You know the drill: You’re texting with a friend, firming up plans, when they text you the most impossible question to answer: Where should we go? Next thing you know, you’ve ventured down the Yelp rabbit hole, trying to figure out what’s nearby, offers veggie options, has an Instagrammable ambiance, and tastes good.
We’ve got your answer: Having circled the city trying the buzziest healthy restaurants like it’s our job (which it actually is), we know the spots that live up to the hype, justify the waits, and are worth the subway schlep. And now, we’ve put it all together in one handy guide of the best spots that are new, have opened a new location in the past year, or are growing like crazy.
Consider this your healthy bible on where to brunch, grab a quick bite, linger over a healthy dinner, or grab a juice—whatever part of the city you’re in. Bookmark it. Live it. Love it.
Keep reading to see the best buzzy places to eat healthy in New York City right now.
00 + Co
New Yorkers are picky with their pizza, but Matthew Kenney has proved himself a raw food genius serving vegan and plant-based pizzas. Eaters of all stripes will have a tough time deciding what to order (but whatever it is, you’ll definitely want to snap a photo before you cut in).
00 + Co, 65 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-777-1608, matthewkenneycuisine.com
Brodo
Get your bone broth to-go at this take-out only spot, connected to the more spacious restaurant, Hearth. Choose from grass-fed beef with ginger, organic chicken, or the house-special, Hearth Broth (made from boiling two whole turkeys, 40 pounds of beef shin, and 15 stewing hens).
Brodo, 200 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009, 646-602-1300, brodo.com
By Chloe
Chloe Coscarelli‘s famed vegan restaurant is worth the hype. You might have to wait in line (okay, you will almost definitely have to wait in line), but the quinoa tacos and guac burger are totally worth it.
By Chloe, 185 Bleeker St., New York, NY 10012, 212-290-8000, bychefchloe.com
Cafe Clover
Everything on the menu at Cafe Clover is nutritionist approved, so you know you’re doing your body good no matter what you order. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always expect superfoods like cauliflower, beets, and greens along with sprouted grains to make an appearance.
Cafe Clover, 10 Downing St., New York, NY 10014, 212-675-4350, cafeclovernyc.com
Cafe Henrie
The macrobiotic dragon bowls at Cafe Henrie are packed with grains, veggies, and pickles—your gut will definitely be happy. Also on the menu: onigiri (rice balls) with genre-bending fixings such as caper mayo, turmeric salmon, red pesto plum, and matcha wasabi.
Cafe Henrie, 110 Forsyth Street, New York, NY 10002, cafehenrie.com
Cafe Madeline
The secret’s officially out about this small eatery in Ditmas Park, which has an extensive smoothie menu and inventive concoctions like cardamom oatmeal and turmeric lattes. Only farm eggs and grass-fed meat are used—and everything is organic. Food is served all day, but breakfast is definitely the stand-out.
Cafe Madeline, 1603 Cortelyou Rd., New York, NY 11226, 718-941-4020, squareup.com/store/cafemadeline
Dimes
Wheatgrass margaritas are just one innovative concoction you’ll find at minimalist restaurant Dimes. The food won’t let you down any time of day, but it’s the brunch offerings—like the pitaya bowl and avocado-packed breakfast tacos—that are particularly worth the wait.
Dimes, 49 Canal St., New York, NY 10002, 212-925-1300, dimesnyc.com
Dirt Candy
Even meat eaters flock to this vegetarian eatery (located, as of last year, in much bigger digs on the Lower East Side), which fills its menu with things like Shanghai roots with fermented black beans and creme fraiche, and black radish spaghetti. Pro tip: Go with a group and share the Brussels sprouts tacos. (Trust us on this one.)
Dirt Candy, 86 Allen St. New York, NY 10002, 212-228-7732, dirtcandynyc.com
Hearth
Linger over a meal of nutrient-dense food at this clean, sustainability-minded restaurant (that’s also main hub of bone broth to-go spot Brodo). Added bonus? Grains are milled in-house and only natural sweeteners are used.
Hearth, 403 E. 12th St., New York, NY 10009, 646-602-1300, restauranthearth.com
Hu Kitchen
With the tagline “food for humans” (“Hu” is short for “Human”), you can count on Hu Kitchen to serve clean food only—nothing processed makes it onto the wide-ranging menu (filled with everything from made-to-order breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes to fresh-pressed juices). And now, you no longer have to head to Union Square to hit up the mash bar or pick up some raw chocolate: A second location, on the Upper East Side, opened earlier this year.
