Healthy Austin: Where to Eat, Drink and Get Fit
January 26, 2021
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We don’t know about you, but here at the Heywood Hotel, we feel like we’ve finally rounded a corner.
After months of stress eating and binge watching, we find ourselves on the edge of spring and ready to kick our 2021 resolutions into high gear!
Part of that commitment is getting stronger, eating well, and feeling better.
In Austin, there are so many ways to stay fit and eat clean, year ’round! Here are some of our concierge team’s favorite picks for enjoying the healthy side of Austin.
Austin’s Best Options for Getting Fit
There’s nothing like a good workout to clear your head. Austin is home to several premiere yoga studios to help you find your flow. If yoga isn’t your thing, perhaps a hike on one of our famous trails, or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake is just what the doctor ordered — with temps as high as the 70s in January and February, it’s still quite comfortable to enjoy the great outdoors in Austin.
Image courtesy of Black Swan Yoga
Yoga in Austin with Safety in Mind
Black Swan Yoga has online and in-person classes at multiple locations, including just down the street from the Heywood Hotel on E. Cesar Chavez. Sweat it out in this vibrant and hip studio. For safety, mats are placed at least six feet apart, fresh air is circulated through the studios between every class, and surfaces are disinfected on the hour.
Another great way to continue your practice in Austin is by checking out Practice Yoga. With plans to reopen for in-person classes this spring, they are currently offering livestream classes. Whatever the format, Practice offers “absurdly high quality donation-based yoga classes” and their location on on E. 6th St. is just a few blocks away from the Heywood Hotel.
And another great option if you prefer to stay in is Yoga with Adriene. This free and a wildly popular YouTube series is hosted by Austin’s own Adriene Mishler. Practice alongside her and her dog Benji, along with her thousands of viewers worldwide.
Image courtesy of the Austin Bouldering Project
Covid-safer Gyms in Austin
Explore the adventurous world of climbing in a safe and spacious environment at Austin Bouldering Project. ABP is going above and beyond with their safety precautions; occupancy is limited and reservations are required. Face masks and social distancing are in effect, and as are strident sanitization procedures.
Image courtesy of Castle Hill Fitness
Like businesses everywhere, the Covid era has forced gyms to reinvent safe ways to get a good workout. Castle Hill Fitness offers isolated exercise pods with equipment, sanitizing supplies, HEPA air filters, and physical barrier walls. Daily and weekly passes are available for visitors and reservations are required.
View of Lady Bird Lake. Image courtesy of @jim.outdoors
Great Outdoor Fitness Options in Austin
Running and biking along Lady Bird Lake is always an amazing option, any time of year. The the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is conveniently located just blocks away from the Heywood, and we offer free bikes to our guests.
Image courtesy of the Expedition School
Of course, getting your exercise in Lady Bird Lake is another option! The Expedition School offers private kayaks, canoes and SUPs (stand up paddleboards), as well as outdoor adventure tours. Water sports in the winter? Why not? This is Austin, after all! Their boathouse is located nearby at Festival Beach and their winter weekend hours and expanded hours coming in the spring.
While we’re on the topic of water, we have to mention Barton Springs Pool. Considered the “Crown Jewel of Austin,” this 68-degree natural spring fed pool is open year ‘round. It’s a great way to get your laps in.
And of course, Central Texas is fortunate to have hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Some nearby options include the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Violet Crown Trail and McKinney Falls State Park.
Image courtesy of Juiceland
Healthy Eating and Drinking in Austin
While it’s common to associate Texas with beef, in Austin, there are more juice shops than steakhouses! And you couldn’t find a more vegetarian friendly city than Austin. Check out some of our favorite healthy dining options in the neighborhood and around Austin.
East Austin Healthy Dining
In the Heywood Hotel’s neighborhood, you’re always blocks away from a healthy choice.
If you are looking to do a light cleanse or just boost your vitamin intake for the day, look no further than Austin-original Juiceland. There are Juiceland shops all around town; the closest is just a few blocks east of the hotel on East Cesar Chavez St. Choose from juices, shots of wheatgrass and more, and superfood lattes and tonics.
Image courtesy of Bento Picnic
Another nearby healthful favorite is Bento Picnic. Chef and owner Leanne Valenti took inspiration from Japan to bring healthy boxed meals to East Austin. Plenty of pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Just a few blocks north of the Heywood, Blenders & Bowls offers customizable açaí bowls and fruit-forward smoothies. The Chill Berry has a blend of açaí, strawberries, bananas and apple juice, topped with hemp granola, strawberries, blueberries, goji berries and local honey. Options like the Green Bowl throw in avocado, spinach and cucumber.
Image courtesy of the Soup Peddler
Nothing is as warming and comforting as a big bowl of soup. The Soup Peddler has been dealing soup in Austin for nearly two decades and their newest location is here on the Eastside! Choose from soups, smoothies and salads… and go ahead and splurge on the grilled cheese sandwich — no judgment here!
Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Austin
Find friendly comfort at South First Street’s Bouldin Creek Cafe. This eco-friendly, all-vegetarian, Bohemian cafe offers hearty meatless breakfast (all day), lunch, and dinner. Current service is curbside, using compostable containers.
Image courtesy Casa De Luz
Casa de Luz has been serving vegan and macrobiotic fare near Zilker Park since 1991. Open daily from 7am, the restaurant features spacious indoor and patio seating. While you’re there, we encourage you to stroll the grounds which have a very “secret garden” feel.
Image courtesy of Rebel Cheese
A newer addition to the Mueller neighborhood, Rebel Cheese is a vegan deli offering a large selection of artisan made vegan cheeses, vegan meats, and even a small menu of classic sandwiches. Rebel Cheese is an excellent place to grab a to-go lunch or pick up wine and cheese for your next date night.
Where to Find a Great Mocktail in Austin
Perhaps you’ve decided to extend your “Dry January” into “Still Dry February” and beyond. We have some great local mocktail options for you!
Manor Rd. neighborhood favorite, the Butterfly Bar is serving delicious nonalcoholic mocktails (as well as standard cocktails) to go curbside or to enjoy on their outdoor patio. Options include Nojitos, Queen Beys and the theatrically named She Kills Monsters, which is a nod to the play of the same name and the bar’s location at the Vortex Theater.
Left: Mocktail image courtesy of Easy Tiger. Right: Mocktail image courtesy of Butterfly Bar.
Easy Tiger at the Linc is another great spot for casual outdoor hangs and non-spirited concoctions. They have a spacious outdoor patio just north of the downtown area where they serve refreshing Clementine Cardamom Palmers, Hibiscus Lavender Palmers and Hopped-Berry Sodas, made with a non-alcoholic, zero-calorie, hop-based beverage from Lagutinas. All options are also available to go curbside. Here at the Heywood, we are eagerly anticipating the opening of Easy Tiger’s East Austin location which is set to launch in February just a few blocks away! At the Heywood Hotel, we love to go local, always.
Image courtesy of Kosmic Kombucha
And a fizzy, flavored, and fermented beer alternative is Kombucha. Kosmic Kombucha can be found at some of our favorite places around town (Cenote, Quickie Pickie, Walton’s Fancy & Staple) and has a wide variety of imaginative flavor combinations. Kosmic’s “Purple Haze” is a drink adventure in itself, with Organic Grape Juice, Lime, Cinnamon, Lavender, Clove, & Agave!
No matter the month or year, there’s always time for a healthy reset. So, (smoothie) cheers! We’ll see you on the trail!
Featured image courtesy of Black Swan Yoga.