Where to Go for Atlanta’s Delicious, Healthy Eats
I have to admit as a born and raised Midwesterner when I think about Southern foods, healthy is not the first word that comes to mind. Fried and delicious, yes! But healthy, not so much. And in the interest of full disclosure, I must also admit that during my first few weeks in Atlanta, I definitely succumbed to the enticing, but not so healthy, foods for which the South is well-known. From fried chicken to biscuits and gravy to sweet potato pie, I indulged in them all and then some.
And while it was certainly okay to treat myself a little as I acclimated to my new surroundings, I knew it wouldn’t be good to make filling up on unhealthy options a habit. So, I set out to put together a list of places in Atlanta that promoted healthy eating. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
Out to Eat. If you’re not great in the kitchen or if you simply need a break from cooking, there are many restaurants in Atlanta that focus on serving healthy fare. Zagats.com provides a listing of some of the best. Their list is below and includes vegan and vegetarian options:
- Tassili’s Raw Reality
- Souper Jenny
- MetroFresh
- Cafe Sunflower
- Fresh to Order
- R. Thomas Deluxe Grill
- Yalla
- gusto! Wood Fire Grill
- Flip Burger
- True Food Kitchen
For vegetarians and vegans, HappyCow.net provides a few more suggestions. Here’s a selection of restaurants from their list that have received 4.5 to 5 stars from reviewers:
And if organic eating is important to you, Atlanta has you covered there as well. USAToday.com provides information about some of the city’s best organic restaurants:
Eating In. For those days and nights when you are in the mood to cook up a healthy meal, Atlanta offers plenty of places to buy the ingredients you’ll need. A great place to start is the OrganicStoreLocator, which provides information about the city’s health food markets. You might also try Organic.org, which offers other suggestions on where to shop.
Of course, farmers markets are a great way to buy locally grown foods, and it’s always fun to spend the morning strolling around the booths. OurGreenAtlanta.com features some of the farmers markets in the area:
- Decatur Farmers Market
- Piedmont Park Green Market
- Morningside Farmers Market
- East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
- Peachtree Road Farmers Market
And if you want your locally grown vegetables to come to you, Moore Farms and Friends allows you to order fresh local and regional organic foods through their online market.
No matter what healthy eats you’re craving, Atlanta has something to offer. I’ve definitely got each of these eateries on my list of places to check out very soon.