Everybody likes going out to eat, and there are plenty of easy ways to enjoy a night out while staying true to your low carb goals. Regardless if you’re on an Atkins plan or a similar keto diet, there are plenty of great options that are low in carbs and big in flavor. Both Atkins and keto activate your body’s fat-burning metabolism by restricting carbs, so people following either diet will be looking for the same types of meal choices. If you’re planning a night out, here are some keto friendly restaurants and menu picks:
Olive Garden
Topping off our list of keto restaurant options is the Italian staple, Olive Garden. If you are in the
mood for seafood, we recommend the Herb-Grilled Salmon (460 calories, 28g total fat, 8g
carbs, 4g fiber, and 43g protein). This fish filet is bursting with flavor as it is grilled to perfection
and topped with garlic herb butter. It also comes with a side of delicious parmesan garlic
broccoli. If fish isn’t your thing, we recommend giving the tasty Parmesan-Crusted Zucchini a try
(90 calories, 7g total fat, 5g carbs, 1g fiber, and 4g protein).
Chili’s
Chili’s, the home of flavorful Tex-Mex and American cuisine, is a great spot for something that
isn’t easily replicated at home. This bar and grill provides several options for those of us eating
keto at restaurants. If you’re in the mood for some Mexican flavors and spices, we recommend
ordering the Chicken or Steak Fajitas (440/640 calories, 14/38g fat, 21/21g carbs, 3/3g fiber,
and 59/55g protein) and enjoying without the tortillas or toppings. Instead of getting rice on the
side, a double order of vegetables will be a great complement. We suggest boxing half of it
to-go for lunch the next day to cut down on carbs. If you’re not in the mood for Mexican on your
night out, you’re in luck! The House BBQ Ribs are another keto friendly option. A half rack of
ribs without sauce will account for 720 calories, 53g total fat, 11g carbs, 1g fiber, and 49g
protein.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Wings, beer, sports, AND low carb choices. That’s why Buffalo Wild Wings is one of our favorite
keto restaurant options. Now, we can’t recommend you grab a beer, but the snack size
Traditional Wings with Medium Sauce (390 calories, 23g fat, 0g fiber, 1g carbs, and 44g protein)
should do the trick! These wings will taste great while keeping you on pace to meet your keto
goals. We also advise you to check out the BWW nutritional guides, as many other sauces and
dry rubs are low in carbs!
Carrabba’s
Get your Italian night on with another keto eating out option, Carrabba’s. Our first choice would
be the Tuscan Grilled Filet (590 calories, 44g total fat, less than 1g carbs, 0g fiber, and 47g
protein). This juicy piece of meat is loaded with flavor while low in carbs. Another great option is
the Pollo Rosa Maria (620 calories, 37g total fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, and 65g protein). Grilled
chicken is stuffed with creamy fontina cheese and cured prosciutto, then topped with
mushrooms and basil lemon butter. Make sure to get vegetables as a substitution to pasta on
the side!
The Cheesecake Factory
A place filled with desserts can’t possibly have low carb or keto restaurant options, can it? Of
course, it can! The Cheesecake factory is a fantastic keto friendly restaurant. With several
options to choose from, we recommend the Pan Seared Branzino with Lemon Butter (1130
calories, 93g fat, 22g carbs, 5g fiber, and 50g protein). This rich Mediterranean sea bass will hit
the spot!
Red Robin
Red Robin is the home of fresh, fire-grilled burgers. Not only is their food packed and full of
flavor, but it is also perfect for a keto or low carb lifestyle. The Wedgie™ Burger (560 calories,
35g total fat, 22g carbs, 5g fiber, and 40g protein) is our go-to. This lettuce wrapped burger is
topped with smoked bacon, house-made guacamole, tomatoes, and red onions. Who needs
fries when your burger comes with a side salad. This meal is perfect for anyone trying to fulfill
their Atkins or keto goals.
Red Lobster
If you’re in the mood for some seafood on your night out, Red Lobster is a delicious keto
restaurant option for you. The steamed Live Maine Lobster (440 calories, 34g fat, 0g carbs, 0g
fiber, and 33g protein) has zero carbs (nice!) and is full of protein. If you’re feeling surf & turf and
are able to still meet your daily goals with some added carbs, you can't go wrong with The Rock
Lobster & 12 oz NY Strip Steak Combo (1,250 calories, 83g fat, 27g carbs, 4g fiber, and 97g
protein).
P.F. Chang’s
P.F. Chang’s makes food from scratch every day, offering a few low carb and keto dining out
picks we think you’ll love. Our first recommendation would be the Asian Caesar Salad (410
calories, 30g fat, 21g carbs, 4g fiber, and 15g protein). You can either add salmon (240 calories,
16g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, and 22g protein) or chicken (160 calories, 5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber,
and 22g protein) to get that extra protein boost. Make sure to leave off the croutons and put the
dressing on the side. Another delicious meal that’s low in carbs is the Shrimp with Lobster
Sauce (500 calories, 27g fat, 22g carbs, and 38g protein).
A Few Tips For Going Keto At Restaurants:
Now that you know which keto friendly restaurants exist, it’s time to get out and treat yourself. If
you’re going out for dinner at a restaurant that’s not on this list, we have a few tips to keep in
mind when eating out keto:
1. Plan ahead! If you’re going out to eat, check the menu online ahead of time. You can
also ask for nutrition information when you arrive. By law, restaurants must have that
information available, making it easier than ever to make smart choices.
2. Meat and veggie options are your friends! These will typically be your best bet for lowcarb and protein-rich food.
3. Condiments like ketchup, BBQ sauce, and honey mustard tend to be high in sneaky
carbs. If you need to add flavor, we recommend yellow mustard, ranch dressing, hot
sauce, or butter.
4. Many entrées are served with a starch on the side, so opt for a side salad instead.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask the waiter or waitress about keto friendly or low carb options!