TRIBEZA’s Guide to Dripping Springs
Just 25 miles west of Austin, Dripping Springs is best known as the “Wedding Capital of Texas” and a Hill Country hotspot for breweries, distilleries and wineries. For those drawn to the area’s natural beauty, Reimers Ranch offers scenic hiking trails, while Hamilton Pool — one of the region’s most beloved swimming holes — sits just north, with its spring-fed, crystal-clear water providing the perfect place to cool off and unwind.
Where to eat
Abby Jane Bakeshop
16604 Fitzhugh Road Unit C, Dripping Springs, TX
Abby Jane Bakeshop has become a Central Texas favorite for its pastries, breads and sweets, all made with stone-milled flours ground fresh each week at Barton Springs Mill next door. The menu ranges from croissants and kolaches to quiches, sandwiches, cookies and doughnuts, plus seasonal specials that often sell out before noon. Owner Abby Love, a veteran of Austin’s restaurant scene and former pastry chef at Dai Due, runs the shop with a focus on sustainability and local sourcing. Visitors can also purchase flour from Barton Springs Mill, making it a convenient stop after one of the mill’s baking classes.
Tillie’s
3509 Creek Road, Dripping Springs, TX
A converted chapel, now a New American restaurant, is a visual feast of colorful tiles, carved beams, glittering chandeliers, wooden statues tucked into alcoves, plush velvet and leather banquettes, and a sleek marble bar. Set within the luxury Camp Lucy Resort, the setting feels as transportive as the menu, which draws influences from Italy, Spain, France, Japan, India and beyond. On Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the restaurant also offers an elegant afternoon tea, featuring a three-tiered spread of English scones, finger sandwiches, sweets, premium teas and sparkling wine.
Crepe Crazy
660 W 290 Hwy, 660B US-290, Dripping Springs, TX
This deaf-owned, mom-and-pop crepe house serves up sweet and savory fillings in a cozy roadside cabin. The menu has something for everyone, with options for vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free diners. While best known for their soft, flavorful crepes, they also offer sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries. Drinks range from coffee and tea to milkshakes and smoothies. And while they’ve expanded to more locations, including South Lamar, the Dripping Springs brick-and-mortar remains the original.
Pig Pen BBQ
301 US-290, Dripping Springs, TX
A local favorite, Pig Pen BBQ has spent 20 years perfecting rubs and smoking techniques, serving up Texas-style meats like brisket, ribs and pulled pork alongside classic sides such as potato salad, coleslaw, green beans and mac and cheese. The juicy, tender brisket is the star, but the pork ribs and spicy sausage are equally worth ordering. What sets the restaurant apart is its fusion-inspired “Mexi-Que” menu, with tacos, nachos, fajitas and burritos rounding out the lineup. Be sure to save room for their homemade banana pudding. After all, what more could a Texan ask for than banana pudding for dessert, chips and queso to start, and a plate of barbecue in between?
Where to drink
Twisted X Brewing Company
23455 Ranch to Market Road 150, Dripping Springs, TX
This brewery and taproom is known for its small-batch craft beers and an easygoing, family- and dog-friendly atmosphere. The lineup spans lagers, IPAs and ales, with tasting flights available for those looking to sample a range of styles. The space feels welcoming and relaxed, making it an ideal spot for sunny afternoons spent on the shaded patio with a beer in hand and lawn games nearby.
Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room
2250 US-290, Dripping Springs, TX
Named after Austin’s iconic Deep Eddy Pool, Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room offers a laid-back setting to sample locally crafted spirits. While vodka can be polarizing, the distillery’s lineup of flavored expressions — including lemon, ruby red grapefruit and pineapple — tends to win people over. Guests can visit and tour the facility during its Wednesday-through-Sunday hours or book experiences such as cocktail classes and private tastings. It offers plenty of outdoor seating, yard games, and a BBQ food truck on site.
12 Fox Beer Co.
4700 W Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs, TX
Veteran-owned craft brewpub 12 Fox Beer Co. offers small-batch beers made with single-sourced malt and European-inspired techniques. The rotating, seasonal tap list is complemented by wine, cider, hop water and nonalcoholic options. Family- and dog-friendly, the taproom features a shaded outdoor space with rotating burger and Mediterranean food trucks.
Bell Springs Winery & Brewery
3700 Bell Springs Road, Dripping Springs, TX
Bell Springs Winery & Brewery offers the best of both worlds, serving handcrafted wines alongside small-batch beers in a relaxed, family- and dog-friendly setting. The tree-shaded grounds have a peaceful, park-like feel. It’s an easygoing spot to settle in with a wine or beer flight paired with a charcuterie board and linger awhile.
Where to stay
Camp Lucy
3509 Creek Road, Dripping Springs, TX
This boutique luxury hotel doubles as a storybook wedding venue, offering resort-style accommodations and suites designed with bold color, layered prints and antique details. The estate features a vineyard, spa, pool and on-site restaurant, with sweeping views of the Texas Hill Country and Onion Creek, creating a setting that feels both lavish and transportive.
Lucky Arrow Retreat
3600 Bell Springs Road, Dripping Springs, TX
Tucked between sprawling ranch land, this Hill Country glamping retreat offers a quiet place to unplug amid pasture views and winding country roads, less than 30 minutes from Pedernales Falls State Park. Set on 15 acres, the pet-friendly property pairs camping-style cabins and tents with hotel comforts, including heated pools with cabanas, a beer garden, restaurant, walking trails and park-style grills and fire pits. Each accommodation includes Wi-Fi, heating and air conditioning, plus a microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker for a comfortable escape.
The Yurtopian Dripping Springs
7000 McGregor Lane, Dripping Springs, TX
For a romantic, off-the-grid escape, The Yurtopian offers a private Hill Country retreat designed for rest and seclusion. Each yurt includes a king-size bed, hot tub, fire pit and a private rooftop deck with sweeping views across the Texas Hill Country. The 46-acre, dog-friendly property also features a central lodge with an indoor fireplace, outdoor fire pits, a covered porch, an open-air pavilion and access to a shaded wet-weather creek with grassy lawns and a hiking loop.
Natural Escapes
Reimers Ranch Park
23610 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, TX
Rugged and unpretentious, Milton Reimers Ranch Park is a draw for hikers, climbers and paddlers seeking wide-open Hill Country terrain. Limestone bluffs rise above a spring-fed river canyon, where kayakers drift past boulders and trail runners wind through scrub oak and rocky switchbacks.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, TX
Just a short drive away, Hamilton Pool Preserve offers one of Central Texas’s most striking natural swimming holes. Emerald water spills into a collapsed grotto framed by limestone overhangs, creating a cool, shaded escape on hot summer days.