Whole30 & Paleo Restaurant Guide to Austin, Texas

A Whole30 & Paleo Restaurant Guide to Austin, Texas!

If you are traveling to Austin, Texas or live here and are looking for some good clean eats, this is the guide! I know when I first started eating paleo, I avoided eating out like the plague. It was just so hard to actually know what was in your food and I didn’t want to be that person substituting everything. Nowadays, I don’t care one bit if I am that person. I want to know what I am eating and want to feel good about it. And so should you! Never be afraid to ask if you are uncertain about something.

Luckily Austin has an amazing restaurant scene when you want to go out, but still want stick to to your healthy ways. There are plenty of places that have strict paleo options, or you can substitute to fit your needs. I’m rounding up some of try favorite spots to eat paleo and stick to your Whole30 while in Austin.

Whole30 & Paleo Restaurant Guide to Austin, TX

Picnik
4801 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 (brick & mortar)
1700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 (food trailer)

In a world full of fast food, Picnik offers a delicious menu for every dietary restriction. They focus on better ingredients to make you feel your best, sourcing most of their food from local farmers and companies, only using avocado oil, and avoiding gluten, corn, and soy. The whole staff is knowledge about certain dietary restrictions and they are willing to accommodate your needs. If you are paleo, this is the place to be! You can also eat here while on the Whole30, just let them know. The menu ranges from breakfast hashes, grain-free pancakes, salads, shareables, and dinner entrees. They are really well known for their butter coffee. Note that the Burnet location is a full cafe/restaurant and the S Lamar location does coffees/smoothies, grab-n-items, and gluten free pastries.

Koriente
621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

photo credit: Natalie Paramore of Natalie Paramore

Cute eatery with a patio that serves Asian inspired food that is healthy and quick, with the menu having gluten free and vegan options. They don’t use MSG and a conscious of their oil and sugar use, and use honey and fruit juice whenever possible. A lot of their bowls come with rice, but you can sub for more veggies. Make sure you specify you need your meal to be gluten free!

True Food Kitchen
222 West Ave HR100, Austin, TX 78701

photo credit: Kristin of FoodFash

This Arizona based restaurant made it’s way to Austin recently and it has been a great addition. They serve health conscience and seasonal fare, including a ton of gluten free options. While they are not strictly paleo,  you can substitute where needed. The menu rotates regularly so you will always be in for a surprise.

Wholly Cow Burgers
3010 S Lamar Blvd A, Austin, TX 78704

photo credit: Colleen McClelland, NTP from Call Bells + Barbells

A fun burger joint and market that serves local organic pasture raised hormone and chemical free grass-fed beef patties (that is a mouth full), hand cut fries, and fresh produce when in season. Order the Fit Cross (Paleo) burger which is stuffed between two portabella mushrooms instead of a bun. They also have sweet potato fries if you want a side with your burger.

Modern Market
9828 Great Hills Trail #110, Austin, TX 78759 (north)
401 Congress Ave Suite 100A, Austin, TX 78701 (downtown)
3201 Bee Caves Rd Suite 144, Austin, TX 78746 (West Lake)

If you are looking for a quick and healthy meal, Modern Market has you covered. They are a casual counter-serve cafe offering prepared soups & salads with locally-sourced ingredients. They use seasonal food made from whole food ingredients, and you can usually get something for under $10. The menu ranges from salads, soups, bowls, sandwiches, pizzas, plates, and sides. They have the ingredients and nutritional info available online for each menu item so you can be in the know before you go.

Flower Child
11721 Rock Rose B100, Austin, TX 78758 (north/domain)
500 W 2nd St Suite 160, Austin, TX 78701 (downtown)

New to Austin and the Domain area, Flower Child focuses on local ingredients, happy animals, and organic food when necessary. The menu notes what is gluten free, dairy free, and vegan and ranges from salads, sides, vegetables & grains, bowls, and warps. While a lot of the menu does have grains on it, you can easily substitute things. You can also add salmon, grass-fed steak, and all-natural chicken to your meal.

Salty Sow
1917 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

photo credit: Michelle Cheng of Foodie is the New Forty

Salty Sow is an American Gastropub that serves contemporary farmhouse fare that is mindfully sourced from local farms and purveyors. While there whole menu is not paleo, there are definitely some options and they have a dedicated gluten free menu. One of the most popular items is their duck fat fries – as in fries fried in duck fat and topped with an 110 minute egg. I have only been here once, but it was delicious and have been longing to go back. I would highly suggest getting their for happy hour, and then stay for dinner if you like. Drinks are discounted along with a wide section of food. The outdoor patio is wonderful for a relaxing night out.

Forthright Cafe
5 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

Right downtown, Forthright is my new favorite find. Granted I have only been there once, but it was so tasty, I can’t wait to go back. They serve New American cafe favorites focusing on honest food using quality ingredients and also have coffee, cocktails, and happy hour specials if that floats your boat. They have plenty of gluten free and dairy free option a the staff there is also amazing and super accommodating to your requests. Highly recommend!

Alcomar
1816 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

Any places that serves quality seafood has my heart, and Alcomar does it right. It is a Latin-inspired eatery with fresh oysters, ceviche, and other seafood inspired dishes. Their menu ranges from appetizers, soups and salads, main dishes, and sides. The flavor and food combinations here are insane and everything is so fresh. I have eaten so much calamari (thanks to my dad’s obsession) and this was some of the best I have ever had. Happy hour is everyday from 3-6 with specials on food and drinks.

24 Diner
600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756

Farm-to-table comfort food offered at all hours of the day. This is one of my favorite places in Austin. They offer breakfast, apps, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees. A lot of their food can be made paleo with a few substitutes. You can’t go wrong with one of their hashes or a bunless burger. Make sure to ask for the gluten-free menu at the door.

Salt Lick – UPDATE their meat is marinated in soybean oil so please be aware of that if you go
18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619
3350 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665

A little bit outside of Austin, but world known BBQ and worth the drive. They now have two locations, Driftwood being the ranch, and then a restaurant in Round Rock. Eating BBQ is pretty easy on paleo, you just need to avoid sausages, meats that are finished/rubbed in sugar, and sauces, but a majority of the meat is fair game. I enjoyed the pulled pork (Round Rock location only), brisket, and roasted turkey. Note that the Driftwood location is cash only.

Snap Kitchen
multiple locations throughout Austin

A grab-n-go kitchen focusing on fresh, healthy, and whole food in a convenient portioned out pre-made meal. Each meal is labeled with the ingredients, the dietary category it falls into (paleo, dairy free, gluten free, vegan…), and the calorie and macro count. Meals are seasonal there and constantly changing. Just look at the labels to make sure what you grab is paleo/Whole30.

Pitchfork Pretty
2708 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Another recent find that I am currently loving! Pitchfork Pretty is kind of a like a fancy farm to table – they focus on southern eats with an emphasis on seasonal & locally-sourced ingredients. Not 100% paleo, but you can definitely find something on the dinner menu and they are super helpful and can accommodate your needs. I’ve only been for dinner, but hear their brunch is pretty awesome as well.

Well that is all I have for now. Did I miss a place that you totally dig? I’m sure I did 🙂 Let me know in the comments!

For more guidance to eating the best of what Austin offers, check out this year’s Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide