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21 reviews for River House Tea Room
Review Highlights
21 reviews in English
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Review from William F.
Phoenix, AZ
4/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Possibly the best food I've had in the New Braunfels area. Soup was a great start but, the quiche is the best quiche I've had, EVER. The salad was also great. Had the house dressing. It had the perfect blend of sweet and tang to keep it interesting. My meal was finalized with a muffin. A rather small but, outstanding tasting muffin.
The whole meal left me rather full but, oddly wanting more. -
Review from Mike M.
New Braunfels, TX
1/10/2012
This is a favorite spot for my wife and four daughters. In fact, it's one of my favorite spots in New Braunfels too. I've read through the reviews, and I have to admit that the service has been off a couple of times. That can be said for most places, and I tend not to let that bother me unless it is "over the top" bad.
Regardless, here's my two cents on this joint. I'm addicted to their coffee. Order the quiche (just try it guys), and if you're too tuff for quiche they have great burgers and chicken fired steaks. Their soups are always very good and unique. Simply put, I've never had a bad meal here. -
Review from Victor O.
Austin, TX
4/4/2011
So I let my girlfriend pick the places we were going to eat on a weekend getaway to the San Antonio area. She wanted us to stop off here and catch a few nearby wineries. I was skeptical.
Then I saw the menu and I'm a believer.
I started my meal with an iced tea that was great. Then I had a green chili chowder which wasn't as much chowder, but still pleased my palate.
I agonized over the menu and ultimately settled on the chicken fried steak (veal). It's the best chicken-fried steak I've ever had. The sourdough breadcrumb batter and the veal made for a deliciously satisfying chicken fried steak. The white gravy made as good of a topping for my curly fries, though the house-made ketchup is equally good.
I also had the Reuben. It was good, but not deserving of more than a sentence. I'd order something else if given the chance.
I finished with a vanilla bread pudding that was delicious and would have been worthy of a fifth star, if not for the fact that it was kind of cold. I believe bread pudding should be almost hot and fall apart in the mouth.
With all that said, I'd come back here again just for the chicken friend steak. It's a great place to eat in Gruene, but not quite worthy of the five stars that other people gave.
The waitstaff was kind, courteous and attentive. The decor is homey and comforting. I could sit here and sip wine or tea on a hot summer's day and be just fine with the world. -
Review from scott w.
Dallas, TX
11/24/2011
can't wait to have the jalopeno burger again! it was fantastic.
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Review from Shelly R.
San Antonio, TX
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I got hired to drive a private tour to Wimberley for the Zipline Adventure, which I didn't know existed. We were going to also go to Natural Bridge Caverns so, we needed a great place for lunch. My guests were from Nevada and I definitely wanted them to see Texas from Top to Bottom. Since I'm a Foodie Fanatic I did my homework. I read some reviews and decided that Gruene was a great spot for them to see and the River House Tea Room sounded like a great spot.
They definitely did not disappoint! I'm not even sure what the guests had because when my Duck Wrap was put in front of me, I kind of got lost in its beauty. I took a photo & then dove into it. OMG, the flavors that hit me were amazing. The duck was perfectly cooked and not greasy (which is usually my complaint about duck) wrapped in a delicious, chipotle flavored tortilla with avocado. It came with a fruity salsa that I could've eaten a huge bowl of with chips. Funny thing is, it was so good, I barely remember anything else about the trip!
I can't wait to go back and take my family with me. -
Review from Levi S.
Austin, TX
7/11/2011
Pleasant surprise in gruene. Artichoke spinach dip and pistachio crusted pork medallions were presented well and had great flavor. Better prices than Austin or San Antonio for comparable fare.
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Review from Valerie E.
New Braunfels, TX
1/28/2011
We have been going to the Tea Room in Gruene for the past 9 years and it has always been a good experience in the past. We had not been there in 8 months and decided to treat ourselves to one of our favorite restaurant in town. What a disappointment! Our waiter came by, brought glasses of water and told us about the specials. He then left to attend other tables. When we were done with our selection, we closed our menus and waited for him to take our order.... and we waited.... and waited..... He was chatting with other tables, servicing them, looking at us, walking by us, he even went and cleaned a table.... What's up? Are we invisible? He deliberately snubbed us. After almost 20 minutes we left.
There are many excellent restaurants in New Braunfels so I will not go back there and spend my money somewhere else. -
Review from Irene K.
Frisco, TX
9/12/2010
Definitely the BEST lunch I have had in a while. Worth the 45 minute wait (though it was a Saturday during a festival weekend at noon - make reservations if you want, but I enjoyed walking around town as they will call you when a table has freed up!)
This place is no doubt, up to its eyeballs in charm. Don't let the floral print tablecloth and lacy curtains fool you - this place is NOT just for the ladies that lunch.
Although I wanted to try the whole menu, I limited myself to a hibiscus peach iced tea and the pork tenderloin salad while my boyfriend opted for the 'manly' Reuben sandwich.
I am a salad aficionado - and this was one DELICIOUS salad - not only was it artfully presented with towering grilled flatbread and precisely cut apple shards, but the flavor...oh, the flavor.
