Best Healthy Restaurants in Toronto
By: Julie Mancuso, founder of JM Nutrition, registered dietitians and nutritionists at JM Nutrition, Ahsan Zaman, public health consultant. Learn about JM Nutrition’s practitioners. Updated April 2024
What are the best healthy restaurants in Toronto?
As the founder of a Toronto nutritional counselling service, I have been asked so many times over the years that I have lost count.
Knowing where to find the best healthy food restaurants or healthy take-out is especially important for those who are beginning to make healthy changes to their eating habits, as well as their lifestyles. This allows them to still enjoy a meal at a restaurant or taking one to go, without having to sacrifice their health, wellness and nutrition goals.
Healthy Food in Toronto, According to Dietitians and Nutritionists
To serve this purpose, our team of Toronto dietitians and nutritionists has compiled a list of the best healthy restaurants in Toronto.
Over the years, we have paid numerous visits to each of these restaurants, trying a variety of menu items. This, we feel, puts us in a good position to make the recommendations.
Best Healthy Restaurants in Toronto
Kupfert & Kim
Locations visited: 83 Critchley Ln., Toronto, ON M5S 3L3, 140 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 2L4
With numerous locations, Kupfert & Kim is no doubt one of the stand-out healthy restaurants in Toronto. If you’re looking for healthy restaurants in downtown Toronto especially, look no further. Conveniently, you will find a number of Kupfert & Kim locations here.
As the logo clearly indicates, Kupfert & Kim is a wheat-free and meat-free quick service restaurant. It aims to give Torontonians minimally processed foods to enjoy. This is a perfect go-to option when you’re on-the-go, but still want to eat healthy.
As the restaurant’s slogan says, “We make delicious, minimally-processed food that is awesome for humans, animals and our planet.”
Recommended food items:
What’s more, the restaurant offers a number of delicious and healthy offerings. You’ll find bowls, toasts, smoothies and more.
Our team recommends Almond Banana Toast, Cauliflower Tahini, Miso Ginger Broth Bowl, Guac Burger and K&K Lasagna.
Mad Radish
Location visited: 120 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W 1B7 and others
We visited Mad Radish when it first opened in the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood. And we have been making periodic visits since.
Admittedly, we tried several food items here, some more than once. And that’s because they were that good. Mad Radish offers Torontonians a range of bowls, sandwiches, soups, snacks and sides.
And if you’re looking for the best healthy restaurants in downtown Toronto exclusively, not to worry, Mad Radish has a few locations in the area.
Recommended food items:
Piri-Piri Chicken (bowl or sandwich), Viet Noodle Bowl, Smashed Chickpea, Coconut Curry Chowder
The restaurant also prides itself on more than just food. Responsible sourcing is taken seriously, as is compostable packaging. You can even place an order on the restaurant’s own app. Ordering healthy food has never been more simple.
Rolltation Sushi Burrito
Locations visited: 2291 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2C6, 758 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2B6
If you’re looking for healthy food in Toronto with an Asian twist, make a pit stop at Rolltation Sushi Burrito. The restaurant provides fresh and healthy Asian-inspired food. It also carries house-made sauces inspired by “a fusion of flavours from the east.”
You’ll find delicious sushi burritos, poke bowls, hot bowls, salad bowls and more.
Recommended food items:
Spicy Habanero Chicken Karaage, Kimchi Beef, California Roll Sushi Burrito, Teriyaki Chicken Poke Bowl, Wasabi Mayo
Fresh
Locations visited: 101 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M4P 1H4, 326 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W5
First opened in 1999, Fresh has been serving Toronto and the GTA modern plant-based food and organic, freshly made fruit and vegetable juices. Fresh restaurant is a pioneer in the healthy food niche in Toronto. As such, a list of the best healthy restaurants in Toronto would not be complete without it.
Fresh’s mission is to show that a plant-based diet can be just as enjoyable, satiating and vitalizing as any other.
In addition, all menu items are made daily using whole and natural ingredients. The menu is extensive, so finding a favourite is a cinch. It also changes fairly regularly, at least since we began frequenting it some years ago.
