About
Moonshine Grill in Highland Lakes, Texas, was recently deemed one of the weirded restaurants in Austin, so I set out to try it. From the outside, it didn’t seem all that weird. It looked like a country-style-looking home renovated into a restaurant, but when I walked in, things were a bit different.
It’s a very busy restaurant with a lot of people hustling and bustling about. They seemed to have a few private parties at the time I visited, and the hostess appeared to be a bit frazzled by it all, understandably.
I was seated at the bar, which seemed to be one of the few seats available in the location. I looked at the menu and didn’t really see anything weird about the food either.
So, I asked the bartender why the location was supposed to be weird. He told me that the restaurant was incredibly haunted and that it was a historical landmark. I learned there was once a carriage house that stopped at the location—and today, that’s where the outdoor patio sits.
He told me, too, that there is also a private area downstairs where a speakeasy was located—and it is still in operation today! How cool is that?
Originally opened in 1852 as a mercantile and trading post, Moonshine Grill opened its doors in 2003. And with an incredible menu, they offer a lot of the traditional flare that this Moonshine Grill has had for many years.
Vibe
Looking around, you may find the location a bit out of the ordinary. The interior décor is elegant and rustic while giving off a modern feel to the whole restaurant. Dare I say, shabby chic?
But hidden within the walls, you could tell there was a lot of history, as though eyes were almost staring at you. And even though the restaurant was super busy, I still felt an uneasy stillness in the space.
Overall, Moonshine Grill has a causal vibe to it, but don’t be fooled; it could be a bit fancy with the right attire and timing.
I recommend this strange restaurant more for couples and families with much older children or even solo travelers like myself.
Moonshine Grill: Menu & Drinks
This weird restaurant’s food is awesome, and the drinks are, too.
One of their specialty drinks is a bourbon slush with a moonshine float. I had to give it a try. If I could compare it to anything, it reminded me of a frozen margarita with a Grand Marnier floater.
And with the location being known for its moonshine, there are numerous flavor options and various types of other drinks available that have a bit of moonshine in them. To warn you, though, I only had a few sips of my drink and could tell that it would definitely be a one-and-done kind of drink. It’s very tasty and can go down very easily, which in turn makes for a very dangerous drink.
As for food, I tried Sweet Potato Tots and Stone Ground Grits. Delicious! Other options on the menu include chicken, burgers, salads, and even a Venison Salisbury Steak.
Local Tips
- For the “Brunchies”—they also have a Sunday brunch buffet. A definite must-try!
- Make a reservation. I learned from my experience that they are pretty much necessary if you want to make sure you get a great table for a group, though they say it is a first-come-first-serve location.
- I suggest looking at the valet service if you plan to be here long, which is right in front of the Moonshine Grill since parking can otherwise be troublesome in this area.
- Make sure you try the Bread Pudding with vanilla bean ice cream and whiskey caramel. It was absolutely divine!
