Eat better. Feel better. If that’s your goal for 2018, we have nine restaurants and a food truck that will help you do just that!
Here’s our list of some of the healthiest spots to eat in Memphis. Whether you’re trying to eat less meat, more vegetables, gluten-free or just looking for a spot that offers healthier cooking styles, Memphis has some delicious options. Here are our recommendations for healthy restaurants with food you’ll actually want to eat!
9 Healthy Memphis Restaurants (+ 1 Food Truck)
City Silo Table + Pantry
5101 Sanderlin Ctr., Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 729-7687
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Closed on Sundays
City Silo Table + Pantry offers re-imagined comfort food and drinks made with wholesome, clean ingredients. “Our menu was created with the intention of replicating familiar flavors and textures from our favorite dishes, but creating them with health in mind,” says owner Scott Tashie. Their mostly plant-based menu is overwhelmingly organic, uses local ingredients whenever possible and, thanks to the options of adding eggs or humanely raised chicken, appeals to vegans and carnivores alike. For breakfast, start your day with the McSilo, their healthier vegetarian spin on the fast food classic, or one of their refreshing yet filling smoothie bowls. For lunch or dinner, try one of their three “build-your-own” veggie burger options. All are so good, you will never miss the meat!
City Silo Table + Pantry in East Memphis is the perfect spot to grab lunch with a girlfriend or to grab an afternoon coffee beverage and enjoy some reading, study or work time.
We like to add chicken to the California Sun sandwich, which also includes spinach, tomato and micro greens for an extra boost of protein. Image: City Silo Table + Pantry
A smoothie bowl from City Silo + Pantry is a great way to start the day! We also think it makes a yummy and satisfying healthy afternoon snack. Image: Justin Fox Burks for City Silo Table + Pantry
Mama Gaia
Crosstown: 1350 Concourse Ave., Ste. 137, Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 203-3838
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Midtown: 2144 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 214-2449
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Closed on Sundays
Mama Gaia debuted last April in the Crosstown Concourse. The first restaurant to open in this renovated landmark, Mama Gaia is a one-of-a-kind dining concept dedicated to making real, organic vegetarian food accessible to everyone. The dishes, which include quinoa bowls, salads, soups, stuffed pitas and more, are handmade to order using all-organic ingredients. “Our menu is non-GMO, organic, made from scratch and 100% vegetarian with a huge variety of vegan and gluten-free options,” explains Philipp Von Holtzendorff-Fehling, who created Mama Gaia with his wife Cru.
Petitzza at Mama Gaia is an individual-portion pizza made using pita bread as the crust
RELATED: Mama Gaia: Creative Vegetarian Fare in Crosstown Concourse
Mama Gaia means Mother Earth in ancient Greek. Story boards on the dining room walls explain Mama Gaia’s philosophy behind eating organic, plant-based foods.
Fuel Café
1761 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 725-9025
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Just like on their food truck, Fuel Café serves up tasty fare using all-natural ingredients and with many vegan-friendly options. “I think we fall into the healthy category because we are committed to all-natural, vegetable-forward food,” explains owner Erik Proveaux. “There are no artificial ingredients in anything we use, and as much as possible, we use seasonal produce from the local farmers’ markets.” We love their housemade veggie burgers and tacos. When ordering a burger, be sure to ask for their signature “fuel sauce.” This creamy condiment is not to be missed!
The veggie tacos at Fuel Café are so good you will never miss the meat! They are made with the crumbled “meat” of their signature veggie burgers. Image: Fuel Café
“My favorite dish currently is our Seminole Pumpkin ‘Steak’,” says Fuel Café owner Erik Proveaux. Erik roasts an heirloom squash that’s similar to butternut squash, encrusts it with spices, and then sears it like a steak. The squash is served over veggies with black beans, quinoa and a vegan cream sauce. Image: Fuel Café
I Love Juice Bar — Midtown & Crosstown locations
Midtown: 553 South Cooper, Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 612-2720
Crosstown: 1350 Concourse Ave., Ste. 147, Memphis, TN 38104
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Craving fresh juice or a healthy smoothie? Check out I Love Juice Bar. This juice bar is overwhelmingly vegetarian, gluten-free, organic when possible and always uses 100% whole fruits and vegetables. “Simply said, we are a ‘I want to eat healthy and feel great’ type place, offering yummies like our super greens juice with local wheat grass or our superfoods salad with kale, spinach, organic quinoa and fresh-juiced lemon dressing,” explains owner Scott Tashie. We can’t stop ordering all their green juices and smoothies.
I Love Juice Bar has all the greens!
A delectable quinoa salad and a cold-pressed juice
Zaka Bowl
575 Erin Drive, Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 509-3105
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Zaka Bowl is the spot where you can create your own bowl. “What makes us healthy is the fact that all of our items are gluten-free and dairy-free, nothing is fried, and we use whole food ingredients that are either baked, roasted or raw,” explains owner Ed Cabigao, who also owns South of Beale. They do offer signature dishes like the herbed chicken bowl and the tuna poke bowl, but we love to go in and create our own culinary masterpieces from their tasty and healthy ingredient options.
