The Desert Spoon

4.5 (115)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

11355 US-281, Spring Branch, TX 78070-6301

Make a booking

The Desert Spoon

4.5

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Spring Branch

Make a booking

2 people

6 Nov 2026

9:00 pm

Booked 11 times today

About this restaurant

Great for brunch
Charming
Great for outdoor dining

Where the Hill Country landscape meets the art of the table. Sustainably sourced and seasonally inspired, The Desert Spoon brings the beauty of the land to every plate.

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Farm-to-table, American
Hours of Operation
Brunch Wed–Sun 09:00–15:30 Dinner Wed–Sat 17:00–21:00 Happy Hour Wed, Thu 17:00–19:00
Website
https://thedesertspoonrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Chef Tatu Herrera
Catering
Every private event at The Desert Spoon is backed by our full scratch kitchen — no outside caterers, no compromises. From the Gathering Haus to a full restaurant buyout, our culinary team designs and executes your menu on-site, delivering the same farm-to-table experience our guests love.
Private party facilities
From intimate gatherings to full celebrations, The Desert Spoon offers four distinct spaces for private dining. Our open-air Main Dining Room, Glass Room, and Back Patio are available for buyout, or reserve the entire restaurant. For complete privacy, The Gathering Haus accommodates up to 75 guests.

Location
11355 US-281, Spring Branch, TX 78070-6301
Area
Spring Branch
Parking Details
Private Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

Counter Service
1 - 8 people
Multiple dates available
Sun - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm,Wed - Sat - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Wednesday – Sunday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Grab & go sandwiches, coffee, homemade pastries, and beer.
Happy Hour Wed-Thurs 5-7 pm
1 - 8 people
Multiple dates available
Wed - Thu - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday & Thursday | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Steak & Egg Ranchero BreakfastUSD 35.00
steak, over easy eggs, potatoes, and roasted chile salsa
Garden Breakfast BowlUSD 22.00
roasted tomato, scrambled egg, breakfast potatoes, charred broccolini
Avocado ToastUSD 21.00
toasted butter croissant, avocado spread, fried egg, arugula tossed in vinegar & oil, shaved parmesan
ChilaquilesUSD 20.00
house made totopos, salsa, charro beans, cotija cheese, over easy eggs
Brioche French ToastUSD 19.00
seasonal berries, maple syrup, powdered sugar
The TrevUSD 17.00
bacon, scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast
Breakfast CroissantUSD 17.00
grilled ham, cheddar cheese, citrus aioli, fried egg, arugula
Piloncillo PancakesUSD 16.00
traditional stack of pancakes made with piloncillo served with pure maple syrup

Chef Features

Garden ShakshukaUSD 17.00
slow simmered garden tomatoes and peppers, braised eggs, herbs, chile, toasted sourdough
Chorizo Breakfast TortaUSD 18.00
sunny side up eggs, refried beans, avocado, queso fresco, salsa on a toasted house made bolillo roll, comes with a seasonal side
Quail RancheroUSD 44.00
grilled texas quail, ranchero sauce, crispy potatoes, sunny side up eggs, warm flour tortillas
Chef's Brunch Feature
a rotating chef driven dish built around what's coming out of our garden, local farms and the best ingredients available that day

Sandwiches

Steak SandwichUSD 29.00
red chimichurri, aioli, charred tomato, roasted onion, fresh mozzarella
Smash BurgerUSD 18.00
hand pressed texas beef, merr sauce, house made pickles, cheddar cheese, house made milk bun served with beef tallow fries
- add baconUSD 4.00
- add avocadoUSD 3.00
- add fried eggUSD 3.00
Fireside MeltUSD 17.00
grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, house made garden pesto, sourdough
B.L.T.USD 15.00
bacon, lettuce, tomato relish, house made citrus aioli
- add avocadoUSD 3.00

Greens

Caesar SaladUSD 18.00
mixed greens, caesar dressing, citrus breadcrumbs, boiled egg, anchovy parmesan tuile
- add chickenUSD 10.00
- add steakUSD 15.00
Hill Country Cobb SaladUSD 19.00
chicken, avocado, boiled egg, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, and housemade smoked ranch
- add chickenUSD 10.00
- add steakUSD 15.00

Fresh Catch

Fish Tacos
blackened fish with citrus cured cabbage, lime crema, spicy crema, and chile crunch served on corn tortillas
Faroe Island Salmon & Garden Grain Bowl
whipped feta, roasted seasonal vegetables, toasted seed crunch, seared salmon

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Desert Spoon.

