Veganism has a bad reputation of implying a limitation — to your palette, to your experience, and to a true cultural immersion. How are you supposed to go to Texas or St. Louis and not get barbecue? Or go to Philadelphia and not get a Philly Cheesesteak? While it can be an adjustment to those new to a plant-based diet, with a little experience you will find that if you visit an open-minded destination with plenty of vegan restaurants and options galore, veganism is by no means limiting. In fact, it can be an even more adventurous way of traveling, especially in Austin.
Instead of ordering tacos made with chicken, beef, or pork, you can head to The Vegan Nom to get tacos with nopales (cactus). You can also visit Li’l Nonna’s, or Big Nonna’s, to enjoy a truly incredible version of a pepperoni pizza made with dehydrated spiced beets instead of meat!
Veganism requires creativity and Austin is by no means lacking in that category. Enjoy our top recommendations for our favorite vegan restaurants in Austin, Texas.
Vegan Restaurants in Austin, Texas
Arlo’s 
Arlo’s is known as one of the most beloved vegan restaurants in Austin, and it’s mainly for making Austin’s greatest vegan burger. While we don’t often agree with the masses, we can certainly join in on this popular opinion that Arlo’s makes a darn good burger.
Choose from four options: Bac’n Cheezeburger, BBQ Burger, Frito Pie Burger, and Chipotle Chik’n, and add on additional toppings as you please. Most patties are soy and gluten-free and all are made in house. Every ingredient is also made or prepared fresh on site. Pair your burger with a side of tater tots and you are as golden as those tots.
Highlights: Bac’n Cheezeburger, Chipotle Chik’n.
We’ve had great vegan tacos before, and we make great ones at home, so when we heard about The Vegan Nom, we were not sure whether or not to believe the hype. Luckily, it surpassed the hype by far and was one of our favorite meals in all of Austin.
The Vegan Nom is Austin’s first all vegan taco truck. Open since 2012, you can enjoy tacos with black beans, avocado, chorizo, mushrooms, spinach, tofu, and tempeh and customize as you see fit. They are open until 11pm at night so you can indulge in incredible vegan tacos in Austin any time of day.
Highlights: Grilled Avocado Reale, Gracias Madre.
The Beer Plant
We were blown away by the fried chicken at The Beer Plant, so there was no way we weren’t going to recommend you visiting this plant-based bar and kitchen. The Beer Plant is Austin’s first vegan gastropub, one of the best vegan restaurants in Austin, and one of the best we’ve visited in the country! We highly recommend their Mac and Cheese Skillet, and, of course, the Hillcountry ‘Chicken’ & Gravy.
Highlights: Hillcountry ‘Chicken’ & Gravy, Mac and Cheese Skillet.
Citizen Eatery
We love Citizen Eatery for its clean and thoughtful menu that prioritizes seasonal and high-quality ingredients. This chic eatery serves breakfast all day long, and is open early for brunch on weekends. Beyond having a vegan menu, they also serve dishes for those on a gluten-free and paleo diet, so no matter who’s in your party, everyone can enjoy a healthy meat-free meal.
Highlights: Citizen Power Bowl, Chocolate Avocado Mousse, Citizen Burger.
Bistro Vonish
Bistro Vonish claims it serves “elevated vegan cuisine”, but that barely even scratches the surface. This food truck proves that food truck cuisine can be so much more than tacos and fusion meals in a portable container. This menu is decadent, colorful, vibrant, and as nourishing as they come; treat yourself to as many items as you can off this menu as you’re going to want to try it all.
Highlights: Black Garlic Bruschetta, Southern Fried Oyster Mushrooms, Sweet Potato Arepas.
Li’l Nonna’s Pizzeria
If an all-vegan pizza food truck sounds like a dream, than Austin has fulfilled that dream and more for you! You can choose from eight different pizza options as well as eight slightly-altered options with a gluten-free crust for gluten-free diners. We highly recommend the Beeteroni’n Cheese. The “pepperoni” is made with dehydrated and spiced beets and it’s absolutely delicious.
Highlights: Beeteroni’n Cheese, Piña Jalapeño.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Austin
Easy Tiger 
Great vegan bar food is still hard to come by, so when we hear of a great place, we’re all in to give it a try. With a bakeshop upstairs and a beer garden downstairs, Easy Tiger is an entertaining place to visit and enjoy food and drinks at any time of day. You can stay upstairs to get a coffee and pastry and simply enjoy the bakery. Or you can go downstairs to the bar and enjoy one of their vegan sandwiches, handmade sausages, and pretzels. We highly recommend exploring their outdoor garden as you can sip your drinks outside next to Waller Creek, play a game of table tennis, or sit at one of the tables under the lights on a cool evening.
Highlights: Pretzel, Vegetarian Sandwich, Vegetarian Hot Link.
Wink 
Vegan food is still rarely associated with fine dining. Wink is there to help change that by offering a five-course vegetarian tasting menu. For a clean, modern, and seasonal meal, we recommend Wink for a night out with your older family members or for a romantic date night.
Pro tip: Book a reservation in advance as it’s a modest space and they book up very easily on weekends.
Highlights: Five-course vegetarian menu (the menu is constantly rotating).
24 Diner
24 Diner, named after the fact that it’s open 24 hours, is a favorite among the college students and everyone who doesn’t have to clock in at 8am the next morning. While 24 Diner isn’t even close to 100% vegan, we admire that it has at least one veggie option under each section and it’s not hard at all to veganize your favorite option.
Highlights: Veggie Hash, Betsy’s Veggie Burger.
Bouldin Creek Cafe 
Bouldin Creek Cafe recently released a fully vegan menu for those on a plant-based diet. They have a variety of options including a tamale breakfast, omelets, breakfast tacos, and desserts. They even have items like Blueberry Cornbread and an Almond Espresso Vegan Brownie. Our mouths are watering.
Highlights: Zucchini and Cheese Migas, Tamale Breakfast, Charlotte’s Green Enchiladas.
Soup Peddler Real Food and Juice Bar
It’s very rare to find a place that specializes in soups as soup is often an add-on or half of a lunch combo at a chain restaurant. However, this place specializes in soups, smoothies, shots, salads, juices, and grilled cheese sandwiches! Practically half of their soup menu is vegan and gluten-free and they even have a vegan grilled cheese option. Grab your soup to go or chill out on their adorable and colorful creekside patio.
Highlights: Seven Veggie Army juice, Love Cleanse juice, Mulligatawny soup.
Other Vegan Options in Austin
Mañana : Enjoy coffee and pastries here while on a quick break between stops on South Congress Avenue.
Home Slice Pizza : This beloved destination is vegetarian and they currently don’t have vegan cheese. But they are happy to make you a pizza without cheese. You will have to order a whole pie to accommodate this request.
True Food Kitchen : True Food Kitchen is one of our favorite restaurant chains in the country. They change their menu seasonally and accommodate all diets with their menu including vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo. When in doubt, you can find a healthy and delicious option here.
Capital City Bakery: All vegan bakery in East Austin.
Counter Culture: All vegan comfort food with a dining room and outdoor patio in East Austin.
Flower Child : Custom salads and bowls in Downtown Austin.
Conscious Cravings : All vegan restaurant serving comfort food on South 1st Street.
Revolution Vegan Kitchen : All vegan food truck in South Austin.
Koriente : Pan-Asian cuisine with a variety of vegan and gluten-free options.
Mr. Natural : Juice bar and eatery with two locations in Austin.
Lenoir : Upscale Mediterranean fusion restaurant on South 1st Street.
