Finding truly healthy places to eat in cities can sometimes be challenging. Sometimes cities are so spread out that you don’t know where to start, while other restaurants in a city may claim to have healthy meals; but they are really lurking with unnecessary sugars and fats.
Whether you’re new to Cincinnati, just passing through, or you’ve lived here for years, you may be surprised by how many healthy places to eat there are in the Cincinnati area.
Moving to Cincinnati a little over a year ago, I felt lost, a big cities and new things can be intimidating! I’ve always tried to eat healthy and when I moved to Cincinnati, I didn’t know where to go in order to get the best food possible.
If you’re in the same boat, never fear, because I’m going to give you ten incredibly healthy places to eat in Cincinnati.
Alright, let’s get started!
1. Better Blend
Better Blend is fairly new to the Cincinnati area but it’s become one of my favorite places to go when I want something delicious and sweet without going for the cookies or ice cream. They offer high protein meal replacement smoothies as well as bright and flavorful acai bowls.
The blends or bowls are a perfect breakfast, lunch, or snack when you want something healthy on the go. Personally, my favorite blend is the Cinnamon Toast Crunch blend with extra peanut butter; I was shocked at just how much it tasted like the cereal!
If I get a bowl, I always get the Super Bowl, made with blended acai fruit and then crowned with all the toppings. If I had to choose between ice cream and Better Blend’s bowls, I’m choosing the bowls every time; they’re seriously that good! Right now, Better Blend has a location on West Fourth Street downtown, and also a location in Clifton near the UC campus. Head to their website and check them out.
2. ESSEN Kitchen
I’m not vegan myself, but I can imagine it would be a bit challenging to find great vegan restaurants in the city if you are completely plant-based. Although, Essen Kitchen in Findlay Market is a fully vegan restaurant that will make you forget about meat all together!
Essen offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are all delicious and all vegan. Their menu options aren’t boring either, with options like Pumpkin Chili, vegan burgers, and vegan creamy mac n cheese, you’ll be coming back for more, even if you aren’t plant-based. You can look at Essen’s website here.
3. Sleepy Bee Café- Oakley
A great healthy place to eat in Cincinnati would be the Sleepy Bee Café in Oakley. Sleepy Bee is open for breakfast and lunch from one to three; and their menu offers a variety of options that are both flavorful and nutritious.
Sleepy Bee has their regular menu, as well as rotating seasonal dishes that are sure to get you in the spring or fall mood! All of the ingredients Sleepy Bee uses is sourced locally from farms and individuals around Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.
Some of my favorite healthy meals at Sleepy Bee are the Ember Avocado Toast, The Queen City Bee Sandwich, and the Vanilla Almond Oats. The great part about Sleepy Bee is that they have a large menu, so everyone is able to find something they like. Check out Sleepy Bee’s website here.
4. The Whole Bowl
If you’re in the mood for something savory and nutritious, The Whole Bowl is a great healthy place to eat in Cincinnati. They essentially offer vegetarian and vegan bowls that are filling and delicious.
The Whole Bowl’s menu is simple but packs a ton of flavor. The process is easy, you choose your bowl size, small, medium, or large, and then you pick what healthy items go in it! The ingredients you choose from are: brown rice, avocado, black and red beans, cheddar, black olives, sour cream, cilantro, salsa, and tali sauce.
You can always “veganize” your bowl as well, by taking out the sour cream and cheese. The Whole Bowl is a grab and go style shop, so you order your food at the window and take it with you when it’s ready. So the next time you’re craving a burrito bowl, think of Whole Bowl! Look at their website here.
5. Loving Hut
Another great vegan food option in the Cincinnati/Oakley area is the Loving Hut. The Loving Hut makes their food mission clear; they believe eating a vegan diet is a healthier way to live. Not only for your body but also for the environment and its animals.
All of the items on Loving Hut’s menu are 100% vegan and they use organic foods whenever possible. They have a large menu so anyone is bound to find something they really enjoy.
