Discover the Best Healthy Restaurants in Austin For 2024
We're bringing some of our favorite healthy Austin restaurants – yay! Austin has a lot of places for fresh lunches, allergen-free treats, and hearty dinners here in town.
If you're thinking the healthy restaurants are boring, think again. Austin is known for being a foodie's paradise, but you don't need to gorge on fried chicken and giant bowls of queso to have an incredible gastronomic experience here. Some of the best and most popular restaurants in Austin happen to have healthy options on the menu...or sometimes the WHOLE menu is a bit healthier, and yet it's still one of the most popular restaurants in Austin because it's just. that. delicious.
We're talking about giant salads at Sweetgreen on South Congress. Soup Peddler's hearty stews. Lunch dates at Swedish Hill and Vinaigrette and Local Foods. And the healthy brunch options at Elizabeth Street Cafe, Forthright, and Cafe No Se. The list keeps on going...so let's get to it!
The Best Healthy Austin Restaurants
1. True Food Kitchen
Gorgeous, delicious, and upscale – this is a great place to go for a healthy lunch in Austin! It's an excellent option for those who have strict diets they have to stick to; True Food Kitchen can fit almost any lifestyle. It’s a pretty easy menu to find something for everyone.
By the way, most of the restaurants on this list are fast-casual lunch spots, but True Food is slightly more upscale if you’d like a healthy Austin dinner restaurants with a server and perhaps order a glass of wine.
What to order: Ancient Grains Bowl (miso sesame glazed sweet potato, turmeric, charred onion, snap pea, grilled portobello, avocado, hemp seed)
WEBSITE | 222 West Ave Ste HR100, Austin, TX 78701, United States
2. Juiceland
There are Juiceland locations everywhere in Austin, so it’s an easy choice if you need a vegan restaurant in Austin!
You can get pretty much any fresh-pressed juice or smoothie that you want, but don’t forget about turning the smoothies into bowls! If you need a real meal (like lunch), try ordering the Originator smoothie as a bowl and then eat it with a spoon.. The crunchy/fruity toppings make it feel more like a real meal than a smoothie with a straw.
What to order: they have a special smoothie every day that’s discounted…check that first!
WEBSITE | multiple locations
3. Honest Mary's
If you want some quick and healthy food in Austin, you’re going to LOVE Honest Mary’s! It’s a fast-casual eatery that uses fresh ingredients and gets the food to you quickly.
Most of their bowls can be made paleo-friendly if you wish. Or just fill your bowl with delicious gluten-free grains, protein, yummy veggies, and superfood toppings to fit your lifestyle.
WEBSITE | 4800 Burnet Rd C300, Austin, TX 78756
4. Goldys
This adorable food truck at Littlefield's has a walk-up window where you can order fresh salads, paninis, and sides.
Everything is so dang fresh and tasty! Bonus: there's a grab-and-go section where you can get items like their chicken salad and fruit cups to go. They'll stay good in your fridge for up to a week!
What to order: Goldy's Green Salad + a scoop of chicken salad
WEBSITE | 2401 Winsted Ln, Austin, TX 78703
5. Picnik
If you or anyone in your group has an allergy or serious health concern, Picnik will be your best option for allergen-free dining in Austin. The entire (delicious) menu is peanut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. Plus, they have lots of egg-free and dairy-free options.
Oh, but you can still get fun stuff like margaritas, wine, queso, and dessert here! It’s a great option if you’re dining keto, too.
What to order: start with the hot spinach dip, and then order the crispy fish tacos.
WEBSITE | multiple locations
6. Local Foods
This might just become your new favorite healthy restaurant in Austin...the food is so crave-able!
Local Foods is a Houston-based mini chain that takes pride in sourcing super fresh, delicious produce that's packed with flavor. They only use the best of the best local foods (hence the name...) to make the yummiest over-stuffed sandwiches and soulful salads and bowls.
This is a really gorgeous restaurant in the 2nd Street District of downtown Austin. It has a modern interior (designed by Michael Hsu Architecture) and a small outdoor patio. Enjoy wine, beer, and dessert here, too.
What to order: the "crunchy" chicken sandwich with nut seed crumble and crunched chips, and the tuscan kale market side.
