After living in Chicago for the past few years, I’ve scoped out plenty of restaurants to find the healthiest foods. From sit down
If you’re looking for a new lunch spot or places to try next time you visit the city, you’ve come to the right place!
Smoothie & Protein Shakes
Real Good Juice Co.
With locations scattered across the city, Real Good Juice Co. is always a hit! Some of their locations have small markets inside, in addition to their full menu of smoothies, juices, smoothie bowls, salads, grain bowls, soups, toasts and more. Their options are nutrient dense, packing in
Rise Up Nutrition
One of my new favorite spots in the northern neighborhoods is Rise Up Nutrition in Lakeview East. For $10, you get an energizing tea or protein coffee and a
My favorite order is a shot of cranberry aloe, mocha protein coffee
Graze
Although I haven’t actually tried a smoothie bowl from Graze, it’s a crowd favorite among my friends so I had to add it to the list! Graze is located inside the Lincoln Park and River North Studio Three’s, with another location in the Revival Food Hall (another place to check out if you want a variety of options to please everyone in your group). If you’re taking a class at Studio Three, you can place your order before class so it’s ready by the time you are headed out the door, which is super convenient!
Joe and the Juice
There are two Joe and the Juice’s in the downtown area, both of which make the best cups of coffee and delicious fruit juices. I’m not normally one to enjoy juices (I prefer a smoothie since they are more filling) but these are seriously BOMB. They also have other U.S. locations in NYC, California
My go to juice is anything with ginger and greens in it, especially when my stomach is feeling upset. I really like the sex me up with passion fruit, apple and ginger (12 oz for 193 calories or 16 oz for 251 calories).
Quick Bites
Roti Modern Mediterranean
My all time, hands down favorite quick bite place is Roti. I’m obsessed with all Greek food, especially kabob chicken, falafel, hummus
Definitely try a side of one of their hummus and pita – you won’t regret it!
Protein Bar & Kitchen
Since I moved to Chicago, I’ve worked in the Merchandise Mart and always turn to Protein Bar when I need to grab lunch. They have super healthy options, which are packed with protein and clean ingredients. I love that you can get any of their options as wraps or salads, or grab a protein shake for a drinkable lunch or breakfast. I’m a big fan of the classic buffalo as a salad!
Freshii
Another quick, healthy option is F
3 Greens Market
If you are a big fan of salad and hot bars, 3 Greens Market is your kind of place! They charge by weight ($12 a pound) which can add up really quickly, so just be careful. You can check their menu ahead of time to see what cold and hot items they will have out, in addition to their other options like small
Wells Street Market
Around the city, there are a handful of food halls with options to satisfy everyone in your group. If one person wants
Chicago Health Foods
While you wait for your order to be prepared at Chicago Health Foods, you can shop their aisles of healthy snacks and vitamins. Their menu i
sweetgreen
An obvious spot that has to make the list is
Sit Down Spots
Homeslice
Most people go to Homeslice, or their counterpart restaurant Happy Camper, for the pizza, but they have healthy options that are some of my favorites in the city. I’m obsessed with Greek style salads, so I always get the Gary’s Green salad, adding on chicken. But if you are looking for an app, their hummus is great enough to eat as the meal. If you are feeling pizza, you can upgrade to whole wheat crust to make it a little bit healthier with whole grains.
Next time I go there, I’m planning on trying their Matcha Mamma cocktail, made with matcha, vodka and lemonade. Looks like my kind of drink!
Ema
Ema is a Mediterranean tapas restaurant with the best hummus in the city! The toasted almond and garlic hummus was my favorite, after trying a few the last time I went. Small plates are always a good option so you can try a little bit of everything rather than committing to one menu item.
They also have make homemade frozen Greek yogurt in house, which is enough to convince you to go here for lunch or dinner.
Hampton Social
This nautical-themed spot is known for their “Rose All Day” light up sign displayed in the back of the restaurant. If you’re looking for a good Instagram picture, head to The Hampton Social.
They often have live music at night, so you can sip wine, eat seafood and enjoy the ambiance. Their coastal salad and fish tacos are to die for! This is also a great spot to go and split a few apps, especially if you aren’t super hungry.
LYFE Kitchen
With gluten-free and vegan options, LYFE Kitchen is a spot that caters to all dietary restrictions easily. Their salads and bowls are super filling and packed with clean ingredients, while their smoothie bar has some amazing combinations, like the silver bullet or morning matcha. Everything I’ve tried at this spot has been nothing less than delicious and healthy!
True Food Kitchen
Whether you are in the mood for a salad, pizza, bowl, burger, pasta or seafood, True Food Kitchen has it all. Their huge variety of options is intriguing, and you can order a glass of wine or a beer to pair with your
Coffee Shops
La Colombe
My new favorite coffee shop is La Colombe on Armitage, a street that has cute little boutiques, shops
Although their normal and iced coffees are great, their draft latte’s are AMAZING. I’m pretty sure they are the only coffee shop that has such a thing. I recommend ordering their black and tan with oat milk, which is a mix of half draft latte, half cold brew. The oat milk version only has 50 calories and is the perfect amount of sweetness.
Colectivo Coffee
On a nice summer or spring day, head over to Clark Street in Lincoln Park to grab an iced coffee and sit on Colectivo’s outdoor patio. When it’s a little chillier out, they have a fireplace burning to warm you up. I’d rank their coffee as one of the best I’ve ever tried, and it’s one of the cheaper coffee shops I’ve been to in the city.
If you’d rather sip on a beer, tea, or fruit smoothie, they have you covered there, too! They also have breakfast and sandwich items to order, which always look amazing, although I’ve never gotten food here.
Sawada Coffee
I’m constantly on the lookout for coffee shops that serve matcha
Sawada Coffee in the West Loop has amazing matcha latte’s, which I order with
They used to have a Sawada Matcha location in River North, across the street from the Merchandise Mart, but it closed recently. The West Loop location is in the center of that part of the city, with shops and restaurants surrounding the coffee shop.
Sweet Treats
Real Good Food Co.
I know I already had Real Good Food Co. on the list under smoothies, BUT their noyo froyo had to make the healthy dessert menu. They always have a few rotating flavors, and more available in their freezer to take home. The last time I was there, I tried their version of the Shamrock Shake and it was almost as good, and obviously much healthier for you.
If you are lactose intolerant or just like to stay away from dairy, you’ll definitely want to check this place out.
Lifeway Kefir Shop
If you’ve never tried kefir, but you love frozen yogurt, you have to get to Lifeway Kefir Shop! Kefir is a tart and tangy culture probiotic milk, offering high amounts of protein, calcium and vitamin D, among other health benefits.
The flavored versions of kefir basically taste just like frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream, so you can’t go wrong with this sweet treat. You order your yogurt and can add a variety of toppings to build your own combination. Among my favorite flavors are chai, chocolate, pumpkin, green tea
Bottom Line
Chicago has so many healthy options across the city, this is just my roundup of some of my favorites I’ve tried over the last few years. Whether you live in Chicago or are planning an upcoming trip, be sure to stop in and try your new favorite salad, smoothie bowls or frozen yogurt!