Part of what makes Round Top so magical is how it manages to pack so much variety into about 640 acres. The population of Texas’ smallest incorporated town may be only 87, but its overflowing with personality. And every year, there’s more to discover. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Round Top spots to eat, drink, shop, stay and have a good time.
WHERE TO SHOP
Townsend Provisions
Located in walkable downtown Round Top, Townsend Provisions is the quintessential boutique gift shop that you’ll tell all your friends to visit when they come through town. Gorgeous clothing, cheeky greeting cards, quality candles, and cute kitchen essentials are its specialties, and it even has an upstairs dedicated to vintage cowboy boots. Find them online at townsendprovisions.com.
The Horseshoe
Located across from the Marburger Farm Antiques Show, The Horseshoe is the brainchild of artist Ryan Buenning: a huge space that still feels perfectly curated, with sought-after artists and vendors like Prize Home + Garden, Teresa Foglia, Tollgate Revival, The West Place, Chad Kilgore, Iron Rodeo and many more. Find @thehorseshoeroundtop on Instagram to see what’s new this fall.
Humble Donkey
Artist John Lowrey’s paintings are infused with the Round Top spirit—fun, funky and a little loud, but in a good way. Humble Donkey is the gallery space and gift shop he owns with wife Laurie in the heart of downtown Henkel Square. There you’ll find Lowrey’s big, colorful original paintings of Texas fauna, flora and people as well as prints, mugs, magnets and more with his designs. Check out the online gallery at humbledonkeystudio.com.
Modern Marla
These are not your grandma’s thrift store finds. Modern Marla specializes in luxury consignment, bringing the best upscale vintage to Round Top shoppers. Think beautiful-condition vintage womenswear, handbags, jewelry and shoes from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Miu Miu, Golden Goose and more—often new with tags. Find @mod_about_marla on Instagram to have a look.
Thunderbird Hats
In our opinion, having a great hat is essential to the Round Top experience. To find the perfect handmade western hat, stop in at Thunderbird Hats at The 550 Market, where you can pursue a seemingly limitless selection of styles. Find @thunderbirdhats on Instagram to see for yourself.
Sapana
Stepping into Sapana is setting foot in another world, with its dreamy colors and patterns straight from Nepal and India. Sapana works with global artisans to showcase their talent and to give back by supporting charities that fight human trafficking in those countries and others. You’ll feel good wearing their bright, beautiful apparel. Find them at sapanadreams.com.
The 550 Market
Located between the original Round Top Dance Hall and SD’s Roadhouse, The 550 Market is the perfect place to have fun while you shop. Its 21 highly curated indoor retail spaces blend fashion, western, home style and art, with vendors like Rockabilly Baroness, Thunderbird Hats, Browe Dzgn and more. They’re @the550market on Instagram.
Round Top Village
One of Round Top’s newest hot spots is Round Top Village, a collection of eclectic, quaint specialty shops offering everything from women’s wardrobe staples to hand-poured candles, exotic linens to local handcrafted jewelry, jaw-dropping antique furniture to original art, and everything in between. Keep up with their vendors at roundtopvillage.com.
WHERE TO STAY
Liesel Farm
Rent your own little slice of Aix-en-Provence at Liesel Farm. You’ll feel like you’re in the French countryside in one of their farmhouse properties that blend French traditional aesthetics with contemporary amenities. View their gorgeous venue and accommodations at lieselfarm.com.
Rancho Pillow
Calling Rancho Pillow Round Top’s “wonderland retreat” is an understatement. The 20-acre compound is made up of unique properties inspired by the vintage, funky vibe of Round Top. Stay in the colorful, bohemian Love Shack, the beachside bungalow-inspired Surf Shack, the sanctum of the king-sized teepee or any of their eclectic, themed homes. View them all at ranchopillow.com.
The 303
Located in the heart of Round Top, The 303 is a modern rustic haven for those wanting to get closer to the town’s artists, makers and creators. The venue houses several themed-rooms, like the Westward Elderflower and the Southern Tranquility rooms, and is home to three shop spaces specializing in Texas-made jewelry, apparel and crafts as well as antiques. Learn more at the303roundtop.com.
The Vintage Hideaway
Located only four miles from Historic Round Top, The Vintage Hideaway’s collection of cozy cottages is retro-inspired, but with comfy amenities. Plus, there’s a bar and wine garden onsite so you can enjoy those fall sunsets with a drink in hand. Find them online at thevintagehideaway.com.
The Frenchie
Staying at the Frenchie is an experience every Round Top enthusiast deserves. Walking distance from gorgeous downtown, the Frenchie is comprised of three buildings: a circa 1890s farmhouse, a cottage of the same vintage and an art studio built in recent years in the style of an earlier time, with newly renovated pool bungalows. Enjoy a glass of wine on the porch or catch a beautiful country sunset from the pool and hot tub. Book your stay at roundtophotels.com.
Lone Star Glamp Inn
The Lone Star Glamp Inn has perfected the art of “glamping.” The self-proclaimed “for the indoorsy type” venue boasts 11 vintage “glampers,” or gorgeously refurbished campers and trailers, as well as 18 themed teepees, with the comfort of air conditioning, big-screen televisions, outdoor seating, wifi and more amenities. See for yourself at lonestarglampinn.com.
