Where to Eat & Drink in Brownwood

Whether you’re looking for a classic Texas barbecue lunch, coffee to start the morning, a cold craft beer, or somewhere to linger over dinner, there’s plenty to discover.

Start Your Day With Coffee

A good day in Brownwood starts with coffee.

Common Grounds Coffeehouse is a longtime local favorite, serving coffee, espresso drinks and breakfast and lunch from its home in the former Central Fire Station downtown. It’s an easy place to settle in with a cup of coffee and a breakfast taco before heading out for the day.

For something a little different, look for one of Brownwood’s newer coffee spots and make your morning stop part of the adventure.

You Can’t Come to Texas Without BBQ

Brownwood has more than its share of barbecue traditions.

Smitty’s Bar-B-Q has been serving Brownwood since 1972, with recipes and traditions passed down through the McArthur family. Their signature sausage is a longtime favorite, and the restaurant remains a distinctly local stop.

Then there’s Underwood’s Cafeteria, whose Brownwood roots go all the way back to the 1940s. Come hungry for barbecue, fried chicken, classic sides and the kind of cafeteria-style experience that has become part of Brownwood history.

Try Something With a Little More Character

Ever eaten lunch in a train car? Runaway Train Cafe serves classic comfort food inside an authentic dining car, making the meal part of the experience.

For a more leisurely meal, The Turtle Restaurant brings fresh, slow-prepared food and an extensive wine selection to downtown. Its connected Enoteca offers a more casual way to enjoy wine, cocktails and food.

And if you’re looking for something outside the usual Texas fare, Brownwood has locally owned spots serving everything from Thai and Asian-inspired dishes to Mexican food and casual cafés.

Stay for a Drink

Brownwood has embraced its craft beverage scene, too.

Grab a Texas craft beer at Pioneer Tap House, where you can pair your drink with pizza and often find live music or another community event happening.

Prefer wine? Local tasting rooms offer a chance to sample Texas-made wines without heading far from town. 10 Mile Productions, for example, makes small-batch wines with Texas grapes and has a tasting room in a historic downtown building.

And when you’re in the mood for a cocktail, you’ll find welcoming local bars and gathering places where the best part might just be settling in and chatting with the people around you.

Come Hungry. Stay Awhile.

The best way to experience Brownwood’s food and drink scene isn’t to rush from one stop to the next.

Have breakfast with the locals. Make time for barbecue. Try a Texas wine or craft beer. Order something you’ve never had before. And leave room for dessert.