4.5

(115)

4.4Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Antonio
Great for brunch
San Antonio
Great for outdoor dining
New Braunfels
Best Ambience
New Braunfels
Healthy
New Braunfels
Neighbourhood gem
New Braunfels
Great for outdoor dining
New Braunfels
Romantic
New Braunfels
Good for special occasions
New Braunfels
Lively
New Braunfels
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Desert Spoon delights with "amazing food" and "wonderful ambiance," featuring locally sourced ingredients and creative cocktails. While service can occasionally be slow, the attentive staff and beautiful garden setting create a "great experience." Highly recommended for brunch or a relaxed dinner, this Hill Country gem is perfect for any occasion.

115 Reviews

K
Kim Gold
San Antonio2 reviews
1.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
This place has so much potential but it just feel short in every aspect. The host and the server were very kind; however, our food took over an hour to come out and not a single person checked in or apologized the whole time. We finally had to go inside and ask about the food and still didn't receive any acknowledgment about the wait. My smash burger was dry, the steak sandwich was chewy and bloody, everything else was pretty sub par. The only saving grace was the French toast we got for the table was pretty good but would've been even better if it came out earlier. On top of everything, there were so many flies! Definitely won't be coming back. Such a cute place, but what a bummer.
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H
Holly
Austin1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Desert Spoon! The food was amazing—everything was incredibly fresh and packed with flavor. I also love that they locally source their ingredients, which makes the experience even better. The cocktails were fabulous, and the service was excellent from start to finish. Our server was especially helpful and offered great insight and recommendations about the dishes, which made it much easier for us to decide what to order. Everything was delicious, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared. We will definitely be returning to Desert Spoon! Highly recommend!
Is this helpful?
A
Audrey
Las Vegas1 review
5.0
Dined on 25 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful ambiance and delicious food! The french toast was amazing!
Is this helpful?
C
Colleen
San Antonio4 reviews
2.0
Dined on 25 October 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Sunday brunch very busy and only one bartender. Drinks took too long. Chicken was dry and tough on Cobb salad.
Is this helpful?
H
Hollie
Houston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was really good and the patio was a nice experience on a fabulous October evening.
Is this helpful?
J
Jon
San Antonio21 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our first visit was for lunch in the fall, and despite the garden being out of season, we were still able to get a few things that burst with freshness and craftsmanship. We had a lovely shakshuka that was perfectly balanced with richness and not too much acidity, and a fantastic blackened shrimp taco plate served with a tasty arugula salad. We capped off our meal with one of the best carrot cakes I’ve ever had. Creamy, rich, perfectly spiced, not overly sweet. It was simply devine.
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T
Tanya Gold
San Antonio58 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent brunch spot. Place to shop and buy plants.
Is this helpful?
M
Michelle
San Antonio1 review
4.0
Dined on 17 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We showed up 30 mins early for our 1pm reservation for a table for 2 for brunch. The hostess was super nice and said she would text when the table was ready if we were still outside. We came back inside at 1:05 and she said they would be clearing our table in a few mins so we sat in the waiting lounge area. We watched a few people come in and be seated and get their food and then a little before 145 she came back over and walked us to a table near the lounge. At this point there were 3 tables right near each other that were just cleared. We were asked what we wanted to drink and were served the water and beer we asked for. About 15 mins later the server came over, her name was BeBe and she was amazing. She asked again if I would like something other than water and I asked for an Arnold Palmer as I do not drink alcohol. Very sweet and talkative. It was almost 230 before we were served our food and it was delicious! I don’t usually like to complain but it just seemed like if we make a reservation we should at least be seated at or around the reservation time as opposed to being a walk in from the Nursery who was seated before us. We enjoyed the ambiance and the conversation with the server and the food so it wasn’t a completely awful experience but it just seemed like we were forgotten about or not checked on etc.
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C
Christèle
Dallas - Fort Worth11 reviews
4.0
Dined on 17 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I wished they offered European dry rose wine. Most restaurants have it now.
Is this helpful?
J
Jeanette
Austin11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great place for brunch. Food was all delicious, family friendly and a great vibe.
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Farm-to-table, American
Hours of Operation
Brunch Wed–Sun 09:00–15:30 Dinner Wed–Sat 17:00–21:00 Happy Hour Wed, Thu 17:00–19:00
Website
https://thedesertspoonrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Chef Tatu Herrera
Catering
Every private event at The Desert Spoon is backed by our full scratch kitchen — no outside caterers, no compromises. From the Gathering Haus to a full restaurant buyout, our culinary team designs and executes your menu on-site, delivering the same farm-to-table experience our guests love.
Private party facilities
From intimate gatherings to full celebrations, The Desert Spoon offers four distinct spaces for private dining. Our open-air Main Dining Room, Glass Room, and Back Patio are available for buyout, or reserve the entire restaurant. For complete privacy, The Gathering Haus accommodates up to 75 guests.

