Best Restaurants in the Texas Hill Country | Eater Austin

"Despite what its permanently-lit “no vacancy” signs lead you to believe, Ellis Motel does not have overnight accommodations, but you’ll definitely want to stay. This small town bar is possibly one of the quirkiest dining experiences in the entire state, welcoming visitors and locals alike in for a Cheers-type experience but with a lot of edge. Housed in this two-level, 1800s-era structure, the buzzy Henkel Square cocktail bar is the brainchild of the late Lee Ellis, the prolific restaurateur who made his mark in Houston with restaurants like State Fare and Lee’s Fried Chicken & Donuts before moving to Round Top. Ellis’s edgy Texas-chic aesthetic includes shoppable furnishings, hats, and snacks; a massive, furry, hanging buffalo head; and oversized artworks showcasing his likeness (many of them with Lee characteristically flipping the bird). All-in-all, it’s a masterful ode to one of Round Top’s greats. Stay inside and explore the different rooms while you sip on your favorite go-to or pick from the bar menu, or take it outside to the spacious patio area." - Deven Wilson