Hu Kitchen, 78 Fifth Avenue, btwn 13th and 14th Streets; 1536 Third Avenue, btwn 86th and 87th Streets, hukitchen.com
Inday
Inday’s tagline is “good karma served daily,” and who doesn’t need a little bit more good karma coming their way? Customers build their own Indian-fusion bowls with ingredients like cauliflower rice, sprouted lentils, and coconut chutney—all prepped quickly and packaged to go. Leave room for dessert: The avo cocoa pudding is heavenly.
Inday, 1133 Broadway, New York, NY 10010, 917-521-5012, indaynyc.com
Juice Generation
From juices with activated charcoal and probiotics, the offerings at Juice Generation are supercharged. The latest item on the menu, however, is what makes this oldie-but-goodie buzzy all over again: a jackfruit smoothie, which will be available starting later this month.
Juice Generation, multiple locations, see juicegeneration.com
Pazzi Pasta
Healthy Italian? Yep. This family-owned Cobble Hill restaurant has mastered it by zeroing in on acient grains like farro and kamut to anchor their hearty dishes.
Pazzi Pasta, 222 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11231, 347-916-1076, http://www.pazzipasta.com/
Mulberry & Vine
Clean ingredients are a prerequisite at this prepared food shop and eatery. Fill up at the buffet bar—the grilled avocado is the stuff that dreams are made of—or go for something hot, like the grass-fed organic meatballs. The Flatiron location opened earlier this year, and is a good spot to refuel post-Studio B workout.
Mulberry & Vine, 55 W. 27th St., New York, NY 10001, 212-252-8468; 73 Warren St. New York, NY 10007, 212-791-6300, mulberryandvine.com
Nix
It’s no coincidence that vegetarian restaurant Nix is steps away from Union Square Market—that’s where much of the produce comes from. The menu changes seasonally, as the chefs clearly have lots of fun recreating beloved meat dishes using veggies only, like shiitake “cacio e pepe” with salsify and heirloom polenta. Oh, and bring your camera—the food comes out Instagram-ready.
Nix, 72 University Place, New York, NY, 10003, 212-498-9393, nixny.com
Screamers Pizzeria
Brooklyn’s first vegan pizza joint just opened in Greenpoint. It’s small, but essential, with a variety of pies ready to order by the slice in the former Champs Junior space. (It’s a joint venture between Champs and Philadelphia’s Blackbird Pizza.)
Screamers Pizzeria, 620 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222, screamerspizzeria.com
Springbone Kitchen
This newly open bone broth-based restaurant is a Paleo dream spot. Think smoked pork broth poured over a free-range egg, or zoodles and meatballs paired with a tomato-beef broth sauce.
Springbone Kitchen, 90 W. 3rd St., New York, NY 10012, 917-301-8263, Springbone.com
Superiority Burger
What started as a wildly successful veggie burger pop-up has a permanent stop-in-spot in the East Village that satisfies even the pickiest veggie burger connoisseurs—not to mention meat eaters, too. (Exhibit A: the line winding out the door.) It’s small, so grabbing to-go is the best option.
Superiority Burger, 430 E. 9th St., New York, NY, 10009, superiorityburger.com
Sweetgreen
The upscale salad joint is doing some serious expanding—and that’s a good thing, considering their array of locally sourced, organic options. If there isn’t one near you already, chances are there will be soon. When in doubt, order the Spicy Sabzi.
Sweetgreen, multiple locations, see sweetgreen.com
The Butcher’s Daughter
Whether you’re looking for a quick elixir shot or want to brunch with friends over a stack of quinoa pancakes, this vegetarian juice bar and cafe has you covered. Check out the stone-oven pizza menu at the new West Village location if you want something savory.
The Butcher’s Daughter, 19 Kenmare St., New York, NY 10012, 212-219-3434; 581 Hudson St., New York, NY 10012, 212-219-3434, thebutchersdaughter.com
Two Hands
The Aussie chefs and owners behind this very Instagrammable cafe have arguably one of the healthiest menus in the city: gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and no added sugar—and everything is still delicious. It proves you can be simple and innovative at the same time. Best of all? The new Tribeca location also serves dinner.
Two Hands Tribeca, 251 Church St., New York, NY, 10013, twohandsnyc.com
All the restaurants on this list serve up healthy, delicious meals—but what about what spots offer the most Instagrammable dishes? Here’s where to go to give your followers food-envy. Or, make your own amazing meal in about 10 minutes with this brilliant sweet potato cooking hack.
Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter
Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
