This shopping and dining Round Top itinerary will make for a productive — and not fraught — weekend of shopping.
Beat the holiday hustle and bustle with a relaxing drive out to Round Top, where you’ll find a trove of small businesses to patronize not only this weekend, but every weekend of the year. A Round Top shopping day trip could be your chance to knock out everyone on your gift list (including you).
Here’s a shopping and dining Round Top itinerary that will make for a fun — and not fraught — weekend of shopping:
Make your list and check it twice over breakfast at the ever-charming Mill Street Cafe. I’d recommend the hearty avocado toast topped with a local farm egg and sprinkled with chopped bacon to power up for a long day of shopping. Pair it with one of Mill Street’s signature superfood smoothies packed with locally sourced produce or a caffeinated concoction from the coffee bar.
You can even grab a few of their gluten-free baked goods the way out. After all, you can never have enough fuel for a Round Top shopping day.
Morning or midday delights to be served at Mill Street Café. (Photo by Breezy Ritter)
Fresh cold brew will be on tap at Mill Street Café. (Photo by Breezy Ritter)
Mill Street Cafe owner Lori Allen shows off a selection of the scratch made sweets headed to Round Top.
From Mill Street Cafe, take the short walk over to the Mill & Live Oak building in Henkel Square and select a few handmade stockings from Sapana for stuffing with all your purchases. Now you’re ready to tackle everyone on your list with gifts perfectly suited to their personalities.
For The Artsy One: The first thing in your stylish shopping bag? Sapana’s suite mate Southern Beasts is known the world over for their incredible antique textile taxidermy, but this season they are carrying a gorgeous collection of handmade, bohemian style Santas carrying soulful, found treasures. And don’t miss their collection of artfully adorned hats, perfect for handling the occasional bad hair day with aplomb.
For The Quintessential Texan: Texas is a state of mind at Humble Donkey Studio and Lower 40 Found Objects. Shop original Texas-themed art from John Lowery, branded merchandise like hats, t-shirts, tea towels, and serving pieces designed by Laurie Lowery for the proud Texas native or enthusiastic transplant.
For The Outdoorsman: Wimberly Inc.’s suite of shops offer gifts for just about everyone on your list, including the gents. The Cabin by Wimberly Inc. stocks particularly unique items like bourbon toothpicks, portable travel grills, men’s fishing and camping gear and apparel.
For The Fashionista: Next door to The Cabin is ultra-stylish counterpoint Wimberly Inc. where you can find women’s vintage boots paired with modern fashion and jewelry lines. Also, don’t miss Modern Marla luxury consignment – it’s the spot to score designer accessories and clothing pieces for yourself, or the fashion devotee on your list. Sip champagne with Marla while you shop authenticated designer shoes, bags, accessories and more by high-end favorites like Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada.
For The Host With the Most: Stock their pantry for the next gathering, or give them an assortment of goodies to keep to themselves with a stop at The Little Cheese Shop. Here you can put together a customized charcuterie starter kit of dried meats and fruits, fancy crackers, gourmet spreads and dips, and boxed seasonal sweets like hot chocolate bombs, holiday-themed snack mixes and boxed cookies. Top off your kit with a bottle of wine or spirits from the expertly curated selection at the nearby Round Top Liquor Shop. Meanwhile, Lollipop Sweetshop has everything you need to fill their stockings with cheer in the form of fine imported, locally made, and retro chocolates and candies, available in bulk and individual packaging.
Textile stockings and cozy blankets coats at Sapana
Handmade boho Santas at Southern Beasts
Original art, decor, clothing gifts and more at Humble Donkey Studio & Lower 40
Round Top Liquor Shop has your holiday celebration needs on tap
Everything you need for your charcuterie board at The Little Cheese Shop
Candies, popcorns, chocolates, baked goods and more at Lollitop Sweetshop
By now you’ve burned off breakfast, so take the two-minute drive from Henkel Square to the Stone Cellar restaurant and bar for a hearty burger made with fresh local beef. Or grab one of Stone Cellars’ famous pizzas.
This is also a chance to celebrate the start of the second leg of your shopping journey with a beer or glass of wine.
For The Urban Cowgirl or Cowboy: The 550 Market collection of shops is conveniently located just steps away from the Stone Cellar. Its anchor store Rockabilly Baroness is open Thursdays through Sundays year-round with couture Western wear and accessories including an extensive selection of fine handmade boots and leather goods, hand tooled silver belt buckles, and more.
