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 years ago, and it’s still 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 their favorite keto restaurants in Austin, and I was delighted to find that a lot of them are my favorite places, too!
What Is The 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-y 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 places to eat. 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 Restaurants 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, 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!
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-mortar on Burnet is a bright, lively place to dine in. The trailer in south Austin on S Lamar is a great little spot to pick up some food to go.
Picnik
4801 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
(737) 226-0644
2. True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen was designed for foodies who want 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 a keto friendly restaurants in Austin.
True Food Kitchen
222 West Ave Ste HR100, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 777-2430
3. La Barbecue
(Or pretty much any bbq joint in Austin…) 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 like this one.)
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.)
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 605-9696
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.
Vinaigrette
(512) 852-8791
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, 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, 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.
Counter Cafe
914 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 351-9961
6. P. Terry’s
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 gotten a P. Terry’s burger in pj bottoms 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 on 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.
P. Terry’s
404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
7. Dai Due
Not only is this one of my all-time FAVORITE Austin restaurants, it can also be very keto friendly. I dined here with a friend you was eating keto, and she 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 salad with a creamy dressing or a plate of greens.)
Dai Due
2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 524-0688
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.
If you’re dining keto right now, try their Fit Cross Burger. It’s sandwiched between two portobello mushroom caps (note that it’s not the one pictured) and has bacon on it for keto-friendly fats. Add some extra cheese to balance out your macros.
Wholly Cow
3010 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8156
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.
Malibu Poke
211 Walter Seaholm Dr LR 115, Austin, TX 78703
512) 609-8510
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 a meat and lots of veggies, and pick a few high-fat toppings like avocado and cheese.
chi’lantro
1414 Shore District Dr #102, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 382-9653
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.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress Ave Suite A190, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 243-7505
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.
Austin’s Pizza
3638 Bee Cave Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 717-8771
13. Bento Picnic
These balanced bento boxes and bowls are full of responsibly-sourced proteins, fresh veggies, and house-made sauces and pickles. IBento Picnic is really good at creating customizable options for pretty much any lifestyle, including keto.
Try the Garden Bento, because it comes with lots of veggies and healthy fats. Add a protein to it, like the barbecued akaushi tri-tip beef.
Bento Picnic
2600 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 987-8767
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 (Domain and downtown) 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.
Flower Child
11721 Rock Rose Ave, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 777-2493
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.
Their breakfast options like the frittata or the bacon breakfast platter are easy choices. For lunch or dinner, try a salad (loooove their chopped salad…hold the croutons for keto) or a ribeye steak (no fries). They also have delicious burgers here. How do yo umake a burger keto? Simply hold the bun and any high-carb toppings like ketchup, and pile on keto-friendly toppings like grilled onions, bacon, and avocado!
24 Diner
600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-5400
I hope that was helpful for you. Best of luck on your keto plan!
PS: I also have this list of 27 healthy restaurants in Austin. Check it out! It’s sorted by neighborhood so you can find something near you quickly.
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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