Best places in Austin for healthy eating in 2023

Here it is. The great restart. The chance for a clean slate.

“Today, I start eating better,” you tell yourself. You and me both, friend.

Eating a more healthy diet requires more than discipline. You need to cook more; gotta limit those portions; more greens, fewer carbs. You also need a plan for eating out, a cheat sheet to turn to when you’re hungry. When those hunger pangs hit, if you’re anything like me, your brain can drift into some unhealthy places.

So, it’s good to have a list to point you in a healthier direction. Below are some great options for when you want to eat healthy, or at least healthier than last year.

Don’t see one of your favorites on the list? Drop me an email at modam@statesman.com or call me at 512-912-5986.

Beer Plant

Yes, cauliflower wings and truffle grilled cheese let vegetarians in on the bar food fun, but you can also find veggie curry, salads and a “crab cake” made with hearts of palm at this Tarrytown pub. It features a full bar and a sophisticated design that puts a modern twist on the old hippie stereotypes of vegan restaurants. 3110 Windsor Road, 512-524-1800, thebeerplant.com.

Bouldin Creek Cafe

One of Austin’s true temples to vegetarian and vegan fare. Even the most avid meat-eater will be impressed with one of the best veggie burgers in town and dishes like portobello fajitas or the zucchini migas. 1900 South First St., 512-416-1601, bouldincreek.com.

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Casa de Luz

Trying to avoid oil? No problem. Looking to load your plate with dark, leafy greens and get your proteins from nuts and beans. This Zilker staple — part community center, part restaurant — is your spot. 1701 Toomey Road, 512-476-2535, casadeluz.org.

Cava

Yes, it’s a chain, but in a world of fast-casuals built on carbs and unhealthy fats, Cava serves as a nice alternative, with its pan-Mediterranean bowls and salads. There are now more than a half-dozen locations stretching from Sunset Valley to the Domain. Multiple locations, cava.com.

Citizen Eatery

This vegan restaurant sits in a light-filled modern space and serves a variety of salads, bowls and entrees with flavor profiles ranging from Mexican to Indian cuisine. 5011 Burnet Road, 512-792-9546, citizeneatery.com.

Daily Juice

The four West Austin and North Austin locations of this juice and smoothie bar serve ready-to-go salads, wraps and bowls for takeout only. Multiple locations, dailyjuicecafe.com.

Flower Child

The name says it all. Unlock your inner hippie with whole-grain wraps, bowls full of brown rice and quinoa and a host of other superfood-based dishes at the two locations of this Arizona-based chain. 500 W. Second St., 512-777-4132; 11721 Rock Rose, Unit B100, 512-777-2493; iamaflowerchild.com.

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Honest Mary’s

Rice, quinoa, greens … these are a few of the bases used for the variety of bowls at this restaurant. 9828 Great Hills Trail, No 300, 512-953-8427; 4800 Burnet Road; honestmarys.com.

JuiceLand

Find grab-and-go vegan dishes packed with impressive flavors at two dozen Central Texas locations, from Mexican- and Thai-inspired wraps to falafel, vegan gyro and a burrito made with Beyond Meat. Multiple locations, juiceland.com.

Mad Greens

Find an assortment of bountiful salads, pasta dishes and wraps. Multiple locations, madgreens.com.

Mezze Me

This locally owned restaurant makes very good falafel in house, and while the beef and lamb bowl is the way to go, vegetarians will find no shortage of options with the grain and salad bowls topped with vegetables and vegetarian spreads. 4700 Guadalupe St., 512-900-8200, mezzeme.com.

Mr. Natural

Healthy meals with a Mexican accent (and a good veggie burger) at locations in South and East Austin. Mr. Natural was an early mover in Austin’s healthy dining scene, opening in 1988. 1901 E. Cesar Chavez St., 512-477-5228; 2414 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-916-9223; mrnaturalatx.com.

Nissi Vegan Mexican Vegmex

Sergio Tamez changed his eating habits several years ago, adopting a vegan diet. But he missed the tacos of his youth, so he created this North Austin taqueria that serves street tacos like asada and al pastor made with a housemade plant-based protein. 9012 Research Blvd., Unit C-6, 512-994-8266, nissivegmex.com.

Picnik

What started as a trailer on South Lamar has expanded to include brick-and-mortar locations in South and Central Austin that serve a menu that includes bone broth, butter coffee and more than a half-dozen salads and grain bowls. 4801 Burnet Road, 737-226-0644; 1600 South First St., Suite 110, 737-332-2339; 1700 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-293-6118; picnikaustin.com.

Poke Poke

There are so many poke places popping up in Austin, which is great for those who want to eat bowls of sushi-grade fish and rice topped with complementary ingredients. This is my favorite of the bunch. 3100 Congress Ave., 512-814-1032; 2320 Hancock Drive, 512-840-1942; 9911 Brodie Lane, Suite 800, 512- 291-6126; poke-poke.com.

Snap Kitchen

These folks have engineered a way to reduce calories without sacrificing flavor. They epitomize how to do quick, healthy pre-made meals right. Multiple locations, snapkitchen.com.

Soup Peddler

More than a half-dozen grab-and-go salads and a green detox broth represent the healthy options on the menu at the six locations that also serve juices and smoothies, in addition to their trademark soups. Multiple locations, souppeddler.com.

Swad

Swad specializes in vegetarian dishes from northern and southern India. Favorites include navratan korma and vegan thali. 1401 S. Interstate 35, No. 220, in Round Rock, 512-997-7923, swadroundrock.com.

TLV

The Israeli street-food stall inside Fareground serves dishes with rich and vibrant flavors. Their mushroom shawarma and hummus might be my favorite regularly featured vegetarian dish on any menu in town. 111 Congress Ave., 512-608-4041, tlv-austin.com.

True Food Kitchen

There are vegetarian options, from bowls to sandwiches to entrees, all over the expansive menu at the Austin location of this national chain. 222 West Ave., 512-777-2430; 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 100, 512-992-0685; truefoodkitchen.com.

Vinaigrette

One of the keys to the balanced salads at this airy and inviting restaurant: well-dressed greens, so every bite carries a flavorful sheen. Try the kale Caesar. Bonus points for cocktails made with juice from fresh produce. 2201 College Ave., 512-852-8791, vinaigretteonline.com.

The Well

The menu here is focused on gourmet toasts, salads, broths and entrees featuring healthful proteins, with an emphasis on ingredients that cater to those looking to avoid refined sugar, soy, gluten, peanuts and corn. 440 W. Second St., 737-742-1129, eatwellatx.com.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin restaurants: Best places for healthy eating in 2023