Vegan Austin is one of the best plant-based food cities in the United States, packed with creativity and Texan flavour. Austin is the unlikely vegan capital of Texas — and once you’ve eaten here, you’ll understand why. This is a city that takes its food seriously, where the plant-based scene has grown from a handful of scrappy food trucks into a fully-fledged culinary movement that punches well above its weight. Whether you’re here for the music, the culture, or simply to eat your way through one of the most exciting vegan cities in the US, Austin will not disappoint. Here’s my guide to the best vegan and plant-based spots in the city, tried, tested, and highly recommended.
From Austin’s original vegan taco truck to Shark Tank-famous artisan cheese, award-winning smash burgers to live jazz luxury dining, the plant-based scene in this Texas capital is unlike anywhere else in the American South. Many of the best spots cluster around East Cesar Chavez and South Lamar, making it easy to hit several in one day. Let’s dig in.
Best Vegan Restaurants in Austin
1. The Vegan Nom — Austin’s Original Vegan Taco Truck
No visit to Austin’s vegan scene is complete without a stop at The Vegan Nom — the city’s original 100% plant-based taco truck, slinging Tex-Mex perfection from its East Cesar Chavez home for over a decade. This is the spot that helped put Austin on the vegan map, and it hasn’t lost a step. The menu is built around Austin’s beloved breakfast taco culture, fully reimagined in plant-based form: think smoky jackfruit tacos, rockin’ vegan migas, loaded burritos, and the kind of queso that makes you question why you ever ate dairy in the first place. The atmosphere is lively, the portions are generous, and the passion behind every plate is unmistakable.
📍 2324 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 | East Austin | ☎️ (512) 497-3147 | 📸 @thevegannom
2. Rebel Cheese — Shark Tank-Famous Artisan Vegan Cheese & Deli
Rebel Cheese is, quite simply, one of the most exciting food businesses in Austin — full stop. This award-winning artisan vegan cheese shop made national headlines when it appeared on Shark Tank, and the hype is entirely deserved. Everything here is 100% plant-based, crafted in-house with genuine craft and creativity: aged cashew rounds, truffle-infused wheels, smoky cheddars, and creamy bries that will genuinely make you do a double-take. But Rebel Cheese isn’t just a shop — the deli counter serves jaw-dropping sandwiches piled high with house-made vegan meats and their legendary cheeses. Plan to linger. Plan to leave with more cheese than you intended to buy.
💡 Tip: Rebel Cheese ships nationwide, so you can bring the Austin vegan cheese experience home with you. Their cream cheese is a fan favourite — look out for seasonal flavours.
📍 9621 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, Building 1, Austin, TX 78753 | North Austin | ☎️ (432) 243-3643 | 🌐 rebelcheese.com | 📸 @rebel.cheese
3. Arlo’s Junior — Award-Winning Plant-Based Burgers
Arlo’s Junior is the late-night hero of Austin’s vegan dining scene — a no-frills, all-flavour plant-based burger joint that has earned a devoted following for its genuinely outstanding burgers. This is the kind of place where meat-eaters get converted, not because anyone is trying to convince them of anything, but simply because the food is that good. The smashed patties are juicy and deeply savoury, the toppings are generous, and the whole operation has the energy of a place that knows exactly what it is and does it brilliantly. Open late, perfect for post-gig hunger, and reliably excellent every single time.
📍 2337 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 | East Austin | ☎️ (512) 789-2555 | 🌐 arloscurbside.com | 📸 @arlosjunior
4. Nissi VegMex — Authentic Vegan Mexican Cuisine in North Austin
Nissi VegMex is doing something genuinely special in North Austin: bringing authentic Mexican cuisine into the plant-based world without any compromise on flavour or tradition. This is not “vegan Mexican food” in the watered-down sense — this is real Mexican gastronomy, cooked with care, made with locally produced tortillas, and bursting with the flavours you’d hope for. From richly spiced rice bowls to loaded tacos and classic Mexican salsas, every dish carries the kind of warmth and depth that comes from genuine culinary heritage. It’s the go-to for plant-based travellers who want to eat something authentically Texan without the meat.
📍 9012 Research Blvd, Unit C-6, Austin, TX 78758 | North Austin | ☎️ (512) 994-8226 | 🌐 nissivegmex.com | 📸 @vegmexnissi
5. Capital City Bakery — Woman-Owned, Award-Winning Vegan Bakery
Capital City Bakery has been sweetening Austin’s vegan scene since 2011, making it one of the longest-standing fully vegan bakeries in the entire state. Woman-owned and award-winning, this beloved East Austin institution turns out stunning plant-based baked goods with the kind of skill and love that comes from over a decade of perfecting the craft. Think showstopping cupcakes, celebration cakes built to order, seasonal pastries, and sweet treats that have nothing to envy their conventional counterparts. If you’re celebrating anything — or if you simply need a reason to treat yourself — Capital City Bakery is the place.
💡 Tip: Capital City Bakery takes custom cake orders and is a favourite for weddings and special occasions. Check their Instagram for current walk-in hours, as they vary by week.
