In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can feel like a challenge. While the idea of preparing perfectly balanced meals at home sounds ideal, in reality, it’s not always practical or enjoyable. Dining out or grabbing food to-go can be a chance to enjoy a stress-free meal, savor dishes you’d never make at home, spend time with good company, and-best of all-skip the cleanup.
Fortunately, there are restaurants that prioritize both health and convenience, offering delicious and nutritious meals without compromising on quality. This article will guide you through a selection of restaurants that focus on real, whole food ingredients, high-quality protein options, anti-inflammatory oils, gluten-free choices, and minimal additives, all while being reasonably priced and, most importantly, delicious.
What Makes a Restaurant "Healthy"?
Before diving into specific recommendations, it's important to define what constitutes a "healthy" restaurant. The restaurants highlighted here share several key characteristics, including:
- Real, Whole Food Ingredients: Prioritizing minimally processed, natural foods.
- High-Quality Protein Options: Offering lean meats, fish, eggs, and plant-based protein sources.
- Mostly Anti-Inflammatory Oils: Using oils like olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil instead of processed vegetable oils.
- Gluten-Free Options: Catering to individuals with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Minimal Sugar, Additives, and Preservatives: Avoiding artificial ingredients and excessive amounts of sugar.
- Reasonable Prices: Making healthy eating accessible to a wider range of people.
- Delicious Flavors: Proving that healthy food can be both nutritious and enjoyable.
Healthy Restaurants in Austin
Here are some restaurants in Austin that stand out for their commitment to providing healthy and delicious meals:
True Food Kitchen: Inspired by the anti-inflammatory food pyramid and founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, True Food Kitchen offers a seasonal, nutrient-rich menu catering to various dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo options. It’s a great spot for a healthy, balanced meal, whether you're with family, on a date, or dining solo. Consider the tuna poke bowl or the teriyaki quinoa bowl (add chicken).
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Civil Goat: Known for their delicious coffee, Civil Goat is also a hidden gem for a tasty, balanced breakfast. Enjoy a soft scramble with avocado and a half-caf flat white. Friends have also loved the avocado toast with a poached egg. The Guadalupe and Manor locations offer outdoor seating, while the indoor space provides a cozy escape from the Texas heat.
Local Foods: Local Foods is all about bringing farm-fresh produce to the table, and their dishes never disappoint. The flavors are always on point, and you can taste the quality of their ingredients in every bite. It's the perfect place for a quick, healthy lunch that doesn't compromise on flavor. Try the summer harvest salad, poke bowl, or gluten-free crunchy chicken sandwich with kale salad and watermelon.
Honest Mary’s: Honest Mary’s prides themselves on life-giving “fast food”. They have tasty “signature bowls”, but their build-your-own-bowl option is especially appealing. Choose from a variety of whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh veggies, plus their house-made sauces are incredible. Consider a grilled chicken bowl with arugula, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted beets, crispy chickpeas, avocado, and creamy poblano sauce. Add pumpkin seeds for an extra dollar for a satisfying crunch and extra magnesium.
Fresa’s: Fresa’s takes wood-grilled chicken to the next level, and their lively outdoor patio, adorned with string lights, is always a great vibe. They bring a vibrant, Mexican flair to their dishes that you don't find at many health-focused restaurants. Try the chips + their special guacamole (feat. green apple and mint) and a power bowl.
The Well: The Well is a top pick when it comes to healthy, sit-down restaurants in Austin. While it’s a bit more of a splurge compared to other spots on this list, it’s definitely worth it for a special occasion. The menu is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, refined-sugar free, and non-GMO. They use high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients and organic produce for anything listed on the Dirty Dozen list. They only use healthy, anti-inflammatory cooking oils - olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Consider the guacamole and ceviche appetizers, the beet salad, and the coconut curry squash with chicken. Get the breakfast tacos if you go for breakfast/brunch.
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Koriente: Koriente is a great option for Asian-inspired food that’s fresh and on the lighter side. They keep things simple with minimally processed ingredients, and house-fermented kimchi that’s great for gut health. You can easily add broccoli, chicken, avocado, grilled onions, eggs, or mushrooms to any dish, and they even offer the option of subbing your rice for extra veggies. Try the Obake bowl with chicken or miso glazed salmon.
