In collaboration with Panasonic. Thank you for supporting the brands that support A Taste of Koko!
Welcome to South by Southwest (SXSW)! This is my 11th SXSW and it’s one of my favorite events in Austin – new technology, conversations and community.
Did you know that major festivals festival produces about 212,000 pounds of solid waste per day—most of which ends up in landfills? 58% of overall travel contributes to a festival’s carbon footprint? 500 Tons of CO2 emissions produced by the average festival? And 20% of food waste is produced by the average festival?
For 100 years, Panasonic has been protecting and promoting the wellbeing of people, places and our planet. Panasonic has been working to transform the energy industry with green, renewable alternatives for powering our homes, our businesses, our travel, our lives – without dire environmental impacts or interruptions to our way of life. Converting their factories to Net Zero facilities and implementing circular manufacturing processes to optimize their utilization of resources. Panasonic has also been a global leader in vehicle electrification, with technology solutions for virtually every inch of today’s cutting-edge electric vehicles to make them as safe, comfortable, efficient, and exhilarating as possible.
Create Today. Enrich Tomorrow.
Panasonic is bringing ”Less is More” to life at SXSW by:
- sponsoring EV Rideshares to/from airport
- sponsoring Pedicabs with Panasonic Fill It Forward water bottles in downtown Austin
- & giving out free coffee!
Kickstart your day on Friday, March 7th from 8-10AM and Sunday, March 9th from 9AM-1PM at Cosmic Saltillo! Panasonic will cover the first 150 people’s order each day, and hand out free Fill It Forward water bottles so you can stay sustainably hydrated.
Date: March 7th – 10th
Location: Cosmic Saltillo – 1300 E. 4th Street Austin, TX 78702
Table of Contents
13 Sustainable Restaurants In Austin
Support local and dine at these sustainable restaurants in Austin!
Cosmic Coffee
Cosmic Coffee sources high-quality, ethically produced coffee beans from local roasters and fair-trade suppliers, ensuring that its beverages have a minimal environmental impact while supporting sustainable farming practices. Cosmic Coffee also prioritizes reducing waste by using compostable cups, straws, and packaging, and by encouraging customers to bring reusable containers. The café has a strong focus on sustainability within its overall design, utilizing reclaimed materials for its space and promoting a relaxed, outdoor environment where patrons can connect with nature. Cosmic has also achieved platinum rating for their sustainability efforts and chicken coop composting system.
Thai Fresh
I’m a regular at Thai Fresh – the pad thai (ask for a side of fish sauce with serrano peppers), any of the curries, and the coconut Thai tea are so good. We also recently took a cooking class with the chef and owner, Jam Santichat and it was so much fun.
All proteins that Thai Fresh uses are from Texas and within a 3 hour-drive. Jam has been buying from some of these farmers for 20 years even before she started Thai Fresh!
Local purveyors:
- Windy Meadow chicken
- Richardson Farms
- Milagro Farm
- Animal Farm
- Mil-King
- Pecan Shop
- Kitchen Pride
- Lightsey Farm
- Farm to Table- local fruit and vegetable purveyor
- Greater Goods Coffee Roaster
- Zhi Tea
- Wunder-Pilz Kombucha
- 512 Brewing Company
- Hi-Sign Brewing Company
- Bella Verde Hydroponic
- Orale Foods
Casa de Luz
I love Casa del Luz and have been eating regularly at their new East Austin location! It’s only $15 for a set meal of entree, soup, salad with housemade salad dressings, sides, and hot/cold tea. For over 40 years, Casa del Luz has used organic, locally sourced ingredients in its vegan meals, which are centered around whole foods. The restaurant prioritizes seasonal produce and minimizes waste through careful sourcing and preparation. As a non-profit, Casa de Luz operates with the goal of providing nourishing meals in a way that supports environmental and social well-being. Additionally, the restaurant fosters a community atmosphere by offering educational experiences around sustainable living and food practices, encouraging patrons to connect with their food on a deeper level. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of their operation, from the food served to the way they engage with the community.
Foreign & Domestic
Originally founded in 2010, Foreign & Domestic has become a beloved cornerstone of Austin’s North Loop neighborhood, celebrated for its commitment to locally sourced, sustainable dining. In 2017, Chefs Nathan Lemley and Sarah Heard acquired Foreign & Domestic, reinvigorating its legacy with fresh energy while staying true to its “farm-to-table, nose-to-tail, root-to-fruit” philosophy. The seasonal New American menu features inventive dishes crafted from local, farm-fresh ingredients, complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine list showcasing organic, biodynamic, and small family-run vineyards.
Lucky Robot
Lucky Robot is the first sustainable sushi restaurant in Texas who sources their poultry, beef and pork from local farms and cooperatives using sustainable and regenerative ranching practices. Chef Jay Huang has been committed to seafood sustainability and is an ambassador for New Zealand’s farm raised Big Glory Bay King Salmon. Lucky Robot has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch program.
Bouldin Creek Café
Bouldin Creek Café sources their ingredients from local, organic, and sustainable suppliers. As a primarily vegetarian and vegan café, it reduces the environmental impact typically associated with animal agriculture by offering plant-based meals. The café emphasizes minimizing food waste and making conscious decisions about packaging and recycling. In addition to its eco-friendly menu, Bouldin Creek Café promotes sustainability by supporting local farmers and producers, ensuring that the food served is not only fresh but also responsibly grown. This commitment to sustainability extends to their community-driven approach, fostering a space where environmental consciousness and delicious food go hand in hand.