Some tasty options on their menu include: the Grilled Veggie Sandwich, the Impossible Burger with “Cheez”, and the Raw Taco Salad. At Loving Hut, you can feel good about the food and what it’s doing for the world. Check out their website here.
6. Harmony Plant Fare
Healthy places to eat can be found all over Cincinnati, and the Findlay Market is a great place to explore if you want to try new things or find awesome local health food spots like the Harmony Plant Fare.
Harmony Plant Fare is an all vegan deli inside the Findlay Market. They offer packaged goods as well as menu options that you can order ahead and eat like sandwiches and snacks.
Some of their vegan sandwiches include the Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich, the Gyro with Muhammara, and the classic Italian Sandwich. Although I’ve never visited Harmony Plant Fare personally, the reviews are fantastic from both vegans and omnivores. You can head to their website to check out the menu.
7. Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen
Salads are one of the go-to foods when people think of eating healthier, although sometimes salads can get pretty boring, but they don’t have to be! At Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen they offer a range of salads that really pack in flavor.
Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen has a location in Kenwood, so if you’re looking for an incredible, healthy salad in the Cincinnati area, definitely check them out. You can order a salad off the menu, or you can even create your own salad to your liking.
Vinaigrette is a great place to try if you want something fresh and light on your stomach. My favorite salads at Vinaigrette are the BLT Deluxe and the Maki Shrimp Salad. If you want to look at their website or see their other locations, click here.
8. Herban Vegans
Herban Vegans is a newer healthy place to eat in Cincinnati with their location on Elm Street. They specialize in vegan seafood and try to create dishes that incorporate a variety of herbs and spices.
The cool thing about Herban Vegan is that you can go into the store and eat or you can even get your meals prepped from them. They offer meal plans for those you don’t have time to cook or are trying to go vegan for the first time. You can choose anywhere from 4-7 meals a week that are delicious and completely vegan.
Some yummy items on their menu include the Baja Shr’mp Tacos, the Buffalo Miracle Mac, and Herban Vegan Sliders. If you want to know more about Herban Vegans, you can head to their website.
9. Melt Revival
Melt Revival is a local café that can be found right on Hamilton Avenue in Cincinnati. They offer healthy and organic meals and they even have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Their dishes are made from scratch daily and they use local foods whenever possible. Melt Revival is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can get your health fix anytime.
The Vegetarian Cheesesteak, the Pad Thaiwich, and the Artichoke Melt are just a few awesome dishes that are on their menu. Next time you’re craving a good sandwich, check out Melt Revival. You can find their website here.
10. Silver Ladle
The Silver Ladle is a fast casual restaurant right in downtown Cincinnati. They specialize in serving homemade soups, chilies, sandwiches, and salads. They’re located right on Walnut Street so it’s incredibly easy to find and get to.
Silver Ladle’s entire menu is also available for catering and carry-out as well. Their menu consists of vegetarian items, gluten-free items, and heart healthy options as well.
A few nutritious things on their menu include: the Stuffed Mushroom, the Italian Wedding Soup, and the Strawberry Spring Salad. They have even created their own version of Cincinnati style chili, using shredded chicken instead of beef. If you want to know more about the Silver Ladle head to their website.
Explore Cincinnati’s Healthy Options!
One of the best and most exciting parts about cities is that there is always something new to try around the corner, even if you’ve lived in Cincinnati for years; there are always healthy options popping up.
So whether you’re a Cincinnati native, recently relocated, or just passing through, there are plenty of healthy places to eat in Cincinnati that are sure to be your next new favorite.
Next time you’re out and about, grab a yummy salad from Vinaigrette or try a mouthwatering acai bowl with all the toppings from Better Blend. I hope you’re as excited to try these nutritious gems as I was! Finding truly healthy places to eat in cities can sometimes be challenging. Sometimes cities are so spread out that you don’t know where to start, while other restaurants in a city may claim to have healthy meals; but they are really lurking with unnecessary sugars and fats.
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Better Blend is an independent company and not associated with any other smoothie shop concept.