My Favorite Healthy Restaurants in Chicago

My favorite healthy restaurants in Chicago!

I get a lot of questions about my favorite places in Chicago – both from people visiting and locals! I mean, honestly, even if you live here, you can’t possibly eat at EVERY restaurant in the city. There’s too many!

But in a city with tons of great date night spots and restaurants for groups and neighborhood favorites that sometimes include a decent amount of indulging – it’s always fun to try healthy restaurants! These places are the kinds that focus on organic and/or local ingredients that are not only good for us – but they taste AMAZING. After all, sometimes a salad you make at home feels like punishment, but a salad at one of these places feel like a TREAT! So without further ado, let’s get to my list…

The Best Healthy Restaurants in Chicago

True Food Kitchen

This suggestion should shock NO ONE. You can read all about my love for True Food in this blog post – but since it’s opened in Chicago, I’ve become especially fond of the Ancient Grains Bowl. Definitely my go-to when someone asks for healthy restaurants in Chicago!

Beatrix

Beatrix is one of those restaurants that never lets me down. I’ve tried almost everything on their brunch menu, and all of it is EXCELLENT. I’m partial to their Quinoa Cakes with Poached Eggs and Spicy Chicken Tinga, but all of their salads (add salmon!), the veggie burger, and the Chia Seed Pudding are also amazing. Also, if you don’t want to be healthy, take a peek at their selection of baked goods… 😉

The Little Beet Table

This cute Gold Coast restaurant has a health-conscious menu, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring! They have salads, tons of veggies, burgers, and even tacos. I also hear their brunch is great, too!

Sweetgreen

Again, no surprise here! These salads pop up in my Insta Stories all the time – and for good reason. Really, WHY do they taste so much better than every other salad?? I love the Beets Don’t Kale My Vibe and OMG Omega… but honestly my favorite is my own creation with Spicy Cashew Dressing on top. I keep hoping that one day they’ll start selling bottles of that dressing because it. is. EVERYTHING.

Real Good Juice Co.

I remember walking into their Old Town location the first week they opened – and since then, they’ve opened multiple new locations, expanded their juice/smoothie menu, started making smoothie bowls, NoYo FroYo, and tons more. Moral of the story: they’re killing it. My go-to is always the Kal E. Kopowski, but really, everything is delicious. 

Graze

This is the best Acai Bowl in the city. As they say themselves, it’s a damn good bowl. It’s super thick and they have awesome toppings. If you’re not an acai bowl person, I also love their smoothies!

Blue Door Farm Stand

I know I said Sweetgreen has the best salads in the world – but Blue Door has them beat when it comes to their Brussels & Kale Salad. It’s made with shaved brussels sprouts, kale, almonds, BACON, parmesan and a creamy Maple Tahini Dressing. You may think I’m crazy, but it’s probably my favorite thing to order in on lazy nights when I don’t care about delivery fees. YUM!

Left Coast   

I wish I lived closer to this gem, because I would go all the time. My favorite menu items are their grain bowls (Farro and Away & Moab Medley), sparkling splashes (Citrus Turmeric), and Regulator Wrap!

Aloha Poke Co.

The pokē craze was EVERYWHERE a few years ago, and even though it’s died down a bit… I still love it. Aloha Poke is always super fresh, and I love that you can customize your bowl to make it exactly how you want it!

Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen

I love this place because there’s something for everyone. You can order a Quinoa Salad or Wok Out Bowl, but whoever you’re with can indulge in a burger or pizza. AND neither one of you will regret your order, because everything tastes good! You know that familiar “where should we eat” debate? Solved.

Lyfe Kitchen

Not sure where to grab lunch outside of the office during the work week? Lyfe Kitchen is a great choice with tons of options. I personally love their Quinoa Crunch Bowl, but I’m dying to go back for their Superfood Salad because it has Lil Bucks on it!!

FARE

I still haven’t eaten here, but I HAVE TO include it because everyone who lives near it is obsessed with it. Located in the Wells Street Market, it’s a quick-service restaurant with customizable greens and grains bowls that are anything but boring. Every time I see someone post a photo of their lunch here, I want to dive into the screen!

Bad Hunter

Bad Hunter is a veggie forward restaurant in the very meat-heavy West Loop. Everything about this place is bright and fresh – from the food to the decor. They also have an event space on the 2nd floor that is stunning. 

Veggie Grill

Want to try vegan food but not sure how to make it yourself? Veggie Grill has an extensive menu with dishes that look healthy… and dishes that, well, don’t. I love their salads and bowls, but you could also get a Beyond Meat Burger, too! Adam loooves their crispy cauliflower with buffalo sauce, too. Big win.

Ēma

If you love sharing a bunch of things at dinner, you MUST try Ema. Their hummus/spreads, and hot and cold mezze dishes are beyond delicious – I could put a whole meal together based on those alone! (Don’t skip the Toasted Almond and Garlic Hummus!) But if you aren’t going to be in the area for dinner, you can swing by their casual counterpart around the corner, Rotisserie Ēma. They have chef prepared salads, rotisserie chicken, and their homemade frozen Greek yogurt!

So… did I leave out any of your favorite healthy restaurants in Chicago?

Please comment and tell me if I did! 

PS. You might also like My Favorite Brunches in Chicago, Best Date Night Restaurants, and The Best Dog Friendly Bars!