In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging, especially when it comes to dining out. The allure of convenience often overshadows the importance of nutritious meals. However, the growing awareness of health and wellness has led to a surge in local restaurants that prioritize fresh, wholesome ingredients and balanced recipes. This article explores a variety of such establishments, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to providing delicious and nutritious options for health-conscious individuals.
Embracing Balanced Eating: A Journey Through Local Healthy Restaurants
Finding restaurants that align with your health goals can be a game-changer. It's about discovering places where you don't have to sacrifice flavor for the sake of well-being. These restaurants understand the importance of using real, whole food ingredients, high-quality protein sources, and anti-inflammatory oils. They also cater to various dietary needs, offering gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Phoenix: A Hub of Healthy Dining
Phoenix boasts a vibrant culinary scene with numerous restaurants dedicated to serving healthy and delicious meals.
La Grande Orange (LGO): A Phoenix Staple
La Grande Orange, or LGO, is a household name in Phoenix, renowned for its French-inspired breakfasts, decadent bakery, and healthy salads and sandwiches. Their kale quinoa salad is a popular choice, often customized to accommodate plant-based diets by omitting cheese.
Flower Child: A Family-Friendly Favorite
For a spot that the whole family can agree on, Flower Child is an excellent choice. This fast-casual restaurant prepares everything from scratch using fresh ingredients, fun flavors, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Their bowls and wraps are hearty and flavorful, and you can mix and match an array of unique side options with their entrees, like yuzu grilled asparagus and cauliflower “risotto”. Utilizing the Flower Child app can make ordering ahead of time to avoid crowds a breeze, with the added benefit of occasional discounts and freebies.
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Original Chop Shop: Quick and Nutritious
The Original Chop Shop is another family favorite, known for its chopped salads and veggie bowls, such as the green curry tofu bowl with quinoa.
Modern Market Eatery: On-the-Go Goodness
For quick on-the-go meals, Modern Market Eatery is one of the best lunch spots in Scottsdale.
ProteinHouse: Lean Lunches and Post-Gym Shakes
ProteinHouse has quickly become an obsession for anyone looking for lean lunches and post-gym shakes, living up to its name with its focus on protein-rich meals.
Juice Core: A Cleansing Experience
If you’re looking to go on a juice cleanse or simply add healthy juices and tasty smoothies to your daily routine, Juice Core is a great option, offering organic, fresh-pressed juices, handmade protein bites, and great teas and lattes.
Pa’la: A Tapas-Style Treat
Pa’la offers a constantly changing menu centered around fresh seafood, hearty grains, and local vegetables. It’s a tapas-style, wood-fired treat that never disappoints.
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Peoria: Discovering Local Gems
Peoria offers a variety of restaurants and specialty stores that cater to health-conscious individuals.
Real Smooth Foods: Healthy Eating Made Easy
Located in Junction City Shopping Center, Real Smooth Foods makes eating healthy ridiculously easy. Each smoothie includes two vegetables, more than 25g of protein, and a heart-healthy fat source. There are never added sugars, and they are made gluten- and dairy-free.
The Balanced Bee: Food as Medicine
The Balanced Bee is a rare gem in the Peoria area, a woman-owned business that is ahead of the health-conscious trends. Their bone broth is designed with Food as Medicine and Performance Recovery in mind and is shipped nationwide due to its medicinal usage. They offer elixirs, custom cleanses, restorative broths, Bee Well liquid shots, cold-pressed juices, and healthy snacks.
Sous Chef: Local and Organic
This specialty grocery store features local farmers and vendors from the Greater Peoria Area. It's a one-stop-shop for local organic produce, proteins, and more, including fermented garnishes, farm-fresh cheeses, microgreens, spices, honey, eggs, fruit, wild mushrooms, herbs, wares, and other local goodies. The Sous Chef team also has an onsite kitchen preparing imaginative, healthy, and delicious meals to grab and go.
Haddad’s Restaurant: Lebanese Cuisine
Haddad’s Restaurant is proudly family-owned and operated, with rich traditions and values that shine through their food. Haddad’s serves Lebanese cuisine, which includes an abundance of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins like lentils, fish, poultry, and lamb. They offer heart-healthy dishes made with whole grains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, herbs, and spices, as well as healthy dishes that satisfy both vegans and meat-eaters, incorporating vegetables and grains into almost every dish.