Stop by the Stone Cellar for lunch
The 550 Market is home to several shops housing art, home decor, fashion and more
Stallion Boots now in stock at The 550 Market’s anchor store, Rockabilly Baroness
For The Bohemian Homebody: Your sleigh may be getting full, but there’s still more to explore at Cisco Village, now open year-round Thursdays through Sundays, offering worldly goods to complement furniture maker Cisco’s line of plush slipcovered and upholstered furniture. Browse the stunning Cisco Home showroom, and shop artisan crafted blankets, luxurious hand dyed silk throw pillows, imported bed linens, handmade pottery and original art.
Pottery from Cisco Village merchant La Tiendita
Cisco Home: Texas á la California furniture, artwork, lighting and more
Cisco Village vendor The Fabric Merchant
More offerings from Cisco Village dealer The Fabric Merchant
Located a couple of minutes due north of Cisco Village, you will find Rolland Square, another charming, multi-store shopping and restaurant hub created with restored antique cottages. It’s located within walking distance to Minden Square, which is anchored by Round Top Brewing. Both squares are generally open Thursdays through Sundays.
For The Little Ones: Curate by Stash is primarily known for its fine, locally crafted leather goods, but they also have a surprisingly large collection of vintage inspired children’s toys and crafts for the kids on your list, plus original greeting cards, fine home fragrance items and more.
For The Virtuous Vamp: Via Vandi houses a collection of rings, necklaces and earrings set with semi-precious and precious stones designed by owner Vandi Hodges. The collection is at once modern and timeless. Paired with Vandi’s curated selection of vintage silk kimonos, it’s a knockout combination fit for your most fiercely feminine friend.
For The Secret Santa Gift Exchange: Stop by The Monarch in Rolland Square for the best in fun fashion, party supplies and other surprises, and Leslie Kristen Interiors for festive seasonal items like novelty ornaments, hand crafted holiday earrings and tree decorations, quilted Christmas trees, scented soaps, Texas-themed tea towels and more. Texas Best Goods General Store is a new Rolland Square spot for foodie gifts, including house brand olive oils, vinegars and other jarred goods. Tré for the Gathering in Minden Square is also worth a stop for uniquely beautiful, giftable art, and entertaining pieces that double as art including a special collection of elegant serving trays made with Colombian mola fabrics by co-owner and artist Clemencia Larimore.
Give the gift of fun from The Monarch
One stop martini fixins’ shop at Texas Best Goods in Rolland Square
Game day tray inserts in your team colors, for adding to your box tray display on game day at Tré for the Gathering
Sweet surprises: retro toys from Curate by Stash make great stocking stuffers
Plenty of pinion: pinion wood smudge sticks hand bundled in leather from Curate by Stash
Semi precious stone jewelry from Via Vandi
Suds up at the soap bar at Leslie Kristen
Situated nearer to the edge of town, Round Top Village is a modern outpost filled with the best in fashion and home. Head back toward Highway 290 on Highway 237 to make Round Top Village your last stop of the day.
For The Creative Pragmatist: Comfortable yet stylish and always at ease, she wears pieces that make you want to ask, “Where did you find that?” Richard Schmidt Jewelry and Simple Rags are two answers. These distinctive stores share a stunning space that houses meaningful, one-of-a-kind handmade silver pieces from local artist Schmidt and a curated collection of comfortable, timeless apparel.
For The Sophisticated Country Mouse: Cottonseed Trading Company is home to special primitive and industrial pieces, spit shined and reimagined for today’s living and paired with contemporary furniture and decor. The primarily neutral palette is enhanced with locally curated art. An ideal spot to find something special for the design lover who prefers the quiet simplicity of rural life.
For The City Mouse Visiting the Country: Textile designer Courtney Barton’s Round Top location brings a taste of her Houston store to the country including the same hand blocked print pillows and sumptuous Dohar blankets imported from India, along with a selection of fine candles, bath items, stunning coffee table books, special pieces for entertaining, and more.
For The Candle Lover: Bella’s Candles’ selection of intoxicating hand-poured scents is made even more beautiful by the selection of vintage and antique decorative containers they are housed in. It’s upcycling at its finest in Round Top Village.
Round Top’s year-round stores, like Cotton Seed Trading Co. in Round Top Village (pictured), are stocked and ready to celebrate the holiday season
Give them the moon and stars at Richard Schmidt Jewelry in Round Top Village
Set the mood with Courtney Barton’s collection of sophisticated home decor, art, candles, textiles and more
Beauty and fragrance in bloom at Bella’s Candles in Round Top Village
Whether you decide to stay in town for dinner (I recommend Round Top Brewing, Duo Modern, Lulu’s or The Garden Co. Feed & Firewater), or head out on Highway 290 with a full sled, bear in mind that this list is just a sampling of all the shopping and restaurant fun to be had in Round Top this season and year-round. Always be sure to check shop and restaurant web and social media pages, or call for the most up-to-date information on business hours.
Refer to RoundTop.com’s complete Round Top Guide for even more shopping, dining and lodging insights.
