The Golden Rule checks all the boxes for me: great vibe, patio, cocktails, food, and service. We have visited there on several occasions for drinks and dinner, and have always had a great experience. Husband loves their vast selection of bourbons and ryes, and my go-to Paloma is always perfect. They do have some interesting menu options, like a spicy pimento spread and a smashed elk burger. Coming with a gang they have private dining rooms. Reservations are recommended for the weekend, especially for dinner. read more

Just an update on this place. Honestly, I think this place is still a solid spot especially close to the Georgetown square. It's beautiful inside and I seem to find myself here during Sunday brunch. The service is friendly though I will say a bit slow for this latest visit but I'm pretty sure it was only one person working the whole back section. Food wise: still delicious! My steak was cooked beautifully. read more

The Golden Rule - Shishito peppers - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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Golden Rule is like a block and a half off the square in Georgetown and is a great place for craft cocktails and food. They've got a good sized bar area inside and a handful of tables indoors as well and then a larger number of tables outside on their covered patio. We went on a night with nice weather and sat outside so it was a pleasant evening. I ordered the elk smash burger which was nice and lean and flavorful. It was served with a side of fries and really was a tasty entree. The remainder of my party ordered a handful of appetizers and shared them. They got the carne asada fries which were basically nachos with fries in lieu of tortilla chips, Brussels sprouts (best thing on the menu), whipped goat cheese, and fried shrimp. All of it was tasty and fresh. They have a good choice of craft cocktails at decent prices. Chris was our server and helped with some recommendations and everything he suggested was spot on. Pretty much everything looked/tasted good at this place, so it's easy to see why it's a popular place. Definitely worth an evening out. read more

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Sat at the patio bar for a quick bite. Had a salad and some goat cheese dip. Both were good, nothing to rave about, but hit the spot since I was very hungry. Service was friendly. Vibes were good. I like the big patio area. Seems like a cool spot for locals. read more

The Golden Rule - Patio bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

This establishment offers outdoor seating as well as a lot of indoor seating. They also have a bar section. We came for drinks and appetizers. The server was very attentive without being overbearing as he served a large party celebrating a birthday. They sat us in one of the many cozy and intimate dining sections. Overall, great experience. read more

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Food was absolutely delicious and drinks were strong and tasty. Love love love the vibe and atmosphere! We had a girls day and had a table somewhat closed off which made it feel private and cozy. read more

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Great brunch spot off the Georgetown square! We were able to get a little intimate room for our large party. Service was a little slower, but there was another large party next to us. Majority of our table ordered the steak fries (BBQ fries), which came with 2 specialty sauces (white truffle vinaigrette, salsa macha, or chimichurri). This was delicious and I tasted all the sauces, and all very good. We also ordered the Jen and Juice which had 4 juices and 32 oz carafe of champagne. Plenty of mimosas to go around! Shishito peppers and beef tartare for the table. All apps were good. Overall cute and fun spot! read more

The Golden Rule - Steak frites with BBQ fries with salsa macha and chimichurri sauces - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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Stumbled upon this spot seeking out a happy hour spot. The patio vibes were exactly what we had in mind. The food and drink menu all sounded incredible, and staff and other guests nearby raved to us about dishes to try. A couple of drinks and apps later, and we had such an unexpectedly wonderful evening. Our server, Chris, was top notch. We will definitely be back! read more

The Golden Rule - Death by Berries & Her Light - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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Ended up getting their burger after my buddy swore it was his absolute favorite and the best he has ever had so I had some high hopes. Honestly it was a damn good burger. Only critique is it was smaller than I expected for the price but the flavor made up for it. Super juicy and the pepper jam or sauce they put on it was phenomenal. Had a nice little kick that worked perfectly with the cheese and elk meat. Fries were solid too, crispy shoe strings with that perfect crunch. We also grabbed a couple appetizers. The brussels sprouts were perfectly crispy with a nice sweet glaze and the shishito peppers had great crunch and just the right amount of heat with a chipotle sauce that tied it together. Cool little spot with a laid back vibe that's perfect for a low key lunch with the bros. read more

