Vegan Weekend in Austin, Texas: A Plant-Based Adventure with a Flexitarian Twist
My husband isn’t vegan. He’s happy to eat plant-based with me most of the time, but he enjoys a more flexitarian diet. So, when I’m searching for restaurants, I don’t limit my inquiry to vegan-only spots. How do I find the best plant-based meals? I check out menus and, when necessary, contact the chefs directly. I do that everywhere I go: New York, Paris, and even Alaska!
I did my homework for our trip to Austin. We went for a long weekend to visit my childhood friend, Wendra Lynne, and her husband. In typical fashion, I gathered a list of way more restaurants than we had time to try during our four-day trip. This meant triaging my list by location, price, and food selection (just to name a few variables!).
Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar: A Fusion Feast
We landed in Austin and immediately headed to Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar. A fusion of the uber-popular Franklin BBQ and Uchi, this buzzing hotspot offers great ambiance and mouth-watering dishes! After putting our name on the waitlist and grabbing a $5 Frozen G&T at the outdoor bar, we settled into the park-like “backyard.” We didn’t wait long before being seated comfortably inside. The guys went up to the bar to place our order (and grab more drinks), and it wasn’t long before the food arrived.
Though I was surprised that the tofu dish on the menu wasn’t vegan (thank goodness I always ask), I absolutely loved the Crunch Cabbage Salad, Ginger Noodle Salad, and the Crispy Potatoes we shared at the table. We were too full for dessert…
The Broken Spoke: A Taste of Texas History
After dinner, we walked over to The Broken Spoke Saloon.. This historic and authentic Texas dance hall is a must-see—make sure to wear your cowboy hat and boots when you visit! I’ll definitely sign up for a dance lesson next time.
Exploring Austin: Food, History, and Scenic Views
We stayed with our friends in Round Rock, where we became familiar with the 80 mph speed limit signs on the freeway. You really have to know where you’re going and make quick decisions, as the typical navigation apps weren’t very helpful.
Friday morning, we headed back into Austin for breakfast at the Food Truck Park. Austin is known for being a young, vibrant town, and we definitely felt that energy. We split up to wait in long lines for breakfast tacos and coffee. Austin’s food truck park scene has a friendly, casual vibe, which we definitely enjoyed while consuming our local delicacies at a shared picnic table.
Next, we visited the LBJ Presidential Library. Located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, it’s a great spot—worth the visit for anyone interested in history and education. I loved revisiting the historic time of my childhood, and especially all the nostalgia of the 60’s. We saw an excellent exhibit on Vietnam. Planning on a two hour visit was just the right amount of time.
Afterwards, we strolled down S. Congress Street for some walking and shopping, still fueled by the delicious and filling breakfast tacos. We posed for a photo in front of the iconic “I Love You So Much” mural before stopping for a late lunch at Aba, which came highly recommended. It’s tough to get a reservation at this trendy spot that offers innovative Middle Eastern dishes. We got in for our late lunch at 2:30 p.m. and we were so glad we had the chance to try it. The black garlic hummus was our favorite!
the pita was not vegan!
Sunset Cruise and La Condesa: Perfect Pairing
We met our friends for the Sunset Cruise on the Lone Star Riverboat, which launched from the dock at Bouldin Creek.. The weather was perfect, and the views of the city were absolutely magnificent. Although we missed the bats by one week, we were dazzled by the sparkling reflection of the sunset on the Lady Bird Lake and the majestic buildings, and captivated by the glow of the full moon. Our guide was entertaining and kept us laughing—just make sure to get tickets in advance! We parked at Vic Mathias Shores and after the boat ride, we moved our car to another spot to restart the parking time limit.
We strolled over the bridge to La Condesa for dinner. The food was fantastic–I was glad they had several vegan options for me (I always ask first). I loved the grilled ejotes (green beans) and the grilled mushrooms and black beans!Go with a group so you can order a variety of dishes and share the expensive bill.
A Day of Sightseeing: Capitol, Book Fair, and Rebel Cheese
The next morning, we got a later start. We wandered downtown, where we stumbled upon a book fair before heading up to the Texas Capitol. The grand interior was impressive, even though we didn’t take the formal tour.
As we made our way back down Congress Ave, we had a blast meeting up with Jillian from Milotree Cart at Houndstooth Coffee. This cozy spot serves a variety of beverages and offers plenty of non-dairy milk options. After our coffee break, we headed over to Rebel Cheese Café in the Mueller neighborhood for lunch. Wow…what a menu! I have first hand experience with their delicious cheese (is it really vegan?). My friend Susan Goldie recommended it. I ordered a selection of six different vegan cheeses which cost about $110 (no tax or shipping). We enjoyed three of them so far – even the NON-vegans like them! I am looking forward to the next three plus the vegan salami I bought as a trip souvenir from the deli. This is your place to go if you need vegan charcuterie supplies, picnic fare or just want a great meal!
Saturday Night Texas-Style: Plant-Based and Flexitarian Dining in Round Rock
The gals had plant-based choices for dinner at Cork and Barrel,
while the guys got their BBQ fix at Salt Lick
After dinner we spent the evening listening to live music at the many popular venues in downtown Round Rock. It felt like the whole community came out to enjoy the evening—young and old, families and friends, singles, and couples.
Hiking and Downtown Georgetown: A Perfect End to the Trip
On our last day, we joined our friends for a hike at Lake Georgetown. The Cedar Breaks Park Road offered an out-and-back trail with stunning views. After our hike, we explored quaint downtown Georgetown before saying our goodbyes.
Bouldin Creek Café: A Final Vegan Feast
I had one more restaurant on my list to try—Bouldin Creek Cafe. We skipped the long Sunday brunch line (a good sign) and cozied up at the bar in this bustling café in the hip neighborhood. Perfect for both vegan me and my flexitarian husband (he eats vegan a lot…), they’ll make any item on the menu vegan upon request. We had such a great meal, we ordered to-go to take on the plane.
After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll along Lady Bird Lake, passing families, joggers, and kayakers. We also spotted the Hilton, which looked like a lovely place to stay during a future visit.
A Quick Departure and Vegan Airport Options
Heading back to the airport and rental car return was easy, but Austin’s airport was busy! Even with TSA Pre-Check, we were grateful to have arrived early. If we hadn’t brought food from home, there are plenty of vegan and healthy options available, including: Berry Austin, The Peached Tortilla, JuiceLand, and Mad Greens. They even have a Sprinkles Cupcakes vending machine, but sadly didn’t have their vegan flavors in it.
Already Planning My Next Trip
I still have a long list of places I want to try next time I’m in Austin. And I hope to finally see those famous bats under the bridge…maybe while I’m on a Stand-Up Paddle Board!
I’d love to hear about your experiences in Austin–share your favorite spots in the comments below!
Want more vegan food adventures? Subscribe to my newsletter (below) and get tips, recipes, and travel guides straight to your inbox!
What a fabulous recap of your Austin adventures! This is such a treat to see you, Wendra and Dvora, together living your best life in a great city. So much fun and excellent variety of food for all tastes. I’d love to join you for a return visit to Stand Up Paddle board and experience the bats under the bridge! #sexy60s #wellness #liveourbestlives