TRIBEZA’s Guide to a Weekend in Lockhart
Looking for a small town getaway? Take a quick trip to Lockhart for shopping, barbecue and drinks. Find our favorite spots below to make the most of your time in town!
The Original Black’s BBQ
215 North Main St.
For over 90 years, The Original Black’s Barbecue has served more than 50 million guests in Lockhart, a town that is long considered to be the barbecue capital of Texas. The five-generation family maintains their tradition of Texas-style barbecue and southern hospitality to this day. Enjoy lunch or dinner with delicious slow-smoked barbecue and if you’re feeling peachy, add cobbler to accompany your order.
Commerce Cafe
118 South Commerce St.
Chefs and co-owners Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley, of Austin’s Foreign and Domestic, opened Commerce Cafe in 2020, creating a comfortable and cozy space that offers up mouth-watering meals made from seasonal and local ingredients. Complete your entertaining night out with live music at Commerce Hall, an event space housed just upstairs of the café!
Big Bob’s Bowling
119 S Main St.
From the founders of Terry Black’s Barbecue, Big Bob’s Bowling brings retro lanes, a full bar and an all-day menu to Lockhart. Open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, it serves everything from green chile queso and brisket Philly sandwiches to hand-spun shakes and more. Stop by for a game or two, a casual meal or both.
Dr. Eugene Clark Library
217 South Main St.
Dr. Eugene Clark Library is the oldest continuously operating library in Texas. It is abounding with a remarkable collection of books for readers to enjoy. The library’s mission is to create an environment for people of all ages to pursue fulfillment and discover a love for reading. This is an ideal spot for families to spend an afternoon, as the library offers programming specifically designed for children and teens.
Chaparral Coffee
106 East Market St.
Pop by and meet many Lockhart neighbors at Chaparral Coffee in the town’s Historic Downtown Square. This is the spot if you’re looking for a laidback space to sit back and relax with a delicious iced latte. Chaparral Coffee also carries teas and kombucha on draft for the non-coffee drinkers and delectable hot plates for breakfast and lunch.
Lockhart State Park
2012 State Park Road
The beautiful Lockhart State Park is nestled deep in the trees of Caldwell County. Located within driving distance of Austin, it is an ideal day-trip destination for golf, swimming, hiking, and camping. At night, take in the gorgeous waterfall flowing over a dam and relax underneath a sky of Texas stars in this amazing outdoor space.
Kreuz Market
619 North Colorado St.
The first meat market in Lockhart was purchased in 1900 by Charles Kreuz Sr., thus becoming Kreuz Market, which still remains a landmark destination in town. With a deep local legacy and more than a century of flavor behind it, Kreuz Market brings the smoke with top-quality meat that is simply seasoned and smoked to perfection. Starting every day at 10:30 a.m., guests are invited to enjoy this delicious barbecue and sausage in a casual cafeteria-like setting.
Gaslight-Baker Theatre
216 South Main St.
Sit back, grab a snack and watch a performance at the Gaslight-Baker Theatre, a nonprofit community organization and historic theater all in one. The venue itself has served as a movie theater and performing arts theater since its founding in 1920. Today, the Gaslight-Baker Theatre organization offers spring break camp, several summer camps, and adult education workshops on top of their seasonal performances and shows.
Best Little Wine & Books
210 W San Antonio St.
Step through the hot pink door of Best Little Wine & Books for bottles selected by owner and certified wine professional Kaye Askins, plus a welcome from the shop’s small, scruffy “hospitality specialist,” Chicken Hawkins. Enjoy a glass from the rotating wine list, order a snack from the kitchen and browse books by some of the food and beverage industry’s best-known professionals.
The Culinary Room
101 East San Antonio St.
Three words: Famous. Banana. Pudding. Home to the most decadent dessert in all of Lockhart, The Culinary Room is a grocery store, bakery and specialty food shop where visitors can indulge in chef-prepared meals, grab-and-go items and gourmet goods. Stop in to grab a delicious meal or inquire about catering for your next event.
Smitty’s Market
208 South Commerce St.
With an expansive history in downtown Lockhart, Smitty’s Market is an acclaimed barbecue spot offering meats fresh from the smoker in a no-frills space. The family-owned eatery has expanded over the years, but remains a local favorite. And if you’d rather cook a meal at home, Smitty’s has a fresh meat department with take-home options.
Commerce Gallery
102 South Commerce St.
Set inside a historic building on Lockhart’s town square, Commerce Gallery showcases rotating exhibitions of contemporary work, with a strong focus on Texas artists. The gallery is also home to artist-in-residence Christopher St. Leger and hosts lively First Friday openings each month. Stop in to browse paintings, sculptures and other works from across the region.
Loop & Lil’s Pizza
107 North Main St.
Loop & Lil’s Pizza is this town’s go-to family-style pizzeria serving up delicious hand-tossed pizzas, hot sandwiches and a full bar. Although the kitchen closes at 10 p.m., the bar stays open until midnight, making Loop & Lil’s a weekend hotspot for catching up with friends over drinks and a great pie.
La Cantera Mexican Restaurant
119 East Walnut St.
La Cantera Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned and operated establishment, offering homemade and authentic Mexican food with delicious drinks. Happy hour is held from 3 to 5 p.m., and there’s a special every day. On Taco Tuesday, diners can order two-item breakfast tacos for just 99 cents, and for Thursday lunch, try a Flautas Plate for only $6.99.
Chisholm Trail BBQ
1323 South Colorado St.
Chisholm Trail BBQ is where the locals eat. With a combined three decades of pitmaster experience, their barbecue is recognizable, compelling diners to return for a meal time after time. Chisholm Trail offers daily specials, worldwide shipping and catering for special events.
Old Pal Bar
100 East Market St.
Located on Lockhart Square, this corner beer joint and Texas tavern serves classic house-made food items like fried chicken, drop biscuits, smash burgers and more. With honky tonk music on the regular and “the coldest beer in Texas” on tap, travelers should stop in at Old Pal Bar for a true Lockhart experience.
Golden Hour
115 W San Antonio St.
No trip to Lockhart is complete without a little vintage shopping, and Golden Hour is one of our favorite places to browse. The boutique stocks vintage and handmade clothing, artisan jewelry, home decor, gifts and a few delightfully mystical extras like tarot cards and incense. Head to the back of the shop to find Colossus Books, a used bookstore with a collection well worth lingering over.
Barbs B Q
102 E Market St.
Barbs B Q is one of Lockhart’s newer barbecue destinations, but it has already earned major recognition, including a MICHELIN Guide nod and a 2025 Young Chef Award for pitmaster Chuck Charnichart. The pale pink menus and playful details are charming, but the brisket, sausages and inventive sides are what keep the line stretching around the block. Barbs is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until sold out, so arrive early and come hungry.