The tuna poke bowl at Zaka Bowl is loaded with sushi-grade tuna, edamame, cherry tomatoes, seaweed, sesame seeds, pickled red onions, pickled carrots, spinach and sushi rice. This bowl is tasty and filling. Image: Zaka Bowl
At Zaka Bowl, you can create your own bowl from a wide selection of healthy ingredients. Image: Zaka Bowl
Julles Posh Food Co.
6300 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 • (901) 509-8675
Hours: Lunch: Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Dinner: Thursday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Prepackaged takeout is available Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tucked away in an East Memphis strip mall, Julles Posh Food Co. serves globally inspired, clean, gourmet meals for dining in or takeout. “Our food is prepared carefully with manicured vegetables, meat and fish that are trimmed of all fat, and using only olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil. All lunches are under 350 calories and dinners are under 450 calories,” explains chef and owner Julles Bhupesh. Julles’ menu includes gluten-free and dairy-free choices along with many vegetarian and vegan options. And just because her dishes are healthy, doesn’t mean they aren’t divine.
The pre-made Southwestern chicken with beans, corn and tomato relish — complete with nutrition info — is begging you to take it home!
Cheffie’s Café
483 High Point Ter., Memphis, TN 38122 • (901) 343-0488
Hours: Open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At Cheffie’s Café, you are invited to “be the chef.” Choose from their long list of top-quality meats, fresh produce, tasty cheeses and delicious toppings to design your own sandwich or salad creation. “Not a single product in our store has MSG,” explains Taunya Allen with Cheffie’s Café. “For our vinaigrette dressings, we use 100% olive oil, never a blend. Moreover, we aren’t just body healthy, we are environmentally healthy, by ensuring that we recycle and compost. We are proudly Project Greenfork-certified!” Watch for their second location that will be opening soon in Collierville at Schilling Farms.
At Cheffie’s Café, your order is made fresh and just the way you want it. Image: Cheffie’s Café
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Whether hungry for a salad or sandwich, Cheffie’s Café has you covered. Choose from one of their signature creations, or be the chef and build your own. Image: Cheffie’s Café
LYFE Kitchen + Chisca Bar
272 South Main St., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 526-0254
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown on the ground floor of the renovated Chisca Building, LYFE Kitchen + Chisca Bar is serving up crave-worthy classics with a contemporary and healthy twist. They use only antibiotic-free chicken, grass-fed beef and line-caught or wild-caught seafood, as well as lots of organic produce, and nothing is ever fried. “Preparation is key. Everything is made from scratch,” explains Ross Kamens of LYFE Kitchen. “We roast or grill our meats, and steam or sauté our veggies. Our sweet potato fries are always baked, never fried.” There is something for everyone at LYFE Kitchen, including lots of fresh salads, many vegan or vegetarian options, gluten-free choices and paleo-friendly items as well.
The popular health-forward eatery LYFE Kitchen is housed in the historic Chisca on Main building with its 4,000-square-foot eatery and bar.
The quinoa crunch bowl at LYFE Kitchen is composed of quinoa, black rice, avocado, edamame hummus, organic arugula, tomato, broccoli, snap peas and cucumber, served with a chipotle vinaigrette and hot sauce. You can add grilled chicken, roasted salmon, grilled tofu or shrimp to your salad, if you’d like. Image: LYFE Kitchen
Wild Beet Salad Co.
East Memphis: 4715 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 529-7438
Germantown: 6641 Poplar Ave., Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 552-5604
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wild Beet Salad Co. is the place to go for a fresh-made salad. This locally owned spot offers salads and wraps, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. They even hand-chop all the lettuce for their salads and wraps to order. The idea for Wild Beet Salad Co. came from owner Kelcie Hamm’s desire to create a healthy dining choice here in Memphis like the ones she enjoyed while attending college in New York City. “I got used to eating salads every day, because there are salad stores on nearly every block,” she explains of the inspiration for her healthy, fast-casual concept. And after you taste a Wild Beet salad, you’ll want one on every corner in Memphis!
There are so many healthy ingredients to choose from at Wild Beet Salad Co.
The chopped salads at Wild Beet Salad Co. are to die for.
Raw Girls
East Memphis: 5502 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119
Midtown: 242 South Cooper, Memphis, TN 38104
Hours: Open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Don’t let the word “raw” scare you away from this food truck! Amy and Hannah Pickle serve up some of the most delicious food in town from this popular and healthy food truck. “We actually prepare both raw and cooked foods for our truck locations, as well as for our home delivery service. Our food is ‘raw’ in the sense that it’s unprocessed and whole,” explains Amy. Raw Girls lets you sample everything on the menu, which changes seasonally. There are two dishes, however, that they never take off the menu due to customer demand. “Folks love our taco salad with raw, savory walnut meat, housemade guacamole, and pico di gallo. Also, our medicinal Chaga mushroom broth sells out daily. Even in 90-degree weather! It’s packed with Siberian Chaga, a medicinal mushroom that is super high in antioxidants.” That sounds pretty dreamy in this cold weather!
The Raw Girls food truck in Midtown is located in the parking lot of Midtown Yoga. Their East Memphis truck is permanently parked by the Hollywood Feed at Poplar and Yates.
Raw Girls’ falafel is made with sunflower seeds, onions, sprouted chickpeas and spices and is served with tabouli quinoa, harissa, homemade tahini and five lettuce wraps. Pair it with a cold-pressed juice, and you’re good to go!
Bookmark this article, and get ready to nourish your body — and your taste buds!
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