Waco, Texas, renowned for its captivating small-town charm and the iconic Magnolia Market, is also home to a burgeoning food scene that caters to health-conscious individuals. Dining out doesn’t need to be an unhealthy experience. Whether you adhere to a specific dietary plan such as paleo, gluten-free, Whole 30, or keto, or simply prefer nutritious alternatives to traditional fare like pizza and burgers, Waco offers an array of restaurants to satisfy your cravings while supporting your well-being. Get ready to explore the top healthy restaurants in Waco.
Harvest on 25th: A Culinary Gem
Harvest on 25th stands out not only as one of the best healthy restaurants in Waco but also as one of the best restaurants overall. This counter-service establishment prides itself on using fresh, wholesome ingredients to create a diverse menu for breakfast and lunch. Among the popular choices are the cauliflower rice bowl, breakfast tacos, and sandwiches.
Revival Eastside Eatery: A Community Hub with a Focus on Freshness
Revival Eastside Eatery is a local, women-owned restaurant dedicated to serving salads, sandwiches, and burgers with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant operates under a simple concept: greet people with a smile, serve delicious food, and provide a welcoming space for the community to gather. Many of the ingredients and products are sourced from the great state of Texas. The name "Revival Eastside Eatery" is inspired by the restaurant's location in a former church, the Waco Community Baptist Church, which had been vacant for several years and needed revitalization. The building's natural beauty, including open rafters, large tin ceiling tiles, and brick walls, was preserved during the renovation. Wood from the demolition phase was even incorporated into the dining tables.
Salata: The Salad Bar of Your Dreams
Salata is a godsend when it comes to healthy eating in Waco. Their menu features big hearty salads that are absolutely scrumptious with some added chicken or steak. A popular choice is the Eve Salad, made with roasted sweet potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, apple, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, queso fresco, kale, and apple cider vinaigrette.
Mediterranean Delights: A Taste of the Middle East in Waco
For those seeking Mediterranean flavors, a Mediterranean grill in historic downtown Waco offers a delightful experience. While the menu includes both healthy and indulgent options, those looking for healthy choices can opt for the combo plate, which includes a selection of dips and salads like fresh hummus, olive spread, roasted eggplant, and a plate of veggies and pita for dipping.
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Café Homestead: Farm-to-Table Freshness
Café Homestead, situated within Homestead Heritage, an agrarian- and craft-based Christian community, offers a unique dining experience. The café sources a significant portion of its ingredients directly from the homestead, ensuring exceptional freshness. The bread served at the table is made from whole grain flour milled on-site, and the chickens and many of the vegetables are raised and grown on the premises.
Moriah's: Southern Comfort with Healthy Twists
This modern southern-inspired restaurant offers brunch, dinner, and cocktails, with a focus on fresh salads. Moriah's sources locally and provides farm-fresh greens, protein toppings, and customizable options to accommodate various preferences.
J-Petal: Fresh and Light Poke Bowls
J-Petal is known for its signature poke bowls, a perfect option for a light, fresh, and healthy lunch in Waco. Customers can customize their bowls by swapping the rice base for romaine lettuce or spring mix and adding their choice of protein. Raw tuna is a popular choice for an extra protein boost.
About usPoké bowls, Japanese crêpes, &Thai rolled ice creamIt all started with a family vacation to Virginia. Family and food has always bonded us together. With Waco on the rise, we saw an opportunity to bring a unique concept to our hometown and provide the best service in our community. Th poke bowl and beef crape are amazing! I hade the Hawaiian bowl with spicy tuna and added mango. It was the perfect sweet and spicy mix. The medium bowl was more than I should have eaten but it was so yummy, I let myself go. My wife had the beef crepe and it also was amazing. The sweet crepe adds a nice hint to the savory beef teriyaki meat and one was definitely enough to fill her up. i absolutely loved it! it was delicious, my poké bowl had seaweed salad, crispy onions, spicy salmon and spicy ahi tuna, i even put mangoes!! the spicy tuna and salmon weren't spicy at all, so if you're looking for a little kick, ask them to put some siracha in your bowl at the end. i got a medium bowl and it was huge! it looked like a size large to me. they also aren't stingy when it comes to serving you your food, which is a huge plus for me. I recently discovered this place delivering for Favor and came back to try it out. I got the large poke bowl with sushi rice, spicy tuna, shrimp, and chicken with some fruit and veggies. I added Yum Yum sauce and Teryaki sauce. Food is absolutely delicious!! I signed up from the points program. Ordered the Hawaiian classic poke bowl and the light bulb souvenir cup with pina colada. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The light bulb drinks actually light up with different colors. It's a really cute idea made into a cup. Love it. I wouldn't mind coming here again to try other options on their menu including the ice cream. What a wonderful place! Great service and the food is exceptional! Fresh, fresh, fresh ingredients.
