15+ Places for Healthy Food in Atlanta

Here are our picks for nutrient-rich, healthy food finds you and the kids will enjoy.

Café at Pharr

The low-fat menu of salads and sandwiches is full of healthy options such as chicken salad in different flavors. The famous yogurt rolls (pastry roll filled with a yogurt mix) come with each meal. They are happy to cut sandwiches in half for the kids, and make grilled cheese if you have a picky eater.
Parents: Walnut Chicken Salad Plate, which is made with a low amount of mayonnaise.
Kids: Half turkey or ham and cheese sandwich with fresh-made bread
Four Atlanta locations. cafeatpharr.com

Lottafrutta

You’ve never had a side of fruit like this. The Mexican-style fresh fruit cups are vibrant, juicy and made to order. South-American smoothies feature loads of tropical fruit and juices, and the fillings on the Cuban pressed sandwiches stand up to the fluffy bread. Go for a salad if you’re cutting carbs, but grab a paletta (popsicle) to enjoy afterward.
Parents: Grilled panini filled with homemade hummus, fresh avocado, tomato, cucumbers and sprouts
Kids: Cremolatta, a fruit cup with banana, grapes, watermelon, strawberry, papaya, honeydew and cantaloupe topped with dairy-free whipped cream
Old Fourth Ward.  lottafrutta.com

Café Sunflower

This award-winning vegetarian/vegan restaurant serves up fresh juices, salads and entrees that make it easy to avoid gluten, nuts or soy. Asian and Mexican influences are in some of the most popular dishes, like the Macro stir fry and the veggie-packed bean burrito. Kids will love the Pineapple Refresher drink, with pineapple, apple, lemon and cucumber.
Parents: Moo Shu Vegetables with tofu, bean sprouts, cabbage, green onions, carrots, and mushrooms wrapped in a flour tortilla, red beans on the side
Kids: Steamed veggie dumplings and “Mac and Cheese” – elbow pasta with almond milk and vegan cheese
Buckhead. cafesunflower.com

Lucky Lotus

Cold-press juice bar with all natural juices, smoothies, energy shots and vegan meals. Walk up to the stand and order, then walk around Ponce City Market’s shops and bustling food hall.
Parents: Clean Green Smoothie or Organic Acai Bowl
Kids: Strawberry Shake
Ponce City Market. luckylotusjuice.com

True Food Kitchen

The creators of True Food Kitchen take popular foods and transform them into healthier versions. Kids can peek into the open kitchen to see their food being chopped and prepared. The menu includes everything from fresh-squeezed juices to salads, bowls and sandwiches.
Parents: Kale Aid and Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Kids: Chicken Teriyaki Bowl or Smoked Turkey Sandwich
Lenox Square Mall and Avalon. truefoodkitchen.com

Salata

The salad bar of your dreams is here. Choose your lettuce mix, then pile on your picks, including the expected veggies, plus cheeses, seeds, fruit, sprouts and others. Drizzle with dressings and add a protein, like pesto chicken or herbed shrimp. Kids love the ability to customize their plates. Fancy lemonades and fresh baked cookies are winners with the littles.
Parents: The sky’s the limit! Build a salad bowl and add a broccoli or white bean soup.
Kids: Wrap with romaine, turkey, cheese, dried cranberries, chopped egg and herb vinaigrette, prickly pear limeade
10 Atlanta locations. salata.com

Ted’s Montana Grill

If you’re trying to eat healthier, but still crave a burger, Ted’s bison, turkey or chicken offerings are a good way to go. Kids love the wikki stix pre-meal entertainment and pickles, and the children’s menu selections are more varied than most.
Parents: Skinny Dip bison burger, bunless with avocado, tomato and kale salad
Kids: Grilled chicken with buttered carrots, fresh lemonade
11 Atlanta locations. tedsmontanagrill.com

Recess

Bowls with bases of quinoa, brown rice, bulgur or lentils or salad selections get loaded with fresh veggies and a protein of choice, including chicken, an egg or half an avocado. Sandwiches, toasts and vegetable sides round out the small menu. Kids items are smaller-sized selections based on main menu dishes. Eat at the Krog Street Market location, or take a meal to go on Beltline adventures. Breakfast is served on weekends only.
Parents: Super Bowl of quinoa, coconut brown rice, sweet potato, daily greens, pickled beets, chickpeas, tahini dressing, dried mango, and dates
Kids: Quinoa and barley bowl with chicken and roasted carrots
Krog Street Market. recessatl.com

