Plant-Based Eating in Austin

Check out Sharon Palmer’s guide to plant-based eating in Austin, TX.

It was so fun to visit Austin for the Today’s Dietitian Spring Symposium, where I hosted a local food and farm tour.  I have always wanted to visit this food mecca, with its fine reputation for farm-to-table food, vegan options, and Southern hospitality. Take a peek to discover some of my favorite plant-powered eats and activities in this neck of the woods.

Second Bar + Kitchen, Austin, TX

Sure, BBQ is everything in Texas. So, why not have vegan BBQ on the menu too? There are so many great BBQ restaurants that have vegan sausages and the like right on the menu. And this cool, hip restaurant offered a BBQ tempeh salad, with savory slabs of grilled tempeh with crisp greens and veggies. Yum!

Austin Food Truck Scene

I know we have a lot of food trucks in LA, but even I was shocked at how many I saw in Austin. It seems like every time you turn around the corner you spy another one. I love this sign over Snap Kitchen: The Future is Plant-Based. Agree!

Whole Foods, Austin, TX

It was so special to visit the flagship store of the Austin-founded Whole Foods! This was very special to me—I felt almost reverent walking around the aisles. This is a very special Whole Foods, too. Just check it out.

Whole Foods, Austin, TX

Had to snap a selfie in this special place!

Whole Foods, Austin, TX

They even have a cool pub featuring local beers in the center of Whole Foods. Now that’s how to make shopping fun!

Whole Foods, Austin, TX

I love this idea of promoting produce to children.

Colleen’s Kitchen, Austin, TX

We went to this cool, modern, Southern restaurant, which had lots of plant-based options on the menu. We started with some fried-green tomatoes, of course! And then I had a beautiful quinoa salad with greens, purslane, red beans, cucumber, pepper, and red onion with a cilantro mint vinaigrette.

American Botanical Council, Austin, TX

As part of my farm tour, we visited the American Botanical Council herb garden to learn more about the medicinal value of botanicals and herbs. Fun!

American Botanical Council, Austin, TX

That’s turmeric growing!

American Botanical Council, Austin, TX

Such a beautiful historic home and gardens to visit.

(L River)³ Farms, Austin, TX

Home of Wayne Cleveland, Executive Director Texas Sorghum Producers

I enjoyed a side venture to the home of Wayne Cleveland, where we enjoyed a bounty of local foods, such as grilled vegetables, sorghum salad, beans, and corn on the cob.

Home of Wayne Cleveland, Executive Director Texas Sorghum Producers

Even though it was raining, we enjoyed a lovely meal outdoors featuring local foods.

Bat Cruise, Austin, TX

While in Austin, you must do the bat cruise. Yes, it’s a thing. Every night about 1.5million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge right after sunset from the Congress Avenue Bridge. The cruise takes you up close and personal to experience it, as well as offers pretty views of the city prior to the bat sighting. Here I am with some of my dietitian friends (Rebecca Scritchfield, Michelle Dudash, and Felicia Stohler) on the cruise.

Sweet Papas, Suerte, Austin, TX

We just loved this cool, modern Mexican inspired, casual eatery, which featured inventive food in a fun setting. Packed with vegan options, too. Just look at this dish featuring sweet potatoes.

Beet, Smashed Avocado Tostadas, Suerte, Austin, TX

Need I say more?

Mushroom Frito, Suerte, Austin, TX

Red corn tempura, fennel puree, radish, salsa verde accompanies this fried mushroom.

Emmer & Rye, Austin, TX

The piece de resistance of our Austin eating experience was eating at this hot place—widely regarded as the jewel of the eating scene in Austin. Peter and I enjoyed a glass of natural wine before we ordered.

Carts, Emmer & Rye, Austin, TX

They roll around dim sum-style carts with small plates in this restaurant, such as this pickled cauliflower.

Pickled Caulflower, Emmer & Rye, Austin, TX

So pretty! They do a lot of their own fermentation at Emmer & Rye.

Pasta with Tomatoes and Eggplant, Emmer & Rye, Austin, TX

One of the nice things about this restaurant is that they use fresh herbs and flowers liberally. All the dishes have an amazingly inventive, vibrant thread humming through them. This simple pasta was heaven, thanks to the seasonal vegetables and bright herbs in the mix.

Emmer & Rye, Austin, TX

I love the open kitchen, which gives you a feel for the culinary aesthetics of this restaurant.

Fermented Foods, Emmer & Rye, Austin, TX

You can glimpse the fermentation going on for many ingredients on the menu.

If you have a chance to make it to Austin, please do. You will find a wide array of plant-based options, a friendly vibe, and a vibrant food culinary scene awaiting you.

For more plant-based eating guides, check out:

Plant-Based Eating in Walla Walla, WA
Plant-Based Eating in the Big Island, Hawaii
Plant-Based Eating in New York City