Keen to start the New Year on a high? Achieving your health goals in Sydney is easy – with an outdoors lifestyle, year-round warm climate and access to some of the best fresh produce in the world, it's no wonder Sydney is blessed with a myriad of health-conscious eateries. Luckily, the city has seen a surge in healthy chefs, who cater to diner demand by whipping up meals that are both nutritious and delicious. When dinnertime rolls around, they forgo flavouring their food with huge amounts of butter, salt and oil, and instead cook clean, lean and colourful dishes that taste just as good, if not better.
So to help plan your next night out around your New Year diet plan, we've pulled together our pick of the best healthy restaurants in Sydney. Because eating good doesn't have to be boring. Here’s where to go for a feel-good dinner fix.
Bodhi Restaurant, Sydney
Hidden behind St Mary’s Cathedral in the city, Bodhi has an incredible vegan menu. Settle in to an outdoor seat among the fairy lights and fig trees, and order up a feast of Oriental delights. Think steamed Chinese vegetables, vegan dumplings, salads and stir-fries with a rainbow of veggies, nuts and herbs. To round off your meal with a vegan mango cheesecake.
2-4 College Street, Sydney
Acre Eatery
With sustainability at its core, Acre Eatery showcases ethical, farm-to-table dining at its finest. Every dish is made using ingredients harvested form the farm next door, so you can expect a healthy array of salads and seasonal veggies on almost every plate. And of course, with its strong focus on sustainability, every item of fruit and veg is used root-to-tip and meat nose-to-tail, to reduce waste and save on the environment.
31A Mallett Street, Camperdown
Warren & Holt
For organic, locally sourced food in a sleek Marrickville setting you won’t find better than Warren & Holt. You also won’t find a more accommodating bunch, dedicated to their allergen-friendly, vegan-friendly, ethically sourced mantra, which is reflected in every dish on the healthy, nutritious menu.
415 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
Lox Stock & Barrel
A few streets back from Bondi Beach, this healthy haunt’s rustic interiors match the menu, which is simple and allows the quality of the ingredients to shine. Try the slow-roasted eggplant stuffed with quinoa, spiced nuts, herbs and haloumi...you won't be disappointed. In the mood for seafood? Order the QLD barramundi.
140 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach
COOH Alexandria, Sydney
COOH makes almost everything else in-house and serve up dishes that are bursting with flavour and nutrition. Start with the spiced cauliflower before moving onto the crispy skin grilled salmon with sweet potato puree and nashi pear slaw. If you have room for dessert, the chocolate creameux will hit the sweet spot.
90-96 Bourke Road, Alexandria
Kepos & Co
Every meal at this Middle Eastern-meets-Mediterranean dining destination should start with the homemade hummus (seriously delicious). Then, try the Tel Aviv falafel (it’s so good, they wrote a book about it), along with the spanakopita and classic hot kanafeh.
Casba, Shop 5/18 Danks Street, Waterloo
Bondi's Best
Thanks to its selection of sustainable seafood, this Bondi haunt has made a splash on Sydney’s seafood scene. It's also a haven for healthy eaters. After you’ve chosen your fish and how you’d like it cooked (grilled or steamed are the most virtuous options), have some fun with the sides. The roasted carrots are delicious, as are the sweet potato chips and crushed potatoes.
North Bondi & Bondi Beach
Momo Bar
Ever since its opening early 2017, the bar has been impressing Sydneysiders with its menu of Nepalese ‘momos’ (plump, juicy dumplings), and Hawaiian poke bowls. The fusion not only works, but it’s a healthy one at that – the momos are stuffed with handmade fillings, while the bowls are brimming with sashimi, brown rice, and various veggies.
Dee Why & Manly
Yulli's
Whether you’re vegetarian or just having a Meatless Monday, Yulli’s delivers. The menu is as creative as it is flavourful, with a mix of Asian, Moroccan and Mexican-style plates. We love the mini Vietnamese pancake with chilli radish, king mushrooms and tofu, and vegan san choy bow. Otherwise, the roast capsicums stuffed with fermented cashew cream, almond slivers and sultanas is an exotic way to wind down your day.
417 Crown Street, Surry Hills