The 4 Best Healthy Restaurants in Ottawa for a Guilt-Free Meal
After hitting the gym last week, my friends and I were starving. One of us suggested that we eat at a fast-food place nearby. To that, we gave her confused looks because we didn’t want our workout to be canceled out by unhealthy food.
Since no one else had any ideas, I suggested that we go on a nutritious food crawl. This sparked our mission to find and try the best healthy restaurants in Ottawa.
Over the last few days, we tried every restaurant – I can happily say that the mission was a success.
I know that we’re not the only ones who are looking for healthy food spots in Ottawa so I decided to make a list of my favorites. Join me as we explore and enjoy a guilt-free dining experience. Let’s dive in!
1. Pure Kitchen
– Media credit: purekitchenottawa
Website: https://www.purekitchenottawa.com/
Location:
- Branch 1: 340 Elgin Street
- Branch 2: 357 Richmond Road
- Branch 3: 115 Rideau Street
Contact Details:
- Branch 1: 613-233-7873
- Branch 2: 613-680-5500
- Branch 3: 613-845-1818
Business Hours:
- Branch 1
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday and Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Branch 2
- Daily: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Branch 3
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
Must order: Mystical Burrito Bowl
Pure Kitchen prides itself on “resetting” your body with the best food and drinks. They’re known for their Pure Total Reset packages that’ll guide you through your healthy journey.
Should you find yourself craving a healthy meal, their Mystical Burrito Bowl is perfect. This is a combination of crispy tofu, black beans, and avocado, over a heap of brown rice.
It isn’t only delicious, but it’s also packed with various vitamins and nutrients to get you going.
To make sure you’re well-nourished, get their Nourish shake. Made from kale, cucumber, and spinach, it’s a delicious drink that’ll surely give you the boost you need.
Pro tip:
For dessert, get Kasia’s Seasonal Cupcake. It’s the perfect sweet treat to end your healthy meal.
2. Paradise Poké
– Media credit: paradisepoke.ca
Website: https://www.paradisepoke.ca/
Location:
- Branch 1: 134 Bank Street
- Branch 2: 118 Holland Avenue
Contact Details: 613-800-9015
Business Hours:
- Branch 1
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
- Branch 2
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Must order: Heat Wave
For those who want healthy dishes that bring the heat, Paradise Poké is the place to go.
Their best-selling bowl, Heat Wave, is a delicious combination of Brunswick Salmon, sushi rice, spicy mayo, and veggies. It provides the nourishment you need while packing a spicy punch.
Should you have different cravings, you can make your own bowl. You can choose from different bases, meats, veggies, and sauces. Mix and match these to your heart’s content!
My favorite was their grilled chicken over a brown rice base. I paired this with their Sweet Asian BBQ sauce, mangoes, and crispy garlic. It’s got a rich taste that I keep coming back to.
Pro tip:
I recommend getting their House-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies as your dessert. These are so good that I ordered extra ones to go!
3. The Green Door
– Media credit: thegreendoorrestaurant
Website: https://www.thegreendoor.ca/
Location: 198 Main Street
Contact Details: 613-234-9597
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
- Monday: Closed
Must order: Cheddar and Broccoli Quiche
The Green Door offers a healthy buffet experience that’ll leave you stuffed. Their dishes are made with their farm-to-table system, ensuring that your food is as fresh as can be.
As an avid cheese lover, their Cheddar and Broccoli Quiche was my personal favorite. I paired this with their Potato Salad. I was certainly stuffed after my first serving, but not going back for seconds was simply not an option.
I also recommend getting their Pommies Apple Cider. It’s the perfect bev to wash everything down, not to mention it had the blend of sweetness and sharpness that I liked.
Pro tip:
Their Cheesecake is the perfect end to your healthy meal. It has a rich sweetness that perfectly complements their bowls.
4. Coconut Lagoon
– Media credit: coconutlagoonottawa
Website: https://coconutlagoon.ca/
Location: 853 Saint Laurent Boulevard
Contact Details: 613-234-9597
Business Hours:
- Monday: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Must order: Ooty Woodland Mushroom Curry
Coconut Lagoon provides an upscale experience for those who want to enjoy healthy dishes with an Indian twist.
To start off, I recommend getting their Beet and Citrus salad. It has tossed lentils and their special house dressing, giving it a bit of zestiness.
Follow that up with their Ooty Woodland Mushroom Curry –their signature curry with local mushrooms. Due to its rich and smooth flavors, it has become the chef’s recommendation for everyone dining here.
To end your meal, their Jackfruit Ice Cream is the perfect sweet treat. The sweetness and creaminess of this dessert are simply unmatched.
Pro tip:
Order the Beau’s Lug Tread at their bar. It’s the brew to sip on if you want to enjoy a smooth texture and rich flavor.