Disclaimer: My trip was hosted by Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau during a Geiger & Associates press trip. All photos are mine.
In Fredericksburg, Texas, chefs at fine dining restaurants prepare menus using regionally sourced ingredients to create artfully plated meals that impress diners. Known for more than 60 wineries, the Hill Country town’s vineyards supply restaurants with varieties to pair with the chefs’ creations perfectly.
These reservation-worthy restaurants serve high-end cuisine with a dash of finery. If you’re interested in a cooking demonstration or hands-on cooking class, you’re also in luck.
Fredericksburg, Texas: Unforgettable Dining Experiences You Can’t Pass Up
Cabernet Grill: Texas-Inspired Fare
Indulge in a chef-prepared meal uniquely paired with a Texas wine at Cabernet Grill (2805 S. State Highway 16), where gourmet dining has generated rave reviews since 2002.
Chef and Owner Ross Burtwell’s menu includes a robust list of starters ranging from fork and knife salads to bacon-wrapped jalapeños, aka Texas Twinkies.
The dinner menu includes certified Angus beef steaks, field fowl, pork, and seafood entrees. For diners seeking a comforting meal prepared Texas-style, Bacon Wrapped Grilled Texas Quail is stuffed with pulled pork, cream cheese, and candied jalapeños with smoked strawberry glaze. It pairs exceptionally well with Ron Yates Tempranillo, one of over 30 wines served by the glass. And they know wine. Wine Enthusiast recognized Cabernet Grill as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants.
Seafood dishes using shrimp, flounder, and salmon offer heart-healthy menu options at dinnertime, while Lobster-Topped Chicken Fried Ribeye or Grilled Pork Tenderloin Medallions please indulgent eaters.
PRO TIP: Reserve a room at Cotton Gin Village, a rustic but refined on-site lodging facility – also available for reservations.
Vaudeville Bistro: Sophisticated Fine Dining
Vaudeville Bistro (230 E. Main Street) is where diners reserve a table to experience Chef Jordan Muraglia’s dinner fare that exceeds expectations. Like the definition of “vaudeville,” the menu selections are like a song and dance of flavor. And its interior complete with wood elements and leather furniture creates a comforting yet sophisticated aesthetic.
Caviar with créme fraîche, a cup of seafood-based soup, or shareable plates like charcuterie boards serve as starters. Duck confit, braised beef, grilled rack of lamb, and yellowfin tuna are featured entrees. For diners who prefer handheld pizza, their menu of artisanal pizzas includes pies made with high-end ingredients such as black truffles and spiced lamb.
PRO TIP: Lunch-goers should ask about daily specials unless they prefer to dine on one of their many gourmet sandwiches or a vegan power bowl. And if dessert is necessary, an assortment of macarons or s’mores are irresistible.
Alla Campagna: Chef-Led Italian Menu
Alla Campagna (342 W. Main Street), one of the newest reservation-worthy restaurants on the culinary scene, transports diners to Europe with cuisine characteristic of Italy led by Chef Adrian Cruz.
Guests who reserve a patio table can savor antipasti plates with a glass of sparkling wine surrounded by Tuscan-like stone walls and the sound of a hand-chiseled water fountain.
Diners can expect hearty portions of homemade pasta served under bolognese, gremolata, or ragu. Pollo con Capperi arrives at the table with a nest of bucatini pasta topped with succulent chicken breast, capers, anchovies, and pine nuts. And yes, they serve pizza, tiramisu, and gelato reminiscent of the kind you’d expect to find in Italy.
PRO TIP: Alla Campagna also serves lunch, distinguishing itself from some of the reservation-required Fredericksburg restaurants.
Otto’s: German-Inspired Farm-To-Table Meals
Another Fredericksburg restaurant, Otto’s (316 E. Austin Street) continues the tradition of fine dining using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, but their menu focuses on interpretations of Germanic and Austrian cuisine.
Klopse, an authentic German meatball appetizer, is served with caper gravy and beet jam. Mustard, mushrooms, and root vegetables make appearances in other appetizers.