Red Antler Bungalows
On the edge of town, along the banks of Boggy Branch Creek, find a quiet reprieve from the Round Top hubbub in one of Red Antler’s stunning bungalows. Red Antler co-creator Greg Frutiger spent a decade in New York working for Donna Karan Home and Calvin Klein Home and opening boutiques for Carolina Herrera, and it shows in these chic bungalows that are full of personality. Book your stay at redantlerroundtop.com.
Hotel Lulu
Escape the bustle of downtown without forfeiting the convenient location at Hotel Lulu, a boutique hotel just off the historic Round Top square designed to be a sanctuary from the hubbub. You can still walk to many of the town’s charming restaurants and shops, then come home and relax by the pool or in the herb garden. Reserve your room at hotellulutx.com.
WHERE TO EAT
Duo Modern at Market Hill
This season, Market Hill’s raved-about restaurant Duo Modern has a whole new vibe: new menu, new layout, new cocktails, same beautiful and inviting place to take a break from exploring Round Top. New Executive Chef Glenn Walton has built a menu around wood-grilled meats, vibrant garden fare, rustic breads and shareable plates—honest food with real soul and Texas roots. See more at markethillroundtop.com/the-restaurant-at-market-hill, or make a reservation by calling (979) 203-7053.
Lulu’s
According to Lulu’s, its three most important ingredients are “love, pasta and magic.” Lulu’s is elegant, classic, gourmet Italian fare in a gorgeous setting in the heart of historic Round Top. And the fine dining doesn’t stop at dinner; Lulu’s serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. Find their mouthwatering menu at lullustx.com.
Royer’s Round Top Cafe
Royer’s Round Top Cafe is a Round Top staple, serving gourmet comfort food and famous pies for over 35 years. Located just a stone’s throw from Henkel Square, it’s the perfect jumping off point for visiting historic Round Top with a full belly. Peruse the menu at royerscafe.com.
Royer’s Pie Haven
Want a slice of Royer’s famous pie, but don’t have time to linger? Grab a slice to-go from Royer’s Pie Haven, located at Henkel Square. The Sweet n’ Salty pie, a medley of chocolate brownie, caramel and sea salt, is one of our favorite flavors. Pick your pie at royerspiehaven.com.
The Garden Co.
Fresh, thoughtful plates are the focus at The Garden Co., and refreshing cocktails are high on the list, too. Energizing salads and intriguing starters lead to hearty mains, including Kobe beef burgers, blackened salmon and bone-in pork chops. Wash it down with a Round Top Paloma or a Ranch Water. Find the full menu at thegardencoandcafe.com.
The Little Cheese Shop
Just in the mood for a nibble? Stop into The Little Cheese Shop on Henkel Square and order a charcuterie plate or choose from their impressive selection of premium cheeses that pair perfectly with a glass of wine on their porch overlooking the square. Find @littlecheeseshoproundtop on Instagram.
Round Top Brewing and Kitchen
More than good local beer, Round Top Brewing and Kitchen offers a regularly special dish that hits the spot. High-quality ingredients are paired up in a casual, inviting environment. Find the full menu at roundtopbrewing.com.
JW’s Steakhouse
It’s not a trip to Texas (though county) without a Texas steak. In nearby Carmine, you’ll find the perfect cut at JW’s Steakhouse, serving mesquite-fired Angus beef steaks and burgers. It also has a generous seafood menu if you’re feeling a little surf with your turf. Find out more at jw-steakhouse.com.
Boon & Company
Enjoy the airy atmosphere, farm fresh dining options and craft cocktails, then peruse their pop-up market at Boon & Company. See more at boonandcompany.com.
WHERE TO DRINK
Duo Modern at Market Hill
This fall, Duo Modern’s cocktail program has been reimagined with Texas spirits, seasonal fruit infusions and house-made mixers. Have a drink at the stylish lounge area, or if you’re having too much fun to sit still, you’re welcome to walk Market Hill with a cocktail, beer or wine in hand. It’s part of what makes the Market Hill experience so special. Learn more at markethillroundtop.com/the-restaurant-at-market-hill.
Ellis Motel
Ellis Motel at Henkel Square is an iconic Round Top watering hole. The Ellis Motel Lounge and Emporium is an eclectic mix of art and furniture in one of the best little dive bars in Texas. Check out its endearing backstory at ellismotel.com.
Round Top Brewing and Kitchen
Beer enthusiasts must stop at Round Top Brewing and Kitchen for a pint. Their house-made brews rotate with the seasons, and when the market season picks up, they host live music. See what’s on tap now at roundtopbrewing.com.
Round Top Coffee Shop
Need a pick-me-up? Round Top Coffee Shop is the perfect place to grab an espresso drink or brewed coffee in a quaint farmhouse setting before a big day of antiquing. See more at facebook.com/EspressionsTX.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Junk Gypsy
Featured on HGTV and decorators to celebrities like Miranda Lambert, the creators of Junk Gypsy are kind of a big deal around Round Top, and their space is an iconic stop during show season. They’re legends for their Junk-O-Rama Prom (Oct. 11), where guests are encouraged to wear the greatest vintage prom dress they can find. Get your tickets at gypsyville.com.
Round Top Film Festival
In Texas, we take y’all, come back now” seriously. Chasing the red tail at the Round Top Antiques Show is the Round Top Film Festival, November 6 through 9. It’s a showcase of local and regional filmmaking held at venues spread across the Round Top area. See past lineups and the 2025 program at roundtopfilmfest.org.