The Best Austin Paleo Restaurants: Your Ultimate Food Guide
By
August 16, 2018
article by Lauryn Lax | photo via Eberly
Austin Paleo restaurants are not hard to find.
Although we are deep in the heart of Texas where a love for beer, barbecue and breakfast tacos runs deep, Austin’s progressive, booming foodie scene and health conscious culture make finding Austin Paleo restaurants a breeze—at least finding restaurants with plenty of Paleo-friendly options, and waiters who are happy to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, canola-oil-free requests. (Hey, you have standards).
While this list is not exhaustive, here are our top 10 Austin Paleo restaurant picks—plus our top recommended menu options on tap.
Casual Cavemen Fare
Honest Mary’s
honestmarys.com
Although technically “grain bowls” are there signature menu item, all bowls are totally Paleo-izable.
Top Picks:
Build your own bowl:
24 Diner | 600 N. Lamar
24diner.com
Open, well, 24 hours, 24 Diner is a staple for breakfast and brunch all day long…not to mention bunless burgers.
Top Picks:
Vinaigrette | 2201 College Ave
vinaigretteonline.com/austin_menu
Who said salads have to be boring? A robust menu of hearty greens built to your liking with any fish, shrimp, steak, pork tenderloin or lemon herb chicken of choice on top. Simply sub any dressing with oil and vinegar, or fresh squeezed lemon and avocado to avoid added sugars.
Top Picks:
Hillside Pharmacy | 1209 E. 11th St
hillsidefarmacy.com
Dedicated to fresh farm-to-table fare from locally and sustainably grown produce. Although there is some savory (non-paleo) fare, there are a few winners.
Top Picks:
Fresa’s | 915 N Lamar/1703 S. First
fresaschicken.com
Fresh, quick, simple and flavorful. Mexican food as it should be.
Top Picks
Thai Fresh | 909 W Mary St.
thai-fresh.com/menu
Real fresh Thai food. We drool over the Tom Kha!
Top Picks
Wholly Cow Burgers | 3010 S Lamar Blvd
whollycowburgers.com
Grass-fed and grass-finished burgers are good for the soul. They even have a burger just for us: The Fit Cross! Boom.
Top Picks
Freedman’s BBQ| 2402 San Gabriel
freedmensbar.com
BBQ with a classy flare. Order any meat without sugary sauce and you’re golden!
Top Picks
Koriente | 621 E 7th St.
koriente.com
Fresh Asian fare that people wait outside in line for. We love that you can add free-range eggs, roasted garlic or onion to anything AND MAKE EVERYTHING GLUTEN FREE!
Top Picks:
Cenote | 1010 East Cesar Chavez
cenoteaustin.com/food/east-austin/weekday/
A casual east Austin cafe with great coffee and simple (but delicious) breakfast and lunchtime fare.
Top Picks:
Galaxy Cafe | 1000 West Lynn (and 3 other locations)
galaxycafeaustin.com
A large menu to please any crowd for a casual lunch or dinner. Galaxy is an old-time Austin staple, and you can find just about any protein and veggie here. We like their gluten free menu.
Top Picks:
Forthright | 35 Brazos St.
forthright.cafe/
Breakfast, brunch and lunch fare with the gluten-free foodie in mind.
Top Picks:
Snap Kitchen | 4616 Triangle Ave (+ 7 other local locations)
snapkitchen.com
Snap Kitchen can be a life saver from their meal delivery service to picking up food on the go!
Top Picks:
Dinner Digs
Picnik | 4801 Burnet Rd/ 1700 S. Lamar Blvd.
picnikaustin.com
You can’t go wrong at one of Austin’s beloved and paleo-friendly restaurants (and trailers!), Picnik. From the butter coffee and hash to the bone broth and pulled duck chile relleno everything is amazing.
Top Picks:
Salt & Time | 1912 E 7th St
saltandtime.com
A revolving fresh, sustainable protein sourced menu (since it is also a butcher shop). Serving dinner only.
Top Picks:
East Side Cafe | 2113 Manor Road
eastsidecafeaustin.com/contact/
Locally grown produce and a full gluten-free menu make this one a no-brainer. Eastside Cafe opened in 1988 as one of the first restaurants on Manor Road, now a bustling restaurant row with more than a dozen local cafes, taco joints, coffee shops, and pubs. Eastside was also a pioneer in the urban farming movement, using herbs and vegetables from the garden on its property.
Top Picks:
Eden East | 755 Springdale Rd
edeneastaustin.com
A farm-to-table experience at Springdale Farm with a rotating seasonal dinner menu. Open Friday and Saturdays 7-10 pm for dinner reservations, and Brunch. Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9 am-1pm.
Top Picks:
Odd Duck | 1201 S Lamar
oddduckaustin.com
Another farm-to-table experience with a seasonal menu of small shareable plates. This one is great if you don’t mind sharing eats.
Top Picks:
**They are VERY accommodating and can create anything gluten and dairy free.
Eberly | 615 S Lamar
eberlyaustin.com
A newer kid in town, this pop up on South Lamar boasts local farm fresh fare with plenty of veggies and proteins to be had.
Top Picks:
Sway Thai | 1417 South 1st Street
swaythai.com
Thai at your service. Everything here is yum yum in our tum.
Top Picks:
Salty Sow | 1917 Manor Road
saltysow.com
A “mindfully sourced” gastro-pub with American bistro fare, from local farms in town. Perfect for a special dinner out.
Top Picks:
Clarks Oyster Bar | 1200 W 6th St.
clarksoysterbar.com
Word on the street is that they not only have amazing orders…but one of the best burgers in town!
Top Picks:
Honorary Mentions:
We couldn’t forget to leave out these “honorable” mentions—many of which often are listed on “Paleo Austin Restaurant” lists, so we didn’t want to beat a dead horse. Nevertheless these dining spots boast plenty of real food fare to keep you from ordering dry lettuce, and you can find pretty much anything “Paleo friendly” and CrossFit friendly.
Modern Market |9828 Great Hills Trail/ 401 Congress Ave
modernmarket.com
Whole Foods Downtown | 525 N Lamar Blvd.
wholefoodsmarket.com
Central Market | 4001 N Lamar Blvd
centralmarket.com
True Food Kitchen | 222 West Avenue
truefoodkitchen.com
Flower Child | 11721 Rock Rose Avenue
iamaflowerchild.com/#locations
Now, who’s hungry?