Recommended food items:
Avocado Crispy Rice, Buffalo Cauliflower Salad, Rainbow Smoothie, Big Salad, Powerhouse Bowl, Date Almond Power Shake
Copper Branch
Locations visited: Commerce Court, 199 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5L 1E2
The many locations of Copper Branch all across Canada are no doubt a testament to its popularity and success.
Serving whole and plant-based foods, Copper Branch offers an extensive menu. You’ll find virtually every type of meal here: breakfast, snacks, sides, lunch and dinner items, desserts, coffees, teas and more.
We’ve tried a number of items from the menu and none disappointed. In fact, some were so good that we order them every time we visit.
Recommended food items:
Quinoa Chili, Carrot Keftedes with Aioli Sauce, Aztec Power Bowl, General Copper Bowl, Aristotle Bowl
Planta
Location Visited: 60 Bloor Street West
Planta labels itself as a vegan restaurant, offering many appealing healthy food selections.
Planta has a number of locations across North America, so that’s certainly a testament to the quality it provides.
Recommended food items:
Funghi salad, avocado lime tartare, lettuce wraps, kelp Caesar
imPerfect Fresh Eats
Location Visited: 1108 Bay St. Unit A, Toronto, ON M5S 2Y1
imPerfect Fresh Eats is certainly one of the best healthy restaurants in Toronto.
The restaurant menu caters to those looking for healthy food that is locally-sourced.
In addition, the restaurant offers a wide variety of unique and healthy food selections, including the option to customize your meal.
We have tried numerous items off the menu and they’re all delicious.
Recommended food items:
Miso lemongrass tofu bowl, char chicken bowl, keto bowl, acai bowl
Impact Kitchen
Location visited: 1222 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4T 1W3
Located just a stone’s throw from our midtown Toronto office before our move to downtown Toronto, Impact Kitchen was one of the more convenient neighbourhood places where we could pop into for some healthy food. As a result, we have frequented it many times.
The soups and stews, along with a wide selection of bowls, are the items that stand out to us. All items we tried were tasty and healthy.
If you’re looking for a healthy restaurant in Toronto, strongly consider Impact Kitchen.
Recommended food items:
Almond Butter & Chia Jam Toast, True Roots Power Bowl, Zesty Mexican Power Bowl, Macro Power Bowl, Thai Butternut Squash Soup with Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread, Turkey Chili
Basil Box
Location visited: 351 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 1S1
If you’re searching for healthy restaurants in downtown Toronto, sooner rather than later, you’ll stumble upon the extensively and well-reviewed Basil Box.
Open 7 days per week–something we appreciate–Basil Box is a healthy food chain from that takes its inspiration from the markets of Southeast Asia.
Best of all, at Basil Box you can play chef and build the box that you desire from scratch. Simply select your vegetables, protein source(s) and sauce to create a meal with your name on it.
Recommended items:
Keto Box from Signature Boxes, Tom Yum Noodle Soup, Pad Thai
The Goods
Location visited: 279 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2M3
With a strong belief in the idea of disease prevention, The Goods serves vegan, organic foods made with functional healing ingredients.
The Goods also offers sugar-free, gluten-free, sesame-free, nut-free, soy-free and low-glycemic options. This certainly epitomizes the notion of a healthy restaurant. As a result, it is no doubt one of the best restaurants for healthy food in Toronto.
Recommended food items:
The Gateway Smoothie, Kings Noodle Salad Bowl, Nori Bowl, Be Well Soup
Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods
Location visited: 151 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5C 2W7
Tractor Everyday Health Foods is another healthy restaurant in downtown Toronto.
After its success in Vancouver, British Columbia, the family run restaurant opened in Toronto.
Tractor Everyday Health Foods certainly lives up to the healthy restaurant label with their philosophy:
“Our definition of healthy food encompasses a high proportion of veggies combined with a balance of lean meats and fish, whole intact grains and heart-healthy nuts and fats.”