Fuel UP: Convenient Meal Prep for a Healthier Lifestyle
Fuel UP offers a convenient meal prep service, providing a week of pre-made, pre-portioned meals for a fixed rate. The meals are macro-friendly, with all dietary information clearly listed. This service is ideal for Waco residents seeking to eat healthier and plan their meals in advance. The food is prepared in a commercial certified kitchen in Waco and approved by the board of health. However, Fuel UP is not a drop-in kitchen, so orders must be placed and picked up in advance.
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Waco Downtown Farmers Market: A Saturday Morning Delight
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning, is a treasure trove of fresh, local produce, bread, jams, nut butters, snacks, and other healthy products. This market is a must-visit for those seeking to support local farmers and vendors while stocking up on nutritious ingredients.
Magnolia Table: Healthy Options at a Waco Staple
Chip and Joanna Gaines' restaurant, Magnolia Table, offers more than just biscuits and gravy and crunchy French toast. The menu includes excellent salads, such as the cobb salad, which is packed with protein and fats like peppered bacon, hard-boiled eggs, chicken tenders, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing, making it a suitable option for those following a keto diet. Be sure to check out their seasonal rotating salads, too.
Luna Clean Food Café: A Haven for Mamas and Littles
can be tough.Trying to wrangle the littles, get out of the house, keep them entertained, eat healthy, avoid toxins and have fun while you're at it can feel impossible. We see you, mama.Relax, mama. Let your littles be littles while we serve you.So you can feel good inside and out, we don’t use ANY seed oils or artificial flavors.You're in good company with other mamas, so you can just relax and let the littles be themselves.Relaxed, community atmosphereBecause your health and comfort matter, we use the high quality, non-toxic cleaner, Force of Nature, as our primary cleaner. We sanitize our play spaces every 3 hours and use essential oils to create inviting scents.This is their space too. Kid-approved FlavorsHealthy options for picky eatersChild and baby-friendlyA safe and relaxed environmentGluten & dairy-free optionsThat taste good tooOur mama-minded philosophyConnectWe believe mamas thrive when they get to be mothers in community and have a place to share their joys, questions and struggles. Luna is a place to build those life-giving connections.NurtureMamas are always thinking of others and tweaking details to make others feel special - like cutting the crust off of one sandwich and doubling the jelly on another - we believe it’s your turn to be thought of, encouraged and served.TrustWe believe that trust is essential to building relationships that last. for you.At Luna, we know you are the kind of mamas who want to be emotionally present to your littles, feed them well, protect them from harm while still allowing them to play. We also know you have needs, like connecting with other women and eating healthy! The problem is there are so few places in Waco where both you AND your littles can feel at home, which can feel limiting and drive you crazy. As fellow mamas, we are living that with you. sanitized every 4 hours NON- TOXIC PLAY AREAS AND CLEANERSENGAGING SEASONAL ACTIVITIESGet your monthly encouragement from a local mama!Hi! We’re the mother-daughter duo behind Luna Clean Food Café.We’re Cida and Laís. As first generation immigrants, we know that everyone needs community. We gain strength from one another when we can look at each other and say, “oh, you too?” We believe mamas need that as well, so we created this café as a place where you can belong (whether the day brings a mess or glory or messy glory).Come hang mama.01Come as you areWhether you’re feeling cute and put together or rocking the messy-bun-and-yoga-pants-shower-is-optional look02Relax and be nourishedWe’ve got delicious, wholesome, clean food and drinks and fellow mamas to connect with03Go home refreshedWith happy littles who spent their energy, ate well and played with friendsWhat Waco mamas are sayingWhat a breath of fresh air, I've been waiting for something like this! Clean food, great people, a home away from home. Lais and Cida treat me and my boys like family.Heather Venable Customer ReviewLuna is such a gem in Waco. To be able to take my little one to a place where I know the food is quality and the space is a toxin-free environment! Lais and Cida are the absolute BEST! Jessica SchwietersCustomer ReviewFinally, somewhere in Waco where I feel great about ingredients!
Luna Clean Food Café is a haven for mothers and their children, offering a relaxed, community atmosphere where both can feel at home. The café prioritizes health and comfort, using high-quality, non-toxic cleaners and essential oils to create an inviting environment. With kid-approved flavors, healthy options for picky eaters, and gluten- and dairy-free choices, Luna caters to a variety of dietary needs and preferences. The café also features non-toxic play areas and engaging seasonal activities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for children. Luna's mama-minded philosophy focuses on connection, nurture, and trust, providing a space for mothers to connect with one another, be encouraged and served, and build lasting relationships.
Waco's Evolving Food Scene
Waco, Texas might be best known for its charming small-town vibe and Magnolia Market, but lately, its food scene has been stealing the spotlight. While the cupcake craze hit the United States in the early 2000s…and it just hasn’t stopped! What can I say? We all love these personal-sized cakes topped with an absolute mountain of buttercream frosting. The word “downtown” means the central part of a city, and most of us expect there to be some high-rises, horrible parking fees, and a dense population. Well, keep your expectations in check, because “downtown Waco” is pretty quaint.
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