Welcome to Austin, TX and I hope your ready to eat like a local!  Austin, TX is known as the live music capital (Austin is host to SXSW, Austin City Limits Festival & Fun Fun Fun Fest), but our culinary scene has taken off in the last few years (did I mention we have several James Beard Award Winners & Nominees here in Austin?), with much to offer diners with varied palates and for those just looking for some down home Southern cooking! In this guide I will be covering:

• Allendale
• Hyde Park
• North Austin

I also wrote a separate post on Gluten-Free Dinner – Downtown Austin (includes food trailers).

Other parts of Austin’s gluten-free dining scene have been covered by Jessica Meyer of ATX Gluten-Free, Rebecca Saltsman of Salt’s Kitchen and Jen Mansfield of Inspired Eats – Please find the links below.

As I stated in my other post on gluten-free dinner, Austin’s culinary culture is as diversified as it’s residents and visitors.  With food choices ranging from BBQ to 4-Star dining, served up by several culinary luminaries within Austin’s city limits, there really isn’t anything you can’t get here in Austin.  In the last two years with the prevalence and increasing need to gluten-free options, Austin chef’s and restaurants have answered the call with more and more restaurants hoping on the gluten-free bandwagon!

• Apothecary Cafe: This is a favorite spot I have for happy hour as they have a great gluten-free menu! I always order up the bruschetta with gluten-free crustini.

• Billy’s on Burnet: I love burgers and you can order up one of these beauties from Billy’s sans the bun making it gluten-free.  Billy’s also has an extensive veggie menu but check with your server as to which items are gluten-free.

• Blue Star Cafeteria: Serving up lunch and dinner all week, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday. There are some dishes that are naturally gluten-free on the menu (salads and some of the Blue Star Platters).  You can always order your burger without the bun.  Love the atmosphere here and prices are fair.

• Central Market:  You can pop in for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Central Market has lots of gluten-free options from fresh made meals to pre-packaged eats.

• Flying Saucer:  Soups, salads and shared plates are what will be on your gluten-free menu here at Flying Saucer!  Not a lot of choices, but if it’s a spot your friends tend to gather at, don’t fret you won’t go hungry.

• Fonda San Miguel: Interior Mexican food is on the menu.  Pull up a chair at the bar, order up one of their Antojito’s (small plates) and a margarita.

• Olive & June: Another fabulous restaurant by Chef Shawn Cirkiel (located in the Bryker Woods neighborhood North of downtown and just West of Allendale) is Cirkiel’s take on Southern Italian Cuisine.  Yes you can eat here gluten-free! Make sure you attend one of the gluten-free diners here, as I promise it won’t disappoint.  I still dream about the prawn spaghetti with roasted strawberries to this day.

• Uchiko: Chef Tyson Cole created this Japanese Farmhouse style restaurant and it’s been packed since opening day! Chef Paul Qui cut his chops here as second in command and it’s a great place to eat if you’re looking for some gluten-free bites and are a lover of sushi.  The staff here is well versed on gluten-free dining and know there in’s and out’s of what you can have.  Tip:  Come for happy hour and order up these tasty Asian inspired bites.  Order the Jar-Jar Duck and the Brussels Sprouts.

• Antonelli’s Cheese Shop: Get your cheese monger on at this adorable cheese shop.  With the finest choice of local, regional, and cheeses from around the world, Jon and Kendall Antonelli have created a cheese shop that keeps on giving.  Well versed in gluten-free cheeses (cheeses started with a rye mold it’s not gluten-free) they can help you assemble the perfect cheese board for your party!

• Asti Trattoria:  With locally sourced meats and produce, there are many gluten-free options include salads, risotto, some appetizers and some main courses.  I love Italian food and outside of Olive & June,  Asti is my other favorite Italian restaurant in Austin.  A little known fact – Asti owners also own Fino.

• Foodheads:  A sweet restaurant tucked in a residential neighborhood, Foodheads pumps out some delicious bites.  Big on sandwiches here, at my last visit they didn’t have gluten-free bread, so I ordered my sandwich without the bread.

• Foreign & Domestic: You can find me dining here on a regular basis, as it’s been a staple on my gluten-free dining list since it’s opening.  Chef Ned Elliott and Pastry Chef Jodi Elliott dish up a creative menu time and time again.  Just coming off the heals of Austin’s Indie Chef Week in , they’ve recently rolled out their Saturday Bake Sale (word is Jodi is working on some gluten-free baked items – hell yeah!) & Dollar Oyster Tuesday’s – Run don’t walk!

• Hyde Park and Grill:  Mainly salads and entrée’s are gluten-free here.  Make sure to check with your server as to gluten-free dishes.

• Mother’s Cafe & Garden:  With lots of gluten-free options to choose from, Mother’s won’t steer you wrong.  They have daily specials as well so check with your wait staff.

• Quack’s Bakery:  I was delighted when popping into Quacks to meet a friend for coffee they served up gluten-free baked goods.  I noshed on a gluten-free cupcake  that was light and airy.  Call ahead or pop in to place an order if you’re in need of gluten-free baked goods for a party.

• Vino Vino: Who doesn’t like a wall full of wine to pair with your dinner?  Vino Vino has a vast array of wines to choose from, including the bubbly stuff  (the wall of wine is beautifully lit).  A menu built on small plates you can share, eating gluten-free here is quite easy.

• Bombay Bistro:  I love eating brunch here, as well as dinner.  With a fair choice of gluten-free items, Bombay Bistro serves up classic Indian dishes gluten-free.
• Chez Zee:  Grab lunch, dinner or brunch on the weekends. Don’t be fooled by the French name of the restaurant,  Chez Zee has a gluten-free menu with hearty selections that will fill your belly.

• Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar:  Iron Cactus has two locations, this location in North Austin and another in downtown Austin on historic 6th street.  Iron Cactus has several gluten-free options and they’re easily found on the gluten-free menu, which also include gluten-free desserts.

• NXNW:  Located in Northwest Austin’s shopping district, NXNW offers up a stellar gluten-free menu.  A bit on the pricey side, I save NXNW for special occasions, but they also are open for lunch and brunch.

• Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant: Thanks to the Austin Chronicle I stumbled across Sunflower due to winning a “Best Of Restaurant” nod two years in a row.  The family that owns and operates Sunflower originally hails from San Francisco and has been in this location cooking up authentic Vietnamese dishes for ten years.  I makes me feel like I am at home in San Francisco dining here.  Most dishes are gluten-free but make sure to ask your waitress what is gluten-free as they do use soy sauce in some dishes.  It’s located in the same center as Ramen Tatsu.

• The Steeping Room: Now with two (2) locations to serve you (1) located in the Domain Shopping Center in North Austin and (2) On North Lamar , both serve up  great locations to grab some down time, enjoy a gluten-free lunch and then pop into the Apple Store or one of the other boutiques at the Domain or if you’re at the North Lamar location you can pop back to the office quickly!

• Trento Restaurant:  I’ve not been to Trento just yet, as I’ve been traveling since January.  With Alex Kahn and Andreas Exarhos directing the kitchen, Trento has had a busy 2012, which included a mention on Ophra’s website for their Conchiglie all’Arrabiata recipe.  I’ve been invited out to taste what these two talented chefs are dishing up – Looks like I need to get to Trento pronto for fresh and casual Italian food!