Kickstart 2018 With These Health-Conscious Miami Eateries

Maintaining your New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to mean giving up on all the cravings you love. Instead, Miami’s top health-conscious restaurants have helped create savory dishes that you can enjoy guilt-free. Here is a look at some of our favorite healthy restaurants in the Magic City that will allow you to start your year off the right way:

DIRT // EAT CLEAN

Photo Credit: Dirt Eat Clean Miami

The health-conscious Miami-based food chain now has three prime locations throughout the city in Miami Beach, Sunset Harbour and Brickell. The spot is best known for its creative dishes offering chef-driven, seasonal, vegan, vegetarian, grass-fed and gluten-free options. The healthy food haven allows you to indulge in dishes like Matcha Protein Pancakes or the DIRTy Steak + Cheese sandwich without feeling the need to head to the gym after to work off the calories. DIRT allows you to further amplify the nutrients in these dishes and cut unnecessary carbs and fat by substituting with vegan cheese options and collard wraps instead of bread.

What to order: Lemongrass Chicken Wrap in Collard Greens, Chimayo Chili Bowl (sub Greek yogurt with house-made cashew ricotta), DIRT x Taquiza Tostada.

OTL

Photo Credit: OTL

The popular Miami Design District eatery owned by David Grutman is another favorite for those trying to grab a delicious, quick meal while still maintaining their diet. The quaint cafe is nestled within the designer shops of the famed shopping district, offering a small but bold menu of bites including Overnight Oats, OTL Seed Butter Toast, Market Grain Bowl and homemade cookies with vegan and gluten-free options.

What to order: OTL Seed Butter Toast, Avocado Toast, Tortilla Española.

PLNTHOUSE

Photo Credit: plnthouse

Matthew Kenney‘s plant-based restaurant located in the stunning 1 Hotel‘s wellness center is your one-stop-shop for all things healthy. The chef’s signature upscale and creative vegan cuisine offers guests an assortment of deliciously healthy eats from the Hearts of Palm Ceviche to Miso Ramen or Kale Polenta. With breathtaking views of the ocean amidst the sunny rooftop area, frequenting Plnthouse is an easy way to maintain your healthy regimen in 2018.

What to order: The One Salad, Cauliflower Falafel Bowl, Thai Rice Paper Wraps and Zucchini Noodle Bowl.

GLAM VEGAN

Photo Credit: Instagram: @glam.vegan

The new casual vegan eatery located in Midtown is a welcome addition to the growing list of vegan and vegetarian dining destinations in the city. With well-priced, creative dishes like Watermelon Poke, Jackfruit Tacos Al Pastor, Lean & Green Bowl and Spaghetti and Meatless Balls, as well as rotating veggie-based soup specials, GLAM Vegan is the perfect everyday lunch spot to fuel up on delicious and nutritious bites.

What to order: Gazpacho, Jackfruit Tacos al Pastor, Lean & Green Bowl, Avocado Miso Toast, Farro Risotto.

LILIKOI ORGANIC LIVING 

Photo Credit: Instagram: @lilikoiorganicliving

To start your day off the right way, head to the cute South of Fifth cafe, Lilikoi Organic Living. With vegetarian and vegan options available, the spot caters to all guests looking for locally-sourced, organic dishes that satisfy all of your cravings. Lilikoi offers a diverse menu ranging from Vegan Nacho Platters to fresh-pressed juices or Falafel Wraps, all using sustainable ingredients. And if you’re seeking a boozy brunch, you can enjoy it a bit healthier with their bottomless fresh-pressed Grapefruit Mimosas.

What to order: Vegan Burger, Lilikoi Garden Salad, Gluten-Free Pizza of the day, Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke.

JOE & THE JUICE

Photo Credit: Haute Living

The global hot spot opened its first Miami location in South Beach across from the Loews Hotel last spring and has two more locations on the horizon in Brickell and Wynwood. Joe & The Juice is the perfect locale to hang out, relax and enjoy healthy and tasty options to eat and drink. Signatures include the Spicy Tuna Sandwich on their house-made power bread, Green Shield Juice, immune-boosting shots and the classic javas. To recharge, the Beta Shot, Ignition/Beet Shot, Ginger Shot, Tumeric Shot and Chili Shot are all go-to concoctions to keep your mind and body feeling their best.

What to order: Spicy Tuna Sandwich, Joe’s Club, Ginger Shot, Go Away Doc, Power Shake.

SOUL TAVERN

Photo Credit: Soul Tavern

The cozy Sunset Harbour restaurant is the perfect escape to enjoy an upscale, vegan and vegetarian-friendly meal that speaks to the soul. The restaurant maintains the ethos, “functional food meets food for the soul,” with a diverse menu utilizing plant-based, organic, locally-sourced and natural ingredients. Aside from standout dishes like the Hemp Crusted Edamame Cakes, Margherita (Fire) Pizza and the vegan Carrot Cake, the restaurant also specializes in an array of Chinese Herbal Elixirs aimed at providing care for different parts of the mind and body.

What to order: Eggplant Medallion, Mushroom Ceviche, Naughty Gnocchi, Margherita (Fire) Pizza (sub with vegan cashew cheese).

ONO POKE

Photo Credit: Instagram: @miami_dankcounty

The unequivocal poke kings of Miami at Ono Poke not only offer some of the freshest fish in the city to create custom bowls, but also some of the healthiest options to help you satisfy your poke cravings without the guilt. Rather than packing the bowl with rice, Ono has become known for their fresh greens that taste great with the fish, or they also allow you to go half/half if you want a bit of rice in there without overdoing it. Opt for some of the healthier toppings, like fresh ginger, edamame, micro greens, pickled cucumber and jalepeño with a touch of their house-made spicy soy sauce or a bit of wasabi aioli on the side for an extra kick.

What to order: Spicy Tuna x King Salmon Custom Poke Bowl, Ono King Salmon Bowl or Ono Hawaiian Style Bowl.

BUNNIE CAKES 

Photo Credit: Bunnie Cakes

And of course, we can’t forget about our sweet tooth. Luckily, Wynwood-based Bunnie Cakes has us covered with their delicious offerings of vegan and vegan + gluten-free cupcakes, doughnuts and cakes. The beautifully-decorated bakery and cafe offers an assortment of flavors that you can mix and match and munch on without feeling like you just overdid it in the sweets department. If you’re looking for something a bit more savory, they also offer vegan quiches, pizzas and lunchtime bites.

What to order: Cinnamon, Funfetti and red velvet vegan mini cupcakes.