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Such a super cute spot with an amazing vibe! We sat outside and were greeted immediately by our friendly waitress. My husband and I both ordered The Golden Dip, and our friend had the Turkey Club. Everything was absolutely delicious. The bacon on the Turkey Club was thick, crispy, and cooked to perfection, but my Golden Dip was the real showstopper- yum, yum, yum! The fries were excellent as well. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Georgetown. Highly recommend! read more

The Golden Rule - The Golden Dip - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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Walked in around Linner Time at around 4 pm. Seating was self seating and service came greeted me fast. Got a water and the NA Life for 1000 drink. The drink was very tasty and refreshing. Ordered the Cantonese Riblets and Caesar Salad , both were amazing and I definitely will be back. read more

The Golden Rule - Cantonese Riblets and Caesar Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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I met a friend here after work and loved the patio. I got there around 4:30 and there were plenty of tables. By 5:30 the patio was filling up so plan accordingly. We tried the glazed brussels and the shishito peppers. The shishitos were a single order so if you plan to share, order two. We had the Bloody Good Marg and the Life's a Peach. I also tried the Fall pear cocktail which was like a French 75 but I didn't like it as well. The Bloody Good Marg is one to come back for and I certainly will. read more

The Golden Rule - "A Bloody Good Marg" - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

Great food, drinks, and service! We enjoyed sitting on the patio and visiting with friends. The Goat Cheese salad was delicious! Tangy and just the right amount. The club sandwich was good, but the fries were just average. Plenty of cocktail options or beer and wine. We'll be back! read more

The Golden Rule - Goat Cheese Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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Stopped by Golden Rule in Georgetown and had a really great experience. The service was excellent from start to finish--attentive without being overbearing, and the staff made great recommendations when we had questions about the menu. The standout dish for me was the pecan crusted chicken. It was cooked perfectly, with a really nice crunch from the pecan crust and great flavor throughout. You can tell the kitchen pays attention to quality and preparation. Also worth mentioning are the cocktails. They were well-balanced, not overly sweet, and clearly made with care. It's the kind of place where you can enjoy a good drink while waiting for your meal or just stop in for cocktails with friends. Overall, Golden Rule is a great spot in Georgetown if you're looking for good food, solid drinks, and friendly service. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to. read more

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Holy F Word..... It is an absolute shame that it is taking me the better half of 15 years to find a restaurant like this. I do not know when this place opened, but shame on me for not going until last night. The service provided by.J was fantastic! He gave exceptional recommendations for not only cocktails, but appetizers as well as entrées! When it came to the ambience of the restaurant, very unique, feel beautiful outdoor patio, beautiful indoor bar seating with garage doors that open to the outdoor patio private booth for larger parties section off as well as a large dining area! They also have benches and tables on the sidewalk and if you're unfamiliar with Georgetown Square, get familiar with it. It's a phenomenal place to hang out and drink and be social eating of course is the caveat.!! The food OH MY GOD, THE FOOD!!! This place is absolutely incredible. I will most certainly be back time and time again! We ordered the deviled eggs, which were delicious. Takes you back to an actual deviled eggs should taste like., flash fried Brussels, but they tie chili glaze and peppers cooked beautifully super soft with the right amount of crisp! My wife who is a burger snob got the elk double smash burger which was next level smash status. I will tell you right now that the showstopper went to the Wagyu stroganoff.!! When I tell you that every flavor was spot on the noodles, the sauce, the mushrooms, the char on the Wagyu the flavor profile the temperature it was cooked to this place is a gym and if you've never been, you were doing yourself a disservice!! Check the golden rule out when you have some time the brunch menu looks phenomenal as well as they have a secondary lunch menu as well as the evening eat menu !! You will not be mad or disappointed. Everything else we had at the table was exceptional from steak frites to the Akashi strip.... I appreciate a wonderful experience and you will most certainly see us back. read more

