Favorite Austin Restaurants for Vegetarians

Austin has a large population of vegetarians and vegans, and so there are a lot of vegetarian restaurants. In fact, Austin is virtually a vegetarian's paradise. Outside of California you may not find such a concentration of vegetarian restaurants, of all types.

While we're not vegetarians ourselves, the dishes at many places are still absolutely delicious. Below are a few of the favorites.


Our Favorites

Conscious Cravings
1901 Rio Grande St., Austin TX 78705
(512) 782-0546
map website

A food trailer near the University of Texas that serves fast, delicious vegetarian food. Good wraps, especially the spicy chick pea and chimichurri seitan wraps.

Chick pea wrap comes with an Indian-type masala sauce. Other wraps come with delicious homemade mayonnaise.

Wraps come with a crispy but moist tortilla shell. Wraps are neatly presented and don’t fall apart easily. Wraps are slightly smaller than other places like Chipotle and less expensive.

Also good are the pan fried tofu, blueberry lemonade, and smoothies. Locally-grown and organic ingredients. Friendly staff.


Casa De Luz
1701 Toomey Rd., Austin TX 78704
(512) 476-2535
map website

Healthy, cafeteria-style dining in a peaceful, idyllic setting. An entrance gate opens to a walkway with bamboo on both sides, which leads through a complex housing a yoga studio, bookstore, and health food store/vegetarian restaurant.

The quiet environment and the soft-spoken yet attentive service of the staff add to the enjoyment of your food.

One price for daily vegetarian entree and all-you-can-eat self-service soup and salad. The menu changes daily so check their web site. The entree usually includes beans, brown rice, and dark leafy green vegetables, accompanied by a mixed green salad and a vegetable-based soup.

Meat-eaters and those who prefer a lot a spice in their food will probably not like it here, but for those who are strongly into healthy, macrobiotic eating in a meditative atmosphere, this is the place to come.

Open continuously throughout the day.


Mother's Cafe & Garden
4215 Duval St., Austin TX 78751
(512) 451-3994
map website

A longtime Austin institution (since the 1980s) that serves quality vegetarian food of various types such as vegetarian burgers, Mexican (artichoke enchiladas), barbecue (BBQ tofu).

Extensive menu of items to choose from. The veggie burgers and bbq tofu sandwiches are recommended here. Good soups and salads, with homemade dressings. The cashew tamari dressing is especially popular.

It also has good coffee and desserts. Friendly and attentive staff.


Counter Culture
2337 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin TX 78702
(512) 897-0000
map website

Serves vegetarian versions of well-known dishes such as mac and cheese, quiche, meatloaf, philly quesadillas, and tunamelt and reuben sandwiches. Amazingly tasty.

The jackfruit BBQ sandwich is popular, and the kale salad is also apparently quite good.

This establishment recently moved from a trailer to a building with outdoor seating available. The new environment has been well received and the quality and selection have improved since the move.


Taste of Ethiopia
1100 Grand Ave. Pkwy., Pflugerville, TX 78613
(512) 251-4053
map website

Not purely vegetarian as they also have meat dishes, but definitely worth a try. Serves authentic Ethiopian food in a warm, comfortable setting.

The restaurant is located in a nondescript strip mall northeast of Austin, but is worth the drive.

Served family style on large platters placed in the middle of the table. So it’s recommended to go with a group so you can try different things. And, you eat with your hands, by placing the food in chunks of slightly sour bread.

Interesting mix of spices and flavors, similar to Indian food. The yemisisr wot (lentil stew) is popular, and for your meat-eating friends, the siga wot (spicy beef stew) is also good.

The owner and staff are super-friendly and attentive.


Tom's Tabooley
2928 Guadalupe St. Ste. 102, Austin TX 78705
(512) 479-7337
map website

Also not purely vegetarian, but a good place to get tasty Mediterranean dishes. The falafel wrap is large and delicious, and the tabooley and hummus is also very popular. The Mediterranean Sampler is a good way to sample several of the vegetarian dishes. Friendly service.

The atmosphere is mostly quiet and cafe-like; with comfortable booths and sofas, you can sit there and study or meet like at a coffee shop.

Watch this video about Tom's Tabooley:




Need more choices?

View the map below for other vegetarian restaurant choices in and around Austin.




Click here for a list and map of Austin vegetarian restaurants (opens in a new tab).


There are also several excellent Indian restaurants that have vegetarian dishes. If you're interested, check out the Indian restaurants page.


NOTE: Besides restaurants that specialize in vegetarian/vegan cuisine, there are many places that have an extensive selection of vegetarian dishes, or whose dishes can be made vegetarian upon request. Check out VegGuide's List of Vegetarian Restaurants for a longer list.

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