Being healthy doesn’t just have to involve bowl after bowl of dry, kale infused, day-ruining salads, ya know. We don’t know about you, but we certainly didn't come into the world as floppy-eared bunnies and so we’re certainly not gonna eat like one!
Maintaining a healthy and actually enjoyable lifestyle is all about balance and so, with this in mind, we wanted to show that it can be can be damn delicious and surprisingly easy to find alternatives while keeping your goals in mind.
Forget tossing your salad and instead, toss that limp lettuce to the curb and get ready to see how eating healthily doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore!
Bird On A Wire
Ponsonby
Bird On A Wire are a foolproof go-to for all things chookin’ delicious and healthy. Their superfood wrap ticks all the boxes—herb hummus, sprouts, beetroot slaw, quinoa, cottage cheese and of course, their succulent pulled chicken! Lunch time feed, anyone?
Mondays Wholefoods
Kingsland
With wholefoods in its name, you know that Mondays aren’t gonna serve up any kind of nasties. Full of nutrients and all things yummy, their raw pad Thai contains daikon, spiralled veggies, sesame, chilli & almond sauce, lotus root and peanuts! Kale, what kale?!
The Midnight Baker
Mt Eden
Who said that eating toast had to be unhealthy? When it’s in moderation and made at The Midnight Baker, we are all over it! Served with cashew yoghurt, fresh and freeze-dried fruit and toasted coconut, we simply can’t get enough! Their savoury options are topped with the likes of crispy kale, creamy garlic mushrooms and roasted beets.
Fatimas
Ponsonby
Pita and shawarma legends, Fatimas are never without a queue for their delicious pockets of goodness. Grab their Mediterranean pita for a slice of healthy heaven. Expect to find roasted red capsicum, hummus, minted yoghurt and more as you chow down!
Kitchen By Mr Toms
Ponsonby
Out with friends and wanting to avoid all things carbilicious without sacrificing flavour? Head into Kitchen By Mr Toms and order in the pan-seared market fish complete with braised gem, peas, fennel and an Oishii broth. Your body will thank you!
Little Bird Unbakery
Ponsonby
What would this list be without mention of Little Bird Unbakery and their incredible selection of healthy treats?! Their raw taco plate is giving us all the kind-on-the-bod feels. C’mon, with choices like black bean or Mexican spiced-mushrooms, you know it’s gonna be good!
Big Sur
Grey Lynn
Courgetti is one of those trends that is a damn tasty alternative to salads, but a serious chore to make yourself. Big Sur have done the hard work for you and serve up their portion of zoodles with pumpkin meatballs and roasted cherry tomatoes! Yum!
Misters
Auckland CBD
Forget soggy salads, get in line and get ready to chow down on Misters Portuguese bowl instead, for serious #healthyeating goals. Complete with organic sorghum, tabouli, charred corn cream, lemon mayo, baby cos, peri peri harissa and baby coriander, it’s flavoursome and guilt free!
The Food Truck Garage
Auckland CBD
With a recent menu transformation, the much loved The Food Truck Garage are bringing us even more deliciousness in the form of their new dishes. We’re currently loving the jerk veggie bowl which features the likes of jerk rubbed tempeh and peppers, truck slaw and other delights on a bed of brown rice!
Garden Wholefoods Eatery
Newmarket
Specialising in all things veggie and vegan, you won’t find anything short of nice and nutritious at Garden Wholefoods Eatery! With seasoned avo, heritage tomato, spinach, soft boiled egg, crumbled feta and a side of sourdough, their garden plate is packed full of everything we could possibly want or need!
Balance Kitchen
Albany
For all the health conscious out there, get yourself over the bridge and straight to Albany’s Balance Kitchen for their home cured salmon sashimi! Not only does their menu feature delicious and nutritious feeds, you can also build your own meal to cater to what you want and don’t want! Eating healthy has never been easier!
Craft Kitchen
Ponsonby
Work up a sweat walking to the top of Ponsonby Road and nab a seat at Craft Kitchen for their kumara and pumpkin gnocchi. Served with sundried tomato, kalamata olives and spinach coulis, it is 100% worth it!
Homestead
Hillsborough
Where better to dine on delicious and guilt-free grub than in the beautiful surroundings of Homestead? Their portion of North African chicken is packed with flavour and nothing but goodness. Dinner with the girls sorted!
Hello Mister
Auckland CBD
Rice paper rolls are a healthy yet ridiculously quick and easy lunchtime fix and Hello Mister is where you wanna get yours! With choices of lemongrass chicken, prawns, tofu and many more, stopping when we are full just got a lot harder!
Prego
Ponsonby
Prego are famed for their incredible Italian food, whether their beautiful pizzas or indulgent pastas, but when you just can’t justify the doughy goodness, look to their oven-baked whole snapper instead. With olives, Mediterranean veggies and herbs, you won’t be sorry!
Onslow
Mt Eden
Make a beeline for Onslow’s cured baked salmon. Served with fennel, macadamia and lemon labneh, it’s healthy and it’s all ours, sorry!
Jam Organic Cafe
Takapuna
If you’re after something tasty and that’s not going to spend a lifetime on your hips, hit up Jam Organic Cafe. Order their organic quinoa and beetroot fritters—with carrot and feta, candied walnuts, cumin yoghurt and lemony rocket, who said that quinoa had to be boring?
Blind Basket
Takapuna
Talk about food envy! Blind Basket have created such a dreamy bowl of goodness, your Caesar salad will throw itself in the bin. Think marinated beef, poached egg, bean sprouts, capsicum, pickled veggies and spring onion, all on a bed of five-grain rice! Cheque, please!
Wise Cicada
Newmarket
Dedicated to all things health and wellbeing, it comes at no surprise that Wise Cicada gets a mention on this list, especially their home-styled baked beans. This spice-filled veggie dish is the perfect comforting start to your day without the stodge!
Want more?
- Auckland’s Best #CleanEats
- 7 Foodie Trends That Aren’t As Healthy As You Think
- Auckland’s Best Health Food Stores
Image credit: The Midnight Baker