Odd Duck
Since day one when Odd Duck was just a food truck in 2009, Chef Bryce and Dylan Gilmore have always been focused on sustainability and have been pioneers in the farm to table movement in Austin. Now one of the most popular restaurants in the city, Odd Duck prioritizes sourcing ingredients from local, ethical, and environmentally responsible farmers and producers. By working closely with Texas-based farms, Odd Duck ensures that its menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the local economy.
Local farmer friends:
- Smallhold
- Caskey Orchards
- Free Fleeing Farms
- Flameleaf Farm
- Farm To Table
- Texas Food Ranch
- Iron Ox
- Eden East Farm
- Fruitful Hill Farm
- Steelbow Farm
- Rocky Hill Orchard
- Animal Farm
- Gundermann Acres
- Barton Springs Mill
- Good Flow Honey
- Texas Olive Ranch
- Homestead Gristmill
- Mill-King Market & Creamery
- Houston Dairymaids
- Richardson Farm
- Windy Hill Farm
- Broken Arrow Ranch
- Milagro Farm
- Comanche Oaks
- Lightsey Farms
The restaurant is committed to minimizing waste by utilizing every part of the ingredients, often finding creative ways to repurpose food scraps. Additionally, Odd Duck places a strong emphasis on sustainability in its practices, including the use of eco-friendly packaging and promoting energy efficiency within its operations. This holistic approach to sustainability is reflected in the quality and care that goes into every dish, making Odd Duck a leader in Austin’s farm-to-table dining scene.
Emmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye was designed around the farmer’s haul, featuring a menu that changes daily with a strong focus on sourcing locally grown, seasonal ingredients from sustainable farms. on seasonal and local cuisine. Heirloom grains, whole-animal butchery, and handmade bread and pasta. The restaurant partners with local farmers, ranchers, and purveyors to ensure its dishes are made from the freshest and most responsibly produced ingredients available. Emmer & Rye also emphasizes sustainability in its cooking practices, utilizing every part of the ingredients and reducing food waste. The menu evolves with the seasons, showcasing what is available at the peak of freshness, while also supporting biodiversity by highlighting lesser-known, heirloom varieties of produce. This commitment to environmental and social responsibility, coupled with their use of innovative techniques like fermentation and preservation, makes Emmer & Rye a leader in sustainable dining in Austin.
The Well
The Well works with local farms, nutritionists, and culinary experts to create wholesome and nourishing dishes with locally sourced, organic ingredients. With a commitment to minimizing its environmental impact, The Well emphasizes the importance of farm-to-table dining, sourcing its produce and proteins from local farmers and suppliers who practice ethical and sustainable methods.
The restaurant also focuses on reducing waste by composting organic materials and using eco-friendly packaging for takeout orders. In addition to its sustainable sourcing practices, The Well offers a menu that is completely free of gluten, dairy, seed oils, soy, refined sugar, and GMOs while catering to a variety of dietary preferences, including plant-based options, further supporting environmental responsibility.
Honest Mary’s
Honest Mary’s serves wholesome, locally sourced, and organic ingredients to create healthy and delicious meals. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its menu, which highlights plant-based, nutrient-dense options and reduces the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Honest Mary’s works closely with local farms and purveyors to ensure that its ingredients are ethically sourced and free from pesticides and harmful chemicals. And you can see the full list of local farms and purveyors when you dine in.
Additionally, the restaurant is dedicated to minimizing food waste through careful portion control and composting organic materials. By offering environmentally conscious choices, from food sourcing to waste management, Honest Mary’s creates a dining experience that prioritizes sustainability, health, and community well-being.
Intero
With SXSW just around the corner, Intero is the perfect spot for both festival-goers and those looking for a culinary escape. Just as in Italy, where food is locally sourced and deeply rooted in tradition, Intero embraces a sustainable, farm-to-table approach that highlights the best of Texas ingredients. Translating to “whole” in Italian, Intero stays true to its name by utilizing whole local ingredients in their entirety, minimizing waste while crafting innovative yet familiar dishes like handmade pastas (including gluten-free options made from house-milled flour), expertly seared meats, and house-made burrata, all prepared using traditional Italian techniques. The restaurant is open every day except Monday for dinner service and reservations can be made online.
Dai Due
Another one of our favorite restaurants in Austin is Dai Due. Dai Due stands out for its commitment to sourcing ingredients from local, regenerative, and sustainable farms and ranches. The restaurant emphasizes the importance of supporting small, ethical farmers and ranchers who prioritize animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Dai Due’s menu is based on seasonal, regionally sourced produce and meats, highlighting the flavors of Texas while minimizing its carbon footprint. They also engage in sustainable practices by utilizing every part of the ingredients, reducing food waste, and preserving the integrity of their products through methods like butchery and fermentation. All of the wines and beers are from Texas and the non-alcoholic beverages are made in-house or are sourced from local producers.
Local Pastures
Local Pastures in Austin, Texas, is a retail farm stand in Austin Texas from Belle Vie Farm & Shirttail Creek Farm dedicated to serving high-quality, pasture-raised meats from local, regenerative farms.
You will find:
- Pasture Raised Pork
- Pasture Raised Chicken
- Pasture Raised Duck
- Pasture Raised Eggs
- Grass Finished Beef
- Produce, Coffee, Honey, and more from other local producers and friends.
The shop emphasizes sourcing its proteins from small, ethical ranches that prioritize animal welfare and environmental sustainability. By partnering with ranchers who use regenerative farming practices, Local Pastures helps improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions, and promote biodiversity. Additionally, the restaurant supports sustainable practices by offering a menu that features seasonal, locally sourced vegetables, reducing its reliance on long-distance food transportation and further minimizing its environmental impact.