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Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe: Cajun Cuisine
This funky, inviting space is an excellent option for flavorful healthy fare. Specializing in Cajun cuisine, Rhythm Kitchen uses a variety of natural ingredients, herbs, spices, and sauces to enhance lean seafoods and other healthy proteins. These Cajun and Creole dishes are highly seasoned, rather than just hot and spicy, and the menu offers bold tastes in a multitude of preferences: vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free to name a few.
One World Cafe: Fresh and Organic
This menu is packed with fresh, organic ingredients with various vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Austin: A Balanced Food Paradise
Austin is a city that embraces healthy living, with numerous restaurants offering balanced, flavorful meals made with real food ingredients.
True Food Kitchen: Anti-Inflammatory Cuisine
True Food Kitchen was inspired by the anti-inflammatory food pyramid and founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, a globally recognized doctor in the field of integrative medicine. They offer a seasonal, nutrient-rich menu and they cater to various dietary needs (including vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo) It’s a great spot for a healthy, balanced meal, whether you're with family, on a date, or dining solo. Popular choices include the tuna poke bowl, or the teriyaki quinoa bowl (add chicken).
Civil Goat: Breakfast Bliss
Civil Goat is known for their delicious coffee, but it's also a hidden gem for a tasty, balanced breakfast. The soft scramble with avocado and a half-caf flat white is a favorite. Friends have also loved the avocado toast with a poached egg.
Local Foods: Farm-Fresh Flavors
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. The summer harvest salad, poke bowl, or gluten-free crunchy chicken sandwich with kale salad and watermelon are highly recommended.
Honest Mary’s: Life-Giving Fast Food
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. You get to choose from a variety of whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh veggies, plus their house-made sauces are incredible. You can even add a splash of apple cider vinegar (they keep it by the drinks/silverware) for extra digestion/blood sugar support. A great choice is the grilled chicken bowl with arugula, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted beets, crispy chickpeas, avocado, and creamy poblano sauce.
Fresa’s: Mexican Flair
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. Don't miss the chips + their special guacamole (feat. green apple and mint) and a power bowl.
The Well: Elevated Dining
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. Their menu is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, refined-sugar free, and non-GMO making it easy for friends with food sensitivities and health challenges. They use high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, and they use 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. Popular choices include guacamole and ceviche, the beet salad, and the coconut curry squash with chicken.
Koriente: Asian-Inspired Delights
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. The obake bowl with chicken or miso glazed salmon is a must-try.
Sweetgreen: Customizable Bowls
Sweetgreen has become a favorite spot for salads and bowls, and one of the things I love most is their recent switch to using anti-inflammatory olive oil. It's a fast-casual dining experience with a counter-service setup, where you can either opt for a ready-made signature dish or build your own bowl. A recommended meal is the greens and grains bowl with arugula and wild rice, basil, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, goat cheese, blackened chicken, and pesto vinaigrette.
Cabo Bob’s: Fresh and Affordable
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. A great choice is the chicken bowl with white rice, black beans, zucchini & squash, lettuce, cilantro, tomatillo salsa, mango pico, guacamole, and lime juice.
Picnik: Dietary Restriction Friendly
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. Popular choices include the harvest bowl or a burger with crispy Brussels.
Two Hands: Australian-Inspired Cafe
Two Hands is an Australian-inspired café with a strong focus on ethically sourced ingredients. The seasonal scramble if you go for breakfast, salmon quinoa bowl if you go for lunch/dinner are great options.
Better Half: Award-Winning Cafe
Better Half is an award-winning all-day café in downtown Austin, with tons of outdoor seating and tasty coffee - perfect for working if you have the luxury of working remote. The burrata with smoked chicken or the big salad (half size) with smoked chicken are recommended.
Cenote: Cozy and Laid-Back
Cenote is a cozy, laid-back spot in a converted house on the Eastside, complete with a spacious and welcoming patio. The Cenote scramble if I go for breakfast, and a veggie sandwich with chicken or turkey if I go for lunch are ideal choices.
KG BBQ: Middle Eastern Flavors
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 must-try.
Nourished ATX: Food Truck Gem
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 sources, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free, and organic when possible. The breakfast tacos, or the nourish bowl with chicken are great options.
People’s Pharmacy: Quick and Healthy
People’s Pharmacy is not just an actual pharmacy-it’s also a hidden gem for grabbing a quick, healthy lunch. The chicken salad and their beet & citrus salad are always fresh and delicious.
Gati: Guilt-Free Dessert
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.