McAdoo’s Seafood Company

McAdoo’s Seafood Company is an upscale Texas Creole and Cajun seafood restaurant and oyster bar located at 196 N Castell Ave in downtown New Braunfels, Texas. Set inside the city’s restored 1915 United States Post Office building—named after William Gibbs McAdoo, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the building’s construction—this landmark dining destination pairs early 20th-century Classical Revival architecture with Gulf Coast fish, raw oysters, and Louisiana-inspired specialties. Visitors and locals gather here for weekday happy hours, celebratory dinners, and weekend seafood brunches just one block west of New Braunfels Main Plaza.

What to Expect at McAdoo’s Seafood Company

Stepping through the grand brick-and-limestone entrance on North Castell Avenue reveals a meticulously preserved interior featuring soaring ceilings, original terrazzo and hardwood floors, antique brass post office boxes, and high arched windows. The floor plan is divided into three distinct dining zones: the stately main postal lobby dining rooms, the intimate Treasury Bar featuring a granite-topped raw oyster bar, and a spacious, fully covered brick courtyard patio shaded by mature trees and cooled by ceiling fans. Whether dining indoors beneath historic crown molding or outdoors on the patio, the atmosphere strikes a balance between polished dining and relaxed Texas Hill Country hospitality.

The kitchen at McAdoo’s Seafood Company focuses on fresh Gulf seafood, Cajun classics, and hand-cut steaks across dedicated lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and happy hour menus. Diners often start at the raw bar with cold-water and Gulf oysters on the half shell, boiled peel-and-eat shrimp, or pan-fried lump crab cakes finished with lemon butter and micro cilantro. Signature entrees include blackened redfish topped with crawfish tails or pontchartrain sauce, shrimp and grits, dark-roux seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with jalapeño and jack cheese. The culinary team accommodates gluten-sensitive and vegetarian diners with customizable grilled fish preparations, salads, and seasonal vegetable sides.

• The Historic 1915 Post Office Building: Dine surrounded by original architectural details, including vintage brass mail slots, vault doors, and high arched windows from the building’s era as a federal post office.
• The Treasury Bar & Oyster Bar: An intimate cocktail lounge and raw bar serving freshly shucked Gulf and East Coast oysters, craft martinis, French Quarter-style cocktails, and an extensive wine list.
• Covered Courtyard Patio: A climate-adapted, fully covered outdoor brick courtyard equipped with fans and heaters, popular for al fresco lunches, evening cocktails, and private events.
• Texas Creole Signature Dishes: Standout plates include pan-fried lump crab cakes, blackened Gulf redfish, Pontchartrain-style fish, seafood gumbo, and Cajun seafood pasta.
• Weekend Seafood Brunch: Served Saturday and Sunday mornings, featuring coastal brunch specialties like crab cake Benedict, Bananas Foster French toast, shrimp and grits, and bloody marys.

McAdoo’s Seafood Company at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Because McAdoo’s Seafood Company is one of the busiest dinner tables in Comal County, booking a reservation in advance through the official website or by calling +1 830-629-3474 is strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday brunch. Walk-in guests generally find the shortest wait times during weekday lunch (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) or early afternoon happy hour in the Treasury Bar. Drivers will find a dedicated surface parking lot adjacent to the restaurant at the corner of North Castell Avenue and West Mill Street, along with angled street parking along Castell Avenue and San Antonio Street. The building offers a ramp entrance leading to the covered courtyard and main dining level, wide interior aisles suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, and accessible restrooms on the main floor.

Its central downtown location makes it easy to pair a meal with New Braunfels’ top historic and recreational sights within a 5- to 15-minute walk. Just one block east sits Main Plaza and the 1898 Comal County Courthouse, bordered by independent boutiques, antique shops, and German bakeries such as Naegelin’s Bakery on South Seguin Avenue. One block south along West San Antonio Street stands the historic Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, making McAdoo’s an ideal pre-show dinner stop. For families and outdoor travelers, the spring-fed waters of Landa Park and the Comal River tube chute lie less than a mile northwest up Landa Street.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours and best times to visit McAdoo’s Seafood Company?

McAdoo’s Seafood Company is open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. For a quieter dining experience without a wait, arrive for weekday lunch between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM or early dinner before 5:30 PM.

Do I need reservations, and what is the average price per person?

Reservations are highly recommended for weekend dinners, holidays, and Sunday brunch, though walk-in seating is available at the Treasury Bar and courtyard tables on a first-come, first-served basis. Dining falls into the $$$ tier, with lunch plates ranging from $16 to $28 and dinner entrees typically running $24 to $48 before drinks and appetizers.

How much time should I budget for a meal at McAdoo’s?

Plan to spend about 60 to 75 minutes for a weekday lunch and 1.5 to 2 hours for a full multi-course dinner or weekend brunch. If you are attending a concert at the nearby Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, schedule your table at least two hours prior to curtain time.

What is the dress code, and is the restaurant accessible and family-friendly?

The dress code is smart casual to Hill Country casual; collared shirts, sundresses, and neat denim are standard, while river swimwear is not permitted in the dining rooms. The restaurant is family-friendly with a children’s menu and features step-free ramp access via the courtyard entrance for wheelchairs and strollers.

When planning your New Braunfels travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in New Braunfels, pair this stop with standout local spots including Buttermilk Cafe, Cypress Bend Park, Hilton Garden Inn New Braunfels, and The Mess Around – Upscale Southern Comfort Food (0.1 km away).