SXSW: Where to Eat Vegetarian

A guide to the city's best restaurants that offer vegan tacos, gluten-free options, smoothies, and fresh alternatives to beef, chicken, and the other white meat.

by Patricia Busa McConnico, Alexandra Scoptur and Patricia Sharpe

March 2012

Arlo’s
Food trailer offering vegan tacos, hot dogs, and burgers
1500 E. 6th, 512-628-0608
arlostruck.com
Location: Downtown
Category: Trailers, Veggie Delight

Borboleta Gourmet
Cozy vegetarian, vegan, and raw foods cafe
1221 W. 6th, 512-828-7404
Location: Downtown
Category: Veggie Delight

Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse
Local fave for people-watching; breakfast and lunch
1501 S. 1st, 512-416-1601
bouldincreek.com
Location: S. Congress
Category: Veggie Delight, Tried & True, Comfy Cafes

Casa de Luz
Funky organic, vegan, and macrobiotic cafe; daily menu
1701 Toomey Rd, 512-476-2535
casadeluz.org
Follow @CasaDeLuz
Location: S. Lamar/Barton Springs
Category: Veggie Delight

Cheer Up Charlie’s
Homemade chocolates and vegan food cart
1104 E. 6th, 512-431-2133
Location: East Side
Categories: Trailers, Veggie Delight, Cheap Eats

Clay Pit
Indian food with plenty of vegetarian options in an old stone building
1601 Guadalupe, 512-322-5131
claypit.com
Location: Central
Category: Veggie Delight

Conscious Cravings
Vegetarian wraps, salads, and smoothies
1311 S. 1st, 512-582-9182
consciouscravingsaustin.com
Location: Down South
Categories: Trailers, Cheap Eats, Veggie Delight

Counter Culture
Vegan and raw foods trailer
120 E. North Loop/Ave F
countercultureaustin.com
Location: Central
Categories: Trailers, Veggie Delight, Cheap Eats

Daily Juice
Juices, smoothies, and raw food
4500 Duval, 512-380-9046
dailyjuice.org
Location: Central
Category: Veggie Delight

Eastside Cafe
Tiny cottage with a big garden; gluten-free menu
2113 Manor Rd, 512-476-5858
eastsidecafeaustin.com
Location: East Side
Category: Veggie Delight

FoodHeads
Specialty sandwiches; outdoor patio
616 W. 34th, 512-420-8400
foodheads.com
Location: Central
Categories: Veggie Delight, Tried & True

G’Raj Mahal Café
Fun and casual Indian; delivery available
91 Red River, 512-480-2255
Location: Downtown
Categories: Veggie Delight, Trailers, Cheap Eats

How Do You Roll?
Create-your-own sushi rolls; franchise
454 W. 2nd, 512-320-8400
howdoyouroll.com
Location: Downtown
Category: Veggie Delight

How Do You Roll?
Create-your-own sushi rolls; franchise
4700 W. Guadalupe, 512-520-8917
howdoyouroll.com
Location: Up North
Category: Veggie Delight

Karibu
Ethiopian offerings; friendly service
1209 E. 7th, 512-320-5454
ethiopianrestaurantaustin.com
Location: East Side
Category: Veggie Delight

Koriente
Health-conscious Korean; gluten-free options
621 E. 7th, 512-275-0852
koriente.com
Location: Downtown
Categories: Veggie Delight, Tried & True

Leaf Salad
Local, fresh, made-to-order salads
419 W. 2nd, 512-474-5323
leafsalad.com
Follow @LeafSalad
Location: Downtown
Categories: Tried & True, Veggie Delight

Mother’s Cafe & Garden
Local vegetarian and vegan favorite with a bright, leafy garden room
4215 Duval, 512-451-3994
motherscafeaustin.com
Location: Central
Category: Veggie Delight

Mr. Natural (East)
Casual vegetarian Tex-Mex and grocery
1901 E. Cesar Chavez, 512-477-5228
mrnatural-austin.com
Location: East Side
Category: Veggie Delight

Mr. Natural (South)
Casual vegetarian Tex-Mex and grocery
2414 S. Lamar Blvd, 512-916-9223
mrnatural-austin.com
Location: S. Lamar/Barton Springs
Category: Veggie Delight

The Parlor (Hyde Park)
Punk-rock pizza dive and bar
4031 Guadalupe, 512-323-0440
Location: Central
Categories: Veggie Delight, Cheap Eats

The Parlor (North)
Punk-rock pizza dive and bar; nightly live music
100 North Loop Blvd, 512-454-8965
Location: Up North
Categories: Veggie Delight, Cheap Eats

Toy Joy Cafe
Vegan soft serve and sweets inside funky local toy store
2900 Guadalupe, 512-320-0090
toyjoy.com
Location: Central
Categories: Veggie Delight, Sweet Tooth

Veggie Heaven
Unique pan-Asian vegetarian and vegan
1914 Guadalupe, 512-457-1013
Location: Central
Categories: Veggie Delight, Cheap Eats

Wheatsville Co-Op
Sandwiches and salads inside local cooperative grocery
3101 Guadalupe, 512-478-2667
wheatsville.coop
Location: Central
Categories: Veggie Delight, Comfy Cafes