With internationally acclaimed temples of molecular gastronomy, a constellation of breweries and cocktail bars, and a roster of famous local specialties like belt-busting deep dish pizza, Chicago is full of foodie culture.
But if you’ve got dietary restrictions (or just fear you’re walking away from a Chicago-style hot dog gout), take heart: In recent years, the city’s foFrom the scene A lighter side has begun to develop, with juice bars, cafes and even super-stylish places that cater to good health and good taste in equal measure. Here are seven ChicagoThe best healthy foods.
1. The end of wheat
For followers of a gluten-free diet, there is perhaps no crueler taunt than brunch, the afternoon orgy of pancakes, cinnamon rolls and croissants that dominates weekend restaurant menus across the city. enter The end of wheata daytime-only spot whose 100 percent gluten-free status seems almost incidental, thanks to an airy, modern space, a menu that doesn’t shy away from the most elegant brunch classics, and a twist on them. Kitchen with chips.
Cheddar Chive Biscuits slathered in honey butter create delightful combinations of savory and sweet, crusty and tender, while the house uses biscuits and gravy (a choice of deli sausage, beef or vegetarian mushroom varieties). (do) Lightly twinkling stars pop over that still steam.
2. Hi vibe
A packed schedule of walking, shopping and museum-hopping in downtown Chicago requires serious stamina. Here is a small takeout spot to answer the call. Hi vibeA purveyor of cold-pressed juices, smoothies and bowls full of so-called superfoods North RiverA shiny haired set of
Among the shop’s most interesting offerings are its nearly 20 riffs on Bulletproof Coffee, a blend of purportedly toxic beans, grass-fed butter and coconut oil extract that devotees swear by. That boosts brain function and kicks the body into fat-burning mode. The caffeine crash that can follow a traditional cup of joe.
Hello Vibe’s original recipe offers a mouth-wateringly creamy texture, with plenty to serve as a stand-alone snack. For vegetarians and tea lovers, there are options like matcha vitae, a subtly sweetened take on the traditional matcha latte that swaps out the dairy for luscious coconut cream.
3. Left Bank
There’s perhaps no better sign of Chicago’s newfound embrace of good-for-you grub. Lake viewOf Left banka former hot dog stand transformed into a clean-dining haven, with a sunny SoCal vibe (check out the vertical garden and retractable windows) and a menu created by local superchef Paul Kahn. With.
When the weather turns muggy, order a cold, berry-laden acai bowl and chill on the chilled patio with the locals and their dogs. If fiery flavors are more your thing, go for the K-Town, a brown rice bowl topped with bibimbap-inspired toppings like kimchi, mushrooms and a jammy seven-minute egg. Even kiddie fare gets a nutritious boost – think turkey meatballs with Israeli couscous and broccoli.
4. Upton’s Naturals
From its on-site break room, a spare but light-filled cafe stands alongside the industrial section. West TownHomemade natural food manufacturer Upton’s Naturals Prepare fast food delights like diner-style burgers and barbecue plates. Just a twist: everything is vegan. Among the biggest hits are the smoky bacon seitan mac and cheese and al pastor tacos topped with adobo-marinated jackfruit.
For a meal with a distinctly local flavor, though, go for the ‘Chicago Style’ Italian, a vegan interpretation of Chicago’s classic giardiniera-topped Italian beef sandwich that ditches the traditional staple for herbed seitan. Gives. While it won’t fool meat lovers, it might be the closest you can get to this famous dish without going carnivorous – and at a glance, it’s an awfully convincing look. .
5. Green City Market
Green City Market Started in 1998 with only nine area farmers, long before the conditionssustainable’ or’locally grown’ From rare fine dining spots to fast food drive-throughs, chili is on every menu. Today the market is a venerable local institution, counting some of Chicago’s top chefs among its loyal customers and commanding an impressive menu. Lincoln Park Every Wednesday and Saturday.
(From November to April it moves indoors, to the nearby Peggy Notebaert Museum.) Find high-quality picnic fixings sourced directly from the independent farmers, cheesemakers and bread bakers who prepared them. what was Families flock here for the cheerful—if busy—atmosphere, and the you-can-almost-touch proximity to the Lincoln Park Zoo (across the street).
6. Bad Hunter
Pushing against stereotypes that a healthy lifestyle precludes a sense of humor or style is centered around vegetarianism Bad Hunterwhose very name sets a tone: it’s an odd reference to the satirical joke that ‘vegetarian’ derives from a Native American term meaning ‘poor hunter’.
Nestled among the meat-packing houses and not the decidedly vegetarian eaters West LoopThe restaurant offers a welcoming note of lightness, starting with green plants and old pressed leaf artwork that punctuate the neutral interior.
Co-created dishes like tempura-stuffed lemon and broccoli and wood-grilled mushrooms and pickled blueberries over koji porridge manage the trick of feeling wholesome and indulgent and special at the same time. Even cocktails suggest good health. Try the LA Brunch, a cool, velvety sipper that balances its boozy ingredients with avocado, snap peas and aquafaba, a chickpea-derived emulsifier.
7. The Real Good Juice Company
If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan or just trying to limit sugar and calories, finding frozen treats that actually taste good and don’t include a laundry list of hard-to-pronounce Do not contain a list of items. local chain The Real Good Juice Company have your back.
In addition to serving fare like avocado toast and hilariously named cold-pressed juices (e.g., green-vegetable juice pack Shakur), its Old Town and Lakeview locations also produced NoYo FroYo, a coconut nectar. are Soft serve sweet almond milk in trendy flavors like activated charcoal and matcha.
It clocks in at just 80 calories per serving. And It’s absolutely delicious, with a delicate sweetness and creamy texture that’s enough to satisfy an ice cream itch without sabotaging your diet. Toppings like vegan cookie crumbles and almond butter only sweeten the deal.
Updated August 2019.