Over a year ago, I wrote one of my most popular posts: 10 Healthy “Fast Food” Joints In NYC. Because NYC is an ever changing city, the healthy “fast food” landscape has developed since December 2014. The restaurants in my original post are still alive and well, but the healthy “fast food” movement has grown tremendously in the past year and a half. Hence, the original post deserves a part 2. Here are 9 MORE healthy “fast food” joints in NYC that recently sprang unto the scene.
Roast Kitchen 
Location: All over Manhattan
Description: Roast Kitchen takes the trend of healthy bowls to a whole new level. With “seasonal veggies & greens and good-for-you grains”, most options on the menu are well-balanced and great choices for lunch and dinner. There are hot and cold bowls, and I love that everything can be served with or without meat (for us vegheads)!
Favorite Item: Moroccan Hot Bowl
sweetgreen
Location: Multiple states, including NYC
Description: I’m very late to jump on the sweetgreen bandwagon, and I’m sad that I’ve been missing out on it all this time. Started in 2007, this fast casual joint serves healthy food that is local and sustainable. The New York location has greens and grain bowls that feature various flavor combinations. Do yourself a favor and jump on the sweetgreen bandwagon.
Favorite Item: Spicy Sabzi
Hu Kitchen
Location: Upper Eat Side & Union Square
Description: This quick service joint is dedicated to serving “unequivocally delicious” food that is healthy and unprocessed. Although they don’t call themselves a “Paleo” restaurant, the menu is “unequivocally” Paleo. As a lover of whole grains, I’m not a huge supporter of the Paleo diet, but I am a lover of Hu Kitchen. Try it out for a lighter, healthier, lunch.
Favorite Item: Anything with cauliflower rice
fresh & co
Locations: All over NYC
Description: fresh&co is another fast food joint dedicated to using local, seasonal ingredients. I love that the menu include healthy breakfast and multiple vegan options. They even have healthy collared green wraps, for anyone craving a sandwich without all the extra bread!
Favorite Item: Quinoa Burrito Bowl (it’s enough for lunch and dinner)
The Little Beet
Locations: NYC, Long Island, Washington DC
Description: The Little Beet is the type of place where EVERYTHING on the menu is healthy. You can pretty much order anything, from the breakfast, to the seasonal bowls, to the rolls and you will be served delicious vegetables, whole grains and proteins. What other fast food place serves seaweed salad?!
Favorite Item: Avocado Toast
Beyond Sushi
Locations: Union Square, Chelsea, Midtown
Description: This vegan sushi spot seems like an oxymoron, but it’s complete perfection. As a vegetarian, I don’t eat sushi, but I love Beyond Sushi. The combinations are strictly rice and vegetables, and they are extremely creative. Find things like kiwi, mango, pickled daikon, black rice, and enoki mushrooms in your sushi. This place is a must try!
Favorite Item: Spicy Mang
Roti Modern Mediterranean
Locations: Multiple states, with two NYC locations
Description: Roti Modern Mediterranean has take something old and made it new again: the Mediterranean Diet. Touted as one of the healthiest diets for weight maintenance and heart health, the Mediterranean diet includes staples like olive oil, fish, and tons of veggies. Roti includes all of these things on their menu in a delicious and inexpensive take-out joint.
Favorite Item: Rice Plate with all the veggies
Pret
Locations: New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Europe
Description: Pret is the ultimate definition of grab & go. Everything is made that day, packaged, and sold as an on-the-go meal. I usually grab Pret when I’m in a hurry and want something healthy, easy to carry, and affordable. Pret’s are all over the city, so you can count on finding one when you are in a pinch.
Favorite Item: Chia Pudding
Darrow’s Farm Fresh
Locations: Union Square
Description: New to the scene, Darrow’s promises “clean, natural, unprocessed, sustainable, and local food”. Darrow’s doesn’t fry their foods or use any unnatural or unnecessary ingredients. This fast casual restaurant also offers sit-down service, and the yummy menu includes many favorites, such as burgers, salads and sandwiches. They even have a nutrition consultant!
Favorite Item: Quinoa, Amaranth, and Black Bean Burger
Did I miss any of your favorites on this list? How many of these have you tried? Let me know if the comments!
0 Comments