Is Austin the World’s New Wellness Capital?
10 July, 2019
- Words by
- Anna Haines
Beyond
Beyond
the pulse of live music and the waft of barbecue,
Austin is emerging as a place where healthy living is more than
just a trend. We’ve explored the “Silicon Valley of Wellness” to
find the best plant-based and paleo eateries, restorative retreats
and forward-thinking fitness studios.
Known as the “live music capital of the world” and home to some
of the country’s best barbecue, Austin is a creative and culinary
feast amid the conservative south and, despite rapid growth, it
maintains a small-town
charm. Yet this artist’s paradise is expanding in new
directions as a boom of health-conscious businesses are
capitalising on Austin’s wellness-savvy residents and seemingly
endless natural offerings. With over 300 parks, 30 miles of urban
trails (with 50 more to come) and countless yoga studios, Austin is
a dream for fitness enthusiasts. It’s no wonder the city has been
ranked one of the healthiest and most yoga-friendly in the United
States.
As the birthplace of Whole Foods and annual host of the Paleo
f(x) conference, Austin’s culinary repertoire extends far beyond
barbecue; it is teeming with plant-based restaurants. Given that
new vegetarian restaurants are considered a classic symbol of
neighbourhood change, it seems fitting that this so-called “Silicon
Valley of Wellness” is also one of the country’s most rapidly
gentrifying cities. Nevertheless, gentrification is not the
explanation here – some of the city’s most beloved vegetarian
restaurants have been around for decades and businesses, new and
old, maintain collegial and supportive relationships. Led by
enthusiastic entrepreneurs motivated by their own experiences with
holistic healing, Austin’s
wellness community appears to be more than a trend; it’s rooted
in a genuine commitment to healthy living.
Locals have long known Austin’s best-kept secret. Beyond the
pulse of live music, Austinites can be found kayaking the peaceful
waters of Lady Bird Lake, hiking and biking the Greenbelt, or
recovering from the Texan sun with an exfoliation at one of several
posh spas. The time is now to join them. Whether in need of revival
from last night’s beer and barbecue, running the festival circuit
or simply spending too much time in the heat, these are the best
spots for you to relax, refuel, and recharge.
TO REFUEL
restaurant
Café No Sé
Austin, United States
restaurant
Curcuma
Austin, United States
restaurant
Casa de Luz
Austin, United States
restaurant
Picnik
Austin, United States
restaurant
JuiceLand
Austin, United States
restaurant
True Food Kitchen
Austin, United States
restaurant
ATX Food Co.
Austin, United States
restaurant
Koriente
Austin, United States
restaurant
Flower Child
Austin, United States
restaurant
Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon
Austin, United States
TO RELAX
hotel
Lake Austin Spa Resort
Austin, United States
thingstodo
Milk + Honey
Austin, United States
thingstodo
The Massage Studio
Austin, United States
thingstodo
Tenoverten
Austin, United States
thingstodo
Zero Gravity Institute
Austin, United States
thingstodo
Hiatus Spa + Retreat
Austin, United States
TO RECHARGE
thingstodo
CorePower Yoga
Austin, United States
thingstodo
Wanderlust
Austin, United States
thingstodo
BFREE Yoga
Austin, United States
thingstodo
Sukha Yoga
Austin, United States