There’s no denying that New Braunfels is barbecue country. Walk down any main street and you’ll smell meat cooking before you see the restaurants. For vegans and vegetarians, that can feel a little… intimidating.
The good news is, finding quality plant-based food in New Braunfels is totally possible. You just need to know where to look.
While this town isn’t Austin with a vegan food truck on every corner, several solid restaurants understand and cater to plant-based diets. This guide covers the best spots for vegan and vegetarian eating in New Braunfels.
1. 2Tarts Bakery – Vegan & Gluten-Free Desserts
Store Location: 139 N. Castell, Sweet 300, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Operating Hours: 7 Days a Week 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
2Tarts Bakery is a specialty bakery that offers vegan and gluten-free baked goods. If you’ve been traveling through Texas barbecue country feeling dessert-deprived, this is your oasis. Their pastries, cakes, and cookies are the real deal.
What to Order
Their Peanut Butter Cups ($4.00 each) taste like a homemade upgrade to Reese’s—soft and chewy peanut butter on the bottom, finished with a smooth layer of dark chocolate. Also, give the Coconut Macaroons ($3.00 each / $33.00 per dozen) a try.
These goodies are almond-based and studded with walnuts and shredded coconut, giving them that perfect contrast of chewy and crunchy in one bite.
And don’t miss the Texas Sheet Cake ($5.50 per slice). It’s a moist, gluten-free chocolate cake made with coconut oil, then finished with a glossy chocolate glaze.
Good to Know
2Tarts Bakery also handles everything from birthdays to weddings, and you can order their baked goods online if you want to skip the line.
If you want to stay in the loop about seasonal flavors, limited-edition treats, and the gorgeous cakes they create, you can follow them at 2tartsbakery.
2. 7 Monk’s Café – Indian & Mediterranean with Vegan Options
Store Location: 494 N Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | Monday – Closed
7 Monk’s Café is a relaxed, downtown New Braunfels spot serving Indian and Mediterranean cuisine—two food traditions that are naturally vegetarian-friendly.
This is one of the best options in town for vegans and vegetarians because the menu is built around plant-based dishes by default, rather than treating them as afterthoughts.
What to Order
The Samosa Chaat ($8.75) is a local favorite—crispy samosas topped with chickpea curry, tomatoes, onions, and served with green and brown chutney.
They also offer their Crazy Good Hummus, with classic hummus and pita for $6.00 or roasted red pepper hummus for $6.25. If you want something heartier, the Falafel ($6.25) comes with yogurt sauce and makes an easy starter or light meal.
They also have several curry dishes, available without protein for $11.60, or customizable with your choice of protein.
Curry options include the 7 Monk’s Medley, a tangy, coconut-based curry; the Classic Butter Masala, rich and creamy with tomato and spices; and the Creamy Korma, mild and blended with coconut milk and nuts.
Protein choices are:
- Paneer (vegetarian & gluten-free) – $13.85
- Veggies (vegan & gluten-free) – $13.85
- Chickpeas – $13.85
Good to Know
7 Monk’s Café also offers catering services, and they make the process easy with an extensive catering menu so you can plan based on group size and diet needs.
You can request a quote directly through their website, and they’re available around the clock for questions or orders. Call or text 830-387-4053 or email 7monkscafenb@gmail.com.
They also provide a reheating guide online for every dish, which is super helpful for events or next-day leftovers. All of their catering containers are microwave-safe, so warming everything up is simple and convenient.
3. Ohana Poke & Sushi Burrito – Hawaiian Style with Veg Options
Store Location: 651 N Business IH-35, 1320, New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Operating Hours: Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 9:30 pm | Monday – Thursday and Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Ohana Poke & Sushi Burrito brings Hawaiian-inspired bowls and casual sushi to New Braunfels. While this isn’t a vegetarian restaurant—most of their menu features fish—they do offer tofu and vegetable options that make it workable for plant-based eaters.
What to Order
The tofu poke bowl ($13.75) is your main vegetarian option. You choose your base (white rice, brown rice, mixed greens, or half-and-half), then load it up with tofu, fresh vegetables, and toppings like edamame, cucumber, seaweed salad, and avocado.
Their customizable format means you control exactly what goes in your bowl.
For starters or a side dish, you can also order their vegetarian spring rolls ($5.50). They’re fresh, crunchy, and filled with vegetables and vermicelli noodles.
All in all, this restaurant is a good choice if you’re dining with non-vegetarian friends or family. They’ll get their poke bowls with ahi tuna, and you can build a satisfying plant-based bowl with tofu and all the veggie toppings.
4. Naturally Café – A Healthy Café near Gruene
Store Location: 2302 Gruene Lake Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Naturally Café is a health-focused café near Gruene Lake Village that prioritizes fresh, natural ingredients and caters specifically to dietary restrictions. This is one of the few places in New Braunfels where vegan and gluten-free options are central to the menu.
What to Order
The vegan soup of the day ($4.50 per cup) changes regularly based on what’s seasonal and fresh. These flavorful soups are designed to be satisfying meals rather than just starters. Past offerings have included lentil soups, vegetable chilis, and grain-based soups with vegetables.
For an appetizer, try their Pasta Salad ($6, vegetarian), which is made with whole-wheat fusilli, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, and feta, tossed in Italian dressing—simple, fresh, and filling.
If you’re craving something more substantial, the Roasted Veggies Sandwich ($8, vegetarian) layers roasted zucchini with Swiss, Havarti, goat cheese, and avocado, plus an olive-oil garlic spread on a soft telera roll.
They also serve tartines—open-faced sandwiches on toasted multigrain bread—for $10.50. One of the most popular options is It’s Greek to Me, topped with hummus, mixed greens, cucumber, feta, and balsamic drizzle.
For dessert, check out their “Guiltless Sweets” selection of gluten-free treats, including plant-based iced brownies ($4.95 each), plant-based thumbprint cookies ($2.95 each), and assorted muffins ($3.95 each).
Going Vegan Isn’t Impossible in New Braunfels
Vegetarian and vegan friends, don’t be afraid to explore the plant-based food scene in New Braunfels. While this is barbecue town, it also offers a variety of cuisines that cater to different dietary restrictions and preferences.
The key is knowing where to look and being willing to ask questions. And supporting these spots helps ensure they stick around and continue serving the growing number of people who eat plant-based food.
If you discover new vegan or vegetarian-friendly spots during your visit, share them with us! The plant-based community thrives on word-of-mouth recommendations, and your review on Google might help the next vegan visitor to New Braunfels find their perfect meal.
Featured image credit: Ella Olsson via Pexels