Calorie counting and restrictive diets are becoming a thing of the past. Today, the focus is on incorporating nutrient-dense, locally sourced ingredients into our meals, emphasizing overall wellness and enjoyment rather than deprivation. Springfield offers a variety of restaurants that embrace this philosophy, serving dishes packed with both health benefits and phenomenal flavor. Here's a guide to some of the best healthy food options in Springfield, MO.
Veg with an Edge at Progress
Progress takes a unique approach to dining by giving vegetables the same level of attention and care typically reserved for high-end meats. Chef Daniel Ernce believes that the flavor of vegetables can be more exciting and compelling than meat. The restaurant's commitment to local produce is evident in its seasonal menus, which rotate approximately every three months to ensure the freshest fare.
Ernce emphasizes the importance of terroir, the environment in which a crop is grown, including soil, climate, and topography. He believes that vegetables have a built-in narrative that is often overlooked. By focusing on locally grown produce, Progress not only delivers delicious flavors but also pays homage to generations of agricultural tradition. The communal dining experience at Progress is designed to be inclusive, with vegan options available in every course and the majority of small plates being meatless. The precisely plated dishes focus on quality over quantity, making it easy to enjoy a satisfying meal without overindulging. The cocktail menu includes both indulgent and lighter options to complement the dining experience.
Hyper-Local Cuisine at The Order
Located inside Hotel Vandivort, The Order is another excellent option for those seeking healthy and locally sourced meals. Chef Caleb Stangroom continues the local-forward approach, incorporating products from a variety of local purveyors, with the menu currently featuring about 60 percent local ingredients. Stangroom prioritizes freshness and nutritional content, sourcing ingredients weekly from local farms. He emphasizes that produce from large purveyors can decline in nutritional value and flavor after only a few days, while locally sourced ingredients offer superior quality and support the community.
While The Order's menu includes rich dishes, the hyper-local nature of the ingredients ensures a higher nutritional value. Guests can also opt for more traditionally waistline-friendly items, such as seasonal salads. Stangroom highlights the economic impact of farm-to-table dining, emphasizing that it gives back to the community.
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Gluten-Free Dining in Springfield
For those avoiding gluten, Springfield offers several options to enjoy delicious and worry-free meals.
MaMa Jean’s Natural Market
MaMa Jean’s Natural Market offers a convenient option for gluten-free meals on the go. The deli at each location provides smoothies, salads, and sandwiches on gluten-free bread.
Farm-to-Table Italian at Gilardi's Italian Ristorante
Gilardi's Italian Ristorante takes farm-to-table dining to the next level by growing the majority of their produce just steps from the restaurant's front door. Chef-owner James Martin cultivates a wide variety of fresh ingredients, including heirloom tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, onions, basil, thyme, oregano, edible flowers, and pineapple tomatillos.
The garden provides the kitchen staff with access to nutrient-dense, flavor-packed veggies and herbs that are served the same day they are harvested. The fruits of this unique agricultural labor can be enjoyed in dishes like the Vitello Marsala, which features a lightly floured veal scallopini with mushroom cream sauce, served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies from the garden.
Fresh and Local Pub Fare at Farmers Gastropub
Farmers Gastropub offers a British-inspired dining experience with a focus on freshness and local ingredients. Chef and Owner Andy Hampshire sources meat and produce from local providers and supplements deliveries with visits to area farmers markets.
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While traditional pub fare is available, Farmers Gastropub also offers innovative dishes that highlight local flavors. Examples include zucchini noodles with cabbage, kale, garlic, mushrooms, lemon, parsley, and white wine, as well as Shepherd’s Pie with local lamb, carrots, onion gravy, peas, and butternut squash. The majority of the gastropub’s condiments and sauces are made in-house from scratch.
Fusion Cuisine with a Focus on Quality at The Wheelhouse
The Wheelhouse offers innovative fusion cuisine with a focus on high-quality Thai and Mexican-inspired ingredients. Owners Zach and Melissa Smallwood grind and toast their own spices in-house and make all sauces and marinades from scratch.
They also use local ingredients whenever possible, growing their own peppers and sourcing sustainably raised meat from local farms. The menu includes both indulgent and veg-friendly, low-carb options, such as the Veggie Special Tacos, which feature wok-fried veggies, hand-pressed corn tortillas, and housemade sauces. Low-carb options include tacos in bowl or salad form, with low-fat refried beans, roasted garlic, and ground Chile Pasilla. The Wheelhouse also offers a vibrant cocktail menu that highlights fresh-squeezed juices and natural flavors.
Other Healthy Options in Springfield
Here are a few other specific dishes and restaurants that offer healthy choices in Springfield:
- Local Ozark Trout at Dobyns Dining Room at the Keeter Center: Features locally sourced trout with cornmeal crust and bacon chowder.
- Oh My Veggie Roll at Haruno: A vegetarian sushi roll packed with asparagus, yellow radish, shredded daikon, sweet gourd, cucumber, and avocado.
- Beauty Bowl at The Press Coffee & Juice Bar: A bowl packed with açai, banana, coconut flakes, and raw honey.
- Sausage, Peppers and Onion Bowl at Pasta Express: A Whole 30-friendly dish at a pasta restaurant.
- The Pretender Burger at Lindberg’s Tavern: A house-made vegan burger patty.
- Fu Yu Taco at Tinga Tacos: Served with seasoned tofu, mango-habanero slaw, cabbage, pickled carrots, pickled onions, and cilantro.
- Fattoush at That Lebanese Place: A veggie-packed salad with mixed greens and light vinaigrette.
- Vegan Breakfast Bowl at Druff’s: Features Jake’s Vegan Breakfast Sausage, housemade quinoa salad, and avocado dressing.
- Vegan Nasi Goreng at Van Gogh’s: An Indonesian-inspired dish combining banana, tofu, and sweet soy sauce.
- Curried Chicken Salad on Greens at Tea Bar & Bites: A chicken salad with toasted pecans and creamy curry dressing.
Hyper-Local Dining at Harvest
Harvest is known for its hyper-local ingredients, with a menu that can be up to 90 percent local during peak seasons. Chef Craig von Foerster sources ingredients from the farmland where the restaurant is located and from local farmers markets.
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Using almost entirely local ingredients helps von Foerster ensure the quality of every course. He emphasizes that experiencing the vitality of vegetables fresh from the ground is something special. Harvest's menus are reprinted daily to account for differences in produce supply and meat deliveries from local purveyors.
Healthy Cocktails
For those looking to enjoy a cocktail without excessive sugar, several options are available:
- Ella Fitzgerald at Char Steakhouse & Oyster Bar: Features Tanqueray, fresh lemon juice, Angostura bitters, and a salted lemon twist.
- Jasmine Green G & T at Vantage: A gin and tonic with notes of green tea.
- Matcha, Matcha Man at The Order: A mocktail loaded with matcha, coconut milk, and healthy fats.
Healthy Options in Other Cities
The focus on healthy, locally-sourced food isn't limited to Springfield. Here are some examples of restaurants and approaches in other cities:
- True Food Kitchen: With multiple locations, True Food Kitchen focuses on healthy and tasty food with a menu crafted from nutrient-dense ingredients. They offer options for gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
- Ted's Bulletin (Washington, D.C.): Takes a contemporary approach to classic American dishes and cocktails, with options for all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.
- Restaurants in Alexandria, VA: Offer a variety of healthy options, including Mediterranean cuisine at Nostos, and American cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients at Vermilion.
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