Ivar’s River Pub is a local indoor-outdoor restaurant that sits on the San Marcos River at 701 Cheatham St.  and specializes in Texas comfort food and drinks.
 
While many customers rave about the brisket nachos and the ice-cold beer, the patio view of the river at Ivar’s River Pub is an amenity unmatched by any other restaurant in San Marcos. Located directly across from Rio Vista Park, the restaurant’s patio offers views of beautiful greenery that adds to the customers’ dining experiences.
 
Curtis Gunnarson, co-owner of Ivar’s River Pub, said he and his staff do their best to provide quality atmosphere and quality service.
 
“I feel blessed that we have a location on the river, and our patio is one of the best places to embrace it,” Gunnarson said. “We do our best to make people feel welcome and provide great food including brisket nachos, fried catfish and chicken fried steak.”
 
Ivar’s River Pub serves lunch, brunch and dinner daily. The pub has been serving the San Marcos community since it was purchased and opened in 1996 by Ivar Gunnarson, a Canadian World War II pilot, businessman and patriarch of the Gunnarson family that still runs the pub.
 
Since the rapid spread of COVID-19 has required the forced shut down of many non-essential businesses throughout the country, Ivar’s River Pub has temporarily closed. The restaurant is not currently offering carryout options, but according to co-owner Denele Gunnarson, she is working on both “a family food pack and bar menu” that she hopes to have available to the public by June.
 
Denele and Curtis plan to re-open Ivar’s River Pub as soon as restrictions regarding the coronavirus are lifted and it is safe for their customers to dine.
 
“The hardest thing for me throughout this time is that I miss our customers and employees,” Denele said. “But it is important to remember that ultimately we are here for the long run, and we will do our best to open as soon as we can.”
 
2nd place: Palmer’s Restaurant and Bar
3rd place: Blue Dahlia Bistro