At dinnertime, Chef Adam Yoho’s entreés featuring braised short ribs, schnitzel, trout, and bratwurst dominate the menu. Chicken Paprikash, Duck Schnitzel, and Vegetable Strudel demonstrate Chef Adama Yoho’s talents. The bistro’s Cambozola Cheesecake plated with a river of crème anglaise delights.
PRO TIP: The German bistro’s intimate setting requires reservations, especially for private dining events. Sunday Brunch guests are encouraged to do the same.
Fischer & Wieser: Cooking School with Class
Perhaps you’re seeking a more immersive fine dining experience? Fischer & Wieser Culinary Adventure Cooking School (1405 US-87 South) teaches the art of crafting dishes with farm-to-table ingredients and how to entertain guests. The multi-generational, family-owned business is a brand name with condiments and sauces finding their way to dining tables everywhere.
After the meal is prepared, students indulge in elevated fare at a beautifully decorated family-style dining room table. At private cooking classes of eight people or more, you can choose the menu and pace or select from existing menus.
If a group would prefer a cooking demonstration or private dinner rather than a hands-on class, interested parties can indicate their choice using an online request form submitted three weeks in advance. Eight menu selections range from French Bistro to Spanish Tapas.
More Things to Do and See in Fredericksburg
Award-winning restaurants, an almost endless winery trail, boutiques, and picture-worthy lodging make the town visit-worthy. After a first-time visit, you may not want to leave. Use my travel advice for more things to do and see Fredericksburg, Texas: A First-Timer’s Guide to Texas Hill Country Charm.
Incorporated in 1870, Wichita was a cattle drive destination where beef was king. Immigrant workers, hoping to escape economic hardship in their home countries, migrated to Wichita, taking jobs at meatpacking plants and railroad companies.
Wichitans, like 
I was the second customer of the day after Korean Garden opened its doors for the day, and a Korean woman behind the counter was taking to-go orders by phone and hurriedly packaging styrofoam containers. The grill sizzled in the kitchen as I placed my order, and she ushered me to my appointed table.
PRO TIP: You must order from the dinner entree menu on Saturdays. Bento Boxes are available during the week. Expect a $10 minimum purchase for credit card orders.
PRO TIP: 
For 20 minutes, I watched Fast & Furious from a nearby television while sipping a sweet Jamaican bottled soda. Then, the colorful seafood dish served with pickled cabbage and rice was delivered to my table by the owner.
PRO TIP: Strike up a conversation with the owner. Her love of Junction City is infectious, and her business story is admirable.
Rather than ordering a large entree, I opted for Veg Samosas, a fried pastry stuffed with diced potatoes, seasonings, and peas served with a thin yogurt-based sauce. Each deep-fried bite was piping hot, delivering a mild flavor. Two samosas per order are a light lunch, but you’d want to order more food for a substantial meal.
PRO TIP: 
After ordering at the counter, I sat listening to soul music play from a speaker in the dining room where families and downtown workers enjoyed lunch. A buzz with activity near the door, a steady stream of locals arrived to order to-go meals.
I ate every bite of my overflowing, messy hot dog. The sausage snapped with every bite, just as one would expect from an authentic Chicago hot dog.
Known for signature pizzas like Pesto Chicken and Flint Hills Burn, Mill Pizza serves a hearty, flavorful salad. I enjoyed each bite between sips of my beer while listening to patrons at neighboring barstools discuss their work day.
I was the only customer until more people arrived around 8:00 pm. My impression was that the lounge is known for serving a late-night, adult crowd, a sentiment the staff confirmed.
I was offered tastings of any ice cream and ultimately decided on Brown Sugar Maple in a small cup. 
I devoured avocado toast between sips of Reverie Coffee Roasters drip coffee by the fireplace. I recommend the scratch-made breakfast to anyone seeking a healthier meal option.
Amongst cutting boards and kitchenware, the store displays Finch + Fennel pantry staples. The jarred condiments, seasoning blends, and bottled barbecue sauces designed to make cooking at home effortless and enjoyable.
