Palmer Events Center – Vegetarian Guide

The Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas, is a 125,000-square-foot venue that’s large and flexible enough to host all kinds of events. The PEC, as it’s often referred to, was originally an airplane hangar that was purchased by the City of Austin in 1940.

Since then, it’s grown into a massive venue that holds conferences, car shows, roller derby, private events, expos, and more. The fact that the Palmer Events Center is located in one of the biggest cities in Texas is a big plus.

Those attending an event at the PEC are in a convenient place to explore some of the eateries located throughout Austin. Of course there are plenty of barbecue places to try, as it is Texas after all.

But what about those who don’t eat meat? An expansive and modern city, Austin has plenty of vegetarian options. There are many restaurants surrounding the Palmer Events Center for those with dietary restrictions, and below are eight of the closest ones.

Conscious Cravings

Conscious Cravings, just four minutes from the Palmer Events Center, is the most convenient place to visit if you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan food. People with all sorts of dining preferences will feel comfortable at Conscious Cravings, as the restaurant uses fresh ingredients to create vegan food in a completely nut-free environment.

Conscious Cravings serves meals that are not only fresh, but convenient as well. They have a large selection of outstanding wraps that are easy to take on the go. These wraps feature locally sourced ingredients, such as tofu from a Houston-based distributor, and sauces and dressings made in house.

Try the pan-seared tofu wrap, filled with seasoned tofu, vegan mayo, sriracha, lettuce, and onions. You can get your wrap in a white, wheat, spinach, or even cayenne wrap. Conscious Cravings also serves salads, smoothies, and other healthy options. Go there and enjoy a meal you can feel good about!

Bouldin Creek Cafe

It’s always a good time for breakfast food. This is especially true at Bouldin Creek Cafe, an eatery five minutes from the Palmer Events Center that serves breakfast all day. This funky cafe has a distinctly Austin vibe, with quirky decorations, colorful art, and fun-loving staff. Through their delicious food, Bouldin Creek Cafe has shown everyone, even carnivores, that plant-based food can be both delicious and satisfying.

As an appetizer, try their spicy pesto plate with grilled ciabatta. For the main course, many have recommended Bouldin’s famous, award-winning Veggie Royale burger. Wash it all down with Austin’s best hangover cure, “The Leveler.” This cocktail is not for the faint of heart; it contains Guinness, espresso, and chocolate. If you’d rather not dive into drinks just yet, sip on some of Bouldin’s locally roasted, organic, fair trade coffee.

Casa de Luz Village

Casa de Luz Village is more than just a restaurant, it’s a place where community members enjoy healthy, vegan, macrobiotic food, while experiencing a supportive and communal environment.

For example, you can take part in a yoga class before heading into the dining room for some vegetable tacos. Meals at Casa de Luz are all wholesome and healthy, driven by the belief that prioritizing healthy eating creates a quality of life that medicine can’t achieve. Stop by Casa de Luz Village, five minutes from the Palmer Events Center, to experience an eatery like no other.

True Food Kitchen

Just over five minutes from the Palmer Events Center is True Food Kitchen. Similarly to Casa de Luz, True Food Kitchen believes nutrition is the foundation for a healthy and prosperous life. Their open dining room features long, communal tables, bar seating, booths, and a beautiful mural on the back wall. This welcoming area creates a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy a healthy meal.

Try True Food Kitchen’s edamame dumplings, vegan kale cobb salad, or spaghetti squash casserole. You can also enjoy one of their various cocktails, such as a basil cucumber Collins, or one of their many seasonal beers on tap. At True Food Kitchen, you’re sure to have an enjoyable meal right outside of the Palmer Events Center.

ATX FOOD CO.

You can’t eat your way around Austin without visiting a food truck! ATX FOOD CO. is one close to the Palmer Events Center that serves plant-based food made from responsibly sourced ingredients. The owner and founder of this popular food truck, Raad Monsour, is regularly present at the establishment, making sure customers having an enjoyable experience.

ATX FOOD CO. makes their unprocessed foods with the utmost care, and their meals have positively impacted their customers throughout Austin. One of the top-recommended dishes at ATX FOOD CO. is their chickpea strips. These are not just “good for vegan food,” but delicious in general. Try their mushroom tacos along with a hemp smoothie and some chickpea strips; your stomach and heart will thank you.

Veggie Heaven

Vegetarians in the mood for Asian cuisine near the Palmer Events Center should pay Veggie Heaven a visit. The owner of the restaurant, Stacy Chen, is a vegan herself. Combined with her love of comfort food and Taiwanese flavors, she’s created dishes that are both healthy and hearty.

Stacy also comes from a family of chefs and brings her lifetime of experience to create some fantastic menu items. Try the Thai chili cauliflower wings or the Miso Awesome ramen dish, which are both served in generous portions. Between the satisfying food, casual environment, and friendly staff, you’ll truly feel as though you’re in veggie heaven.

Mr. Natural

Mr. Natural is a family-owned and -operated business less than 10 minutes from the Palmer Events Center. A husband and wife team opened the restaurant in 1988 after traveling through Mexico, teaching others how to live the most wholesome and healthy lifestyle possible. Now that they’ve settled down in Austin, they bring this holistic way of living to their customers.

There are options at Mr. Natural for vegans and vegetarians alike, including appetizers like cheese and bean dip and vegan queso con carne. Customers love their fresh, house-made tortillas, and vegan barbecue wings smothered in a delectable barbecue sauce. No matter what you order, you’ll be impressed by how satisfying vegan Mexican cuisine can be.