The Top 7 Healthy Restaurants in Chicago

Loving to go out to eat doesn’t have to lead to unhealthy decisions. You can still enjoy fun meals out without the greasy temptations offered by some restaurants.

If you’re looking for healthy restaurants in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place.

Eating healthy isn’t just about your waistline, it’s also a huge factor in your energy levels, complexion, and overall health.

Thankfully, eating healthy doesn’t 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 don’t 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, there’s no excuse to stay on track with your healthy diet while living in or visiting Chicago.

7 Can’t Miss Healthy Restaurants in Chicago

We’ve 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, chef’s tasting menu, cocktails

Winner of Food Network’s Iron Chef, Shawn McClain is a force to be reckoned with. Green Zebra is not the place to come if you’re on a tight budget, but if you’re 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. Sweetgreen’s mouthwatering menu is as transparent as it is delicious: with calorie counts provided so you won’t 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 Allstar’s 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 you’re a meat eater, try the unfried chicken: juicy chicken breast pieces are breaded in panko and then seared. Healthy and delicious.

7. Doc B’s 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 – Saturday: 11am – 10pm Sunday: 11am – 9pm

How Much: $$

Highlights: healthy ingredient cocktails, vibrant salads, nice environment unique to each location, both with quick service.

Founder and president Craig Bernstein’s named this growing chain after his late father, “Doctor B.” Doc B’s 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. You’ll leave full and satisfied, and as long as you can exercise some restraint against the fries, you’ll leave feeling proud of your healthy choices.

That’s All Folks!

Now let’s 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 “classic” 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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