Eating plant-based hasn’t always been easy, but in Austin, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.
With Bat City gaining a reputation as a culinary capital, it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, plant-based bites across town. From vegetarian barbecue to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are restaurants serving up plant-based fare in ATX.
Dear Diary Coffee’s food and drink menu is entirely vegan.
Photo by @where_is_louie
🍊 The brunch bunch
Bouldin Creek Cafe, 1900 S. 1st St. | This local staple is beloved by vegans and non-vegans alike for its plentiful menu catering to all diet restrictions, local engagement, and walk-in only policy
Community Vegan’s mushrooms are fried with love.
Photo courtesy @communityvegan
Community Vegan, 1124 E. 11th St. | Get your comfort food made vegan at this food truck that specializes in mouthwatering fried mushrooms and vegan chick’n and waffles.
Dear Diary Coffee, 1212 Chicon St., #103 | The coffee at this eastside shop is produced by women-owned farms and women-led coffee collectives. Its menu of sweets and savories is entirely vegan.
🥑 Tex-Mex cravings
Nissi Vegan Méxican Cuisine, 9012 Research Blvd., Unit C-6 | The most popular dishes at this North Austin restaurant are birria, flautas, and the taco plate.
Un Mundo De Sabor, 5333 Fleming Ct. | There’s a little something for everyone at this taco truck, which serves a vegan taco menu.
The Vegan Nom, 2324 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Considered Austin’s “original vegan taco truck,” The Vegan Nom celebrated a decade of business last year. This menu is also 100% plant-based and nut-free.
Try this: Grilled Avocado Reale, featuring caramelized onions, black beans, cilantro, and kale
Have your burger, and make it vegan, too.
Photo by @crimsella
🍔 For the vegan carnivore
Arlo’s Junior, 2337 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Two words: Vegan. Barbecue. Dig into plant-based Texas staples like burgers, tacos, and mac-and-cheese.
Try this: Frito Pie Burger, featuring a house-made soy- and gluten-free patty, melted “cheeze,” chili, Fritos, pico de gallo, and chipotle sauce.
Believe it or not, this smash burger is 100% plant-based.
Photo courtesy @missionburgerco
Mission Burger Co., Multiple locations | Even vegan or vegetarian foodies crave a burger from time to time, and you can get one (or a chicken sandwich, Philly cheesesteak, or mushroom burger) with all the fixings here.
🍣 Date night dining
Bistro Vonish, 701 E. 53rd St. | Try gluten-free cornbread, spicy seitan kolaches, and crispy seitan sandwiches at this elevated vegan food truck.
Try this: Thursday Night Gnocchi, including house-made gnocchi, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, almonds, and fresh pomodoro sauce
Try a rotating, coursed menu of plant-based dishes at Fabrik.
Photo courtesy @fabrikatx
Fabrik Austin, 1701 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste. #102 | A plant-based take on fine dining and seasonal menus, Fabrik offers five-course and seven-course menus in an upscale setting.
Fonda San Miguel, 2330 W. N. Loop Blvd. | This 45-year-old Allandale Mexican restaurant recently released its “De la Tierra” menu, featuring eight entirely vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free dishes.
Nori, 3208 Guadalupe St., B | Japanese staples take on a plant-based twist at this atmospheric dinner spot.
Try this: Nigiri sampler, with tastes of shiitake, tofu, tomato, cucumber, avocado, and tamago.
🥬 Casual bites
ATXFOODCO., 517 S. Lamar Blvd. | Pair your meal with a smoothie from this truck’s extensive drinks menu. You can even buy wild sea moss — in two different forms, no less.
Casa de Luz Village, 1701 Toomey Rd. | This space doesn’t just serve up mouthwatering vegan food — it also offers classes, workshops, meetings, and seminars related to mental and physical health.
Li’l Nonna’s, 2908 Fruth Sr. | The pies at this South Austin vegan pizzeria come on New York-style or gluten-free crusts.
Mr. Natural, 1901 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, make sure to take in the iconic “Vegetarians of the World” mural on the outside of the East Austin restaurant and health food store.
The Vegan Yacht, 2000 Southern Oaks Dr. | Pack up the family and head down to South Austin — this restaurant offers an all-vegan kid’s menu.
Don’t fret: Austin’s famous frozen banana truck is vegan-friendly.
Photo by @treyschowdown, Hunting Deliciousness
🫐 Delicious desserts
Bananarchy, Multiple locations | Don’t worry, Austin’s iconic frozen banana truck is vegan-friendly. Dip your banana in vegan chocolate and choose from a variety of plant-based toppings — including vegan peanut butter — at one of Banarchy’s locations.
Lick Honest Ice Creams, Multiple locations | This local chain offers a range of creative dairy-free and vegan flavors.
Try this: Tequila lime coconut milk ice cream
Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery, 411 E. 43rd St. | This south Austin bakery isn’t entirely plant-based, but it does offer vegan truffles, peanut butter cups, and oat bars.
Thai Fresh, 909 W. Mary St. | Dig into pies, cakes, and tarts made with unique flavors on this mostly vegan dessert menu.
Try this: Tres Leches Cake, made with almond, coconut, and coconut condensed milks and drizzled with vegan caramel
Zucchini Kill Bakery, Multiple locations | Get your treats vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free at this bakery specializing in cupcakes (think flavors like peanut butter, cookies and cream, and s’mores) and bread.
🍽️ Chef it up at home
Check out our favorite tips and tricks for serving veggie-focused fare from your own kitchen:
- To make zucchini, carrot, or beet noodles, try a veggie spiralizer that magically turns vegetables into noodles.
- Tired of wasting money on spices you use once? Broth Bomb combines all the spices you need for a flavorful meal.
- Harness the power of fresh and high-quality spices from James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani.
- A tofu press draws out water and can help tofu firm and crisp up once you cook it — the one linked here is dishwasher safe + works in twenty minutes.
- If your least favorite part about veggie prep is chopping, this all-in-one vegetable chopper can minimize prep time.
- Use a sprouting jar kit to grow microgreens and sprouted beans at home.
- If you’re making fresh bread, this Sourhouse starter jar was designed to be the easiest-to-clean sourdough starter jar in the world.
- For the ultimate veggie food prep, this glass storage container set keeps lunches and leftovers organized.
- Need some good recipes? Browse cookbooks “Inspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy, Creative, Satisfying Meals” for veggie spiral recipes, “The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100” for plant-based ideas, or “The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook” from America’s Test Kitchen