The pork tenderloin was soooo moist and succulent. The bleu cheese crumbles and apple-champagne vinaigrette added a nice tang while the sweetness of the candied walnuts paired with fresh greens make this one intense salad experience.
The staff was INCREDIBLY friendly - as was most of Gruene.
My boyfriend was VERY happy with the rueben - needless to say, we will return during our next visit to Gruene!
Don't forget to check their hours as they are only open for lunch somedays. -
Review from Kevin N.
2/25/2009 1 photo
Despite what the pollyannas may say, I don't tend to fling about the five-star reviews like a Mardi-Gras bead-hurling Up With People Mash-up. I'm careful. I'm discerning. And ultimately, at least two to three times a day, I'm hungry. Recently I spent about a day and a half out of town, and when I'd read up on (and heard through the wind..or were those birds?) I found that there was a spot in the Gruene stretch that included a formerly decorated Dallas chef who had moved to the small town, decided to take it easy, but didn't want to sacrifice the whole 'eating good food thing.'
So we couldn't wait to give this a try, and upon entering (sans reservation..but apparently you can make them...I'd recommend doing it during high season), we were seated straight away and relaxed amid the ambient lighting and antiquated adornments to a glass of red and a languorous review of the menu. If the place wasn't exactly lyrical, what it was was friendly, well appointed, and the staff made an extra effort to keep an eye on us on the off chance that we wanted to sample something special. I tried on the grilled salmon, replete with accented butter sherry sauce, served with orzo pilaf and asparagus. The River House Tea Room may not be everyone's cup of tea across the board, but it sure was ours.Listed in: New Braunfels and Gruene
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Review from Angela F.
4/10/2010
WOW! Went for lunch today...super charming patio with a peaceful, isolated in a good way feel to it. Our service was great, first of all.
The sangria was ok. A generous pour at $7 a pop. It tasted like it came out of a bottle to me.
I ordered one of the specials from the chalkboard and damn did it blow my panties right off! The green chile burger...the best burger I've had in a long time, if not my life. And I've chowed A LOT of burgers y'all!
Anyway, back to the burger: I was thinking about getting the quiche that my friend raaaved about, but was sold on the burger when the waiter mentioned a homemade jalapeno bun. Order up! The bun: delectable and soft! The patty was flavorful and just the right thickness. It was topped with sauteed green chiles and onions, bacon, and avocado. OMFG....seriously, you've GOT to get this thing in your mouth asap.
On the side were some chips with a great chili powder spice mixture on top. Very crunchy and tasty. Also on the side: a pickle spear, a slice of orange, a strawberry, and a few grapes.
I'll definitely be back...at the soonest! -
Review from Suzanne P.
San Antonio, TX
7/3/2011
Staff not overly friendly. Standing by the front door complaining.
Then another staff member was sitting at a table counting money.
So they need to look up the word Professional, since they lacked alot.
I ate Quiche de Jour. The soup was good, tasted like a can of "Amy's"
The salad was just leaves of lettuce- nothing else. The homemade salad dressing was tasteless.
The fruit was 4 grapes, and 2 small slices of orange.
The small piece of quiche was good. The smallest muffin ever was
also good.
The Price was $12.99 was high for what was served on the plate. -
Review from Erica R.
Austin, TX
9/24/2008
Before I knew I was moving to Austin last year, four friends and I decided to truck it down South for one last weekend of wining, dining, and river goodness before Fall hit. After a day of milling around and marveling at antiques in New Braunfels & Gruene, we asked a local at a coffee shop in downtown New Braunfels where we should dine, and *this*, folks, was the recommendation - if we wanted to try something the locals love, and a place the tourists hadn't yet found.
You bet! What a great rec. it turned out to be! The restaurant is situated in a tiny house down the river road, and is nestled back in a little shady, forested area. They have a tiny little patio, where the five of us dined and sipped wine by candle light.
It was started back in 1997 by an executive chef who wanted to get away from the corporate hullabaloo. They have a standard fare lunch menu, and dinner options vary nightly. The food is *excellent* - so excellent, in fact, that the restaurant is receiving one of the highest culinary honors next month at a trade convention in Vegas. Pretty cool ehh?
I will definitely be skipping the Gristmill and other touristy traps and heading straight for the Tea Room next time I'm out in Gruene, and I recommend you do, too. -
Review from Martha L.
Austin, TX
2/6/2011
Completely surprised by this little gem that looks like your grandmother's dining room. Hello floral drapery and lace tablecloths! The food was phenomenal. The best lunch I've had in Texas. The homemade muffin was amazing... so if they ever have those, order one. I also had the tuna melt made the same way my mom made it with sweet pickles and boiled eggs and the yummy winter chowder. Others got the quiche and I heard a lot of MMMs coming from their direction. Also the Hummingbird Pie was a sweet treat at the end of a special meal. Take some time off from wine tasting in Gruene, everyone making the trip should be required to stop here.
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Review from christina j.
