Detroit's culinary landscape is evolving, with a growing emphasis on healthy and nutritious food options. Whether you're a long-time resident or a visitor, discovering the city's best healthy restaurants can be a delightful experience. This guide highlights some top spots where you can indulge in flavorful meals that cater to various dietary needs and preferences.
Diverse and Nutritious Options
Detroit offers a diverse range of healthy dining experiences. These establishments focus on providing nutritious, flavorful meals with options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. From fresh salads and seafood to innovative plant-based dishes, Detroit's culinary scene is committed to health and wellness.
Featured Restaurants
Summertown Fresh Bar
Located in Detroit's historic Corktown neighborhood, Summertown Fresh Bar is a go-to spot for healthy and delicious dining. The menu features fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, power bowls, and specialty toasts. You can also enjoy handcrafted smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, and signature coffee drinks. For those with busy lifestyles, the market offers convenient grab-and-go snacks. Summertown Fresh Bar caters to various dietary needs, with options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diners. The comfortable all-weather patio dining adds to the overall experience.
La Marsa
While La Marsa didn't secure the top spot in Hour Detroit’s 2025 Best of Detroit Awards, being recognized as a finalist in two categories is a testament to its quality. La Marsa is known for its authentic Mediterranean dishes and has garnered continued support and love from the community. They were also a featured food exhibitor at the 2025 Best of Detroit Party.
The Block
The Block restaurant is celebrated for its healthy dishes, including the salmon burger, fresh salads, and broasted wings. Customers rave about the freshness and taste of the food, with mentions of the "scrumptious" salmon sandwich with bacon and fries, and the "seasoned perfectly" wings with French toast. The restaurant is accommodating to dietary restrictions, making it easy to order suitable items from the menu.
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TAKOI
Located in Corktown, TAKOI is known for its modern Thai cooking, accented with Michigan seasonality and a DIY mentality. TAKOI operates HiO Farm, located just a mile north of the restaurant, and highlights dishes prepared with HiO produce during the height of farm season, utilizing techniques and flavors inspired by Thailand.
MAZAAR (south)
MAZAAR (south) offers a healthy alternative to traditional cuisine, with a variety of Lebanese dishes that are flavorful and promote health. The menu includes vegetarian options like hummus and fattoush salad, and the food is consistently praised as "fresh," "delicious," and "excellent."
La Palma Restaurant
Located at 113 E. Canfield St., Detroit, MI, La Palma Restaurant prides itself on using the freshest ingredients to cultivate the best dishes. They offer dine-in, carry-out, delivery, and catering services. The restaurant also provides raw juices and fresh fruit smoothies as healthy alternatives to their beverage list.
Additional Dining Options
Joe Muer Seafood
For seafood enthusiasts, Joe Muer Seafood offers a tradition of dining and service excellence that began in 1929. The restaurant features classic fresh fish and creative seafood specialties, along with riverfront views. Note that business casual/professional attire is required.
The Eagle - Detroit
The Eagle focuses on free-range, all-natural chicken, brined, dredged, and fried. It's served with house-made hot honey, Southern-style sides, craft beer, and Blues music.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Texas de Brazil
Texas de Brazil is a Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria, that features endless servings of flame-grilled beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and Brazilian sausage, as well as a salad area with seasonal items.
Andiamo
Andiamo is a family-owned and operated restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. All pasta is housemade, fish is flown in whole daily, and meats are dry-aged.
Detroit's Hidden Gem in Capitol Park
This hidden gem serves upscale comfort food alongside fine wine, craft beer, and cocktails in Capitol Park.
Supporting Local Farms and Foragers
Many Detroit restaurants prioritize sourcing ingredients from local farmers and foragers. These establishments aim to showcase exceptional ingredients, allowing their natural quality to shine. Some notable sources include:
- Brother Nature Produce: Grows salad greens for events and pop-ups, located in Shed 2 at Eastern Market.
- Corn Wine Oil (CWO) Farms: Based in Virginia Park and at Marygrove College, grows alliums, herbs, edible flowers, collard greens, and tomatoes.
- Sanctuary Farms: Located on the far east side, focuses on compost and grows herbs and tomatoes.
- Adamah Farms: Based in the North End, grows oyster and lions mane mushrooms.
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