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Just off the main square in Georgetown, a charming New American restaurant boasting "goodwill, friendship, and kind regard" above all. What's not to love?! To sweeten the deal: specials Monday through Thursday, plates made for sharing, and a Sunday brunch menu. We enjoyed one of their 2 cozy alcoves made for group dining, great for special events or business deals. Service was exactly as advertised: friendly, welcoming, making me feel right at home. The Golden Dip came out slightly overdone, not as rich in flavor as I had hoped, but hearty nonetheless. I'm excited to see a spot like this livening up Georgetown's dining scene, and will look forward to checking out more of the menu next time I'm in town, although the maxim may be taken everywhere. read more

The Golden Rule - Golden Dip - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

Found this place via YELP. Nice, comfy interior. We shared the guacamole w/ bacon and the French dip. Food was good, not great. They do serve LuLu's pies as part of their dessert menu. (The key lime lie is outstanding!!) Val is an excellent server. The bar has a great vibe. Worth a visit. read more

Came here at a work event. Grilled shishito was very tasty as was the pimento cheese dip with bread. We ordered the Wagyu beef stroganoff which was very delicious. The pasta tasted super fresh and has a very nice texture. The prawns bucatini (they did not have lobster) was also quite good but a bit on the heavy side. The prawns were very succulent. Our waitress was amazing and super friendly and attentive. They also have a great system where you can buy a bottle and keep it at the vault. Alcohol selection was great!! read more

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Service was terrible. Took like an hour to get a drink and they managed to mess the drink up too.

We dined on the patio. The patio gets 5/5 stars. The service was good - no complaints. Here is what we got: 1. Carne Asada fries - the meat was good but it was a simple smaller plate of fries with some queso and green sauce on it. Nothing else. It just didn't look great but tasted fine. 3.5/5 ($16) 2. Pecan fried chicken - came with asparagus and mashed potatoes. It was as almost flavorless except for the pecans. It looked so good but the taste was not. It didn't even have salt. 2/5 stars. The pic is deceiving for the flavor. ($25) 3. Blackened redfish - I didn't taste much seasoning either. Maybe their clientele doesn't like seasoning? It was fishy and if it had more seasoning it would have masked it better. 1/5 stars from me. ($35) 4. Kids chicken strips and fries were good. They were definitely not homemade (reminded me exactly of the chicken strips basket from my school cafeteria) but were fried well and tasted good. Probably the best bite at the table. 4/5. (No idea how much it cost) Total including 20% grat was $102.60 read more

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Wednesday night. sat at bar. friendly patrons. good food. cold drinks. staff went Above and Beyond. five stars. Thursday night . sat at bar. Friendly patrons. Good food. Cold drinks. Staff disappeared with my card. Ignored me. Were distracted and rude. So. pick your night!!! Cheers! read more

The Golden Rule - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

This place looks like an old converted house just off the square in Georgetown. Cozy feel inside with the fireplace but there is limited indoor seating. Service was really above and beyond as we inquired about gluten free options- admittedly there was very little gluten free options beyond the typical steak. But the server had an idea and she really came through. It wasn't on the menu so I'm not going to post it here as I wouldn't want others to expect it. All I can say is we were really appreciative. Food was amazing. The flavors were on point for everything we had and I can honestly say that the prices for the quality of food and portions were more than fair - it almost felt like a bargain. Best brussel sprouts I've ever had, fried then finished with a Thai sauce (little more sweet than I would've liked but I can see the general appeal here) and some yellow and red bell peppers. I had the Akaushi strip steak with green beans. The steak was very tender, had a slight char to it but still medium per my order. The compound butter helped the flavor on a cut that seemed a little thin but ample portion size. The menu doesn't say what size but this seemed like a 16oz steak- not sure. All I know is that I had plenty butter between the green beans and the steak, that's a good thing! The beans had some sautéed onions and crispy bacon bits, perfect accompanying. read more

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Chris R was AMAZING!!! The best. Very personable, friendly, attentive and everything in between!!! His recommendations were on point and he never skipped a beat. Super star!!! read more

The Golden Rule - Pork Riblets & fried Brussels - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

The Golden Rule is my favorite place to go to start my night out. This time, we got the Steak Tartar and it was wonderful. The horseradish cream melts like butter and the trout roe adds an umami factor. Great place for groups and dates. Every time I've been, there has been a large group of friends laughing and I love that! Try Golden Rule once and it'll be your newest favorite. read more

