Plant-based Adventures: Austin, Texas

Food options: 5/5

Restaurants visited:
📍Koriente
📍Órale Foodstuffs
📍Arlo’s Curbside
📍Zucchini Kill
📍The Beer Plant
📍Mission Burger Co.
📍600 Degrees
📍Serranos Cocina y Cantina

Austin had been on my list to visit for years, and then somehow, I ended up visiting twice only months apart. My first visit was on a road trip eating out way from Houston to Austin. So of course, I was excited to return to eat more good food when my travel schedule landed me in Austin again.

We started our trip on 6th Street and took advantage of the options within walking distance of the hotel. Our first stop was Koriente with a menu full of Asian inspired dishes. It took a while to choose everything I wanted in my customized bowl, but I was satisfied with my big bowl of noodles with veggies when it was ready.

Veggie Noodle Bowl

I already was excited to explore the Texas Farmers Market Mueller, but I didn’t expect to find plant-based brisket. We were given samples when stopped at the Órale Foodstuffs table and immediately were blown away by the taste. I was thrilled to find a soy-free option, and we could have eaten a couple of them. If I lived in the area, I would definitely buy this bean brisket to have in my own kitchen.

Red Pea Tempah Brisket Sandwich with Kimchi Coleslaw & Kimchi BBQ Sauce

Arlo’s CurbSide popped up on every Austin food list, so it was a must try while we were there. I already knew I wanted a burger, but the fried pickles really caught my eye. We split the cheeze burger topped with mac & cheeze, but even just half a burger was super filling. We couldn’t even make it through the order of pickles! This definitely hits the spot to indulge in a juicy burger or fill those late-night cravings.

Cheeze Burger w/ Mac & Cheeze

Fried Pickles

While I don’t have a big sweet tooth, I am going to pop into a vegan bakery if there’s one nearby. Zucchini Kill checked so many boxes - vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. I greatly appreciated how transparent they were about their ingredients, which made it easier - yet harder at the same time- to choose something. I opted for 2 cupcakes - peachy pecan and lemon blueberry. They were just the right blend of sweetness, and all the flavors really shined.

Peachy Pecan and Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

I’d been watching Instagram stories from The Beer Plant for a while solely for the mushrooms. I wish we could have made it to brunch, but our plans didn’t align. We arrived for dinner services as the first guests and ordered 2 main dishes - Lentil Wellington and Tokyo Blue. The presentation and ambiance really made this such a lovely date spot. Their doors have since closed, but I still find inspiration to create beautifully plated meals based ont his exprience.

Tokyo Blue

Lentil Wellington

Mission Burger being the last stop on my first trip and first stop on the next trip a few months later should tell you everything you need to know about what I think of their food. I absolutely loved how transparent they were about their ingredients and that numerous items on the menu could be made gluten or soy-free with minor substitutions. Okay, remember that Orale tempeh above at the farmer’s market? I found it pretty awesome that they served the same local tempeh (black eyed pea variety) as a burger option. Then add a side of the garlic fries. And I can’t forget the free cookie shared when ordering. Huge fan of Mission and their flavors!

Meati Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Mission Burger w/ Tempeh Patty, and Garlic Fries

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Mission Burger w/ Tempeh Patty, and Garlic Fries

Unless you’re at a specialty vegan pizza spot, dairy-free pizzas are often lacking a lot of flavors. Whether it’s the cheese options (or completely omitting it) or the limited veggie options, ordering pizza can be quite hit or miss. So, I was pleasantly surprised that 600 Degrees Pizzeria offered brick oven pizzas with gluten-free and vegan options. I created a yummy pizza with veggies and dairy-free cheese and had enough slices for the next day … win, win.

Veggie Pizza

You know the saying - Everything is bigger in Texas! Local Austin restaurant Serranos Cocina y Cantina definitely lives by this philosophy. Between the chips & guacamole and the generous portions, I needed a to go box. I ordered the mesquite grilled veggie fajitas with zucchini, squash, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions. I definitely had fajitas for breakfast the next morning.

Veggie Fajitas