Barbecue. Cowboys. Rodeo. Tex-Mex. Just a few things that come to mind upon the mention of the Lone Star State. Austin, however, is a progressive outlier in the land of beefy burgers and cattle ranges. The Texas state capital embodies the proud characteristics of Texas while also standing out, open to change and adaptation. Amongst the vibrant live music scene, motorsports events, outdoor activities, and University of Texas football games, there is an emerging vegan community, driving the demand for some seriously good plant-based eats. Austin demonstrated its willingness to embrace a more plant-based food culture as early as 1978 when Whole Foods founded its flagship store in the city. Years later, national dairy-free ice cream brand NadaMoo launched its headquarters here as well. Grab your vegan leather cowboy boots, check out the live music line-up, and come hungry. Here are 9 standout eateries for your trip to America’s live music capital.
9 Vegan Pubs, Food Trucks, and Scoop Shops in Austin
1. Arlo’s
Before you hit the show at any one of Austin’s 250 live music venues, fuel up at Arlo’s. This permanent food truck has three locations outside of Cheer Up Charlie’s, The Grackle, and The Spider House, serving up vegan comfort food until 2 am. Fill up with a BBQ Burger, tots, or sweet potato fries then enjoy a late night live music bar crawl.
Eat up here.
2. NadaMoo Scoop Shop
The Texas heat is no joke. Swing by NadaMoo’s first brick-and-mortar location for a cup, cone, or dairy-free milkshake made with your favorite NadaMoo flavors. The shop also features an ice cream test kitchen where customers can watch chefs experiment and get a peek of what may be a future NadaMoo pint. Don’t leave without a double scoop of the Birthday Cake, Lotta Mint Chip, or Caramel Cold Brew & Cookies flavors, and let it rain sprinkles!
Eat up here.
3. Counter Culture
Go against the norm. At Counter Culture, they’re challenging the misconceptions about vegan cuisine by serving internationally-inspired comfort foods that are completely plant-based and omnivore-approved. The food truck-turned-restaurant makes everything from scratch and often uses local and organic produce. The business also believes in balance, offering good-for-the-soul dishes such as pastrami melts and baked seitan smothered in gravy, to nourishing raw butternut tacos and seaweed salad. The menu also includes many gluten, oil, and soy-free options. Don’t forget to pick up a few vegan cupcakes from the vegan wholesale baker, Zucchini Kill, on your way out!
Eat up here.
4. Bouldin Creek Cafe
This no-frills vegetarian cafe is a favorite among locals. The restaurant is open from 7 am-midnight (8 am on weekends) and serves a vast array of dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Most of the menu is vegan, and the few items that are not can be veganized upon request. Go in with a “Big Azz Salad” or the Tamale Breakfast Plate. Neither will disappoint.
Eat up here.
5. Citizen Eatery
Want to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine with your meal? Citizen Eatery offers many vegan dishes along with local beer on tap, wine, and cocktails. It also hosts a great happy hour. As far as the food is concerned, order the Citizen Vegan Queso for the table, then treat yourself to breakfast for dinner or choose from one of the stellar dinner entrees, including the Vegan Chorizo Nachos, Flame Grilled Tofu Sandwich, or the BBQ Pulled Plant Sandwich. Traveling with kids? Citizen also offers a children’s menu.
Eat up here.
6. The Beer Plant
Austin’s first vegan gastropub is an absolute must on a plant-based food tour of the city. The joint serves dinner, brunch, and late-night snacks along with a robust selection of craft beer, wine, and cocktails. For those rolling out of the concert looking for some midnight munchies, The Beer Plant has you covered with Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Sriracha Glazed Brussels Sprouts, and Cheesecake. Regular diners can choose from a medley of starters, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts, all homemade with fresh produce and minimally processed ingredients. This is not your average pub food. It’s better.
Eat up here.
7. Capital City Bakery
Craving cupcakes? Capital City Bakery has these and so much more. Brownies, pop tarts, cookie cream sandwiches – you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store surrounded by all the sweet vegan options. Go ahead and take a few boxes to go; the business is based on sustainability and makes its pastry boxes out of recycled materials.
Eat up here.
8. Sweet Ritual
There’s more than one vegan scoop shop worth visiting in Austin. NadaMoo may be the newest, but Sweet Ritual is the original. This established dairy-free ice cream parlor lets you go wild with flavors, toppings, and epic sundae creations. Ask for lavender simple syrup drizzled over pure vanilla, or revert back to childhood and order a scoop of the Unicorn Poop ice cream with toppings galore and a hot vegan brownie. The shop also makes milkshakes and custom ice cream cakes.
Eat up here.
9. BBQ Revolution
You can’t visit Texas without eating BBQ. Well, technically you can, but you shouldn’t. BBQ Revolution is a completely plant-based food truck serving No Bull Brisket, Tempeh Ribs, and Soy Curls all smothered in a sticky barbecue sauce and served with all the fixin’s. You’re going to need a few napkins.
Eat up here.
