In Baton Rouge, maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or enjoyment when eating out. With an increasing focus on wellness, several restaurants in the city cater to health-conscious individuals, offering diverse menus that range from plant-based meals to lighter versions of classic dishes. Whether you're committed to a specific diet or simply looking for nutritious options, Baton Rouge has something to satisfy every palate.
Plant-Based Paradise: MJ's Cafe
MJ's Café has been a cornerstone of healthy eating in Baton Rouge since its establishment in 2013. This café distinguishes itself by utilizing the freshest ingredients to craft a predominantly plant-based menu. Even for those not strictly adhering to a plant-based diet, MJ's offers a variety of dishes that incorporate fresh vegetables and other wholesome ingredients to create healthier renditions of familiar favorites. The menu includes soups, sandwiches, and salads. MJ's claimed the 2021 Best of 225 Award for Best Restaurant for Vegetarian and Vegan Options. MJ’s Café is located at 5162 Government St. in Baton Rouge.
Veggie-Centric Delights
For those aiming to increase their vegetable intake, MJ's offers a selection of flavorful salads and a grilled veggie board perfect for sharing. Alternatively, patrons can opt for a protein plate.
Mestizo: Healthy Options with a Mexican Flair
While Mestizo's chips, salsa, and queso are tempting, the restaurant also provides a range of healthy options. The menu includes vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto-friendly choices. For those on the go, Mestizo offers convenient meal prep options. Mestizo is located at 2323 S.
Vegan Friendly Foods: Guilt-Free Comfort Food
Vegan Friendly Foods offers a solution for those craving burgers, pizza, or mac 'n' cheese but seeking to reduce their calorie intake. The pizzas are topped with vegan cheese and plant-based meat, while the mac 'n' cheese features a creamy nut-based sauce. The restaurant also serves chili, gumbo, and soul food platters.
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Good Eats Kitchen: Convenient and Healthy Meal Packs
Good Eats Kitchen provides a variety of meal packs designed for convenient and healthy eating. Customers can choose individual meals or order meal packs to cover an entire week. The menu includes pancakes and king cakes. Meals can be ordered online for delivery or picked up at the Baton Rouge location.
Eloise: Healthy Meals and Treats
While known for its cakes and sweet treats, Eloise also offers an array of healthy meal options. These include prepared meals like salad jars, rice bowls, and lettuce wraps. For gatherings, Eloise provides catered fruit or veggie trays, large salads, and hummus trays. Customers can also enjoy frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit, homemade granola, and honey, or opt for a blended shake and sandwich.
Nutritious Drinks at City Roots and Magpie
City Roots offers New Year’s-inspired drinks such as the Full Leave Detox Tea and the Whipped Espresso Cold Brew. Magpie features a nutritious Superfood Latte, along with paleo-friendly pastries like chocolate chunk cookies and spice bread. For a more substantial meal, Magpie offers salads and vegan and gluten-free soups.
Restaurants with Healthy Cuisine
OpenTable analyzes diner reviews to identify restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine in Baton Rouge / Lafayette.
Beausoleil Coastal: Fresh Seafood and Local Flavors
Beausoleil Coastal is known for maintaining the integrity of Louisiana’s local flavor by sourcing ingredients from local farmers, fisherman, and food producers. The restaurant offers fresh seafood dishes and craft cocktails in a relaxed bistro atmosphere.
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BRQ Seafood and Barbeque: BBQ with a Healthy Twist
BRQ Seafood and Barbeque supports local vendors and makes everything from scratch. It offers chef-driven, upscale BBQ, fresh seafood, specials, and craft cocktails.
Little Village Downtown BR: Italian with Fresh Seafood
Little Village Downtown BR is known for serving Baton Rouge’s finest Italian, steak, veal, and fresh Gulf seafood.
Veganish Vibes: 100% Vegan Delights
Veganish Vibes is a plant-based restaurant committed to providing a dining experience that is delicious, inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate. The menu features creative dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Menu Highlights from Local Restaurants
Cocha
Cocha offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, and plates with a focus on fresh, organic ingredients. Menu highlights include:
- COCHA SALAD: Organic mixed baby greens, shaved Brussel sprouts, carrots, Za'atar, preserved lemons, and pine nuts.
- ROASTED RAINBOW BEET & BURRATA: Golden and red beets, avocado, orange, shaved fennel, arugula, toasted almonds, Banyuls vinaigrette.
- SEARED TUNA SALAD: Tamari marinated & seared tuna loin mixed with arugula, herbs, watermelon radish, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers with a sesame Yum Nua dressing.
- CRIOLLO: Choice of braised pork or jack fruit with peppers and onions, coconut rice, black beans, plantains, arepa with cheese.
- Indian CURRY: Roasted chickpeas, braised green cabbage, spicy curry, purple rice, spinach puree.
- INDONESIAN STIR FRIED NOODLES: Rice noodles, broccoli, shiitake mushroom, carrots, green onion, spicy lemongrass tamari, peanut drizzle.
- Honey MISO BOWL: Japanese eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, green beans, fried tofu, coconut rice, honey miso drizzle.
- TUSCAN SALMON: Potlach seasoned Verlaso salmon filet, zucchini & squash noodles, warm sundried tomato cream sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes.
Eliza Restaurant & Bar
Eliza Restaurant & Bar is a Creole restaurant serving local Louisiana food with fresh and local ingredients.
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Louisiana Lagniappe
Louisiana Lagniappe crafts classic Southern-style cuisine with fresh, seasoned seafood. They also have a selection of prime steaks, as well as soups and salads.
Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn and Little River Inn
Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn’s and Little River Inn’s seafood and steaks have remained consistently delicious for over 80 years.
Vestal
Vestal is a live fire restaurant concept that sources from local vendors and artisans, and implements sustainable practices.
Additional Healthy Options
- Spinach Salad: Baby spinach, apples, red onions, red cabbage, shredded carrots tossed in curry basil vinaigrette topped with roasted pecans, dried red currants, sesame seeds.
- Tunisian Eggs: Braised spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, leeks, artichoke hearts, poached eggs, whipped feta, harissa, mint, cilantro, toast points.
- Southwestern Hash: Crispy fried Yukon Gold potatoes, roasted corn, black beans, grilled red onions, red bell peppers, pablanos, fried egg tossed in house roasted tomato salsa topped with cilantro.
- Farmers Market Frittata: Quiche with seasonal vegetables, served with a cocha salad.
- Quail & Grits: Two grill semi boneless quail, sea island blue grits, pickled grapes, red eye gravy sauce made w/house made bacon.
- Roasted Vegetable Lasagna: Roasted red bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, fennel, mushrooms, basil, confit tomatoes, housemade vegan ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Indonesian Stir Fried Noodles: Rice noodles, broccoli, shiitake mushroom, carrots, green onion, purple cabbage, spicy lemongrass soy, peanut drizzle.
- Criollo: Choice of braised pork or jackfruit, black beans, rice, plantains, arepa.
- Indian Curry: Roasted chickpeas, braised green cabbage, spicy curry, purple rice, spinach puree.
- Butchers Cut: Grilled grass-fed Denver steak, gremolata, smashed fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus.
- Tuscan Salmon: Potlach seasoned Verlaso salmon filet, zucchini & squash noodles, warm sundried tomato cream sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes.
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