19 Healthy Restaurants in New York: Where to Eat Healthy Across NYC

New York is a food lover’s paradise! But finding where to eat healthy is more difficult than one can imagine. However, there are a few selected options that can offer nourishing food, colorful bowls, and Mediterranean-inspired meals. 

Still wondering where the healthy restaurants New York are? 

Here are the top 19 choices to eat healthy in New York without sacrificing the flavor and the happening vibe. 

Let’s celebrate the joy of new healthy restaurants in the vibrancy of NYC!

1. Sweetgreen 

Location: 1740 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, NY 10019. Different branches also operate across New York City.

Sweetgreen is one of the healthy food places NYC for busy travelers, professionals, and anyone else who is looking for a customizable lunch without a lengthy restaurant visit. It specializes in salads, warm bowls, and meals made with vegetables, grains, and protein ingredients. 

The menu itself includes leafy greens, roasted vegetables, grains, chicken, and seasonal ingredients, and when combined, it can easily provide a mix of carbs, proteins, fiber, and healthy fats. 

The caloric content of the meal, however, is often dependent on dressings, cheese, nuts, and toppings.

Recommended food: Chicken salad, seasonal grain bowls, or customizable bowls with vegetables and proteins. 

Price per person: Ranging from $12-$20.

Useful tip: Reviewing nutritional information and ordering dressing on the side to adjust any amount of protein, carbs, fats, or fiber required is a good way to balance your meal’s proportions.

2. Maman

Location: 239 Centre Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10013. There are also other branches and locations throughout New York City.

A French-inspired cafe and bakery, Maman is a beautiful option for healthy restaurants New York City. Although the bakery’s main attraction is the pastries, it is also decorated with a variety of healthy food options in the restaurant, like sandwiches, salads, egg dishes, and other lighter meals. 

Recommended food: Egg-based breakfast dishes, salads, savory sandwiches, and unsweetened tea or coffee.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$30.

Useful tip: It is best to check the menu for your chosen branch, as food availability varies by location as well as time of day.

3. INDAY 

Location: 708 Third Avenue, Manhattan, New York, NY 10017.

INDAY, a healthy dining nyc provides a very modern take on Indian-inspired fast-casual dining, which makes it a perfect choice for those who want flavor in their food with customizable ingredients. The menu often has combinations of various grains, vegetables, sauces, and protein options. 

This creates a unique contrast to the usual salad-and-sandwich healthy lunch NYC by instead utilizing Indian-inspired flavoring. Though the overall nutritional balance is determined by the sauces and portion sizes that a diner may take, the basic combination of vegetables, a suitable protein, and a grain base is enough to fit into a more health-based dining experience.

Recommended food: Fully customizable bowls with vegetables, grains, and protein options.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$25.

Useful tip: A good way to maximize your control over your meal is to choose a variety of vegetables and rich sauces on the side.

4. Le Botaniste 

Location: 127 Grand Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10013.

Le Botaniste is a plant-based restaurant primarily suited for casual dining experiences. It is famous for its organic-inspired bowls, vegetable-rich dishes, and its menu, which focuses on different combinations of grains, legumes, vegetables, and flavorful sauces. 

This is a very useful option for those seeking meat-free meals in Manhattan, providing a comforting and relaxing format that pairs well with a quick lunch or a casual healthy dinner NYC without any fine dining formalities. 

Based on the menu, lentils and beans can provide great amounts of protein and fiber, while vegetables contribute additional nutrients.

Recommended food: Plant-based bowls featuring legumes, vegetables, and grains.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$30. 

Useful tip: If you are searching for more filling meals, try filling your bowl with more beans, lentils, or other substantial protein sources.

5. The Butcher’s Daughter

Location: 19 Kenmare Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10012.

Despite its name, The Butcher’s Daughter is not a traditional butcher shop but rather a plant-focused cafe and healthy food new york, known popularly for its stylish atmosphere, healthy brunch NYC dishes, and vegetable-led menu. 

