Healthy Restaurants in London For Feel-Good Food
By Ellie Smith
11 months ago
Where to go for nutritious (and delicious) food in the capital
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Eating out in the capital doesn’t have to leave you feeling sluggish. There are plenty of great healthy restaurants in London serving nutritious food which doesn’t compromise on taste – from vegan cafes to sushi hotspots and Californian-inspired dining rooms. In fact, the city was recently voted the UK’s health food capital, with 379 nourishing restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re on a health kick for January or are simply craving a bit of goodness, these feel-good eateries prove healthy food doesn’t have to be boring or bland.
Best Healthy Restaurants in London
- Cojean
- Holy Carrot
- Acai Girls
- Wild By Tart
- atis
- Detox Kitchen
- The Good Life Eatery
- Daylesford
- Brompton Cross
- Granger & Co
- Chicama
- Farmacy
- Mildred’s
- Farm Girl
- Malibu Kitchen
- Linnaean
- Swan’s Bar at Maison Assouline
- Darcie & May Green
- Avobar
- Aqua Kyoto
Aqua Kyoto, Soho
Everyone knows that Japanese food is good for you, as long as you manage to avoid the tempura. Swish restaurant Aqua Kyoto has gone one step further with its Home Grown menu, which is not only good for you, it’s good for the planet. By using an in-house urban farm, ingredients grow up to 50 percent faster than normal due to their temperature and light controlled environment, meaning they’re more sustainable, organic and GMO free.
Try: The braised genmaicha octopus with riboshi wafers, aqua home-grown salad leaves and kinome miso ponzu.
Address: 5th Floor 240 Regent Street, (Entrance 30 Argyll St) W1F 7EB, London W1B 3BR
BOOK: aquakyoto.co.uk
Avobar, Covent Garden
Avocado fans, this one’s for you: London’s first avocado restaurant, celebrating the far-reaching potential of everyone’s favourite green super fruit. This was dreamed up as a pop-up devoted to all things avolicious, but near the end of last year it found a permanent home on Henrietta Street, in the heart of Covent Garden. The eclectic menu proves everything can be made from avocado, from butter to cheesecake to burgers. Standout dishes include their Insta-famous Avo Burger: a sweet potato and red lentil patty sandwiched inside a whole avocado, and their Smashed Chilli Avo, a twist on the classic avo-on-toast: smashed avocado served on sweet potato ‘toast’ with coconut labneh. If you fancy something sweet go for their zingy avocado cheesecake, made with vegan ‘white chocolate’ and lime, and wash it down with one of their creamy smoothies – we recommend the ‘Avobanaberries’. Their Californian-style interiors are just as Instagrammable as the food, with a beachy, laid-back atmosphere, leafy decor and earthy wooden seats. The perfect spot for brunch or for a nutritious evening meal with friends.
Try: The avocado cheesecake is unlike anything we’ve ever tasted before – in a good way.
Address: 24 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8ND
BOOK: avobar.co.uk
Darcie & May Green, Paddington
Antipodean cuisine is having a moment, and Darcie & May Green is one of the latest to jump aboard the trend… literally. The restaurant is actually in a barge designed by none other than pop artist Peter Blake, providing a quirky riverside foodie spot day and night – the Aussie-inspired brunch is one of the tastiest in town, and the fire roasted aubergine packs quite the punch. Absolutely delicious – just stay away from the duck fat fries. If Paddington isn’t convenient there are Daisy Green Collection restaurants dotted all over London, including a recently opened branch in Richmond.
Try: The halloumi fries with pomegranate yoghurt, lemon and mint are scarily addictive.
Address: Grand Union Canal, Sheldon Square, Central W2 6DS
BOOK: daisygreenfood.com
James McDonald PhotographyLinnaean, Battersea
Linnaean is a health-focused café, apothecary and beauty salon named after Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. Located in the heart of London’s Embassay Gardens, Linnaean is a beautiful space, with a very Instagram-friendly flower ceiling, hanging lights and pastel pink bar seats, alongside an equally pretty – and more importantly, delicious – food offering. Head Chef Fran Winberg designed the menu to offer guests a wide free-from choice, whether you’re vegan, gluten-free or flexitarian. Dishes are packed with superfoods and on-trend ingredients, from matcha to turmeric. Breakfast highlights include puffed quinoa with probiotic coconut yoghurt and adaptogenic herbs; and homemade cocoa granola topped with banana, lúcuma powder and cranberry syrup. If you’re after something more filling, go for the Super Brunch on Sourdough: the ultimate health foodie’s breakfast, featuring tempeh bacon, beetroot chorizo, mushrooms and spiralized courgette. Lunch offerings, meanwhile, include a selection of nourishing Buddha bowls, small and large plates – the Aubergine Escalivada Dip with Seeded Crackers is particularly good, as is the Salmon Poke Bowl. Afterwards, pop into the salon for a treatment for the ultimate self-care day: they offer everything from manicures to massages.