The Golden Rule - Steak Tartare - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

What a great spot! We had a few of their signature cocktails and they were so great. And we shared the deviled eggs, goat cheese, Brussel sprouts, and the fries. All were amazing! The Brussel sprouts were my favorite. Our waitress was amazing too! read more

The Golden Rule - Fries, Brussels sprouts, deviled eggs and goat cheese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

Really great place! Well priced for the quality of food. The mussels were excellent, we could've drank all the sauce up. Everything we ordered was delicious and the service was quick and friendly. Plenty of outdoor seating in the heart of downtown. read more

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My wife and I enjoyed our dining experience. The staff was great, and the atmosphere was awesome. The Golden Rule has a great menu, and a nice full bar. Everything that we ordered exceeded our expectations. If you are ever in Georgetown, this is a must visit. Parking can be a bit difficult, but garages are close by. Stay hungry my friends... read more

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Skimpy food for the price. Burned sprouts & onion rings. Barely any pulled pork on the special of the day. Wont be back. Really disappointed read more

My husband and I stopped in for lunch on Tuesday afternoon. We sat outside on the patio. Best decision ! We had a wonderful time. The bartender was wonderful. Answered all of our questions and made great suggestions. We ordered the Shishito peppers. They were perfectly cooked. The sauce was awesome. The Whipped Goat cheese. It is like cheesecake heaven. We couldn't stop. He and I also shared the steak frites. The steak was a great size, cooked really well. You can choose your sauces, we loved the chimichurri. Great time, great service, great food, great pick for an impromptu lunch date on a weekday. read more

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I had a business lunch here today and the location was picked by a coworker. This was my first visit and I am a it was a little hit or miss for me. We sat outside on the patio and the weather was great but there was a ton of flies. I know flies come with eating outside but it was a lot. I have seen places put devices on their tables that spun like a wind mill to help deter the flies but this place did not have any. I had the Elk Smashburger because everyone said it was great. It was a good tasting burger but smaller than I expected and it seemed rather plain. The fries were average; nothing to get excited about. The service was ok, I wasn't impressed because I asked for a water with lemon and it came without ice.... Really this is south Texas... I need ice!! I would like to try this place again and sit on the inside while ordering something other than the burger. read more

The Golden Rule - Elk Smash-burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

A little late to review , I was enjoying my third visit here. The food is nothing short of amazing. They have a wide variety of food. For whatever reason I have tried both of their Italian dishes and very fond of everything made from scratch. The spaghetti with meatballs is out of this world. I'm a big fan of beef stroganoff and their version is just as good as spaghetti. The fried tomato appetizer is a star on its own. The drinks are very tasty and service is super attentive. When I walked by a couple times and saw the patio I definitely got the vibe to wear my boots to this one. Will have them as a regular spot in my book. read more

Hidden Gem! Came with a friend for lunch after the holidays and much to our surprise we made it for happy hour. We came through the front entrance and noticed it was empty but walked to the back bar area where it seemed to be service. We sat at the bar and had pleasant service from all of the staff. The bartender recommended the fried fish with the firecracker aoli and it was perfection. My friend had the elk burger and ate every bite. I want to say this is typical bar food but the mussel and shrimp starter we had makes that statement untrue. I wanted to drink the broth it was so good and savory. Even the bread crisp served with the dish was buttery and toasted to perfection. The cocktails were okay, nothing fancy but made with tlc. The pricing was average and plenty of parking for the lunch hour. I could easily see this place packed on a weekend or in the evening. read more

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Came here for dinner for the first time and this was my favorite meal out of both 2024 and 2025. It was that good. I ordered the quail and hubs got the elk burger and old fashioned. The quail was cooked perfectly and came with a tapenade sort of delicious sauce that I'm still dreaming about. And the mashed potatoes it came with were incredible. The ceasar salad was also amazing--dressing was impressive. Hubs said the burger was great too. Ambiance was upscale and cozy at the same time. Definitely an aesthetic that makes you leave all your problems at the door because you're swept into an enjoyable dining experience. Service was fantastic. Our server was Jackson and he was super attentive. This is our new favorite restaurant at the square and can't wait to be back. read more