WEBSITE | 454 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
7. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is from the DC area and opened up in Austin recently, and I understand the obsession. These salads are exactly why I love paying someone else to make them for me…haha! They just taste so much better! The warm bowls (lookin’ at you, Chicken Pesto Parm) are also crazy delicious, and full of greens and energizing foods.
What to order: The Chicken Pesto Parm tastes exactly like comforting chicken parm, but it’s in a healthy bowl form of only 525 calories…meaning you won’t feel like you need to take a nap after eating it.
WEBSITE | 2234 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
8. Austin Daily Press
There are lots of flavors packed into these pressed panini sandwiches, tortas, and tacos. While you can totally find some indulgent menu items, there are plenty of healthy options at this Austin restaurant.
What to order: Thai Salad and a cauliflower chorizo (vegan) torta
WEBSITE | 1900 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd B, Austin, TX 78702
9. Bento Picnic
These awesome Japanese bento boxes are made without hormones, additives, or anything yucky. The boxes are customizable, so anyone can eat here! This is another great option for a group that has mixed dietary preferences.
What to order: The Noodle Bento with Udon Noodles, Carrot Burdock Bliss, Forager’s Kinoko Salad, Sunomono Salad & Tamagoyaki Egg.
WEBSITE | 2600 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
11. Sa-ten
This coffee shop and Japanese eatery are going to KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! Seriously – everything here is amazing! Get the curry bowls full of veggies and protein, the chicken yakitori (make it a salad), or the amazing teriyaki rice bowls.
What to order: chicken katsu curry bowl + a side of kale salad.
WEBSITE | 916 Springdale Rd Bldg 3, #101, Austin, TX 78702
12. Soup Peddler And Juice Bar
Pretty much every smoothie on the menu is worth ordering at this place. Soup Peddler and Juice Bar serves made-to-order juices, smoothies, homemade soups, and premade salads and cookies. It's all delicious, healthy, cheap, and fast, and they have locations all over Austin! The smoothies are great for breakfast, and the cups of soup are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
What to order: Tropicalia for a refreshing summer smoothie (mango, pineapple juice, kale!), and the soups are always rotating, but the Mulligatawny, Veggie Chili, and Chicken & Corn Chowder are awesome.
WEBSITE | 1401 Rosewood Ave A-2, Austin, TX 78702
13. Koriente
Head to Koriente for some delicious and comforting pan-asian fare. You can customize your meal by swapping the white rice for brown, adding veggies, and turning any dish into a vegetarian option.
What to order: the Koriente Curry – it’s healthier than a typical curry, but just as warming and satisfying.
WEBSITE | 621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
14. Forthright
This is the sweetest downtown cafe. It has an awesome weekend brunch/weekday breakfast and a beautiful outdoor patio! Sure, there are plenty of splurge-worthy brunch items (waffles, French toast, etc), but Forthright also offers a few healthy breakfast choices in Austin, like a Sunrise Acai.
What to order: the coconut chia yogurt bowl.
WEBSITE | 35 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
15. Malibu Poke
Poke is an excellent option for healthy food in Austin! Malibu Poke is one of the best poke spots in Austin - incredibly fresh fish, a great selection of toppings/sauces/sides, and they even have kombucha on tap. Everything on the menu is totally customizable, so you can create an entree to fit any lifestyle, like keto, paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and more.
WEBSITE | 211 Walter Seaholm Dr LR 115, Austin, TX 78703
16. Swedish Hill
Chef Ling' approach to cooking traditional Chinese dishes with super-local, organic cuisine originated from her years of growing up in China...but it wasn't until she became a mom and really started caring about the type of food she was feeding her child that she put an emphasis on healthier ingredients.
Now you can dine at any of her restaurants here in Austin (Ling Wu, Lin Asian Bar, Qi), and indulge in hearty and delicious dim sum, soups, and entrees, all while knowing you're giving your body better ingredients for better health.
What to order: hot and sour soup, sautéed pea shoots with steam rice
WEBSITE | 7415 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, TX 78735
17. Flower Child
Flower Child will easily become your go-to for busy weeknight dinners. They source high-quality proteins and veggies and serve home in the most delicious flavors, spices, and sauces...it's all so delicious, you might not even realize it's healthy. Two locations in Austin: downtown and Domain NORTHSIDE.