During my second visit to the center, I paused to admire the rehabilitated birds of prey housed outside before trekking the trail. 
Once on the trail, walkers gain access to an open-air pathway leading to learning stations. The information plaques detail types of wildlife and teach onlookers what to watch for during their hike.
PRO TIP: After exploring the Tallgrass Trail, spend a few minutes inside Milford Nature Center (donations encouraged). The education center consists of live animal exhibits, such as snakes, prairie dogs, lizards, and more.
A new art installation, JC Statues, continues to tell the story of the town’s history and its residents. Each one is painted by an individual artist, unveiling a theme represented by symbols and paint colors.
Museum staff and volunteers created three floors of thematic exhibits with relics of the county’s past to convey the story of Geary County.
They designed each exhibit a full sensory experience. You hear the sound of the locomotive pulling into station. Sniff History stations make a self-guided tour an immersive experience, and flip-to-learn-more installments test one’s knowledge of pioneer life.
PRO TIP: If you want to tour 
Whether you’re in the mood for on-the-water adventures or laid-back moments from a lounge chair, you’ve found the right place.
Elkhart Lake was once home to various hotels during its first 100 years. Now, tourists can choose from The Shore Club, Siebken’s Resort, and Osthoff Resort.
Open weave light fixtures, white-washed wood floors, and a neutral color palette added a Boho yet modern aesthetic to my room.
The Shore Club appeals to vacationers who seek a comfortable resort setting with on-site recreational options. A quaint lounge is a go-to space when enjoying complimentary grab-n-go breakfast items or coffee.
Every guest’s stay includes a massive arcade, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a life-sized chess game, and a private beach with access to their world-famous 
While walking the property, I discovered multiple seating areas under a canopy of towering trees with colorful hydrangeas growing nearby. A campfire comes stocked with wood for an evening s’mores session.
The Shore Club provides rentable bikes if you like cruising between resorts or surrounding neighborhoods. If you need to reserve water sports equipment, ask about kayaks.
Accessing crystal-clear Elkhart Lake is as easy as walking across the street to a sandy beach where lounge chairs and beach drinks await you. At the 
I recommend ordering the Elkhart Blue, a shaken cocktail of lemon rum, orange bitters, curaçao, and pineapple juice. The color matches the ocean-like color of the lake. It went down smoothly and was all too easy to drink.
The waterfront bar is an active music venue from May to September, Thursday to Sunday, serving drinks, local beers, and pub grub overlooking 600 feet of sandy beach.
The resort’s speakeasy lounge, 
I couldn’t resist sipping a cocktail from an oversized leather chair before a crackling fireplace.
If you’re traveling with children ages 4-10 years old, they’ll appreciate complimentary access to 
For younger couples or retirees in search of kid-free spaces to unwind, the Osthoff Resorts caters to you as well. Play a round of 18 holes of 
While I didn’t stay overnight at the resort, I did tour it and can vouch for its luxury. From the imported Irish wool carpet to the high-end dining options, The Osthoff Resort impresses.
Since 1916 when Herman and Laura Siebken opened its doors, the property has maintained its old world hospitality (aka Gemütlichkeit) while catering to today’s modern traveler.
Rentable condos and hotel rooms are coveted by returning guests, so it’s advisable to reserve your room before peak season. Each guest has access to a private beach and pier, outdoor pool and spa, the 
While I wasn’t an overnight guest at Siebkens Resort, I dined at its restaurant and toured the property. It’s a remarkable place.
At 120 feet deep, the 292 acre lake is legendary. Early settlers, the Potawatomi Indians, thought the water had healing, restorative powers.
PRO TIP: 
In the mid 1950s, Clif Tufte organized a group and built a permanent racecourse, 
If you want to get behind the wheel rather than watch a race at the track, the two-hour 
As a passenger, I laughed until my sides hurt. It was a thrilling, fun adventure and the ideal way to see fall foliage in the area.