Try: The mushroom burger with sweet potato wedges.
Address: Embassy Gardens, 2 New Union Square, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AX
BOOK: linnaean.co.uk
Malibu Kitchen, City
Enjoy a slice of sunny California at Malibu Kitchen, tucked in the corner of swanky members’ club The Ned. Taking its lead from health-conscious LA, the Mediterranean-inspired menu offers bright, vibrant dishes which taste as good as they look. Yes, there are lots of raw and plant-based options, but Malibu Kitchen is by no means a vegan spot – a number of meat and fish dishes feature on the happy, hearty menu. Friendly waiters recommend sharing a few dishes, which is great as there are so many delicious things to try. Start with a few bites for the table: avocado dip with crudités and taro chips, raw vegetable rolls (a healthy alternative to spring rolls), and padron peppers with almond aioli. For mains, we recommend the ‘brick’ chicken, served with spicy yoghurt and grape; and the sea bream taco, with panic, green papaya and pico de gallo. Alternatively, get a selection of raw and cured fish: ahi tuna poke with avocado and brown jasmine rice, sea bass ceviche with plantain chips, and scallops with miso, hazelnut and ponzu. Grab a seat in one of the window booths, and pretend you’re an A-lister popping in for lunch before an afternoon on the beach.
Try: The Californian bean burger, with crispy sweet potato fries and tofu mayonnaise, is top notch.
Address: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
BOOK: thened.com
Farm Girl, multiple locations
A pioneer of London’s health-conscious brunch scene, Melbourne-inspired Farm Girl now has five branches across the city, enabling Londoners to get their rose latte fix across Notting Hill, Chelsea, Fitzrovia, Belgravia and Soho. Breakfast is the star of the show here: think buckwheat pancakes, sweet potato toast and fancy porridge, alongside colourful salad bowls, smoothies and healthy sweet treats like tahini cookies and maca brownies.
Try: The acai bowls are renowned for a reason. Eaten for breakfast with an added dollop of almond butter, you’ll be full for hours.
Address: Various locations
BOOK: thefarmgirl.co.uk
Mildreds, multiple locations
London’s original veggie and vegan restaurant first opened in 1988, and now has four restaurants across town. Its original concept of serving honestly-priced and genuinely delicious healthy food was clearly a winner, as it continues to be the health-conscious Londoner’s go-to. The menu takes inspiration from all over the world, from Asian noodles with shiitake mushrooms to Sri Lankan curries and southern-fried ‘chick’n’ burgers.
Try: The Soul Bowl, a duo of superfood salads.
Address: Various locations
BOOK: mildreds.co.uk
Farmacy, Notting Hill
A hotspot for West London’s trendy veggies and vegans, Farmacy’s entire menu reads like your nutritionist’s wishlist. Unlike similar London establishments, Farmacy has gone with glam as opposed to quirky, boasting a glitzy central bar, lush foliage throughout and £5 ‘farmaceutical syringe’ health shots. It’s the brainchild of Camilla Fayed, who worked with experts to develop a menu of nourishing, healthy dishes that are also mighty tasty. Food-wise they’re best known for their meat-free burger (mushroom, walnut and beetroot, topped with goji berry ketchup), but there are too many delicious options to count so go with a sense of adventure. If you’re going for brunch the chocolate chip waffles are a must, made with oats, protein and chia seeds and drizzled in homemade ‘nutella’ and coconut yoghurt. Lunch-wise, the guacamole is one of the best in town and should be ordered as a side no matter what you’re eating, and is especially good when accompanying the sweet potato falafel starter. The Mexican Bowl is another standout with its bright purple potatoes, jalapeno ‘sour cream’ and corn chips. Drinks here range from ‘adaptogenic lattes’ to superfood smoothies to CBD-infused cocktails, all of which are packed with goodness. Save space for the raw chocolate tart too – with no refined sugars, additives or chemicals, you can indulge guilt-free.
