Overview
Not so long ago, going on a health kick meant shutting yourself off from the world, rejecting all dinner invitations and telling yourself you could never eat out again. Not anymore it seems. Brisbane restaurant meal options now include organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, raw — the list goes on. To think we can still remember a time when white rice was considered good for you and only coeliacs had to worry about gluten.
Mindful eaters and health fanatics should find much to celebrate in the following list of the top healthy eating spots in Brisbane. There may even be a little something for everyone else.
Coco Bliss Bulimba
How ready you are to embrace Coco Bliss Superfood Bar is probably directly proportionate to how deeply you have accepted that most pervasive of buzzwords: superfood. The list of favoured ingredients here contains items so oft-touted for their health boosting properties they have reached the level of cliche: raw cacao, coconut water, acai, chia seeds and goji berries. Plus, some ingredients sound unfamiliar enough to mean they simply must be good for you: maca, lucuma and mesquite.
1a/204 Oxford Street, Bulimba
Botanica
Botanica sits among a string of shops on the corner of Enoggera Tce and Waterworks Road. It’s easy to spot, with a table of freshly made cakes visible through the storefront window. Along with their gluten-free and vegan baked goods, Botanica also supplies a range of salads and just might be the healthiest takeaway shop in Brisbane.
9/1 Enoggera Terrace, Brisbane
Fundies
Fundies Wholefood Market in Paddington is dedicated to natural foods, nutrition and sustainable agriculture. It has long been a favourite place of Brisbanites looking to stock up on all things healthy and good. The attached cafe of course shares this philosophy, serving up dishes like scrambled tofu with oven-roasted tomato, wilted baby spinach and organic sourdough toast.
219 Given Terrace, Paddington
Paleo Cafe
This place has developed a bit of a reputation as a paleo establishment where non-paleo practitioners still like to eat. Juices and acai bowls may be slightly obvious as menu items, but grass fed sirloin with served with sweet potato bake, fresh garden salad and creamy peppercorn sauce keeps paleo-sceptics and naysayers quiet.
10 Market Street, Brisbane
Kitchen Sanitarium
Established by health food company Sanitarium, Kitchen Sanitarium’s menu is built upon plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds, making it the perfect dining option for vegetarians. Many of the dishes are also vegan. For a quick, easy and nutrient-dense lunch, try a plate of their assorted salads.
145 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Sourced Grocer
Located in an old warehouse in Teneriffe, Sourced Grocer is at once a speciality food store and cafe. The fit-out is cleverly conceived and manages to attract waves of punters on weekend mornings. The focus is on simple, healthy and fresh food and the coffee is very highly regarded.
11 Florence Street, Newstead
Mondo Organics
To be fair, the food at Mondo Organics is definitely more indulgent than may be expected of a restaurant qualifying for this list. However, Australia’s first fully licensed organic restaurant deserves a mention we feel. Food is nourishing, restorative and delicious. Plus, surely being healthy doesn’t mean giving up wine.
166 Hardgrave Road, West End