Ramsey, NJ
3/10/2011
This was our first stop in town before hitting the shops. What a wonderful charming spot. Both my mom and I had the soup and quiche; I had quiche lorraine and she had chicken pecan. Jerry had the pistachio crusted pork tenderloin., delicious. Everything was tasty. The waiter seemed a bit frazzled but no other issues were had. The prices are reasonable and if in Gruene definitely make a stop here.
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Review from Tina B.
Katy, TX
9/10/2010
First of all, don't let the name fool you, this place is perfect for a quiet night out with your sweetheart. My fiance enjoyed it as much as I did, it's not just a place for ladies to "do lunch". From the friendly wait staff, to the quiet surroundings and the culinary delights offered here, we enjoyed the experience not once, but three times during our holiday weekend stay.
We ordered the specials for lunch (quiche and oriental salad) and dinner (shared a 16 oz. Prime center-cut rib-eye) on Saturday, both of which were excellent, exceeding any expectations we might have had from the descriptions provided by our waiters. We also tried the Guacamole and Pico de Gallo...OMG!!! Not only do you have fresh guacamole, but a black bean salsa, sweet vinegar cucumber salsa and pico de gallo alongside white corn tortilla chips. A perfect appetizer to prepare our palates for what was to come.
The one dish I cannot stop dreaming about is the Duck Wrap. With just the right amount of chipotle mayonnaise, this was the most exquisite dining experience I've had in quite some time. I now know why when everyone mentions the River House Tea Room, they always suggest trying the Duck Wrap.
This place is definitely a winner and we can't wait to visit again on our next trip to Gruene. -
Review from Andria Y.
New Braunfels, TX
3/30/2011
Great place with the girls or to take mom!
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Review from Julie G.
San Antonio, TX
4/22/2010
I seriously love this place! My mother in law and I had lunch here the other day and the food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the quiche (which was excellent) and my kids got chicken strips. Of course I ate some of their chicken strips. Who knew that chicken strips could taste so good?! These are handmade and have panko breading, so good. The food seemed simple enough but had just the right touch of seasoning and flavor. Perfect!
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Review from Dianna P.
Mountain View, CA
7/2/2009
The River House Tea Room is certainly a diamond in the ruff here in Gruene. My family and I eat here every year we are in town since we discovered this place. It is a can't miss! It is perfect for lunch after a day shopping in Gruene. The place is small, so expect a wait. You can call ahead and put your name on the list though. Seating inside or out is great, but I recommend outside if you have a larger group. Get the iced tea (obviously) and order the assorted muffin appetizers (trust me!). Everything else on the menu is great, take your pick! The service is also excellent (but a little slow, it takes time to cook great, fresh food!) Enjoy!
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Review from Heather E.
New Braunfels, TX
9/20/2009
This place is well hidden on the lone back street in Gruene, but worth poking around to find. I have really enjoyed everything I have eaten there. I guess the reason it doesn't get 5 stars in my book is the atmosphere. It is very quiet (too quiet for me), and the seating situation is somewhat tight and uncomfortable. It is very much, as the name implies, a tea room. I guess I am not dainty enough to feel comfortable in such an environment. It could also be that since it is so quiet, my nosey/ADD nature kicks in, and I become distracted by the conversations of the people at the tables around me instead attending to the conversation at my table... I have not eaten on the patio, but will have to try that on my next visit and see if that changes my perspective.
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Review from Katherine F.
Spring Branch, TX
7/21/2010
Could not wait to write a review of the River House Tea Room! I took a friend that was here visiting and wanted to take her somewhere "fun for girls" and this was it....although I know my husband and son would enjoy it too. We had a late lunch yesterday and it was "delish"! We both had one of the days specials...the Chicken Enchilada Quiche which came with soup and salad served with a tasty citrus salad dressing. The portions were very generous. We sat outside on the lower patio and it was delightful and surprisingly not too hot. The meal and the service was outstanding. Our waiter was very attentive and professional!
They are opened everyday for lunch and Friday and Saturday for dinner. Closed on Mondays. They also take reservations we were told which is highly recommended for dinner. A perfect place to take out of town guests as Gruene is such a neat place! Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Ingrid M.
6/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
The name pretty much describes the atmosphere of the place. It is indeed a tea room, and a cute one at that. It is very cozy, old-fashioned, and elegant. Everything on their menu sounded tasty and well thought-out. I settled for the Reuben panini and wondered how this small tea room would handle such sandwich. The verdict: This place makes a mean Reuben! The bread was perfectly toasted, it had just the right amount of meat- no mountain of corned beef here, the sauerkraut had that bite, both in taste and texture, that I look for in a good sauerkraut, the cheese was nice and gooey, and the Russian dressing brought it all together. It was an elegant version of the monster Reuben sandwiches that I have had in NYC. The tortilla soup that came as my side was very good as well. We got the Hummingbird cake for dessert that was just as good as the rest of the meal. It was airy, with plenty of textures, and not too sweet. It is the perfect cake to have with their coffee and, I will assume, their tea. Our server was friendly and attentive. Prices were comparable to the quality, portions, and taste of the food. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a quiet and relaxed place to dine in.
