6 Best {Veggie Appetizers}
Get Your Greens In
Words By Austin Downey Photo courtesy of PitchFork Pretty
From perfectly charred Brussel sprouts to plant-based cream sauces, vegetables are having a major culinary moment. This trend is great for the herbivore, health conscious, and foodie alike. So go explore East Austin’s teeming food scene while enjoying some flavor-packed veggie dishes.
1. Crispy Brussel Sprout Leaves, Salty Sow
A restaurant that advertises “swine + wine + beer” may not scream vegetarian-friendly, but their veggie selection is actually top-tier. Most notable are their Crispy Brussel Sprout Leaves, cooked with golden raisins and topped with Pecorino cheese. Each of the leaves is individually fried and is perfectly crisp and delicious. Next time you’re at Salty Sow skip the pork and give the brussel sprouts a try.
1917 Manor Rd. | saltysow.com
2. Sweet Potato Rosette, Pitchfork Pretty
One of Austin’s newest restaurants, Pitchfork Pretty, demonstrates the full culinary potential of veggies with their Sweet Potato Rosette. This beautiful dish features roasted sweet potato, topped with burnt shallot, peach jam, yogurt, and dill delicately placed atop. With its rustic, yet elegant ambiance, this is a fabulous place to quench the taste buds on your next date night.
2807 E Cesar Chavez St. | pitchforkpretty.com
3. Spicy Baked Artichoke Dip, Counter Culture
East Austin’s Counter Culture is a vegan-only restaurant with a retro blue interior and a large, dog-friendly patio. As granola as this sounds, their Spicy Baked Artichoke Dip tastes like a cheat day favorite. Perfectly baked artichokes are submerged in a vegan cream sauce with a hint of jalapeño. The dish is served with sliced baguette, and a gluten-free option is available.
2337 E Cesar Chavez St. | countercultureaustin.com
4. Jalapeño Hushpuppies, Austin Daily Press
For a fried veggie dish that packs some zing, try Austin Daily Press’s Jalapeño Hushpuppies. These hushpuppies put a twist on the classic recipe and are mouthwateringly crispy on the outside and superbly soft on the inside. These babies are a tasty complement to ADP’s infamous tacos and tortas.
1900 E Martin Luther King Blvd, 4620 E Cesar Chavez | austindailypress.com
5. Grilled Cabbage, The Hightower
The Hightower is a neighborhood joint that offers innovative new American fare, and their Grilled Cabbage is no exception. This salad rests on a bed of kale and is topped with smoked pumpkin seeds and beet crema. The salad is then tossed in a tasty preserved lemon vinaigrette. As one of the restaurant’s staples, this appetizer is a must-try.
1209 E 7th St. | thehightower.com
6. Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese, Stella Public House
Smoked gouda and truffle oil? We can call this a veggie appetizer if it’s topped with local wild mushrooms, right? This dish, served in a cast iron skillet overflowing with melted cheese, is worth stretching the rules for, and kids and adults will eat up every bite.
1905 Aldrich St. | stellapublichouse.com
Have you been?
For Asian food lovers, Koriente is a regular joint. This cozy restaurant offers affordable, health-conscious takes on your favorite Asian dishes. The best part of Koriente, however, may be their self-serve miso soup. While you wait for your Japchei or Garden Handroll, you can pour yourself unlimited, salty miso.
621 E 7th St. | koriente.com
