Eating sensibly is tough. Eating sensibly in the wonderland of pizza and ramen that is NYC is a feat of superhuman willpower. That said, there are actually tons of great places to grab a nutritious meal (hi, Whole30-ers). Here are nine of our faves.
9 Places to Grab a Healthy (Whole30-Friendly) Meal This Month
Challenge accepted
Inday
Healthy, customizable bowls are ubiquitous these days, but these creative, Indian-inspired versions are one of our go-to lunches for a reason. With ingredients like tikka masala turkey meatballs, turmeric slaw and coconut chutney, you’re bound to end up with a rainbow-hued and vitamin-packed result.
1133 Broadway St.; 917-521-5012 or indaynyc.com
Le Coq Rico
If the idea of another boring chicken breast makes you want to scream, upgrade at this French spot. Along with the signature rotisserie birds, you’ll find the Alsatian specialty baeckeoffe, a hearty winter casserole of veggies and chicken (or a meat-free option with poached eggs, available for lunch on Fridays).
30 E. 20th St. (at Park Ave. S.); 212-267-7426 or lecoqriconyc.com
Friedmans
If you’ve been to this welcoming mini chain before, you know it’s great for hearty comfort food. What you might not know is that almost anything on the menu—that includes waffles, avocado toast and burgers—can be prepared sans gluten. (Gluten-free fried chicken is healthy, right?)
Multiple locations in Manhattan; friedmansrestaurant.com
Seamore’s
We’re seriously considering pescetarianism if it means we have an excuse to eat at this Soho fish mecca more often. We’ll be filling up on seafood pozole, squid tacos and coconut-curry mussels all winter long.
390 Broome St. (at Mulberry St.); 212-730-6005 or seamores.com
Cava Grill
We like to think of Mediterranean food as healthy, but we also like to down a tub of TJ’s hummus and pita chips in 20 minutes flat. At least at this spot, you’ll know your harissa-spiced veggie and protein bowls are actually doing your body good.
143 Fourth Ave. (at 14th St.); 646-416-6440 or cavagrill.com
Springbone Kitchen
Bone broth might trending big time, but it’s also a godsend on a cold day. Grab a chicken-coconut-turmeric elixir to go in place of your afternoon latte, or stick around for zucchini spaghetti (aka zoodles) and meatballs.
90 W. Third St. (at Sullivan St.); 646-368-9192 or springbone.com
Hu Kitchen
Follow the impossibly fit people streaming out of Equinox and they’ll lead you to this fast-casual joint. Yes, it’s paleo, but you won’t find a hint of snobbery, and you will find super-tasty eats like chocolate chia pudding and chili-lime broccoli salad.
Two locations in Manhattan; hukitchen.com
Urbanspace Vanderbilt
Yep, food halls aren’t all doughnuts and lobster rolls (though we’re eternally grateful for their presence). At this Midtown market, you can graze guilt-free on items like ribollita from Good Stock (pictured) and lentil-kale summer rolls from Two Tablespoons.
230 Park Ave. (at E. 45th St. and Vanderbilt Ave.); 646-747-0810 or urbanspacenyc.com
The Little Beet Table
Think of this as the sophisticated big sister to the grab-and-go lunch spot you know and love. The menu here is similarly veggie-focused, with dishes like orange-jalapeño hamachi crudo, pumpkin-miso soup and (of course) beets with caramelized fennel and thyme-mustard dressing.
333 Park Ave. S. (at 25th St.); 212-466-3330 or thelittlebeettable.com