Loving to go out to eat doesnât have to lead to unhealthy decisions. You can still enjoy fun meals out without the greasy temptations offered by some restaurants.
If youâre looking for healthy restaurants in Chicago, youâve come to the right place.
Eating healthy isnât just about your waistline, itâs also a huge factor in your energy levels, complexion, and overall health.
Thankfully, eating healthy doesnât mean eating a bland, dry salad, or something that might as well be bird seed anymore. You can get hearty, nutritious meals that leave you satisfied. You can get meals from healthy restaurants in Chicago that donât break the bank. You can get a fine dining experience that wows your date or your favorite foodie with several courses.
With all of these options, thereâs no excuse to stay on track with your healthy diet while living in or visiting Chicago.
7 Canât Miss Healthy Restaurants in Chicago
Weâve broken down our top 7 healthy restaurants in Chicago into convenient categories for you to easily digest (pun intended). Price information (listed as How Much) based on Yelp.
1. True Food Kitchen
Where: 1 W Erie St Chicago, IL 60654 (Near North Side)
When: Open daily for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on Saturday & Sunday
How Much: $$
Highlights: healthy food, brunch, cocktails, juice
True Food Kitchen is a quickly growing chain that started in Phoenix, AZ. It is based on the anti-inflammatory diet principles of Dr. Andrew Weil. With delicious menu items like salads, pizzas, pastas, and healthy meat & fish dishes, this restaurant caters to healthy people of all diets.
They offer plenty of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and organic options that are delicious and filling. Even their desserts are committed to health with several anti-oxidant packed options.
2. Green Zebra
Where: 1460 W Chicago Ave Chicago, IL 60642 (North Square, West Town)
When: Open for Dinner Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mondays)
How Much: $$$
Highlights: Vegetarian (with clearly marked vegan options as well), emphasis on local produce, chefâs tasting menu, cocktails
Winner of Food Networkâs Iron Chef, Shawn McClain is a force to be reckoned with. Green Zebra is not the place to come if youâre on a tight budget, but if youâre looking for a delicious dining experience worthy of dropping some cash, look no further than this small plates, veggie-loving restaurant.
3. Sweetgreen
Where: 623 N State St Chicago, IL 60654 (River North)
When: Open Daily 10:30am-10:00pm
How Much: $$
Highlights: supportive of sustainable, local farming, calories listed for every dish on the website, make your own bowls, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options plus responsibly sourced animal products.
This expanding chain started in 2007 and has seen success in providing seasonal, healthy food. Sweetgreenâs mouthwatering menu is as transparent as it is delicious: with calorie counts provided so you wonât be playing a guessing game in your health food needs. The warm bowls are a great option for those tough Chicago winter months.
4. Protein Bar
Where: 13 locations all over Chicago! Check the website for location information.
When: Hours vary by location. Some are open daily, some are closed on Saturdays & Sundays.
How Much: $ to $$
Highlights: Bowls, salads, wraps, protein smoothies, vegan and gluten free options.
This grab and go menu offers healthy and filling breakfast, bowls, soups, wraps, salads, and more. Great for the days you are on the go but still want something healthy to fill you up. This restaurant is carb conscious and lists calorie information on the website as well.
5. EMA
Where: 74 W Illinois St Chicago, IL 60654 (River North)
When: Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner
How Much: $$
Highlights: Several flavors of delicious hummus and other dips/spreads, cocktails, kids menu, gluten free menu
Run by Top Chef Allstarâs winner Chef CJ Jacobsen, this Mediterranean meets California fresh restaurant brings a deliciously inventive set of dishes to Chicago. This restaurant is great for a special night out or a healthy business lunch. The well plated dishes and nutrition packed veggies incorporated into the dishes will leave you full without the guilt.
6. LYFE Kitchen
Where: Four locations across Chicago. Check them out here.
When: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Hours vary by location but all are open daily.
How Much: $$
Highlights: Happy hour 4-6pm Monday-Friday, delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options, meat and vegetarian/vegan options, smoothies, well-sized portions.
This chain emphasizes fresh ingredients, a Rewards program for frequent diners, and flavorful food and drinks. The casual dining experience and reasonable prices make this one of the most accessible healthy restaurants in Chicago. If youâre a meat eater, try the unfried chicken: juicy chicken breast pieces are breaded in panko and then seared. Healthy and delicious.
7. Doc Bâs Fresh Kitchen
Where: 100 E Walton St, Chicago, IL 60611 (Gold Coast) & 55 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (River North)
When: Open daily for Lunch and Dinner. Both locations: Monday â Saturday: 11am â 10pm Sunday: 11am â 9pm
How Much: $$
Highlights: healthy ingredient cocktails, vibrant salads, nice environment unique to each location, both with quick service.
Founder and president Craig Bernsteinâs named this growing chain after his late father, âDoctor B.â Doc Bâs Fresh Kitchen offers a large menu with mostly healthy options, and a few indulgences in the mix as well.
Come here to exercise your everything in moderation clause and try a tuna salad with ginger dressing and avocado, a beet juice cocktail, or a kale and goat cheese pizza. Youâll leave full and satisfied, and as long as you can exercise some restraint against the fries, youâll leave feeling proud of your healthy choices.
Thatâs All Folks!
Now letâs be clear, not everything on every one of these menus can be considered healthy. But they are a heck of a lot better than eating some of the Chicago âclassicâ food that typical tourists may identify with the city.
Of course, a huge part of staying healthy is balancing your nutritious diet with exercise.
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