15 Best Keto Restaurants In Austin
Wondering where the hell you’re going to eat in Austin while you’re on the Keto diet!? I got you! Dining out can definitely still happen, even if you’re trying to stick to the keto lifestyle.
I know it can be hard to follow your Keto meal plan when you want to socialize and enjoy some nice dinners with friends. But I promise that with just a bit of planning, you can find plenty of keto-friendly restaurants in ATX.
“Keto” became a buzzword about 5-10 years ago, and it’s still one of the most googled diet word. Why? Well, my friends who enjoy the keto lifestyle say that it really is an easy way to shed pounds and feel amazing doing it.
Full disclosure: I don’t eat keto, but I have friends who do. I asked them about their favorite keto restaurants in Austin, and I was delighted to find that a lot of them are my favorite places, too!
What is Keto Diet?
If you’re looking for keto restaurants in Austin, you probably already know about this diet, but here’s a quick definition, just in case.
The keto diet (or “ketogenic diet”) is a way of eating in which you consume lots of fats, a medium amount of protein, and very limited carbs. The goal is to get into a state of ketosis, which basically means your body gets really good at burning fat for energy. It’s no surprise that this is a very popular diet for weight loss!
(There’s obviously a lot of other science stuff to it, but that’s keto in a nutshell.)
What Makes Keto Challenging?
According to my Austin friends who have tried keto, the hardest part is getting enough fat in your diet. That answer surprised me! I thought the hardest part would be avoiding carbs, but it turns out that keto requires SOO much fatty goodness, and reaching those macro levels can be hard.
The next hardest thing? Finding good keto-friendly restaurants near you.
Planning meals and eating them at home is the easiest way to go keto, but you’ll want to be able to socialize and enjoy your “normal” lifestyle, even while eating keto.
The good news is that with just a bit of planning, you can stick with your keto diet and still explore the fun Austin restaurant scene.
What Types of Restauranst are Best While You're on Keto?
Obviously, the easiest places to dine in Austin while doing keto are restaurants that specifically cater to that type of lifestyle: Picnik and True Food Kitchen are two very popular ones that have lots of low-carb, gluten-free, and allergen-free food. But Austin bbq joints, steakhouses, poke, salad spots, and even drive-thru restaurants can work while you’re doing keto.
Where Can I Eat in Austin While Doing Keto?
Ok, here are some of the very best keto restaurants in Austin, according to my keto friends. There are a lot of challenges when starting a new eating plan, but finding fun places to eat in Austin doesn’t have to be one of them. I hope you love these restaurants and feel AMAZING while you’re doing the keto diet!
15 Best Keto Restaurants In Austin
1. Picnik
Picnik Austin was started as an allergen-free dining spot (everything on the menu is refined, sugar-free, peanut-free, and gluten-free.) There’s even an entire section of the menu with low-carb options – perfect for people who are doing keto!
The brick-and-mortars on Burnet and South First are both a bright, lively places to dine. They're modern, beautifully decorated, and the menu is absolutely full of keto-friendly things to eat at a restaurant.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
2. True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen was designed for foodies who want a delicious taste and healthy food. The menu caters to any type of diet, so if you’re looking for a keto-friendly menu in Austin, you’ll find lots of options here. Both Austin locations (downtown and Domain) are modern and bright, with high ceilings and white marble tables.
I’ve found that when I’m dining at True Food Kitchen with friends who have a certain diet or lifestyle, the servers are able to help them find something on the menu. This often involves asking the kitchen for simple swaps (like changing the base of a bowl or switching a burger bun for a lettuce wrap.) I highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for keto-friendly restaurants in Austin.
WEBSITE | 222 West Ave Ste HR100, Austin, TX 78701
3. La Barbecue
One of the reasons people love keto so much is that they can indulge in fatty cuts of meat like brisket, sausage, and pork ribs. (Just be sure the sausage isn’t made with any added sugar, and pack your own keto-friendly barbecue sauce).
La Barbecue is one of the most popular bbq joints in Austin. It’s a good one for folks on the keto diet because their coleslaw is made with no sugar, and their rubs are salty (not sweet, which means they’re not full of carbs.)
Other good keto-friendly restaurants in Austin? Pretty much any of these top BBQ spots in Austin!
WEBSITE | 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
4. Vinaigrette
Yep, it’s a salad place. And yep, it’s delicious. Vinaigrette is a modern restaurant + wine bar tucked just off of South Congress. You can order a premade salad or create your own to make it even more, keto friendly.
Be sure to ask for a creamy dressing, like their blue cheese vinaigrette. Pair your salad with grilled flank steak, and just be careful to avoid too many of the high-carb toppings like croutons or crispy noodles.
WEBSITE | 2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704
5. Counter Cafe
This cozy diner is the perfect place to grab a keto-friendly breakfast or lunch in Austin. They use locally-sourced protein and organic ingredients and offer all the classics that you expect to see at a diner. This is an iconic Austin restaurant and a really fun spot to dine at keto or not!
