Boston is a city known for hot dogs, baked beans, cream pie, cannoli, and clam chowder. You can find these helpings on any corner in Fenway. However, what people may not always know is that Boston is also home to a variety of “healthy” and organic restaurant options. Massachusetts is consistently named among the healthiest states, so there truly is a food scene for everyone. For those who crave variety in their health-conscious meals, check out these seven unique eateries around the Greater Boston area.
Life Alive is a colorful, organic, and perfectly Instagrammable cafe with locations in Boston’s Back Bay, Cambridge and Brookline. They serve a variety of veggie wraps and grain-based meals. Their smoothies, smoothie bowls, and teas need to be tried as well. Their mission is to make healthy eating possible, even with a busy lifestyle. Since this is the case, those of all health restrictions including omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, raw, macrobiotic, and gluten-free can find something satisfying.
Try: Pitaya Smoothie Bowl, Blue Magic Smoothie, Green Goddess grain bowl, or Strawberry Love salad.
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Sweetgreen, a mere five minute walk from the Simmons campus, is a salad and grain bowl chain. Some people think of it as a nutritious version of fast food – the service is quick, convenient, and the food is deliciously healthier than other Fenway options. There are dozens of toppings and you can choose to create your own bowl or buy one with pre-selected ingredients. All food is prepared in front of you. The fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein sources you see being prepared were delivered that morning. The restaurants even sport a bulletin board informing customers of which farms provided which foods. Aside from scratch cooking, Sweetgreen believes in sustainability, local, and ethical sourcing. So you can eat well and feel good about who you buy from.
Try: Harvest Bowl and Fish Taco, two year-round staples. Remember to always be on the lookout for various seasonal flavors.
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Jugos is a snug eatery with two Boston locations (one on Dartmouth Street, one on Massachusetts Ave). The one on Mass Ave serves a variety of detox juices, batidos, matcha, and smoothies. The one on Dartmouth Ave (also known as JUGOS Supremo) has the same foods plus acai bowls, pitaya bowls, oat bowls, and sandwiches. For breakfast, Jugos Supremo also boasts delicious belgium waffles with fruit. Both sites are perfect for breakfast and brunch!
Try: Kai acai bowl, La Mar bowl, and Figawi batido.
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Grainmaker is a unique, casual restaurant located in Downtown Boston (and Somerville). On the website, the owner describes that he was inspired by traveling through Southeast Asia. Today, the restaurant combines Southeastern street food he encountered with a variety of grains (hence the name). The ingredients are locally sourced and the meat is humanely raised while the actual food is prepared fresh everyday. Southeast Asian food being some of the healthiest cuisine out there, the menu is both gluten-free and dairy-free. Grainmaker’s dishes make sure to utilize various vegetables, brown rice, noodles, fish, and spices. You won’t have to worry about ever leaving unsatisfied.
Try: Citrus-Salmon Poke, the Ginger Vibes dish (with protein if desired), and the Lemongrass Steak Taco. Make sure to visit seasonally as menu items change often.
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Clover Food Lab is branded as a “vegetarian fast food” place which operates food trucks and over 12 locations around Boston, Cambridge, Burlington, and Westford. Hearty vegan and vegetarian sandwiches, fritters, salads, and soups are Clovers bread and butter. Clover’s owner, Ayr Muir cites that he wanted to create a restaurant to reduce the ecological footprint of the food industry – combined with the convenience of McDonald’s. His work has paid off, and Clover has gained a cult following and multiple accolades by magazines such as the Wall Street Journal, the Huffington Post, and Massachusetts Travel and Leisure. Their soy bacon blt and impossible meatball sandwich are especially well-reviewed.
Besides the blt and meatball sandwich, try the Chickpea Fritter or the Spicy Coconut Lentil Soup. Make sure to check back often as their menu changes often.
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Like Sweetgreen, Dig Inn is a farm-to-table chain restaurant located in Back Bay (as well as other locations across New York City and Philadelphia). Dig Inn values ethical sourcing above all else, working specifically with small-scale and minority-run farms to support sustainability and investing in the farm industry. They also understand the importance of shopping locally, getting their ingredients from farms within 300 miles. Aside from their commendable values, the price is perfect for college students on budgets. The restaurant serves create-your-own and handmade grain and vegetable bowls which can be modified for meat-lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike.
Try: Classic Dig bowl, Spicy Meatball bowl, or better yet, create your own marketplace bowl.
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One last organic juice and smoothie bar is located on Huntington Ave near the Prudential Center, making it the perfect place to shop and sip. This kitchen is sure to impress those wishing to follow a whole food, plant-based diet with made-to-order options such as smoothies, fruit bowls, toast, soup, and various grab-and-go snacks. Furthermore, plenty of their smoothies are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and fiber.
Try: avocado toast, sweet potato bowl, and the Sidekick Smoothie.