The Best Healthy Restaurants in East London

Part of the Soho House group and so much more than a dining destination, Barber and Parlour is the hangout to know if you’re heading into Shoreditch. The exposed-brick building boasts a Josh Wood hairdressers, a Cheeky manicure bar and an Electric Cinema as well as the kind of lounge space that captures what makes Soho House so cool. It’s easy, welcoming and there’s every chance you’ll end up whiling away the day here. Settle into one of the comfy leather sofas and order a House Press juice and the roasted beets salad at lunch or test the soup of the day or a frittata from the open deli-style section of the bar. Whether it’s work meetings, personal downtime or a social catch-up, with this cosy spot you can’t go wrong.

Shoreditch is known for being one of London’s coolest areas and when you stumble across destinations like Boundary Rooftop it’s easy to see why. The thing is, you won’t just ‘stumble across’ this particular dining destination – it’s about as inconspicuous as they come and that’s what makes it so special. Take the lift to the top of the building and you’ll see exactly what we’re talking about. The space nestled above Redchurch Street’s bustling independent boutiques and coffee shops below, features a Mediterranean-inspired orangery that’s filled with citrus trees and inviting blanket-clad benches. The menu follows the theme. Expect freshly grilled meat, fish and vegetables skewers served from 11.30am, all served alongside a stunning panoramic view of the East London skyline.

The motto at Redemption bar is ‘spoil yourself without spoiling yourself’ and we’ve never read a more appropriate quote. If, like us, you’re tempted to claim this phrase for your own and chant it 10 times before getting out of bed in the morning then read on. Originally starting life as a pop-up and now operating permanently in Shoreditch and Notting Hill, this vegan, sugar-free and wheat-free destination is a place where you can socialise without jeopardising your health. Detoxifying dishes such as the probiotic booster bowl and the pulled barbecued jackfruit and superslaw prove that clean recipes needn’t compromise on taste, as do the alcohol-free cocktails on offer. We recommend the Frocorita – a mix of coconut water, lime and birch syrup blended with ice and topped with salt – it’s almost like drinking a margarita.

When we first found Beany Green nestled above Broadgate Circle just by Liverpool Street station it was like striking gold. Opening from 6am on weekdays, operating through dual coffee hatches and serving up Australian coffee (which as any caffeine-lover knows, is always a good sign), it’s not only the best place in the area to get that pre-office wake-up drink but its food menu is set to give you the best start to the day as well. Charcoal bread is probably their most recognisable ingredient and it features on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, which change from the likes of poached eggs and house-made granola in the morning to cocktails and Australian wines served on the terrace in the evening. Whatever you order food-wise, we highly recommend adding a side of the house-made chilli pesto.

An inner-city oasis and the kind of place you’ll want to take just about anyone who hasn’t yet been, Blixen in Spitalfields Market is a picturesque little spot serving a concise but well-curated menu of nourishing dishes that change with the seasons. In summer, expect fresh salads in every which iteration and in the winter, prep yourself for something heartier, wonderfully warming but equally as guilt free. One thing this eatery is not though, is bland – every plate has something a little bit innovative about it so don’t be ashamed to ask your waiter what certain things mean (or in our case, google them under the table), but do ask to be seated in the conservatory to ensure the prettiest spot.

Image courtesy of Blixen

Injecting a little fun into healthy eating, Clerkenwell Grind is bedecked in deep navy wood, pink velvet accents and low-hanging brass lighting fixtures that complement the marble tables and signature red crockery in the most modern way. The perfect pit-stop for a clean juice or healthy coffee alternative on the run (matcha, beetroot and turmeric versions not only make for an effective health kick but they’re also oh-so photogenic… social media watch out). It’s the bottomless brunch, however, that we champion at this style-set favourite. Whilst bottomless bubbles are of course an option, you can forfeit this for a more virtuous dining experience, but either way the healthy food menu remains the same. From acai bowls to the full vegetarian breakfast and the raw breakfast salad, there’s ample, equally delicious, choices to be had.

Image courtesy of Grind

Clerkenwell is a hub of healthy eating spots and one of our favourites is the Modern Pantry, whose ever-changing menu draws from what food is in season, bringing something a little unexpected to every meal. Some of the concoctions may sound a little out-there but trust the kitchen – they know what they’re doing and you won’t regret your choice. For now, it’s the Shichimi roast sea trout starter with wakame, salted cabbage and hijiki salad that has caught our eye, as well as the ajowan & turmeric marinated chicken with summer beans and confit pak choi. Downstairs, the vibe is relaxed – exactly what you want from a casual lunch or a late breakfast at the weekend, but upstairs there are private dining rooms that would suit a more formal sit-down dinner or a special occasion.

There’s something special about finding a restaurant that’s unapologetically authentic… enter South American destination, Andina on Redchurch Street. Run by Peruvian-born Martin Morales and serving up dishes inspired by his upbringing, it covers healthy heritage breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes, from sweet potato pancakes and pudding de Doña Pepa (a mix of chia seed, coconut milk, hazelnut milk, chancaca syrup and blueberry) in the morning, to ceviche, grilled meats and quinoa salads in the afternoon. Atmosphere-wise, it’s a true chameleon as it transforms from a quiet sanctuary during the working day into something a little more atmospheric after dark, and that’s when the pisco starts flowing.

You may know The Wright Brothers for their oyster bar in Borough Market – the spot serving the freshest variation of the shellfish in London in a wonderfully unpretentious manner. The Spitalfields restaurant is an extension of this attitude. A well-designed space with a striking marble bar and an outdoor terrace where the oyster menu comes accompanied by equally fresh fish dishes, from raw and small plates to lobster served by weight. If you’re looking for a premium healthy restaurant that has a beautiful wine menu to accompany the dishes and that boasts some of the best service that we’ve come across in East London, then this is it.

There’s not many boxes that Granger and Co. doesn’t tick when it comes to healthy eating in London. The menu tastes – and is – beautifully fresh and it features something a little more experimental than smashed avo on toast (something we’ve seen in every establishment since 2013), the coffee is delicious and the interiors are modern, welcoming and perfect for Instagram. When can we move in? The Clerkenwell spot is true of this Australian brand’s aesthetic and atmosphere; it’s decked out with plugs and strong WiFi for those freelancing, but it transforms into the perfect post-work wind-down spot; serving up salads, grains and protein-led dishes. We recommend the Aussie breakfast in the morning, Bill’s Raw smoothie in the afternoon and we can’t wait to try the new raw tuna poke on the dinner menu.