Flying Biscuit Café

Southern comfort food can be healthy, too! The eggs-forward menu at “The Biscuit” includes several salads and vegan entrees as well. Don’t miss the gorgeous, fluffy biscuits with strawberry jam. Check for kids eat free days and hours; they vary by location.
Parents: Clifton omelette with goat cheese, mushrooms and tomato sauce, spicy collard greens
Kids: Black bean cakes with fresh fruit
13 Atlanta locations. flyingbiscuit.com

Kale Me Crazy

A superfood café offering juices, smoothies, salads and wraps made with organic, raw foods. With several locations around Atlanta, it’s an easy pop-in for a healthy treat. They will gladly split a smoothie in two cups for the kids.
Parents: Acai Bowl, Grounded Smoothie or Revive Juice
Kids: Tropical Trippin’ Smoothie
16 Atlanta locations. kalemecrazy.net

Loving Hut

For a vegan fix, Loving Hut has a full menu of flavor-packed options. The 100% plant-based cuisine includes international flavors stemming from Asia, the Mediterranean and Italy. The menu lets your kids try healthy foods and become introduced to vegan cuisine, but in an easier way than serving cut broccoli.
Parents: Pad Thai
Kids: Golden Tofu Nuggets
Norcross and Sandy Springs. lovinghut.us

Fresh to Order

Restaurants don’t always make their meals health-conscious, but Fresh to Order has a wide range of chef-quality menu options. Kids eat free on Saturday and Sundays. (Check with your location for additional weekday specials.)
Parents: Grilled salmon served with black bean orange sauce
Kids: Grilled chicken, rice and a side salad
Six Atlanta locations. freshtoorder.com

Souper Jenny

The menu changes daily based on local produce availability at this soup, sandwich and salad spot. Kindness and table-sharing is encouraged, and you might have to wait in line, but it moves quickly. The fresh-baked breads and cookies are ideal for a post-lunch treat.
Parents: Dad’s Turkey Chili, roasted cauliflower, broccoli and carrots with lemon-tahini dressing
Kids: PB&J on whole wheat, chicken and orzo soup
Five Atlanta locations. souperjennyatl.com

Tupelo Honey Café

Here you’ll find creative comfort food transplanted from Asheville to Atlanta. You could make a meal of just the fresh veggie sides, but there’s much more to explore on the made-from-scratch menu of Southern faves with a twist or two.
Parents: Spicy avocado and chopped egg sandwich on health nut bread, Appalachian spinach salad
Kids: Grilled mountain trout and mixed green salad
Sandy Springs. tupelohoneycafe.com

R. Thomas’ Deluxe Grill

This funky intown spot serves mostly organic, vegetarian and “super foods” including raw vegetarian entrees and freshly squeezed juices. Kids love visiting the resident birds and are mesmerized by the funky décor. Plus, you can order breakfast 24 hours a day.
Parents: Magic Stuffed Baked Potato, filled with marinated portabella mushroom, zucchini, red onions, white cheddar cheese, and sunflower sprouts
Kids: Scrambled eggs plate and Madonna smoothie: kefir, banana, maple and vanilla
Brookwood. rthomasdeluxegrill.net

NaanStop

We love the name of this quick service spot that serves fresh Indian food, quickly. The menu starts with choice of naan sandwich, rice bowl or mixed greens, to which you add chicken, lentils, turkey sausage or other healthy proteins. Top it with a chutney and pick a side, and you’re on your way to a fragrant, tasty lunch.
Parents: Brown rice bowl with dal (stewed lentils) and coconut mint chutney
Kids: Naanwhich with paneer (creamy Indian cheese) and apple-tamarind sauce, mango lassi (mango and yogurt smoothie)
Buckhead, Atlantic Station and Downtown. naanstop.com

Gusto!

Pick your own base: greens, brown rice or flatbread and add protein: chicken, portabella or shrimp. Then choose a toppings option such as mango, avocado, chipotle or tahini, cucumber and feta among others. Sweet potato chips come with every meal for extra snacking and the kids will love the on-site frozen yogurt area for a sweet treat after dinner.
Parents: Brown rice, grilled shrimp and the chipotle, mango, avocado topping
Kids: Chicken bowl with gusto! sauce. Sweet, soy sriracha is recommended, but kids can pick any of the sauces.
11 Atlanta locations. whatsyourgusto.com

Village Tavern

American dishes feature fresh seasonal ingredients prepared with zero Trans-fat oils. While there are loads of indulgent items, you can easily find healthy choices for lunch, brunch or dinner. A Healthy Children’s Menu, created with the National Restaurant Association’s Kids Live Well program, offers great options: fresh salmon, grilled chicken , sautéed vegetables and sliced apples.
Parents: Kale and organic quinoa salad, spaghetti squash and zucchini with plum tomato sauce
Kids: Grilled salmon, fresh green beans, granny smith apples and milk
Alpharetta. villagetavern.com