Location
11355 US-281, Spring Branch, TX 78070-6301
Area
Spring Branch
Parking Details
Private Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, The Desert Spoon is frequently recommended for date night, with guests celebrating anniversaries, Valentine's dinners, and enjoying the patio and sunset views.

Yes, The Desert Spoon offers outdoor seating on a garden patio and shaded porch that many guests enjoy, with water features and fans mentioned for comfort.

The French toast is a recurring favorite, multiple guests rave about it and it appears on the current breakfast menu.

The Desert Spoon feels like a peaceful Hill Country retreat, bright dining rooms that open to garden views, a soothing water feature, and thoughtfully finished interiors create a relaxed, upscale experience.

Yes, guests describe The Desert Spoon as kid‑friendly: families enjoy brunch, bring children, and appreciate the gardens and relaxed outdoor space.

Guests frequently describe portions as generous, several visitors say brunch entrees and sides were plentiful and left them well satisfied.

Smart casual is the guideline, polished but not formal, and many guests dress up a touch for special occasions.

The Desert Spoon is especially lovely for brunch, brunch runs Wed–Sun 9:00 am–3:30 pm, and guests frequently rave about the French toast, smash burger and the peaceful patio.

The Desert Spoon serves brunch Wednesday–Sunday 9:00 am–3:30 pm, dinner Wednesday–Saturday 5:00 pm–9:00 pm, and happy hour Wednesday–Thursday 5:00 pm–7:00 pm.

The Desert Spoon can feel busy at peak times, several guests report waits and occasional loudness, while some visitors find Tuesdays and Wednesdays especially quiet and peaceful.

For a standout visit try brunch (served Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 am–3:30 pm), guests consistently praise the brunch food and experience.

Yes, the restaurant runs a weekday happy hour and also stages special prix‑fixe events; guests have enjoyed the seasonal multi‑course dinners.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a booking

The Desert Spoon

4.5

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Spring Branch

Make a booking

2 people

6 Nov 2026

9:00 pm

Booked 11 times today

The Desert Spoon

Make a booking

The Desert Spoon

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Counter Service

Happy Hour Wed-Thurs 5-7 pm

Classic Breakfast

Steak & Egg Ranchero BreakfastUSD 35.00

Garden Breakfast BowlUSD 22.00

Avocado ToastUSD 21.00

ChilaquilesUSD 20.00

Brioche French ToastUSD 19.00

The TrevUSD 17.00

Breakfast CroissantUSD 17.00

Piloncillo PancakesUSD 16.00

Chef Features

Garden ShakshukaUSD 17.00

Chorizo Breakfast TortaUSD 18.00

Quail RancheroUSD 44.00

Chef's Brunch Feature

Sandwiches

Steak SandwichUSD 29.00

Smash BurgerUSD 18.00

Fireside MeltUSD 17.00

B.L.T.USD 15.00

Greens

Caesar SaladUSD 18.00

Hill Country Cobb SaladUSD 19.00

Fresh Catch

Fish Tacos

Faroe Island Salmon & Garden Grain Bowl

Loved For

Review summary

Additional information

FAQs

Is this a good pick for date night?

Does this restaurant have outdoor seating?

What is this restaurant's stand-out or favorite dish?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

What is the dress code for The Desert Spoon?

When is the best time to go to The Desert Spoon?

What are this restaurant's opening hours?

When is this restaurant busiest and quietest?

What is the best day to go to The Desert Spoon?

Does this restaurant have any specials deals or experiences?

Make a booking

The Desert Spoon

Make a booking