fudge pie or giant strawberry shortcake overlooking the river.
The Local & The Heritage – Texas-proud apparel, gifts, and New Braunfels/Comal River merch with actual taste. Great for “we should bring something home.”
Red Stag – Classic masculine outfitter energy: leather, barware, vintage-leaning décor. Feels like the Hill Country in shop form.
Staunch Traditional Outfitters – Graphic tees, hats, and Texas-outdoors lifestyle gear with personality. Locals wear it. Visitors take it home.
Natty – Sweet children’s boutique full of tiny clothes, toys, and gifts that make parents say “oh my gosh, look at this.”
Currents – Modern home décor and tableware with a Hill Country feel. Great stop if you love hosting, tablescapes, or pretty kitchens.
Lot 59 – Western-leaning boutique with denim, boots, hats, fringe, and attitude. Very “we’re here for the weekend.”
Got Toys – Toy store that feels like childhood. Bright, a little chaotic, and absolutely magical if you’ve got kids with you (or you’re shopping for them).
Chloe Rose – Boutique clothing and accessories with a soft, feminine, weekend-in-the-Hill-Country vibe.
La Belle Vie – French-inspired gifts, décor, and entertaining pieces. Think linen napkins, little luxuries, and hostess-perfect finds.
Shop Drift – Neutral, coastal-leaning clothing and accessories with an easy, breezy, Austin-meets-river energy.
River Rose – Trendy, colorful boutique style — fun, flirty and a little bit bold. Great for last-minute “I need something cute for tonight.”
Shopping & Strolling
Downtown / Main Plaza
Wild Bloom Market – Fresh flowers, curated gifts, and beautiful little things you absolutely did not plan to buy but suddenly need.
The Local & The Heritage – Texas-proud apparel, gifts, and New Braunfels/Comal River merch with actual taste. Great for “we should bring something home.”
Red Stag – Classic masculine outfitter energy: leather, barware, vintage-leaning décor. Feels like the Hill Country in shop form.
Staunch Traditional Outfitters – Graphic tees, hats, and Texas-outdoors lifestyle gear with personality. Locals wear it. Visitors take it home.
Natty – Sweet children’s boutique full of tiny clothes, toys, and gifts that make parents say “oh my gosh, look at this.”
Currents – Modern home décor and tableware with a Hill Country feel. Great stop if you love hosting, tablescapes, or pretty kitchens.
Lot 59 – Western-leaning boutique with denim, boots, hats, fringe, and attitude. Very “we’re here for the weekend.”
Got Toys – Toy store that feels like childhood. Bright, a little chaotic, and absolutely magical if you’ve got kids with you (or you’re shopping for them).
Chloe Rose – Boutique clothing and accessories with a soft, feminine, weekend-in-the-Hill-Country vibe.
La Belle Vie – French-inspired gifts, décor, and entertaining pieces. Think linen napkins, little luxuries, and hostess-perfect finds.
Shop Drift – Neutral, coastal-leaning clothing and accessories with an easy, breezy, Austin-meets-river energy.
River Rose – Trendy, colorful boutique style — fun, flirty and a little bit bold. Great for last-minute “I need something cute for tonight.”
The Pomegranate – Hill Country boutique with women’s + youth clothing, boots, jewelry, and beautiful everyday pieces. Soft, stylish, a little Western, very “weekend in Gruene.”
Tipsy Gypsy Boutique – Trendy women’s boutique energy: hats, boots, denim, going-out tops. Easy to grab “something cute for tonight” before music at Gruene Hall.
Gruene Boot Company – Boots, leather, and Texas accessories. Classic Hill Country style, perfect if you came without boots and now you suddenly “need” boots.
The Great Texas Pecan Candy Company – Pralines, fudge, candied pecans, and Texas sweets to take home (if they make it that far). Great little stop between shopping and catching live music.
Buck Pottery / Local Pottery Studios – Hand-thrown Texas pottery, functional art, and one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces. Beautiful for gifting or for that “we actually found this in Gruene” story.
Gruene Haus – Wine, gifts, Texas-made goodies, and a relaxed “walk around with a glass and browse” feel. Easy, unhurried, exactly what Gruene weekends are for.
Gruene Historic District
Gruene General Store – A Texas time capsule. Homemade fudge, nostalgic candy, sodas, quirky gifts, and souvenirs in an 1878 general store that still feels like the Old Gruene.
The Pomegranate – Hill Country boutique with women’s + youth clothing, boots, jewelry, and beautiful everyday pieces. Soft, stylish, a little Western, very “weekend in Gruene.”
Tipsy Gypsy Boutique – Trendy women’s boutique energy: hats, boots, denim, going-out tops. Easy to grab “something cute for tonight” before music at Gruene Hall.
Gruene Boot Company – Boots, leather, and Texas accessories. Classic Hill Country style, perfect if you came without boots and now you suddenly “need” boots.
The Great Texas Pecan Candy Company – Pralines, fudge, candied pecans, and Texas sweets to take home (if they make it that far). Great little stop between shopping and catching live music.
Buck Pottery / Local Pottery Studios – Hand-thrown Texas pottery, functional art, and one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces. Beautiful for gifting or for that “we actually found this in Gruene” story.
Gruene Haus – Wine, gifts, Texas-made goodies, and a relaxed “walk around with a glass and browse” feel. Easy, unhurried, exactly what Gruene weekends are for.
Pro tip: Park once in Gruene and wander — boutiques, wine, sweets, and Gruene Hall are all within a couple of blocks of each other.
Slow mornings, local flavor, lazy shopping, live music, nightcaps under string lights. Here’s how to spend a perfect day — all starting at Sophie’s Gasthaus.
Your Weekend, Curated
Slow Down & Wander
Sophie’s Courtyard & Pool – Morning coffee, afternoon champagne, and unhurried time under the string lights. This is why you booked here.
Float the Comal – Spring-fed, clear, and calm. Rent a tube, drift, let the day do what it wants.
In-Room Moments – Celebrating something? Ask us about chilled bubbles or flowers waiting in your suite when you arrive.
Stay Walkable – Park once and forget your keys. Dining, drinks, music, and shops are right here.
Main Plaza Boutiques – Antiques, gifts, and “I wasn’t planning to buy this but I love it” finds, all walkable from Sophie’s.
Gruene Historic District – Hill Country shops, live music, and old-town character. About 10 minutes from Sophie’s.
Landa Park – Shaded paths, water, and a quiet morning walk with coffee. Classic New Braunfels.
Helpful Notes
Hours and menus change — especially in the off-season. We always recommend calling ahead for dinner reservations on weekends.
New Braunfels is very walkable from Sophie’s, but rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are easy if you don’t want to walk in heels.
Floating the river is seasonal and weather-dependent. Ask us if you’re planning to float in cooler months.
If you’re celebrating something (birthday, engagement weekend, girls’ trip): tell us. We’re happy to help stage something in your room.