Try: The guacamole. Eat with absolutely everything.
Address: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
BOOK: farmacylondon.com
Chicama, Chelsea
The second restaurant from the Pachamama group, Chelsea’s Chicama is a charming restaurant named after a coastal town in Peru – not the word chic, although that does describe it well. Unlike its sister, Chicama is meat-free, focusing instead on fish served small plates-style. Seafood is delivered daily from Cornwall and given a South American twist – the squid is marinated in garlic and ají panca, for instance, while the trout is cooked in banana leaf and served with red quinoa. But there are also plenty of delicious, flavoursome vegetarian options, like the fried aubergines with plantain miso (our highlight) and the smoked mushroom ceviche with ceps tiger’s milk. Don’t knock the tapioca marshmallows before you’ve tried them: made without eggs or sugar, these bitesize snacks have the texture of fluffy marshmallows but the flavour of cheese – they’re made with deep-fried parmesan, and served with a chilli sauce. Pisco Sours are the natural drink of choice, though the Spicy Margarita shouldn’t be overlooked. Eat al fresco on the lovely plant-filled outdoor terrace, or watch the chefs working their magic up close from the pastel pink marble counter, which looks onto the open kitchen.
Try: The aubergine dish is a real winner.
Address: 383 King’s Rd, London SW10 0LP
BOOK: chicamalondon.com
Granger & Co, multiple locations
Enjoy a slice of Melbourne in London at Bill Granger’s Aussie-inspired eatery, now with four branches across the city. Tuck into small plates of tuna tartare, kimchi and pickled nashi pear; and courgette chips, nigella seed and tahini yoghurt, followed by a wholesome yellow fish curry with spiced butternut squash; a big colourful bowl of goodness; or a lentil dahl with coconut yoghurt. Whichever outpost you choose, you can guarantee hearty, fresh food paired with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere – a winning combination.
Try: The sweetcorn fritters are legendary.
Address: Various locations
BOOK: grangerandco.com
Daylesford, Brompton Cross
Your best bet for seasonal and organic in London, Daylesford have an outpost in Brompton Cross that takes wholesomeness to a new level. We love Daylesford for its sleek, clean vibe that really ups the ante from a familiar gamut of historically au natural décor in natural food eateries. Only Daylesford could manage to stick a giant tree trunk in the middle of the restaurant and make it work in a palate of clean whites. The quality of organic meat really shines on the menu, as does the pizza – the butternut squash base with nut ‘cheese’, romanesco and chard really hits the spot. A wide selection of seasonal salads that can be mixed and matched are our top tip for a lunch fix, too. Daylesford now has a new farm shop and cafe on Sloane Avenue, too.
Try: The blueberry cheesecake made without dairy.
Address: 76-82 Sloane Ave, Brompton Rd, London SW3 3DZ
BOOK: daylesford.com
The Good Life Eatery, various locations
You’ll no doubt have seen The Good Life Eatery on your social feed at some point, thanks to their naturally Instagrammable health food dishes and drinks. Luckily, they taste pretty good too – especially the superfood salads and build-your-own bowls that are packed with goodness as well as exciting and different flavours. Lovers of a good breakfast will be eternally grateful for the skinny Benedict and Royale – a stroke of genius.
Try: The open-faced teriyaki salmon avocado sandwich is a dead cert for lunch.
Address: Chelsea, Marylebone and St. John’s Wood
BOOK: goodlifeeatery.com
Detox Kitchen, Carnaby St and Fitzrovia
Not so much a restaurant as an upmarket deli, Detox Kitchen is one of the best spots in town for a quick, nutritious lunch that will leave you feeling energised. All their dishes are free from wheat, dairy and refined sugar, and the Soho branch even has a fitness studio downstairs for all-round healthy living. The stews and soups are a fragrant pick-me-up on a cold winter’s day, while the salad and protein combos are a winner year-round.
Try: The banana bread with compote and COYO is a great healthy snack for those with a sweet tooth.
