Deciding where to eat out when you’re a healthy eater can sometimes be challenging. I’m a bit of a foodie, so I love to try new, exciting, and exotic foods. But I’m also particular about the healthiness of the ingredients used. So, I have compiled a list of the 10 best “healthy” restaurants in Sydney. They are in no particular order and range from relatively cheap eats up to fine dining. They also range from raw vegan to meat and veg, so there should be an option for everyone, no matter your dietary philosophy.
Happy and Healthy Wellbeing Centre presents you with Sydney’s top ten best healthy restaurants.
1. Earth To Table
It’s one of my favourite “healthy” restaurants for a super healthy café style meal. Beautifully presented raw vegan meals, snacks, treats and drinks. Even though everything on the menu is plant-based you’ll be amazed at how close they taste to the ‘real’ thing. And if you have food intolerances, all the meals are gluten and soy-free too.
If you love zoodles/vegetti (zucchini noodles) then go for any of their ‘pasta’. If you’re a regular meat eater then go for the Shepard’s Pie. It might not have meat in it but you’ll be satisfied by the time you finish.
And it’s not just healthy meals that Earth To Table excels at. They make delicious drinks with their homemade almond milk. The iced chocolate is to die for and won’t leave you with a milk bellyache afterwards.
If you’re a dessert lover then you’ll be in heaven when you try the ‘cashew cheese’ cheese cakes. There are some incredible varieties to choose from and they are rich, decadent and creamy but without being over the top sweet.
85 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction
2. Vitalo
Number one of my favourite “healthy” restaurants in the Sutherland Shire because they serve up super healthy food with a touch of class. All the dishes and the restaurant itself are beautifully presented. The food is just mouth-watering, and there is something on the menu for everyone.
If you’re a vegan, there’s the Chia Parfait or the massive Breakfast Bowl (just minus the eggs).
Or if you’re more on the Paleo side there’s the Baked Eggs with roasted peppers, tomato, herbs and duck sausage. Or the Pumpkin Waffles with COYO coconut yoghurt, mixed berries, walnuts, and maple syrup. Or the Big Breakfast where you can swap the sourdough for paleo bread toast.
Then to finish off your meal or to take away Vitalo has a huge range or vegan paleo slices, brownies and other delicious treats.
At Vitalo there’s a real emphasis on quality healthy ingredients. The bacon is nitrate free, the pork, chicken and eggs are free range. And the Chia seeds, coconut cream and coconut yogurt are organic.
621 Port Hacking Rd, Lilli Pilli
3. The Shack
With three “healthy” restaurants in Gymea, Monterey and Newtown, The Shack is bringing healthy eating to Sydney’s inner west and south. The Shack was the first café/restaurant I went to that offered a paleo bread option with their meals. I was in heaven as I hadn’t had toast with a café breakfast for years.
The Shack has a menu to please everyone with vegan, vegetarian and paleo options. Open from morning to late afternoon The Shack is a great place for a snack or a meal anytime throughout the day no matter your dietary specifics.
Where possible the ingredients used are organic, free range, gluten and preservative free. And, as is thankfully becoming the trend, all meals are high quality and well presented. Gone are the days of having to settle for healthy but uninspiring food.
94 Gymea Bay Road, Gymea
83 Barton St, Monterey
415 King St, Newtown
4. Cali Press
Inspired by the California lifestyle the owners of Cali Press have taken the juice bar concept to the next level. Cold-pressed juices, delicious smoothies and decadent smoothie bowls set Cali Press apart from other juice/smoothie bars.
Using mostly organic ingredients, this is the perfect place to stop off for an energy-boosting juice or a quick on-the-go breakfast.
They press their own amazing almond milk fresh on the premises daily. And if you have dietary limitations you’ll be happy because most of their offerings are gluten, dairy, soy, grain and refined sugar-free.