WEBSITE | 500 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
18. Fresa's Grilled Chicken
You could totally go indulgent or healthy here, so it’s a great place to dine with a mixed crowd! Try the scrumptious Super Bol or the Power Bol on a healthy day, and the tacos, queso, and margaritas on an indulgent day.
If you need a paleo restaurant in Austin, try ordering the half chicken + sweet potatoes.
What to order: The Power Bol (Agave-Lime Chicken, Power Greens, Sweet Potato, Avocado, Adobo Chickpeas, Roasted Cauliflower, Pickled Red Onion w/ Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette.)
WEBSITE | 1703 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
19. Bouldin Creek Cafe
Here’s a 100% vegetarian option! BCC is old-school Austin, and locals adore everything about it. It’s a great healthy Austin brunch spot, even if you’re not vegetarian.
What to order: the veggie burger is made in-house, and it’s phenomenal, and anything with the chipotle pecan pesto is worth ordering. Also, get the vegan oatmeal cream pie. (Not healthy…just delish.)
WEBSITE | 1900 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
20. Cafe No Se
This is one of the most beautiful cafés in Austin. It’s on SOCO, a really popular tourist street in south Austin, and everything on the menu is phenomenal. If you’re looking for an upscale and trendy lunch spot for your next girlfriend date, pick Cafe no Se!
What to order: any of their salads for lunch or avocado toast with soft-boiled egg for breakfast.
WEBSITE | 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
21. Casa De Luz Village
Casa de Luz is old-school Austin. It’s a daily plant-based menu (check online to see what’s available) that’s always a fixed price. You show up, pay the fee, and everyone at the table eats what they’ve prepared for the day! You always get free hot tea with your order, and it’s a really kind and welcoming community.
What to order: whatever they have available that day!
WEBSITE |1701 Toomey Rd, Austin, TX 78704
22. Vinaigrette
Craving a big, beautiful salad? Vinaigrette is your place! They have a huge menu with a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, and soups. For each salad, they recommend a certain type of protein to add on top, but you can mix it up and add your choice of meat or non-meat protein.
WEBSITE | 2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704
23. Elizabeth Street Cafe
This is the most instagrammable restaurant in Austin! This is a French Vietnamese restaurant, so it’s a great place to go for pho, banh mi, and French pastries. But they also have healthy options, like ginger-steamed snapper and green mango cucumber salad.
What to order: their vegetable pho is delicious, filling, and not too heavy!
WEBSITE | 1501 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
24. Two Hands
Two Hands goes in the same category as Café No Se (another healthy restaurant on South Congress.) It’s a beautiful, bright, trendy café on South Congress. This is the type of place you might imagine going on a Sunday morning after a yoga class. Two Hands is an Australian cafe, so make sure you order a flat white with your breakfast!
What to order: acai bowl or avocado toast.
WEBSITE | 1011 S Congress Ave Suite 170, Austin, TX 78704
25. Modern Market Eatery
The salads, the protein bowls, the pizza, the fun and friendly service – it’s all phenomenal. You could eat healthy here…or not. It’s a great place to bring the family because everyone can find something they like.
What to order: the flatiron salad is perfect when you’re in the mood for meat and potatoes, but you want the energy from a salad.
WEBSITE | 3201 Bee Caves Rd 144 Suite 144, Austin, TX TX 78746
26. Blenders And Bowls
Yumm, another smoothie option for ya! Blenders and Bowls is the perfect place to go after a killer workout for a clean, refreshing pick-me-up.
What to order: The Sesher – this bowl is full of acai, banana, and chocolate almond milk and topped with hemp protein and local honey.
WEBSITE | 3736 Bee Caves Rd Suite 8, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
27. Cava
Cava is where you need to go if you want food that’s both healthy AND satisfying. Pick a base, add a spread, layer on some grilled protein, and then top it all off with some colorful veggies. It's kind of like the Mediterranean version of Chipotle.
WEBSITE | 3201 Bee Caves Rd STE 100, Austin, TX 78746
This post is part of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance City Guide! To see more guides to the ATX food scene, click here.
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