The Top Health Conscious Restaurants In New York City

Whether you’re gluten-free, plant-powered, or paleo, health is a consideration for most hungry New Yorkers. From pure, whole foods to creative, healthy-ish concoctions—from carrot “lox” to dairy-free ice cream—the city is cooking up great things for health-conscious consumers across the spectrum. Here, we’ve rounded up eight of our favorite destinations for health-minded meals in New York City.

1. Dirt Candy

Restaurant, Candy Store, Vegetarian

At upscale eatery Dirt Candy, chef and owner Amanda Cohen is banishing bland vegetarian cuisine one meat-free meal at a time. The 100% plant-based menu here defies categorization, featuring everything from Korean fried broccoli to kale matzoh ball soup to Brussels sprout tacos and beyond.

2. by CHLOE

Restaurant, North American, Healthy, Fast Food

From cart coffee to dollar pizza slices, on-the-go eating may as well be considered a New York City tradition. Operating locations across the city, popular plant-based chain by CHLOE is as health-conscious as it is convenient. Here, you’ll find vegan versions of your favorite fast-food classics, such as the spot’s guac burger, air-baked French fries, quinoa taco salad, and homemade soft-serve in a variety of flavors, including kale cookies and cream, coffee with cinnamon rolls, and salted peanut butter and jelly.

3. Bunna Cafe

Restaurant, Cafe, Ethiopian, Vegan, Vegetarian

In Brooklyn’s trendy Bushwick neighborhood, one spot proves a beneficial diet doesn’t need to be a boring one. The veggie-focused fare at Ethiopian eatery Bunna Cafe includes spicy berbere lentils, garlic-ginger collard greens, and complex sourdough crepes, all eaten sans silverware. End your meal with one of the café’s semi-sinful treats, such as the vegan alcoholic milkshake and bunna, or traditional Ethiopian coffee, spiked cocktails—you earned it.

5. Dimes

Restaurant, Healthy

Insta-worthy meals are all that’s on the menu at Dimes, a trendy restaurant and deli serving up gluten-free, vegan, and paleo dining options. Offering maca and hemp-topped açai bowls, rotisserie chicken with pineapple-herbed rice, and cocktails featuring wheatgrass, sea plasma, and more, Dimes has you covered for brunch, dinner, and your healthiest happy hour yet.

6. Superiority Burger

Restaurant, Contemporary, Vegetarian

Think you don’t like veggie burgers? Superiority Burger invites you to sample their namesake dish and think again. Serving up upscale ingredients and flavors while retaining the laid-back atmosphere of classic burger joints, this East Village restaurant is a foodie favorite. Sloppy joe sandwiches made with beans and frizzled onion, burnt broccoli salad, and house-made gelato in flavors such as black raspberry and polenta-anise round out the menu at this down-to-earth eatery.

7. Beyond Sushi

Restaurant, Sushi, Contemporary, Vegan

Up your #MeatlessMonday game with the “great to look at, better to eat” fare from Beyond Sushi, which has several locations in the area. Fish isn’t missed at this popular local chain, where vegan and vegetarian sushi rolls feature exciting ingredients such as black bean purée, mango, almond pesto, and more.

8. Orchard Grocer

Deli, Grocery Store, Contemporary

Like your corner grocery store, but better, Manhattan’s all-vegan Orchard Grocer bills itself as a “deli for a better world.” Health-savvy shoppers flock to this newly opened spot for riffs on deli classics, including bagels with carrot “lox” and cashew cream cheese, beet-brined seitan Reubens, vegan black and white cookies, and more. Inspired by your meal? The shop also stocks gourmet groceries you can use to create health-conscious concoctions at home.

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