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Check Out the Best Vegan Restaurants Austin Has to Offer

Austin might be best known for cheese-loaded Tex Mex and meaty BBQ, but this eclectic Texas town provides plenty of options for plant-based sustenance. And we’re not just talking about steamed veggies and salads.

Whether you’re an omnivore who wants to reduce your meat intake (and carbon footprint), or a full-fledged vegan who abstains from all animal products (including dairy, eggs, and even honey), these meat-free eateries will keep you well-fed and going back for more. Check out our list of the best vegan restaurants Austin has to offer.

13 Must-Try Vegan Restaurants in ATX

vegan food phone

Gone are the days when a vegan meal at a restaurant meant a boring salad or a bland block of tofu. These days, you can get just about anything you’d ever want that you could get at any other “normal” restaurant — including burgers, breakfast tacos, and BBQ chicken. (Faux bird, of course.)

So, where do you get the best vegan food ATX has to offer? Glad you asked. Here are 13 plant-based vegan restaurants in Austin that’ll transport your taste buds to veggie heaven.

The Beer Plant

3110 Windsor Rd., Austin, TX 78703

Whether you’re planning a delish weekend brunch with the girls or want to grab a drink with the guys after a long day at work, The Beer Plant has a little something for everyone. As Austin’s first plant-based gastropub, this popular spot offers an impressive array of craft beer, cocktails, and wine as well as a menu that steps up the usual bar fare. Try the famed chorizo-loaded fries (with vegan queso), buffalo cauliflower wings, chicken and waffles, and Chicago-style Italian sammie made with seitan beef.

Counter Culture

2337 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78702

True to its name, Counter Culture goes against the meat-centric grain with a 100% plant-based menu that spans appetizers, salads, and sides to pizza, sandwiches, and dessert. The garbanzo “tuna” salad with cashew cheese is a tasty alternative to the real deal while the Philly seitan cheesesteak sandwich is for those moments when you really want to indulge. FYI, this eatery is heavy on seitan (aka wheat gluten), so if you’re gluten-free, be sure to ask about other options.

The Vegan Nom

Multiple locations

Tacos are the name of the game at the Vegan Nom food trucks. Depending on which location and time of day you’re stopping by, taco options can range from Korean BBQ and hot sausage to buffalo chicken and grilled avocado. The daytime and late-night menus also include other Mex-inspired standards like quesadillas, nachos, and vegan queso with chips.

Bistro Vonish

701 E. 53rd St., Austin, TX 78751

Putting a plant-based twist on Southern-inspired cuisine, the Bistro Vonish food trailer knows how to do comfort classics using seasonal ingredients. You can’t go wrong with the heart of palm po’ boy, creamy mac ’n’ cheese (pan-seared to order), black garlic bruschetta, or Southern-fried oyster mushrooms. Weekend brunch is prime time for favorites like cornbread and greens, pigs in a blanket, french toast, and even quiche.

Mr. Natural

Multiple locations

With its original East Austin location on Cesar Chavez and a newer South Austin outpost on South Lamar, Mr. Natural has become one of the best vegan restaurants in Austin thanks to its huge menu of veggie-based, Mexican homestyle meals. Along with breakfast burritos and tacos, there are daily lunch specials, dinner staples (vegan fajitas and rellenos, anyone?), and weekend brunch. Oh, and don’t forget the baked goods and made-to-order cakes.

Arlo‘s Curbside

Multiple locations

Perfect for those late-night munchies, Arlo‘s Curbside food trucks are all about comfort food classics with a plant-based twist. Roll up to one of the three locations at The Grackle, Cheer Up Charlie’s, or Spider House and choose from the shortlist of tacos and veggie burgers. (FYI, the Frito pie and Bac’N Cheezeburger are must-haves.) Don’t forget to order at least one side, although when you have options like mac ‘n’ cheese, tater tots, and sweet potato fries, we say order ’em all.

The Vegan Yacht

5212 Manchaca Rd., Austin, TX 78745

Think you can’t have authentic Tex Mex flavor without the real meat and cheese? Well, The Vegan Yacht will make you think again. This converted Airstream is where you can fill up on supremely flavorful and meatless takes on classic Mexican fare. Try the famed meatless burritos that come with fillings like trailer-smoked organic tempeh or organic soy curls.

Citizen Eatery

5011 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78756

This health-conscious spot in central Austin is a no-brainer for all-day breakfast (seriously, the Just eggs are a game-changer) and weekly happy hour specials. Citizen Eatery also offers creative vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly options like pecan pesto noodles, cheesy cauliflower, and a pulled plant BBQ sandwich that has all the texture and flavor of a pulled pork sammie minus, you know, the pig.

Conscious Cravings

Multiple locations

If you’re looking for nut-free vegan options that aren’t fried, then Conscious Cravings is just what you need. With a location in South Austin and another in the Mueller neighborhood, this casual spot offers a variety of salads and wraps stuffed with savory fillings like pan-seared tofu, portabella mushrooms, and spicy chickpeas.

Casa De Luz

1701 Toomey Rd., Austin, TX 78704

With its welcoming, homey vibe and pretty outdoor space, Casa de Luz is where you can enjoy organic, oil-free, gluten-free, plant-based meals. The made-from-scratch soups, salads, and entrees change daily, so one day you might have veggie and mushroom tacos and the next day you’ll be indulging in kabocha soup and vegan sushi.

Mother’s Cafe

4215 Duval St., Austin, TX 78751

Offering both vegetarian and vegan options, Mother’s Cafe is a true ATX favorite thanks to its sizeable menu that caters to those with specific food restrictions, including gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, oil-free, garlic- and onion-free, and even mushroom-free and potato-free. Along with the daily soups, salads, sandwiches, and smoothies, there’s also a handful of different enchiladas. Try the vegan specialty made with grilled tempeh and your choice of ranchero, verde, or spicy cashew chipotle sauce.

Sweet Ritual

4631 Airport Blvd. #125, Austin, TX 78751

OK, so it’s not technically a restaurant, but as far as we’re concerned, Sweet Ritual focuses on the most important food group: ice cream. With a delicious, dairy-free assortment of small-batch artisanal ice creams, this sweet shop in the Concorde Center strip mall also offers a variety of sundaes, milkshakes (“basic” and “fancy”), and Insta-worthy ice cream cakes.

Capital City Bakery

2211 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78702

This local bakeshop is a vegan dessert lover’s paradise with everything from cookies and brownies to special occasion cakes. Call ahead to place your order for the housemade cupcakes, or simply stop by to check out the daily flavors like confetti, carrot pumpkin, matcha green tea, blackberry french toast, and cherry limeade.

Austin Is Cooking Up Some Tasty Meatless Meals

best vegan restaurants austin: vegan chefs cooking

As you can see, it doesn’t take beef, pork, poultry, or fish to make a meal complete — or completely delicious. Austin has plenty of vegan fare and the growing trend toward plant-based eating means it’s only going to get better. Head to these best vegan restaurants in Austin for a sustainable and animal-friendly meal. For more meat-free fun, be sure to check out our list of the city’s top vegetarian eateries as well as the best donut spots in Austin, many of which offer vegan options.

Author
Mar Yvette
Mar Yvette

Mar Yvette is an established writer and editor who covers food, restaurants, travel, arts, entertainment, fashion, beauty, health, and wellness for print, online, and broadcast outlets. She’s obsessed with animals, nature, 80s pop, and vegan donuts.

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