This healthy dining NYC spot is associated most commonly with vegetarian dining, offering many choices for visitors seeking creative meat-free meals, whether for breakfast, brunch, or a casual lunch. Dishes can change according to the current menu but commonly include vegetables, fruit, grains, and plant-based ingredients. 

Recommended food: Avocado toast, vegetable-forward brunch dishes, and plant-based bowls where available.

Price per person: Approximately $20-$40.

Useful tip: When it comes to The Butcher’s Daughter, it is a good idea to visit early in the day and check the menu for ingredients as well as dietary preferences.

6.  The Little Beet

Location: 135 West 50th Street, Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY 10020. 

The Little Beet is a fast-casual healthy restaurants New York defined by its characteristic focus on vegetable-forward meals, bowls, and dishes inspired by a range of ingredients and flavors. The format is widely appreciated and convenient for office workers, tourists, and diners who want a quick lunch with customizable components.

Based on the menu, meals can comprise vegetables, grains, sauces, and protein options in a single bowl or plate. The flexibility is a nice touch for those who value their healthy eating preferences while dining out.  

Recommended food: Customizable bowls with vegetables, grains, and a protein option.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$25.

Useful tip: In case you want to manage your sodium intake or have any specific dietary requirements, make sure to analyze the ingredients of sauces and dressings.

7. Matchaful Café  

Location: 217 Mulberry Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10012.

As the name might suggest, Matchaful Café centers around matcha and other tea-based drinks, providing a good stop for visitors who enjoy Japanese green tea flavors or just want an alternative to conventional coffee drinks. 

The current selection may cycle between traditional matcha, matcha lattes, smoothies, and light snacks. Matcha commonly contains caffeine and naturally occurring compounds found in green tea, though the complete nutritional profile depends on the milk, sweetener, and other ingredients in the drink. 

As such, the location should be best viewed as a cafe stop rather than a full meal destination. 

Recommended food: Traditional matcha, a lightly sweetened matcha latte, or a smoothie if available. 

Price per person: Approximately $8-$20.

Useful tip: As per your preference and need for carbs, try to reduce or add sweetener to your drinks, and remember that matcha drinks can contain caffeine even when they taste mild.

8. Locanut 

Location: 361 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011, United States

Serving since 2015, Locanut is a popular choice for clean meals that fit every lifestyle. Known for offering gluten- and dairy-free meal options, Locanut uses organic ingredients, such as organic poultry and grass-fed meats, for optimal nutritional value. 

The menu ranged from healthy salads, like Kale Caesar Salad (Grab & Go), to organic breakfast, tea, coffee, quinoa bowls, protein wraps, and more. Best suited for guilt-free dining, Locanut also offers meal plans labeled for keto, dairy-free, low-carb, and Whole30 diet, making it a popular choice among health-conscious eaters. 

Recommended Food: Organic pastured egg avocado toast, organic herb green omelette, quinoa veggie power bowl, and wild salmon plate. 

Price Per Person: Approximately $31 to $50 

Useful Tip: Locanut ships worldwide, and it offers dairy-free options. Dairy is only used when requested by a customer and in one menu item. 

9. DIG INN

Location: 275 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, New York, NY 10001. Additional locations are spread out in New York City.

DIG, also known as Dig Inn, is a fast-casual healthy restaurant in New York focusing on seasonal ingredients, hearty sides, and customizable meals. It is particularly suited for those who want something more substantial than a simple salad but still want the vegetables to be the main focus of the meal. 

The menu offers combinations of grains, roasted vegetables, and protein options, though the menus do depend on and change according to location and current offerings. 

The flexible format is most convenient for lunch breaks and casual diners, and it’s quite easy to build a satisfying plate by choosing a protein, a vegetable side, and a grain based on your preference and appetite.

Recommended food: Roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables and grains, where available.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$25.

Useful tip: Try to pick a variety of vegetable sides and look for protein choices and portion sizes on the current menu.

10. Le Pain Quotidien 

Location: 1377 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan, New York, NY 10019. Other branches also operate in New York City.

Le Pain Quotidien is a bakery-cafe known primarily for its rustic atmosphere, bread, breakfast dishes, tartines, salads, and casual meals. It serves as a peaceful spot for those visiting Manhattan and looking for a relaxed breakfast or light lunch. 

