Beyond the Obvious in The Colony
Most people who visit The Colony head straight for the well-known anchors at Grandscape and call it a day, but the city rewards those who look a little closer. From a cemetery that predates the Civil War to a Thai kitchen where cocktails change color, these are the places that locals quietly love and visitors almost always miss.
Dining That Flies Under the Radar
Tandē Thai at Grandscape earns its place on this list precisely because it hides in plain sight. Tucked into the downstairs Grotto level of Grandscape, Tandē Craft Kitchen and Cocktails serves scratch-made Thai dishes using specialty ingredients sourced directly from Thailand. The crispy whole fish is worth the trip on its own, and the passion fruit margaritas are as fun to watch as they are to drink, shifting color right in the glass.
Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant has been quietly feeding The Colony since 1986, sitting right next to The Rackhouse on Main Street. Cheesy enchiladas, brisket tacos, sizzling fajitas, and chile rellenos make up a menu that reads like a love letter to classic Tex-Mex. It tends to get overshadowed by flashier Grandscape neighbors, which means the wait is usually shorter than it deserves to be.
A Lakeside Spot Worth Seeking Out
The Rackhouse at 4847 Main Street is the kind of place you stumble onto and immediately wonder why no one told you sooner. The smashburger, made with a house secret seasoning, is the anchor of the menu, but the real draw for many regulars is the two-story patio with an unobstructed view of Lake Lewisville. The whiskey program leans heavily into bourbon, with selections from local craft distillers and, on occasion, allocated Pappy Van Winkle bottles that rarely make it to a regular bar menu.
The Shacks at Austin Ranch: A Dog-Friendly Outdoor Complex
Locals know The Shacks at Austin Ranch well, but it remains one of those places that out-of-towners rarely find without a tip from a friend. The outdoor complex brings together fusion street tacos, wood-fired pizzas, Texas-sized burgers, and live music in a setting that genuinely welcomes dogs.
Anchoring the beer side of things is Grrrowler’s Tap Room and Beer Garden, which shares the Austin Ranch footprint. More than 25 taps, over 45 packaged beers, and single-serve wines available for carryout make it a strong destination for craft beer fans. The patio overlooks a shaded dog park, so bring your dog and plan to stay a while.
A Wine Bar Hidden Inside Grandscape
Grandscape gets a lot of foot traffic, but The Colony Wine Bar manages to stay genuinely under the radar despite being right there in the mix. The tasting room and bottle shop sources wines from across the globe, offers private samplings, and hosts special events where staff walks you through a curated list paired with light snacks. If you have browsed the official Visit The Colony attractions page you may have seen it listed, but most people walk past it without a second look.
The Roadside Wonder at Truck Yard
The Colony’s Truck Yard location hosts Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum, and it is exactly what it sounds like and then some. More than 1,400 original, hand-decorated toilet seats represent decades of one man’s meticulous creative work, and admission is free during Truck Yard’s regular business hours. This particular museum exists only at the Colony location, making it a genuinely one-of-a-kind Texas roadside attraction that deserves far more recognition than it gets.
A Cemetery That Tells the City’s Oldest Story
Bridges Cemetery at 6421 Morning Star Drive is one of the most quietly significant historical sites in the city. Dating to 1855, it predates The Colony itself and holds the remains of both Confederate and Union soldiers, which is unusual for a cemetery in this part of Texas. The Colony Public Library’s Local History Committee organizes seasonal public tours, making this an accessible and genuinely moving way to understand the land long before subdivisions and shopping centers arrived.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum really free to visit in The Colony?
Yes, the museum inside Truck Yard at The Colony is free and open to the public during regular Truck Yard business hours. No ticket or reservation is required.
Are dogs allowed at The Shacks at Austin Ranch?
Yes, The Shacks at Austin Ranch is dog-friendly. Grrrowler’s Tap Room and Beer Garden, located within the same complex, features a patio that overlooks a shaded dog park.
How old is Bridges Cemetery in The Colony, TX?
Bridges Cemetery dates to 1855, making it one of the oldest sites in the area. Seasonal tours are offered through The Colony Public Library’s Local History Committee.
Where is Tandē Thai located in The Colony?
Tandē Craft Kitchen and Cocktails is located in the downstairs Grotto level of Grandscape in The Colony. It is easy to miss on a first visit since it sits below the main shopping and dining level.