PRO TIP: Road America is open outside of racing season offering karting, driving schools, disc golf, and group adventure programs. Don’t forget to buy a souvenir at 
During the Italian cooking class, I worked with a small group to prepare three recipes: Risotto with Asparagus, Chicken Marsala, and Strawberry Cannoli.
Chef Rodney equipped each prep station in advance so we could use the two-hour class to learn how to prep and cook food. He was patient and kind answering questions from students. And the meal? Scrumptious, and oh so fancy.
My $15 pre-loaded card easily provided several 1 oz to 3 oz pours during a one-hour tasting session. I appreciated the tasting notes between bites of chocolates or truffle crackers while lounging on a comfy couch.
PRO TIP: The retail section of the store is a gourmet foodie’s heaven.
The menu on the day of our group’s visit included fresh guacamole with ribeye, a savory beef birria taco with dipping broth, apple arugula salad tossed with chipotle vinaigrette salad, roasted potatoes, and tres leches French toast.
The food truck sits underneath a colorful canopy of Mexican party banners and adjacent to a vibrant mural painted by 
PRO TIP: You can order from Amasa’s menu inside Lake Street Cafe during the winter months. 
The place is abuzz with visitors and regulars from April through December.
The executive chef served our group a family-style meal of appetizers and Cesar salad while each of us choose a dinner entree.
PRO TIP: Ask about the bar’s selection of Wisconsin speciality cocktails and craft beers. Preview the
The newest owners of the resort make sure that every ingredient, every plating, and every menu choice delivers the best dining experience and the kitchen staff make it happen. During a dining experience, the waitstaff caters to anticipates your every need.
While a seven course meal is an exceptional dining experience at P.A.M.’s, it purpose was to showcase some of the chef’s best dishes. The first course consisted of house-catered Henninging’s fried Wisconsin cheese curds followed by Caprese Di Manzo prepared with beef tenderloin.
A small bowl of Tomato Bisque made with roasted San Marzano tomatoes, Wisconsin cream, and balsamic reduction made the second course worthwhile. Followed by the famous P.A.M.’s Salad consisting of leafy greens, roasted squash, goat cheese, onion, and Marcona almonds, the second course’s salad was perfectly tossed with Siebkens Dressing.
For the dinner course, guests chose between three specialty entrees. My choice? Prime Rib presented with roasted broccolini on a bed of au jus and creamy horseradish. My tastebuds danced with each bite.
I couldn’t eat another bite when the final course, a plate of brownie bites, arrived. The meal was as memorable as it was delightful.
The tavern’s menu serves food Thursday-Sunday (hours vary) and the bar is open late. But you won’t find standard bar food at the Stop-Inn Tavern.
Menu items like Smoked Salmon Salad, Tacos de Hongo, and the infamous Siebkens Sandwich made with deli meat piled high with all the fixing on freshly baked sliced bread keep guests returning.
At 
With windows facing Elkhart Lake, our group savored lobster bisque, Caesar salad, and dinner entreés from a nice-looking dining room.
For dinner, I chose a perfectly seared 12 0z. ribeye plated on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes served with seasonal vegetables. The meal and the dinner service were impeccable.
They offer a wide range of body treatments and facials, and their newest Salt Therapy Room is considered one of the best in the country.
The 
Located near crystal-clear Elkhart Lake with views of cedar trees, the award-winning spa provides a serene setting to turn off the world’s chaos and unwind.
Use 
And you’ll find more than puffy jackets and flannel shirts for sale. Elkhart Lake Outfitters stocks everything from cookbooks and candles to bath salts and souvenirs.
PRO TIP: Plan to spend at least 30 minutes pursuing the shelves and racks.
Operated by a husband and wife duo, the property showcases each of their life-long talents.
PRO TIP: The gallery is open September – November on Friday and Saturdays and 
The boutique also sells the Aspira Spa Signature Product Line. If you love the body and facial products used in a spa treatment, purchase them to take home with you.
Not only is the operation led by a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker, 