2/16 Hall St, Bondi Beach
215 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee
140-142 Macpherson St, Bronte
Shop 14, Kiaora Place, 451 New South Head Rd, Double Bay
475 Crown St, Surry Hills
5. Lentil As Anything
This is one of the “healthy” restaurants with a difference. At Lentil As Anything you only pay what you think your meal was worth. There are no fixed prices on the menu. Founded by Sri Lankan-born Shanaka Fernando, Lentil As Anything has grown from one restaurant in 2000 to now five.
Unfortunately, though, only one of them is in Sydney at Newtown.
Lentil As Anything is a social enterprise and its core mission is to give back to the community in which it operates to not just build healthy people but also a healthy community.
On the food side of things even though Lentil As Anything is a social enterprise and many of its workers are volunteers it delivers up quality vegan food with quality service. This is a top-class restaurant in every sense of the word.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it’s a place you can go for a quick bite (Pancake with Poached Peached and Vanilla Spiced Yoghurt) or for a full meal (Sesame Soy Ginger Noodle Salad w Toasted Nuts and Seeds).
391 King St, Newtown
6. Warren & Holt – A wholefood eatery
A piece of wholefood paradise in bustling Marrickville. As far as “healthy” restaurants go, Warren & Holt tick all the boxes. The delicious food on offer is made using organic, ethical, local and sustainable wholefoods.
On the menu are vegan, vegetarian and paleo options so no matter what your dietary philosophy you’ll find something yummy and healthy to eat. Everything on the menu is gluten free besides their breads and they are happy to make your meal dairy free too. Which is fantastic given how some restaurants and cafes aren’t so accommodating when you want to make adjustments to their meals.
Shop 4, 415-421 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville
7. Proteini
Despite its name Proteini isn’t all about protein although there is plenty of protein on the menu, both vegan and paleo. If you want exciting food made with preservative and chemical free wholefoods then Proteini is for you.
As I see more and more, Proteini is one of the new band of “healthy” restaurants that are thinking about the specifics of health, like gut health. On their menu, you’ll find gut-healing foods like sauerkraut and bone broth.
So if you’re in Sydney city around Oxford Street during the day and you’re looking for a healthy bite then mosey on up to Proteini and you’ll be delighted.
1/256 Crown St, Darlinghurst
8. Nelson Road Tuckshop
A Bondi institution, the Nelson Road Tuckshop serves up delicious healthy ‘adult tuckshop’ food. Even though at its heart Nelson Road Tuckshop is a bakery if you’re paleo, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or dairy free you’ll still find something delicious and healthy to eat on the menu.
Nearly everything is made on-premises, and only the best quality seasonal produce is used. Nelson Road Tuckshop demonstrates that speedy food can be tasty, exciting and healthy.
60 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction
9. Nomad
If you want fine dining, then Nomad should be at the top of your “healthy” restaurants list. Their goal is to deliver fine dining quality food and atmosphere without compromising the health, ethical or sustainability standards they believe in.
All the animals used are ethically raised and bought whole so that through their charcuterie, sauces and stocks not one piece is wasted.
Thought has even gone into the water they serve. Nomad filter and carbonate Sydney tap water rather than import bottled water from overseas.
While not specifically promoted as a “healthy” restaurant, because of the type of ingredients used, they have countless super healthy, amazing meal choices on their menu.
So if you want to celebrate a special occasion then Nomad is where you can keep to your food philosophy and indulge in fine dining quality food too.
16 Foster St, Surry Hills
10. Three Blue Ducks
Rounding out my list of Sydney’s top 10 “healthy” restaurants is Three Blue Ducks who serve up great food in a relaxed environment.
Three Blue Ducks has two locations in Sydney (Bronte and Rosebury) and have become renowned for scrumptious meals that heal the mind, body and soul.
With an emphasis on sustainably sourced produce, Three Blue Ducks has an amazing menu of seafood, poultry, red meat and veggie dishes. Many of which are, or can be made, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Three Blue Ducks Rosebury also has the added highlight of an Argentinian Grill where much of the cooking is done ‘old school’ style using smoke and fire.
So, if you’re a paleo enthusiast, then this “healthy” restaurant is a must for you.
1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery
141-143 Macpherson St, Bronte