Recommended food items:
Red Lentil & Greens Soup, Mushroom Ditalini, Fig & Farro, Beet & Pear
District Restaurant and Bar
Location visited: 303 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1J5
Winner of Best New Restaurant of 2017, District Restaurant and Bar is arguably Toronto’s healthiest cocktail bar. It proudly serves their customers an inclusive menu offering a plethora of healthy options that also include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free foods.
Admittedly, our collective visits to the restaurant have been very limited, but the items that were ordered were all excellent.
Recommended food items:
Truffle Brussels Sprouts, Avocado & Beet Salad, Broccoli Tacos, Szechuan Stir Fry
nutbar
Location visited: 1240 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4T 1W5
nutbar is a superfood snack café/healthy coffee shop with the philosophy that focuses on a healthy mind and body. Located in Midtown Toronto, the restaurant uses the most nutrient-rich organic foods for their snack-based menu.
The nutbar menu contains a number stand out items. All of them excellent.
Recommended food items:
Beet Toast, Ultimate Recovery Smoothie, n’oatmeal, Turmeric Latte
Good Grains
Location visited: 4134 Dundas St W, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1X3
This vegan quick-serve restaurant offers a variety of food products to satisfy all palates. The numerous unique dishes comprise fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and diverse spices.
The Good Grains website proudly states that most of their freshly made meals are soy-free, gluten-free and nut-free. In addition, the foods are free of refined sugars and any kind of animal products. This is something we appreciate and value.
Recommended food items:
Freekeh Herb Chickpea Salad, Kaleidoscope Slaw, Pear and Parsnip Bisque, Taste of the Mediterranean Hummus
iQ
Location visited: Brookfield Place, 181 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2T3
This seasonal restaurant serves daily in-house cooked foods that are plant-forward. iQ also serves quality dairy, poultry and fish options.
Besides its food, what we like about the King Street West restaurant is that it has partnered with local farmers, producers and purveyors to brings its customers local, high-quality food.
Recommended food items:
Peanut Butter Oats, Sababa Bowl, Avocado & Salmon Toast, Spicy Kale Caesar Bowl
Aamazing Salad
Location visited: 82 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1K9
AAamazing Salad certainly warrants a spot on the best healthy restaurants in Toronto list. The restaurant provides fresh and nutritious meals to its customers with health at the forefront. This is something we approve and commend.
What’s more, Aamazing Salad co-operates with SickKids, where every penny earned on their meals is donated to the SickKids Foundation.
The restaurant menu has a wide variety of salads, bowls, soups, wraps and more. Our sports nutritionists in particular recommend Aamazing Salad.
Recommended food items:
Energy Salad, Rainbow Wasabi bowl, Spinach Tofu Soup, Queen Wrap, Spinach Tofu Soup
Freshii
Locations visited: numerous
We can safely assume that anyone who has an interest in healthy food in Toronto has likely heard of or visited the ubiquitous Freshii.
The constantly evolving menu and consistently tasty offerings make Freshii a shoe-in for a place on the best healthy restaurants in Toronto, or anywhere else for that matter.
For those few who have never visited, the restaurant offers a wide variety of healthy breakfast selections, salads, wraps, bowls, burritos, smoothies, juices, kids’ meals and more. Freshii has something for just about everyone.
Recommended food items:
Oaxaca Bowl, Buddha’s Satay, Teriyaki Twist, Green Eggs & Kale, Cali Smoothie Bowl
Conclusion
Our list of the best healthy restaurants in Toronto is by no means exclusive. We are certain that there are other healthy food restaurants that may merit their inclusion on this list. For the restaurant to be included, we feel that a few visits must be paid to each restaurant. In addition, at least several menu items must tried for us to be able to render a fair appraisal.
As always, it is our goal to give as many healthy local Toronto restaurants a try, so we can help inform our clients and Torontonians in general. As a result, we look forward to adding to the list in the near future.
If you feel, we missed a Toronto restaurant that should be included, please contact us, and we will put it on the list of the Toronto restaurants to try next.
Last, if you’d like to book an appointment with a dietitian and nutritionist, please contact us. You can also book a free consultation. We offer in-person appointments and online dietitian services.
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JM Nutrition is a nutritional counselling service by registered dietitians and nutritionists in Canada. Main area of service: Ontario dietitians.
