TRENDING TRAVEL

I recently wrote a blog about five (5) fancy date spots in Houston, TX . Here is a travel guide to my favorites in Round Top, TX. Okay, so here’s the thing. I’ve always been a fan of spontaneous trips, especially to those little hidden gems that obviously have more than just potential. Take Round Top, for instance. The first time I ended up there, I was on a mission—a hunt for the best vineyard within a two-hour radius of Houston. And yes, you heard that right vineyards in Texas.

But here’s the twist: I didn’t just find wine (though, don’t get me wrong, the wine was good). I stumbled upon a magical town that felt like it came straight out of a storybook, with its charming hilly country roads, antique shops, and, well, delicious food. That was only the beginning. After my first visit, I knew I was into something. But the truth is, it took me three trips to truly get acquainted. I kept thinking, “Is this all there is to this place?”

Not quite.

Being curious, I decided to dig a little deeper on my most recent visit. And guess what? I unearthed some very well-done spots, each more delightful than the last. Now, I’m about to share with you my straight-forward guide to making the most of a day (or two) in Round Top, a little slice of creative inspo that I’m convinced is one of Texas’ best-kept secrets. Ready for some wine, shopping, food, and maybe a few surprises? I don’t want to spoil your own sense of exploration but keep reading for a guide that will help you be more certain about where you do want to pop into… The verdict is still out around where to stay the night… TBD.

Prost: On Block 29 – IG

Although I couldn’t find a website for Prost, I’ve always known it as the go-to spot for wine. To my surprise, they recently added a full bar to complement their impressive wine selection, along with a menu of snacks and treats to enhance the experience. For some reason, I always seem to visit Round Top when the weather’s chilly, so I naturally ordered something warm and cozy to enjoy by the fire. This time, I went for the “Spicy Juan” (or something like that). It was loaded with meats, drizzled in local honey—produced by the lovely lady who took our order. We shared a laugh about how, if I ever started bragging about beekeeping, my friends would have strict instructions to stage an inter-freakin-vention. The dish was just enough and delicious, and while we waited, I sipped on a Hot Toddy and chatted with some friendly strangers around the fire. I start at Prost because that’s the furthest I’ve been and I typically work my way back towards 290 headed back to Houston.

Boon & Co – IG

This was my first experience here. It was recommended by the young lady at Prost. That’s my typical strategy. Bartenders are trained in reading people. So, I strike up a bit of conversation and then ask them what my next move needs to be. They size me or us up and send us along the yellow brick road. This place has multiple fire pit situations. I can’t tell you how much I love a good fire pit. We were, however, there for the fancy loft. What we found was a specialty shop that I will need to spend more time in and a speak easy upstairs with all the makings of a 70s boho den. We sat at the bar and took it in and plotted our return immediately. We were running out of daylight. But this will now forever be on our list of spots. It’s worth it!

Lulu’s – IG

Our next stop was supposed to be The Ellis Motel, but no matter how we tried, the GPS kept dead-ending us. It didn’t take long before we spotted a promising gem on the main street—Lulu’s. We just knew it was the place, so we decided to make a pit stop and regroup while we figured out where the motel might be. The hostess kindly pointed us in the right direction, but by then, we had already fallen in love with the bar area at Lulu’s. We couldn’t help but smile—those genuine, instinctive smiles that come when you know you’re making the right choice. The vibe reminded me of old-town Panama, with a little extra charm. We had a spritzer, chatted some more, and then took a look at the menu—perfectly our speed. But we were still on a treasure hunt, so I challenged my companion to surprise me and plan a proper dinner date right here. Honestly, I was starting to get tired of Houston. This was way more exciting.

Ellis Motel – IG

After our spritzers, we could have hit the road. The sun had set, and it was getting late, but the Ellis Motel was still calling our name. The fire pits were glowing, and one shop was still open. It was one of those places that’s hard to put into words, but you know it’s a stop that needs to be made. Just go, and you’ll see. I ordered a martini, and we continued our day-long debate by the fire. I declared that this was the kind of place I needed to visit twice a year for the sake of my soul. He’s a city guy, and I’m a hybrid country mouse who needs to breathe in the fresh country air. As the night stretched on, our conversation deepened, and we lost track of time—never even making it to my usual stomping grounds.

Duo Modern: The Restaurant at Market Hill – IG

We had planned to enjoy one of those unforgettable dinners at a fantastic spot in Round Top. This place is amazing—not just for the food but also for the chance to explore the antiques. It’s a huge warehouse where the inventory spills into the communal spaces, leading you on a treasure hunt until you finally reach the restaurant. I’ve been there before, so while I wasn’t too disappointed, I’m still looking forward to going back for an experience to remember.

That said, our unexpected adventure turned out to be just as memorable! On our way to Houston, we were planning to stop at one of our go-to spots for dinner when we both needed a restroom break. I found the nearest Buc-ee’s, and we pulled over.

What happened next was pure chaos—in the best way! I’d forgotten just how incredible Buc-ee’s is. We ran around like kids, grabbing things off the shelves because, let’s face it, Buc-ee’s is irresistible. We started with the merch, then made our way to the jerky station (I’m a sucker for good jerky), and finally ended up at the BBQ counter. Watching them make sandwiches right in front of us was too tempting to resist.

We looked at each other, knowing we’d hit the jackpot—a BBQ feast at a gas station! Sometimes, the unexpected stops turn out to be the most fun.

Enjoy Round Top—you won’t regret it!