The Golden Rule - Elk burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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9/5/2025 5pm We were at the Sq in Georgetown for the 1st Friday "concert on the lawn". Had a glass of wine at Georgetown Winery and the folks there recommended the Golden Rule, right off the square, as a great place for appetizers and dinner. Weather was mild so we chose to eat outside. We were greeted by our waitress Val, who has a smile bigger than Dallas. Val recommended a couple of excellent appetizers and we decided to split a double patty smash burger. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was awesome. All and all, a wonderful evening ! Ask for Val, a Great Waitress leads to a Great Experience! read more

Maybe it was Sunday night?? Service was HORRIBLE. Our server basically blew us off. Refills on water was excruciatingly slow, we ordered an appetizer which came with the entrees, and it pays as a server to know your menu ("is the turkey sandwich hot or cold"; her answer, "i don't know, I've never had it". Nice.). The shishito peppers (our appetizer/entree) were very good. The French dip sandwich (warm by the way) was "meh"... and I got charged $2.00 extra for cheese that was listed as part of the sandwich?? Other entrees were "okay" but nothing to cheer about when the service was so lacking. Obviously this place is a nice meet up spot for locals, and I'm willing to concede that Sunday night service might be the "B" squad, but this was a huge let down tonight. read more

Stopped in on a Monday night. The patio was comfortable in Texas Aug heat with the fans going. The Moscow Mules were a perfect refreshing compliment to the Cantonese Riblets that had a little bit of heat. The bartender, Page, provided great service with an endearing smile. Will definitely stop here next time I'm coming through GT! read more

The Golden Rule - Cantonese Riblets...10 out of 10! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

I've been here before but today we stopped in and what a let down. My husband and I sat at the outdoor bar for over 10 minutes and NO-ONE asked us what we wanted. It's like we were invisible. We were IGNORED!!! Like I said usually we get good service but today made me question if I would EVER GO BACK!!!! read more

The Golden Rule is one of the best spots in Georgetown. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and the kind of place that makes you want to stay awhile. The food and drinks are consistently solid, and the staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. It feels like a place that does everything right without trying too hard. read more

What a way to while away a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The hype is real The Golden Rule is a great addition to downtown Georgetown. As others have noted there is a spacious patio and very comfortable bar area, and a dining area with a few private dining rooms. On this beautiful day, the windows were open to the patio so we could enjoy the beautiful breeze. We only visited their bar for drinks and Appies but will definitely return to dine. Service at the bar was excellent our mixologist yes mixologist provided me with two perfect old fashions. Plus 1 ordered one of their vodka-based specialty drinks and I can verify that it was perfect for a sunny afternoon. Check out their online cocktail menu there is something for everyone. They do have an excellent whiskey and bourbon selection with the usual assortment of local brews like Pint House and Meanwhile. We chose their Spicy Pimento spread as our App. It was not as spicy as I expected but our bartender said it is made fresh every day and the heat levels vary. Can't wait to return for lunch/dinner and to update this review. read more

The golden rule is a vibe...in the best way possible. Upon walking in you can tell it's a Georgetown staple for friends to meet up at and connect. Upon walking to the host they asked " did we need something"..which was odd for a welcome but they got us a table promptly after we let them know we wanted to dine. Our waitress was phenomenal! The best part of the Golden Rules visit. They were friendly, informative and sold us on our entree choices of wagyu stroganoff and red fish. I was beyond excited to try the stroganoff and sadly it lacked flavor, texture and authenticity. The sauce was lacking and the mushrooms ratio was low. The pappardelle pasta was good and the noodle texture and flavor on point. The lack of sauce combined with the steak though took away from the pasta as a stand alone instead of complimenting it. The red fish was okay with broccolini and rice. I will say even though our meal was lacking in some flavor the entirety is a solid try. Meaning if you are looking for a spot to hang, meet up and want just food that meets The Golden Rule will meet. read more

The Golden Rule - Wagyu Stroganoff - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Georgetown, Texas

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