The Pork Chop & Eggs is a good keto-friendly option. Just be sure to swap out the biscuit and potatoes with a keto-friendly side, like nitrate-free bacon or sautéed spinach.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
Related: the best healthy restaurants in austin
6. P. Terry's Burger Stand
Ahh, P. Terry’s….helpin’ us out when we need a burger for dinner but don’t want to have to put real pants on… (Don’t lie. You’ve totally got a P. Terry’s burger in your PJs and slippers.)
Did you know you can dine keto at P Terry’s? Sub a lettuce wrap for your bun, and add some extra cheese to your burger. You’ll have to avoid the fries and ice cream, but you can pile on an extra patty of meat to make up for it.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
7. Dai Due
Not only is this one of the all-time BEST Austin restaurants, but it can also be very keto-friendly. I dined here with a friend who was eating keto, and he found several things that fit into her lifestyle.
Dai Due serves locally sourced (and often wild!) Texas meat. There’s no better place to get a dry-aged wagyu ribeye or a pork chop. Order meat a la carte and then pair it with a keto-friendly side (they often have a salad with a creamy dressing or a plate of greens.)
WEBSITE | 2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
8. Wholly Cow
Wholly Cow doesn’t get enough attention, in my opinion. They serve organic, grass-fed burgers, and after trying nearly every burger in Austin, I think that these are some of the best ones.
WEBSITE | 3010 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
9. Malibu Poke
Malibu Poke is a place I find myself recommending for any diet or lifestyle, but it’s especially great for keto food. This beautiful poke restaurant in downtown Austin has a touch screen ordering system where you can a create-your-own poke bowl.
For a base, they offer cauliflower rice and massaged kale for low-carb options. Pick a fatty tuna or salmon protein and then pile on the sauces, crunchy toppings, and oil drizzles.
They clearly list which ones are keto-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally choosing the wrong sauce. Pile on some extra avocado for more fatty goodness.
WEBSITE | 211 Walter Seaholm Dr LR 115, Austin, TX 78703
10. Chi'lantro
Ok, I know that they’re best known for those delicious kimchi fries and tacos… You’ll have to avoid those on the keto diet. But eating keto at Chi’Lantro is actually pretty easy if you know the right things to order.
Try a “create your own bowl” and choose a green base (they offer spinach or green leaf lettuce.) Get meat and lots of veggies, and pick a few high-fat toppings like avocado and cheese.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
11. Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy Burger Bar has locations all over Austin, and it’s a really good spot to eat Keto. You can order any of their burgers as a bowl or swap out the bun for a lettuce wrap. (Just be careful with hidden sugars in the sauces.)
A common keto move is to add bacon, avocado, or fried egg on top for some extra fatty yums.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
12. Austin's Pizza
Craving keto pizza in Austin? Austin’s Pizza now has a cauliflower crust. Select the “build your own pizza” option, and start with this low-carb crust. Then pile on some keto-friendly toppings like mozzarella cheese, bacon, ground beef, Roma tomatoes, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
13. Maie Day
When you want to dine out at a fancy restaurant on keto, a steakhouse might be your best bet! You can order a steak and a keto-friendly wine or no-sugar cocktail and then get a side of greens. (Just be sure to watch out for added sugars in sauces and sides.)
Maie Day is a beautiful chop house located in the stunning South Congress Hotel. It's from executive chef Michael Fojtasek (also known for his James Beard Award-finalist restaurant Olamaie) decided to take preconceptions about a steak house and create something new.
The result is a bright and lively restaurant with shareable sides, locally-sourced cuts of meat, and a festive, friendly feel. It's a great place to eat if you're on a keto diet because they have plenty of high-fat cuts of meat available, but your friends who aren't dining keto will be able to find menu items for their lifestyle, too.
WEBSITE | 2600 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
14. Flower Child
No lie: I’ve eaten lunch here so many times because I always feel AMAZING after a meal! It’s so easy to eat keto at Flower Child because they offer clean foods and lots of veggies and proteins. There are two locations in Austin (a Domain restaurant and a downtown location), and they’re both absolutely beautiful places to grab lunch with a friend.
Try a salad with a creamy dressing and protein, or go with the “entree + protein” option for some absolutely delicious meat and veggies.
WEBSITE | 500 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
15. 24 Diner
It’s not only an iconic Austin restaurant with amaaaazing elevated diner classics…24 Diner is also a great place to find keto-friendly food in Austin.
WEBSITE | 600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Related posts:
10 Must-Try Restaurants in East Austin
If you love great restaurants, you’ll love east Austin. Here are the absolute must-try spots in east ATX.
Read More
A Local’s Guide to Dirty Sixth Street: Where to Eat and Drink
If you’re looking for this guide, you’re probably not a “Dirty Sixth” type of person…
Read More
Where To Eat Near ACL Festival: 14 Cool Austin Restaurants
From pre-fest coffee to post-fest drinks + carbs, here’s where to eat close to ACL Festival.
Read More