For those resolving to embrace a healthier lifestyle, Spokane offers a diverse culinary landscape with options that cater to various dietary preferences and health goals. This guide explores some of the best spots in Spokane for enjoying nutritious and delicious meals, from vegan comfort food to fresh, locally-sourced cuisine.
Ashlee's Recommendations: A Holistic Approach to Healthy Eating
Ashlee, the certified nutrition consultant behind the simplholistic blog, advocates for a mindful approach to eating, emphasizing organic ingredients and gut health. Here are some of her favorite Spokane spots for healthy meals:
- The Wellness Tree: Located in the historic Perry district, this adorable juice bar is attached to a holistic clinic. The Wellness Tree serves organic smoothies, juices, refreshers, and acai bowls. Ashlee recommends the avocado acai bowl with gluten-free granola on a hot summer day or the mint chip smoothie for a perfect combination of mint, chocolate, and almond. The Wellness Tree ensures transparency in its ingredients, eliminating concerns about hidden unhealthy additives.
- Main Market Co-op: This downtown co-op, distinguished by a colorful mural, functions as both a grocery store and a restaurant. It offers a deli, hot bar, and grocery store with a focus on organic, pastured, and GMO-free products. Ashlee suggests loading up a sustainable box from the hot bar with greens, nuts, eggs, and other veggies, along with baked chicken and a sweet treat. Main Market Co-op is also home to Spokane's only organic salad bar.
- Huckleberry's Natural Market: Similar to Main Market Co-op but larger, Huckleberry's offers a wider selection of local, organic, and seasonal food. Ashlee opts for a bowl of soup with a salad, taking advantage of the ever-changing soup options and diverse salad bar.
- Boots Bakery & Lounge: Situated downtown, this vegan bakery offers a unique and inviting atmosphere. Ashlee loves their pumpkin waffles with soy-free butter and the rice pudding. Their menu selection changes daily based on ingredients that are brought to them from local farmers.
Quick and Light Lunch Spots in Spokane
For those seeking convenient and healthy lunch options, Spokane offers a variety of cafes and bistros with fresh and flavorful choices:
- Madeline's Cafe & Patisserie: This cafe offers a French bakery atmosphere in downtown Spokane. The lunch menu includes a selection of sandwiches, salads, and sides, with the cauliflower salad being a standout choice.
- The Ivory Table: Known for its buckwheat crepes, The Ivory Table offers a unique and flavorful lunch experience. The smoked salmon crepe, made with herbed cream cheese, tomato, neufchatel, Parmesan, capers, red onion, and dill, is a popular choice.
- Ephata Cafe: This unique cafe offers a combination of vegan, gluten-free, Korean, and healthy options. The menu includes fresh sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads.
- Rocket Bakery: Depending on the location, Rocket Bakery offers a variety of lunch options, with the Lox Bagel being a consistent favorite.
- 9th Street Bistro: This bistro offers a large selection of gourmet salads, fresh squeezed juices, and ready-made entrees. The veggie wrap and broccoli salad are highly recommended.
- Petit Chat Bakery: This bakery offers a vegan and gluten-free safe haven. Their menu selection changes daily based on ingredients that are brought to them from local farmers. My favorite menu item is by far their turkey cranberry sandwich. This Thanksgiving staple should be celebrated year round.
- Little Garden Cafe: This cafe offers awesome bagel sandwiches that can be customized with "the works." It's located across from Audubon Park and has a great area for kids.
Exploring Spokane's Vegan Scene
Spokane's vegan dining scene is thriving, with restaurants offering innovative and delicious plant-based options:
- RÜT: This vegan gastropub offers a modern American-style menu with vegan comfort food and healthier options. Founded by Justin Oliveri and Josh Lorenzen, RÜT is inspired by the Pacific Northwest and the importance of Earth's forest biomes. The restaurant has been recognized as the "Best Vegan Restaurant" and "Best Vegetarian Restaurant" by the Inlander's Best Of poll every year since opening in 2019.
- Fresh & Foraged Cafe: This cafe crafts delicious, healthy meals with passion and care. Their 100% gluten-free menu features a variety of dietary-friendly options, including salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, acai bowls, and more. Most of their in-house dressings are dairy-free.
Konala: Revolutionizing Fast Food with Healthy Options
Konala is dedicated to providing quick, healthy meals without sacrificing quality or taste. Specializing in fresh, made-to-order protein bowls and salads, Konala offers a convenient drive-thru and dine-in model. Their protein bowls and salads are crafted with fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients, providing a balance of proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats.
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Konala was born from Trace and Jammie Miller’s shared passion for health, fitness, and wholesome eating. Driven by their commitment to healthy living, the Millers envisioned Konala as a destination for anyone looking to fuel their body with wholesome, fresh ingredients.
OpenTable's Top Healthy Restaurants in Spokane
OpenTable analyzes diner reviews to identify restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine in Spokane. Here are some of the top-rated restaurants:
- Wild Sage American Bistro: This bistro offers a menu that is creative on a daily basis, working within the limits of what is in season and available. They focus on using local beef, regional fresh fish, local gardens, heirloom vegetables fruits and tomatoes.
- Masselow's: Indulge in the area’s highest quality cuisine during an exceptional dining experience at Masselow’s. Select from the expansive à la carte menu of Prime steaks, fresh seafood, house-made pasta, and other chef-crafted options.
- Italia Trattoria: This regionally inspired Italian restaurant features house-made pastas, fresh seafood, and naturally raised meats. Chef Anna Vogel’s European heritage and world travels have greatly influenced her menu which changes almost daily.
- Elkins Resort: Experience excellent dining at Elkins Resort, with signature dishes like herb and parmesan Halibut. They serve the highest quality cuts of meat and fish prepared with colorful, savory sauces.
- Ambrosia Bistro: This bistro offers inventive cuisine, a great selection of spirits and Northwest wines, and attentive staff.
- Anthony's at Spokane Falls: Located in the heart of downtown Spokane, Anthony's features fresh Northwest seafood complemented by local produce, Northwest wines, and microbrews.
- Luna: Luna offers a vibrant, seasonally-inspired dining experience, committed to supporting local NW food community partners.
- The Wave Sushi Island Grill: This restaurant offers a fusion of classic island cuisine and sushi.
- The Gilded Unicorn: This modern American classic restaurant specializes in handcrafted American cuisine and handmade cocktails.
- Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar: Twigs offers creative seasonal dishes, a lively cocktail program, and flexible dining spaces.
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