The menu comprises bakery items and balanced choices, allowing diners to easily select based on their preferences. 

For more filling meals, pairing whole-grain bread with eggs, vegetables, or another protein source is a fine choice, and the cafe setting also makes it an ideal place for a leisurely coffee break.

Recommended food: Egg-based breakfast dishes, vegetable tartines, salads, and whole-grain bread where available.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$30.

Useful tip: Search the menu for whole-grain options and keep in mind that bakery items and spreads can vary largely in calories and added sugar.

11. Peacefood Café 

Location: 460 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024. Locations are associated with the Upper West Side and Union Square historically.

Peacefood Café has always been popular for its vegan options, combining plant-based meals with baked goods, smoothies, and casual dining options to easily sway diners who are interested in meat-free food without sacrificing variety. The historical menu includes various savory dishes and desserts alongside lighter choices.

Recommended food: Vegan savory dishes, plant-based bowls, and dairy-free baked goods.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$30.

Useful tip: Certain options and substitutes aren’t the most well-received, so sticking to more complete options like juices, soups, and bowls is the best way to make the most out of your experience.

12. Just Salad 

Location: 20 Hudson Yards Unit RU 432 B, New York, NY 10001

Serving healthy meals since 2006, Just Salad is one of the best options for fast-casual dining. The menu is vast and includes everything from warm bowls and wraps to smoothies. Offering both plant- and animal-based protein choices, Just Salad is known for using homemade dressings and freshly prepared proteins. 

Just Salad also offers build-your-own options that enable diners to choose their own meals, based on veggies, legumes, grains, and protein. With over 100 locations across 7 states, Just Salad should be a go-to option for trying healthy and delicious meals. 

Recommended Food: Cilantro Lime Chicken, Hot Honey Harvest Bowl, Honey Adobo Chicken Market Plate, and Thai Chicken Crunch 

Price Per Person: Approximately $12 to $16 

Useful Tip: The menu at Just Salad includes nutritional information about the meals. This is specifically beneficial for individuals counting their daily calorie intake. 

13. Dirt Candy 

Location: 86 Allen Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10002. 

Dirt Candy is one of the most famous restaurants in New York when it comes to creativity. It is a vegetable-focused fine-dining restaurant that places produce at the center of the experience, treating vegetables as much more than a simple side dish and exploring many ways to enhance, change, or soften the flavors, textures, and versatility of the vegetables. 

Those who are interested in memorable dining experiences and find themselves curious about innovative vegetable-based cuisine are sure to enjoy their experience in this location. 

Dirt Candy also differs from conventional steakhouses or seafood restaurants despite being a fine-dining location, thanks to its vegetarian-focused dishes, though it is more expensive than casual healthy cafes and quick-service bowl restaurants.

Recommended food: Seasonal vegetable-led tasting dishes, amongst other creative preparations showcased on the current menu.

Price per person: Approximately $100-$150 or more, depending on the menu and drinks.

Useful tip: It is best to review the current tasting menu and reservation requirements in advance, especially if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.

14. Avant Garden 

Location: 95 Avenue A, East Village, Manhattan, New York, NY 10009. 

Avant Garden is an upscale plant-based restaurant that emphasizes how sophisticated vegetable-led cooking can truly be, demonstrating the various flavors, textures, and presentations that come when using seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, grains, and other plant-based components in a dish. 

The style of this restaurant is designed around experimentation and creativity with vegan cuisine rather than a simple health-food bowl and basic salad dining experiences. 

Recommended food: Mushroom-based plates, seasonal vegetable dishes, and other plant-based specialties. 

Price per person: Approximately $50-$100 or more, depending on the number of dishes and drinks.

Useful tip: Try sharing several plates to sample different ingredients. 

15. Springbone Kitchen 

Location: 38 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

Springbone Kitchen, known for its 100% gluten-free meals, is one of the best options for health-conscious diners in New York, Washington, DC, and New Jersey. The restaurant uses high-quality ingredients and thoughtfully sourced produce with no refined sugar, gluten, or seed oils. 