Address: 10 Kingly Street London, W1B 5PJ and 10 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JJ
BOOK: detoxkitchen.co.uk
atis, multiple locations
Former Noble Rot sommelier Eleanor Warder and her husband are the founders of Shoreditch’s The Atlas Building, built around the mantra: ‘good for the body, the soul and the planet’. Think bright, colourful plant-powered bowls, with a choice of flavoursome salads or hot dishes, from mushroom ragu to spiced lentils with turmeric roasted cauliflower. If none of these take your fancy, there’s also the option to build your own bowl from the wide selection of ingredients and toppings on offer. Breakfast options, meanwhile, include seasonal porridge, granola, and avo-on-toast. Sustainability is a big part of the atis brand: bowls are available for takeaway in recyclable containers, while all unsold food is rescued by food waste app Karma.
Try: The Habibi Tahini salad is a winner – and be sure to pop some miso tofu on the side.
Address: Various locations
BOOK: atisfood.com
Wild By Tart, Belgravia
Wild by Tart is the latest venture from Lucy Carr-Ellison and Jemima Jones, the foodie duo behind boutique catering company Tart London. After a few years spent feeding the world’s fashion elite, they set their sights on transforming a former power station in Belgravia into a manifestation of their blossoming brand. This is comprised of a deli, event space, photography studio, retail store, and the most recent addition: an all-day restaurant. There’s a touch of New York to this endlessly cool spot, which is in fact where the pair first met – think industrial-inspired interiors, high ceilings and plants galore. When asked what kind of food they cook, Lucy and Jemima simply say they make what they love. Wild by Tart is a farm-to-table style restaurant, with a menu focused around seasonal and local dishes designed to be shared. Expect vibrant colours and big flavours: we particularly loved the grilled halloumi with honey, lime, chilli and coriander; the flamed lamb chops with red curry paste and peanut; and the pumpkin, gorgonzola and pickled chilli flatbread, cooked in the wood oven.
Try: Anything from the grill.
Address: 3-4 Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF
BOOK: tart-london.com
@lateef.photographyThe Acai Girls, Fulham and Victoria
Founded by sisters Megan and Georgia Salamat, The Acai Girls is a health food brand born out of lockdown. It started as a delivery service, but now there are outposts in Fulham and Victoria too. The menu is inspired by the sisters’ shared interest in food: Megan previously led F&B marketing at Mondrian London, while Georgia recently graduated from culinary school Le Cordon Bleu. All dishes are carefully curated with a whole host of micro-nutritional benefits: think buddha bowls with sweet potato, kale and omega rich seeds, cacao and hazelnut pancakes, and of course refreshing acai bowls topped with fruit, granola, nut butter and more.
Try: The sweet potato chilli is a warming and hearty dish for winter.
Address: 705 Fulham Rd., London SW6 5UL
BOOK: acaigirls.com
Holy Carrot, Knightsbridge
Tucked away inside Knightsbridge wellness centre Urban Retreat is Holy Carrot, offering plant-based dishes designed to nourish from the inside out. Everything is free from refined sugar and additives, with the focus being twists on classic dishes. The Holy Maki, for instance, is veggie sushi rolls made with quinoa and cauliflower rice, while the BLT features smoked tofu and ‘bacon’ made from potatoes. Pair with a green juice or a Rose Negroni, mixed with VII Hills Gin, rhubarb liqueur and Rose Vermouth.
Try: The Sexy Tofu, a zingy number made with aubergine, red pepper and peanut sauce.
Address: 2-4 Hans Cres, London SW1X 0LH
BOOK: holycarrot.co.uk
Cojean, various locations
There’s plenty to praise about Parisian-born brand Cojean, which now has six outposts across London. It’s B-Corp certified, with some profits going towards its charitable foundation, ‘Nourrir, Aimer, Donner’, which focuses on fighting poverty and supporting some of the world’s poorest communities. The concept is healthy fast food, with the menu featuring everything from baguettes to salads and some of the best juices in town. Our top picks include the Greek pasta salad, the cucumber and feta bloomer and the Green Power juice – plus the banana bread is a must. Cojean does well on the free-from front too, with 40 per cent of dishes vegetarian and a wide selection of vegan and gluten-free treats. Good for the planet, good for our bodies.
Try: For something a bit more hearty, try the lasagne.
Address: Various locations
BOOK: cojean.co.uk
Featured image: The Acai Girls
