About us
"Creating a kinder, greener community together"
The Austin Vegan Association (AVA) is Austin’s longest-running plant-based community, proudly serving as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1996. Founded as the Vegetarian Network of Austin, later known as the Austin Vegan & Vegetarian Association, today our mission is to make vegan living more accessible through social gatherings, educational events, and support for local vegan-friendly businesses.
AVA is open to anyone interested in compassionate, sustainable lifestyles—join our growing community.
Upcoming events
4
An afternoon at Unicorniverse
Unicorniverse Bakery & Cafe, 2400 S I-35 Frontage Road, Suite 130, Round Rock, TX, USJoin us at Unicorniverse Bakery & Café on Sunday, February 8th at 2:00 PM for a sweet and cozy afternoon at this whimsical, fully vegan bakery known for its colorful pastries, macarons, and magical drinks.
The menu is 100% plant-based with gluten free items available. Check out the menu here. Pastries are not listed on the menu, as they vary.
Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious, or just love a good bakery, come enjoy treats, conversation, and community while supporting a local vegan business.
Hosted by the Austin Vegan Association. This event is free, casual, and open to all. We look forward to seeing you.
41 attendees- $10.00
Vegan Persian Cooking Demonstration
Wheatsville Food Coop, 4001 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, USNahid Gashemi will be our chef for the evening.
💛 These dishes encompass Persian culture, rich history, and love of cooking. Learn to prepare these authentic dishes. Sample-sized servings for everyone!
Suggested Donation: $10 (to help cover ingredients costs.)
Pay in advance here, or you can also pay at the door.The menu includes:
Plain Steamed Rice - Fluffy rice is the heart of Persian meals, representing warmth and togetherness. It is always served with stews to create balance and harmony on the table.
Gheimeh Stew - Gheimeh is one of the most loved Iranian stews, made with split peas and dried lime for a unique Persian aroma. This vegan version uses Beyond plant-based meatballs to honor tradition with compassion.
Vegan Eggplant & “Chicken” Stew - A classic stew from southern Iran, rich with saffron and garlic aroma. Fire-roasting eggplant and tomatoes give this dish its signature smoky depth and cultural identity.
Dasi - A nourishing lentil soup traditionally served as a mindful, grounding appetizer in Iran, especially in cold weather. It reflects simplicity with rich, comforting flavor.
Kermani Salad - A refreshing citrus-based side salad from Kerman, my hometown. In Iran, salad is served beside almost every meal to add freshness and balance to each bite.This event is presented by the Austin Vegan Association. Everyone is welcome. No membership needed—just bring your curiosity and join us!
27 attendees 
Vegan Comfort Food at Mission Burger!
Mission Burger (S Lamar), 3600 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, USWe’re taking over Mission Burger Co. on Wednesday, February 18th and you do not want to miss this.
This is 100% vegan comfort food heaven, featuring:
- Juicy, stacked Impossible burgers
- Smoky BBQ brisket plates, burgers & sandwiches
- Massive vegan sandwiches (Reubens, steak-style, BLTs, breakfast sandos & more)
- Crispy “chicken” sandwiches & nuggets
- Birria-style specials (WED/THURS ONLY!)
- Loaded fries, brisket cheese fries, onion rings
- Thick shakes & indulgent desserts
Basically: if it’s greasy, smoky, cheesy, crispy, or nostalgic, they’ve veganized it. 🤯
👉 Peep the full menu here: https://missionburgerco.com/
🚗 Parking**:** Free lot next to the restaurant + overflow guest parking down the ramp. Apartment complex and Sprouts lot also available nearby.
Hosted by the Austin Vegan Association. Vegan, veg-curious, or just hungry? Pull up. No membership required. This is a free event, everyone welcome.
25 attendees
February Vegan Potluck Dinner
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Avenue, Austin, TX, USSaturday, February 21, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, food check-in begins at 6:00 PM
Hosted jointly by the Austin Vegan Association (AVA) and the “Veganistas,” a vegan and animal rights fellowship group at the First Unitarian Universalist church of Austin.
What to Bring:
- A VEGAN dish to serve 10: (no meat, fish, dairy ((milk, cheese, butter)), animal broth, gelatin, or honey).
- You may also bring additional items for the salad bar, appetizer table, and desserts! More food is always welcome.
- As a courtesy, be prepared to provide allergen information by completing the allergy sheet for your food. A copy of the recipe would be most helpful in completing this.
- Serving utensils for your dishes.
- A plate for yourself and utensils for eating.
- Your own beverage.
Salad Bar Items:
In addition to your regular dish, if you'd like, bring one or more salad bar items, such as chopped onions or sliced cucumbers, or a salad dressing.
Salad bar items should be chopped and in a serving container. We will arrange them all together on one table. Salad bar items are optional. It's just a leafy, veggie-licious addition to our usual spread.Please bring everything ready to serve. With so many guests, we cannot accommodate cooking or heating in the church kitchen.
Again, we ask that dishes be free of all animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter), animal broth, gelatin, or honey. If any of these items are included, we are not able to set them out to be served.
The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin is a welcoming, non-creedal spiritual community. For more information on First UU, please visit AustinUU.org. This is a non-religious event; it just happens to be in the church's gathering space. It's all about the food and meeting new people.
This event is sponsored by the Austin Vegan Association. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just veg-curious, you’re welcome to join us! No AVA membership or church affiliation needed. This event is free and open to all.
26 attendees
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