Where to Eat Healthy Food in San Diego
San Diego is a perfect city for people wanting to embrace a healthy lifestyle, and we have PLENTY of great eateries that make this possible by delivering high quality and healthy food. In San Diego, being healthy is easy and actually tastes GOOD.
Visitors and locals alike need to check out my all-time favs for health conscious eats below!
Restaurants/Cafes
nectarine grove
This is my #1 favorite restaurant in SD where you can get healthy comfort food. Yeah, you heard me. HEALTHY COMFORT FOOD! Everything they serve is organic, locally sourced and entirely gluten free but also tastes like you’re reaaaaally indulging. It’s wonderful.
What to Order: Umm everything!? Get a salad with the Crispy Plantain Crusted Chicken… it’s to die for. Also I’m a huge fan of the Carne Asada Fries and Chimichurri Steak Bowl. The Leucadia location has more meal options, while the Flower Hill location is more of a bakehouse/better for lunch.
Locations: Leucadia, Flower Hill Promenade
Parakeet cafe
Parakeet is taking over San Diego, and for good reason. They literally serve all of my dream dishes, plus amazing matcha + coffee, AND arguably the best Banana Oat Muffin to exist on the planet (which happens to be gluten free). Everything they serve is packed with vibrant colors and is health-conscious. You’ll know when you taste it that you’re getting the best of the best ingredients.
What to order: Organic Greens Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Burrito, Golden Goddess Salad, Grilled Vegetable Bowl and anything from the pastry case, duh!
Locations: Del Mar, Nautilus, La Jolla, Little Italy, Coronado
Thyme in the ranch
Charming neighborhood cafe in Rancho Santa Fe. Cute and cozy vibes with wholesome food and wonderful baked goods. Feels like “mom’s” cooking.
What to order: Get their soup and salad of the day (which actually change daily and reflect what’s in season), scoop of their Tarragon Chicken Salad, Roast Turkey Sandwich, and anything from the behind the counter.
Location: Rancho Santa Fe
urban plates
Urban Plates serves high quality, healthy food such as grass-fed steak, cage-free chicken, and sustainable seafood. You can easily stick to a low calorie, high protein diet or choose from a variety of their vegetarian or vegan options! (1/2 of the menu is vegetarian and the 1/3 is vegan)
What’s even more impressive, is the company’s commitment to the community. In January 2021, Urban Plates launched Plate Pass “to help guests eat healthier and save money by offering them an incredible price for dishes on Urban Plates’ award-winning menu.” Read more about this innovative program here!
What to Order: I LOVE making my own plate, where you can choose one main and 2 sides like Rainbow Carrots & Golden Beets and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes. The salads are also super delicious and I never leave without a fresh Cowgirl Cookie!
Locations: Carlsbad, Del Mar, La Jolla
powerhaus pizza
Contrary to popular belief, eating pizza and being healthy are not mutually exclusive! Meet Powerhaus Pizza. They serve wholesome pizza, including two gluten free options and high protein crusts, and also offer superfood smoothies, nourishing wraps and fresh salads! You can also order beer, kombucha, wine and hard seltzer. It’s a dream come true!
What to Order: Any of their special zas (or entirely customize one to meet your health needs) and a salad.
Location: Pacific Beach
Goodonya organic eatery
This organic eatery on the 101 serves everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner with options to accommodate every type of eater, including kids. In addition to their healthy and tasty food items, they offer a wide range of beverages, including bone broth, their own electrolyte drink, teas, juices, as well as beer kombucha and wine.
What to Order: Any of their Egg Scrambles, Kitchen Sink Salad, Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich
Location: Encinitas
Mrtkspace
Mrktspace brings together an eatery/coffee shop, gourmet market, and bar all in one cozy and chic setting. This salad was honestly divine and the vibes are great. Bring your laptop to work remotely or hangout with friends in this cute gathering place on the 101.
What to Order: Cinnamon Brown Sugar Latte, Baked Egg Cups on Avocado Toast, Chicken Farro Salad
Location: Leucadia
true food
While I’m usually not an advocate for chain restaurants, especially ones located in shopping malls, True Food is the exception. It’s consistent, easy and healthy.
What to order: Adaptogenic Tusli Tea, Herb Hummus, Chopped Salad, Ancient Grains Bowl, Spaghetti Squash Lasagna (add chicken sausage).
Locations: UTC Mall, Fashion Valley Mall
Best for “To Go”
Greenspot salad company
If you follow me on IG, you know I pick up Greenspot MINIMUM once a week. I’m obsessed! You can customize any salad, bowl, or wrap to your liking, the portions are big, and it’s well priced. Like where else can you get a bomb, hearty salad or bowl for under $14 in SD?!
What to Order: The Za’atar Chicken Bowl is my go-to. I usually order that or I make a custom salad. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!
Locations: Sorrento Valley, Mission Valley and NEW LOCATION COMING SOON!
mary’s gourmet salads
Newer to the SD scene, Mary’s is a cute little walk-up shop in the heart of La Jolla. It’s similar to Mendocino Farms but with more customizability and unique, seasonal salads. Order to go and eat your salad by the beach. Highly recommend!
What to Order: Thai Crunch Salad (not pictured)
Location: La Jolla
flower child
Flower Child is a colorful little cafe in the Flower Hill Promenade perfect for the whole family. They have great options for kids and plenty of tasty and healthy items for lunch and dinner. You can order online and pick up curbside which is an added plus!
What to Order: Organic Kale Salad, Chopped Vegetable Salad, Flying Avocado Wrap, GF Mac and Cheese
Location: Flower Hill Promenade
Smoothies & Juice
Surprisingly, and much to my disappointment, San Diego doesn’t have many spots to get good smoothies and acai bowls. It’s a hard no from me on the sugary premade acai sorbet. YUCK! Thankfully, these juiceries below deliver some of the best smoothies and bowls I’ve ever had and are located in various locations throughout the county.
parakeet juicery
From the creators of Parakeet Cafe, which I LOVE SO MUCH (see above), comes Parakeet Juicery, which offers amazing smoothies and bowls. Pro-tip, add a superfood boost like Ashwagandha for stress relief or Turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits.
What to Order: Bliss Bowl, Protein Bomb Smoothie Blue Majik Smoothie
Locations: Del Mar, La Jolla, Coronado East, Coronado West
Choice Juicery
One of my favorite things to do on a weekend is visit Choice in Solana Beach, grab a smoothie, and walk down to the beach. Super peaceful. I love all of their unique creations like Mint Chip, Orange Dreamsicle and my absolute favorite, PB & J. Add in a superfood boost from their extensive list, like Blue Majik for a fun pop of color and major health benefits.
What to Order: PB & J Smoothie
Locations: Carlsbad Gateway, Carlsbad Village, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Sur, Little Italy
Rad habits juice co.
Rad Habits is the only juice bar I go to that isn’t in North County. Not only do they serve great smoothies, bowls, and juices, you’ll find a mini-market inside, selling healthy snacks and grocery items!
What to Order: Protein Acai Bowl, Gold Nibber Smoothie
Location: South Park