If you find yourself daydreaming of sipping tea and dining on traditional couscous on a sultry night in Morocco, exploring ancient imperial citadels in Vietnam, or going absolutely anywhere new that both inspires and rejuvenates, the exciting news is you don’t have to look any further than the Texas Hill Country for an exotic getaway.
Tillie’s is a surprising find, seemingly lost amidst the winding roads and natural landscape just minutes from Dripping Springs. Located at Camp Lucy — a luxurious yet rustic Texas Hill Country resort — Tillie’s is not just a restaurant, it’s a transportive experience. The building itself is a repurposed 19th-century Vietnamese town hall that sets the stage for what co-owner Kim Hanks describes as “an oasis.” Step through its vibrant green doors and you’re greeted by original wood beams, intricate carvings and walls adorned with antique saints.
“It’s hard to describe because you’re in the middle of the Texas Hill Country, but inside the antique building [along with the other antique buildings on property], you’re transported to another place, another time,” Hanks said.
Tillie’s, which opened in 2018, was inspired by Kim’s husband and partner Whit Hanks’ lifelong passion for history, architecture and antiques. Whit, a sixth-generation Austinite and avid antiques dealer, first brought the Vietnamese town halls, churches and traditional homes to the Hill Country in 2008. Kim described the buildings as “Lincoln Logs” that were carefully dismantled, shipped and reassembled. What could have ended up rubble in a landfill became a cornerstone of Camp Lucy and later, Tillie’s.
“I guess I’m most proud that we’ve been able to save a building that they were going to tear down. Being able to repurpose a historic building and give it more life and longevity… there’s nothing that makes me more proud,”
Kim said.
The couple’s respect for family and heritage is deeply woven into the property itself. Camp Lucy is named for Whit’s mother, while Tillie’s honors his grandmother. “He’s a great admirer of the strong women in his life and wanted to honor them,” Kim said. Even Roger Hanks Road nearby pays homage to Whit’s father. “That’s why this property is so personal,” she said.
And as personal as it is, it’s far from ordinary. Last year, People Magazine named Tillie’s one of the “50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America,” and it’s easy to see why. Designed with the help of Paul Smith and Debra Kirk, the restaurant is a breathtaking showpiece: soaring ceilings, Ludowici roof tile reclaimed from San Antonio’s courthouse and lush landscaping that blends the line between Texas ranch and global escape.
But this isn’t just about aesthetics. Tillie’s cuisine and dining experience is as world class as its architecture. Executive Chef Scott Rudder leads the kitchen, crafting a menu Kim calls “nouveau American with a twist” — globally inspired and deeply craveable.
Tillie’s draws diners from near and far — locals who slip over from Dripping Springs for date night, weekend visitors to the Hill Country, and even international travelers curious about the restaurant’s unique story.
“We’re on OpenTable, and about 50% of our guests are coming in from out of town, but the other 50% are our neighbors,” Kim said. “We want both groups to feel at home here, whether it’s someone who drove six minutes down the road or a couple that flew in from another country.” The result is an extravagant dining room that feels like a crossroads of cultures, filled with a mix of resort guests, Texans and world travelers who have all discovered this hidden gem.
Tillie’s menu delivers a delicious global gateway, with dishes that surprise and delight in equal measure. The Tillie’s Burger is an impressive tower of American Kobe beef, pimento cheddar, buttermilk aioli, smoked tomato conserva and house pickles on a buttery brioche, served with highly addictive golden French fries. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
The Mero Sea Bass is an elegant dish of miso-soaked sea bass over purple Thai sticky rice, edamame and sugar snap peas surrounded by a blood orange ponzu. For heartier appetites, the Texas Pork Chop shines — apple cider–brined and house-smoked, served with honey-jalapeño sweet potato hash, charred broccolini and a smoky chipotle jus – the perfect option before or after a hike throughout the beautiful property. And absolutely do not skip dessert for a decadent ending, as the Chocolate Nostalgia offers layers of espresso cake with chocolate mousse, salted caramel, whipped cream and gold-covered hazelnuts. It should also be noted that the staff is as superb as the menu.
Kim said that guest favorites include the Tomahawk steak, smoked in-house, as well as Tillie’s famous Brussels sprouts. “We’ve had them on the menu since 2018. I hate Brussels, but I order it every single time,” Kim laughed. “People go wild if it goes off the menu for a week.”
Tillie’s wasn’t originally conceived as a restaurant at all — but began with the simple need for a pool. “We built the pool first, and then I thought, people are going to want something to eat while they’re here,” Kim recalled.
What was supposed to be a casual burger shack quickly evolved into something much more extraordinary. With Whit’s vision and talent for design, that “burger shack” was instead transformed into a breathtaking dining space unlike anything in Texas. It’s proof that even a poolside snack idea can morph into a nationally recognized restaurant.
The cocktails are yet another highlight of the Tillie’s experience and can be enjoyed with your meal or at the bar beforehand. The bar program is playful and innovative, yet refined, with options like the Pink Lady Handcock, that blends locally crafted Dripping Springs vodka with Lillet Blanc, fresh lemon, a Luxardo cherry and fragrant basil, all topped with a splash of bubbly Prosecco for a refreshing finish. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the fact that they can sip wines grown right on Camp Lucy’s vineyard, just a short walk from the restaurant, with varietals crafted in partnership with nearby Bending Branch Winery.
Beyond the table, Tillie’s is part of the larger Camp Lucy story — a 282-acre retreat offering lodging, weddings, corporate retreats and very soon, a spa. “It’s really a Hill Country retreat. We feed you really well, and you get to enjoy all these historic buildings,” she said. “We’re really a destination for the curious traveler.”
The Hanks family’s vision doesn’t stop in Texas. In 2021, they purchased The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, located in the Cotswolds. Dating back to the 1220s, it holds the distinction of being the oldest hotel in England. With deep ancestral ties to the property — once owned by Whit’s family in the 1860s — the acquisition felt like a homecoming. Today, the Hanks family splits their time between Texas and England, bringing a touch of Hill Country hospitality abroad and even planning to introduce a Texas-style BBQ concept in the historic market town.
Looking forward, Tillie’s is embracing its role as both destination and community hub. Cooking retreats and a BBQ Bootcamp are on the horizon, featuring pitmasters from Texas and abroad. Afternoon teas, inspired by the Hanks’ English property, have also become extremely popular.
“I love it! So much food, three tiers … people are here for two hours eating,” Kim said.
Ultimately, what makes Tillie’s remarkable isn’t just its history or accolades, but the way it makes people feel, Kim said: “Looking around, I feel like I could be in Morocco or Portugal. It makes you feel like you’re somewhere else. It’s intoxicating. It feels like you’re on a vacation.”
In the heart of the Hill Country, Tillie’s offers exactly that — a passport to another continent, another world — no plane ticket required.
Tillie’s
3509 Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
tilliesdrippingsprings.com 512.894.2633