📍 2324 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 | East Austin | ☎️ (512) 666-7437 | 📸 @capcitybakery
6. Mission Burger Co. — 100% Plant-Based Smash Burgers
Mission Burger Co. has been turning heads across the US, regularly ranked among the very best vegan spots in the country — and one visit will tell you exactly why. Situated on South Lamar, this fully plant-based burger spot has made smashing patties into an art form. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan, from the perfectly crisp-edged smash burgers to the golden fries and soft-serve desserts that make it almost impossible to leave without ordering seconds. The Infatuation gave it an 8.3 out of 10 — among the highest scores for any vegan restaurant in Austin — and the queues at weekends tell the same story.
📍 3600 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 | South Lamar | ☎️ (512) 956-8347 | 🌐 missionburgerco.com | 📸 @missionburgerco
7. Revolution Vegan Kitchen — All-Vegan Comfort Food on South 1st
Revolution Vegan Kitchen has been a cornerstone of Austin’s south side plant-based scene since 2016, serving up comfort food classics done entirely in plant-based form from their beloved South 1st Street location. This is the place for hearty, honest food — mushroom-heavy mains, layered bowls, loaded sandwiches, and the kind of satisfying, filling plates that you’ll be thinking about on the drive home. The crew here is passionate and the menu changes seasonally, so there’s always something new to discover even if you’re a regular. A true Austin institution, and one that’s earned every bit of its loyal following.
📍 7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745 | South Austin | ☎️ (512) 538-7318 | 📸 @revolutionvegankitchen
8. Jupiter Supper Club — Vegan Luxury Dining with Live Jazz
Jupiter Supper Club is unlike anything else in Austin’s plant-based scene — a maximalist luxury dining experience on Congress Avenue that combines elevated vegan cuisine with live jazz in the heart of downtown. Opened just recently, this upscale bar and restaurant has already established itself as one of the most glamorous places to eat in the city, full stop. The menu is entirely plant-based, the cocktails are spectacular, and the live jazz that fills the room on Friday and Saturday evenings transforms dinner into a proper occasion. This is the place to come when you want to impress — or when you simply want to experience what vegan fine dining can be at its most theatrical and joyful.
💡 Tip: Book a table for Friday or Saturday evening to catch the live jazz performances, which run from 8 PM. Dress up — this is a place that rewards the occasion.
📍 718 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | Downtown Austin | ☎️ (737) 292-5050 | 🌐 jupitersupperclub.com | 📸 @jupitersupperclub
9. The Vegan Yacht — A Longtime Austin Favourite
The Vegan Yacht is a South Austin legend — one of the longest-standing plant-based spots in the city, family-owned and operated, and loved fiercely by its regulars. What started as a food trailer has grown into a proper brick-and-mortar operation, serving up plant-based Tex-Mex and comfort food classics with the warmth and consistency that only a truly community-rooted restaurant can deliver. The famous chili con queso is entirely plant-based and just as good as any dairy version you’ve ever had — possibly better. The burritos are enormous, the bowls are generous, and the whole place radiates the kind of easy, laid-back Austin energy that makes you want to stay for hours.
📍 2000 Southern Oaks Dr, Austin, TX 78745 | South Austin | ☎️ (512) 394-5353 | 🌐 theveganyacht.com | 📸 @theveganyacht
Tips for Visiting Vegan Austin
Austin’s plant-based scene is one of the most exciting in the entire United States, and a few tips will help you make the most of it. The East Cesar Chavez corridor is a brilliant starting point — The Vegan Nom, Arlo’s Junior, and Capital City Bakery are all within walking distance of each other, making it easy to build a full day of eating around that strip alone. For a more laid-back South Austin experience, The Vegan Yacht and Revolution Vegan Kitchen are both worth the drive south of the river. And if you’re heading to South Lamar for music or shopping, Mission Burger Co. is the obvious choice for lunch or dinner.
If you’re visiting during SXSW or Austin City Limits, be aware that the most popular spots fill up fast — especially on weekends. Booking ahead is essential for Jupiter Supper Club, which is the clear first choice for a special night out. For cheese lovers, a morning at Rebel Cheese — browsing the counter, building a deli sandwich, and picking up a selection to take away — is one of the great pleasures of visiting Austin as a vegan traveller. Finally, don’t overlook the incredible breakfast taco culture here: The Vegan Nom has been making the case that plant-based Tex-Mex can be the real deal for over a decade, and they remain the gold standard.
Have you visited Austin on a plant-based trip? I’d love to hear your favourite spots — drop them in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin good for vegans?
Yes. Austin has a thriving plant-based scene with dedicated vegan restaurants and vegan-friendly cafes across the city, and this guide rounds up the best places to eat.
What is the best vegan restaurant in Austin?
The Vegan Nom is one of the standout vegan spots in Austin, alongside Rebel Cheese and Arlo’s Junior. The full guide covers each with addresses, tips and what to order.
What vegan food is Austin known for?
Austin does plant-based Tex-Mex brilliantly, with vegan tacos, queso and food-truck favourites alongside a strong cafe and bakery scene.
Is Austin easy to visit as a vegan?
Yes. With spots like The Vegan Nom and Rebel Cheese, plus plenty of vegan-friendly options, eating plant-based in Austin is easy whether you are visiting for a weekend or longer.