Sweetgreen: Sweetgreen has become a favorite spot for salads and bowls, especially with their recent switch to using anti-inflammatory olive oil. Opt for a ready-made signature dish or build your own bowl. Consider the greens and grains bowl with arugula and wild rice, basil, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, goat cheese, blackened chicken, and pesto vinaigrette. If you want a signature dish, try the autumn harvest bowl (add chicken for protein).
Cabo Bob’s: Cabo Bob’s is one of Austin’s best-kept healthy food secrets. Their commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients is impressive, and they manage to pull it off at an affordable price with kind, efficient service. Their tortillas are made on-site, their protein options are wood-grilled with no additives, and they use grass-fed beef and always fresh, never frozen white chicken breast. Their salsas, sauces, and guacamole are all made from scratch with whole food ingredients, and no additives or preservatives. Try the chicken bowl with white rice, black beans, zucchini & squash, lettuce, cilantro, tomatillo salsa, mango pico, guacamole, and lime juice.
Picnik: Picnik’s entire menu is gluten-, soy-, and refined sugar-free, and they exclusively use healthy cooking oils (cold-pressed avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil) in their dishes. Consider the harvest bowl or a burger with crispy Brussels.
Two Hands: Two Hands is an Australian-inspired café with a strong focus on ethically sourced ingredients. Located on South Congress, it's perfect for brunch before hitting the shops, or swing by after an early morning stroll around Town Lake. Try the seasonal scramble if you go for breakfast, salmon quinoa bowl if you go for lunch/dinner.
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Better Half: Better Half is an award-winning all-day café in downtown Austin, with tons of outdoor seating and tasty coffee. Try the burrata with smoked chicken or the big salad (half size) with smoked chicken.
Cenote: Cenote is a cozy, laid-back spot in a converted house on the Eastside, complete with a spacious and welcoming patio. They offer gluten-free bread (that’s actually good) so sandwiches can easily be made gluten-free. Try the Cenote scramble if you go for breakfast, and a veggie sandwich with chicken or turkey if you go for lunch.
KG BBQ: KG BBQ isn’t your average barbecue joint - it’s where classic Texas barbecue meets bold Middle Eastern flavors. The chicken rice bowl is a great option.
Bonus Spots in Austin
Nourished ATX (Food Truck): This food truck is a bit of a hidden gem in Austin, tucked away on South Congress. All of their menu items are locally and regeneratively sourced, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free, and organic when possible. Try the breakfast tacos, or the nourish bowl with chicken.
People’s Pharmacy: People’s Pharmacy is also a hidden gem for grabbing a quick, healthy lunch. Combine the chicken salad for protein with the beet & citrus salad for fruits and veggies.
Gluten-Free Bakery Truck: The entire menu is gluten-free! Try the coffee cake muffin, matcha cheesecake, or the peanut butter cookie.
SNAP Kitchen: If you’ve had a hectic day and can't be bothered to cook but still want a balanced, healthy meal at home, SNAP Kitchen is a lifesaver. What to order - Bison quinoa bowl with peppers and onions, chicken Caesar wrap, or blackened shrimp with quinoa grits.
Gati: Gati makes it easy to indulge in something delicious. Their entire lineup is gluten-free and dairy-free, made with just five wholesome ingredients, including a creamy coconut milk base. Try the chocolate or mint chip ice cream for a classic, and Thai basil when you want to mix things up.
Healthy Restaurants in Other Locations
While the primary focus is on Austin, here are some other healthy restaurant options in different cities:
- Phoenix, AZ: La Grande Orange (LGO) which is known for their kale quinoa salad, Flower Child, Original Chop Shop, Modern Market Eatery, ProteinHouse, Juice Core, Pa’la.
- Orange County, CA: Flower Child, Urban Plates, Vibe Organic Kitchen and Juice, butterleaf.
- Cincinnati, OH: Seasons 52, Maplewood Kitchen and Bar, Northstar Café, Bakersfield, Rooted Juicery, Sleepy Bee, E+O Kitchen, Press on Monmouth, The Baker’s Table, Bouquet, Tahona Kitchen + Bar, Teak.
- Tucson, AZ: Explore heart-healthy dining options.
Tips for Making Healthy Choices When Dining Out
If you don't want to choose the suggested menu items, keep the following in mind when deciding what to order:
- Focus on Whole Foods: Choose meals that include high-quality protein (meat, fish, or eggs), vegetables, and unprocessed carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, beans, or lentils.
- Don't Be Afraid to Customize: Ask to substitute sides for veggies or make other modifications to ensure your meal aligns with your health goals.
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