Founded by Sam and Jordon, the vision behind Springbone Kitchen was to provide healthy, wholesome, and unadulterated food. The menu includes nutrient-dense meal options, such as immunity broth, carrot ginger soup, cauliflower, rice, and more, making it a place where healthy food feels good. 

Recommended Food: Immunity Broth, Mediterranean Chicken, Honey Dijon Salmon, Chili Tofu Noodle Bowl, and Grandma’s Chicken and Rice 

Price Per Person: Approximately $10 to $20 

Useful Tips: Springbone Kitchen is perfect for casual catch-up and a relaxed dining experience. It offers delivery, take-away, and dine-in. 

16. Westville 

Location: 88 7th Ave, Manhattan, New York, NY 10011. There are many other locations for Westville in New York; the one provided is for Westville Chelsea.

Westville is a casual American restaurant based around market vegetables, salads, and varied menus offering comfort-food favorites. It is a great choice for groups of people with different preferences, as diners can choose vegetable sides along with a main course. 

A key difference Westville has from most health-based restaurants and locations is that it includes meat, eggs, fish, and vegetarian dishes as well. This variety makes it much easier to put together a meal that is balanced from all nutritional fronts, whether it be carbs, proteins, fiber, or fats.

Recommended food: Market vegetable sides, salads, and grilled fish or chicken options where available.

Price per person: Approximately $20-$40.

Useful tip: Build your meal around a main protein source and a couple of vegetable sides, and make sure to check the menu for preparation methods and sauces.

17. NAYA 

Location: 1400 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, NY 10018. There are multiple locations of NAYA in NYC.

NAYA uniquely crafts and specializes in Lebanese-inspired food through customizable bowls, wraps, and plates. The menu showcases a combination of familiar Mediterranean ingredients like hummus, grains, fresh vegetables, and protein choices, making it an effective and convenient option for a quick meal. 

The customization again comes in handy when dining with groups or people with diverse food preferences, while bowls with vegetables, a suitable protein, and a grain base all provide necessary nutrients. 

Recommended food: Chicken bowls, hummus, fresh salads, and customizable Mediterranean plates.

Price per person: Approximately $15-$20.

Useful tip: Choose different combinations of sauces and vegetable toppings according to your preference to make the most out of your meal.

18. Chopt Creative Salad Co. 

Location: 1450 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, NY 100018. Other branches are also present throughout New York City.

Chopt Creative Salad Co. is one of the best options of healthy restaurants New York for quick lunches when it comes to office workers, students, and travelers who just want a simple meal without having to visit a full-service restaurant. 

The menu uses fresh vegetables packed with protein, leafy greens, grains, chicken, beans, cheese, nuts, various dressings, and other toppings to create a meal that is not only healthy but also accommodates a wide range of preferences. 

Recommended food: Chicken salads, vegetable-rich bowls, and salads with beans or other protein options. 

Price per person: Approximately $12-$30.

Useful tip: Pick a good combination of vegetables and protein, and request dressing on the side if you prefer to control the amount used.

19. CAVA 

Location: 1535 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States

CAVA, known for its Mediterranean and Greek-inspired cuisine, is a convenient choice for health-conscious eaters. Located in New York’s financial district, CAVA has recently launched its Greek Goddess Menu, offering delectable and healthy Greek-inspired food, such as Greek Goddess Steak Salad, Dressing, and more. 

Prepared with fresh ingredients, the food options range from Greek Chicken Pita, Harissa BBQ Pita Chips, and Pomegranate Apple drink to Mediterranean pita bowls and salads. With plant-based menu options, like Hummus, Falafel, and black lentils, CAVA offers balanced meals, perfect to fit every lifestyle. 

Recommended Food: Spicy Lamb Meatballs, Harissa Avocado Bowl, Crazy Feta, and Greek Goddess Salmon 

Price Per Person: $10 to $18 

Useful Tip: CAVA also offers a build-your-own-meal option, allowing customers to choose their own veggies, dressing, dips, and proteins. Kid’s meal options are also available. 

FAQs