Now here is the real reason why I am so in love with NYC: THE FOOD. NYC literally has any food you could ever want in your life. They have healthy food, Paleo, Vegan, any ethnic food, southern cooking, fish, farmers markets, and even foods you have never heard of. I could go to almost any part of the city and find something Paleo. NYC is ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to Paleo food. They even have some of the only 100 percent Paleo restaurants in the world here. And for being a city without farms, they have some of the best farm fresh produce and meats you can get.

1. Hu Kitchen

Where do I even begin with Hu Kitchen? If you have never heard of Hu Kitchen then you are missing out. It is centrally located at Union Square, and also on the Upper East Side. Hu Kitchen is by far the best Paleo restaurant on earth. And no, I haven’t been to every Paleo restaurant on earth, but I am brave enough to say that with confidence it is the best. Hu Kitchen is the number one reason why I lost most of my savings while I lived in

Hu Kitchen is a completely Paleo restaurant that has everything you could want. They a huge drink menu, from any coffee you could want, like bulletproof, to any latte, like matcha and golden milk, and of course kombuchas. They also have smoothies and juices made right there. Hu also makes the best Paleo breakfasts. They have a hot breakfast menu that varies from BEC, to paleo pancakes, to coconut yogurt bowls. Hu also has a permanent lunch and dinner menu that always has their meatloaf, rotisserie chickens, and veggie lasagna, with all the amazing vegetables. They also have a cold case of prepared foods like brussels, curried sweet potatoes, salads, and turkey meatballs. Their Paleo desserts are also next level good. They always have muffins and cupcakes, along with assorted sweets. But their best desserts are their chocolate bars. Hu Kitchen chocolate is famous worldwide for quality and taste. They have amazing flavors like almond butter, mint, to hazelnut. I always stock up on at least three of these when I go.

My favorite part about Hu Kitchen is that each week they have specials for lunch and dinner. They have 2 to 3 different meals that you can get during the weekdays that are always amazing. They typically advertise what they are making at the beginning of the week, so I would always check and plan my week accordingly. These meals are things like steak tostadas, burgers, enchiladas, chicken wings, chicken parm, aka every unhealthy comfort food made healthy. One of the best burgers I had in my life was on one of these nights where they made a beef brisket burger with cashew cheese and paleo bun, with a side of the best ever sweet potatoes.

My favorites when I go are the specials that they have, their meatloaf on a cold day over some cauliflower mash, their rotisserie chicken with sweet potatoes, and any of their matcha or golden milk lattes. Also everything that I have had from the cold case has been amazing. I once loaded up on food for a flight from the cold case and I have never had more flavorful airplane food!

If there is one place you go while in NYC, it has to be Hu Kitchen.

2. Springbone Kitchen

Springbone is another great restaurant that is almost 100% Paleo. Located right near Washington Square Park it is extremely accessible. I love Springbone because it has a “homey” vibe. It is the ultimate comfort food that your mom used to make you. Their warm foods are some of the best in the city. They are known for their great bone broths that are so tasty you can drink, which is perfect for the freezing NY days. They also have a varity of bowls like their chili, zoodle and meatballs, chicken and rice, and many others. Their vegetable sides are also bomb, from brussel sprouts, to their sweet potatoes, I love them all.

My favorite meal to get there is their Chili bowl. Their chili has great flavor and is perfect for a cold day. It is served over their sweet potatoes and quinoa, although I asked to sub the quinoa for brussel sprouts and they did it without a charge. Great spot for lunch and dinner!

 

3. The Little Beet & The Little Beet Table

The Little Beet is another fast casual healthy restaurant chain in NYC. I loved to go to them if I was in a rush or out for a quick lunch because it was fast and delicious! They also have a restaurant called “The Little Beet Table” that is a sit down and apparently extremely good, unfortunately I never got to go because it was always reserved, so it must be good! 

The Little Beet is almost all Paleo, with the motto “Guiltin Free.” Almost all of their food is gluten free, and if it isn’t it is clearly labeled. They also pride themselves in having farm fresh ingredients that were sustainably grown.

They are similar to a Chipotle or Sweetgreen in that it is a walk up and pick your food kind of place. They also have bowls that are on the menu that you can order if you don’t want to build your own. They have bowls that range from salads, grain bowls, and rice bowls.

My favorite is the build your own bowl. I always pick the greens as my base. They have a fantastic lemon sauce they squeeze over them that compliments them nicely. then you pick your toppings. I always go to the hot veggies because they are SO good. Their mushrooms and sweet potatoes are always amazing! Next you get to pick your protein, which I always go with their salmon since it is so good. It is pan seared and pairs perfectly with the sauces. Their sauces are out of this world good and are what make the bowls so yummy! I have tried almost all of their sauces and I love them all. But the best by far is their piquillo sauce. If they have that sauce when you are there it is a must! Lastly, you finish it with some garnishments like nuts and seeds!

The Little Beet is a perfect spot for lunch or a quick dinner, but be prepared for long lines at lunch since its so dang good!

4. Inday

Inday is another great fast casual restaurant in NYC that is Indian food made healthy! Inday is the only Indian restaurant that I have been able to find that cooks their food in high quality oils and actually cares about health. They have two main locations in the city around Midtown and also just added an “Inday Go Go,” which is the same, just on the go, takeout food. 

Although I have only been to Inday a couple of times, since there were just too many great restaurants to eat at in NYC & not enough time, I was obsessed with it. It is the same concept as The Little Beet, where they have bowls you can order off the menu, or create for yourself. All of their bowls start with a rice base, that includes the normal rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Then you can pick all the veggies, proteins, sauces and garnishments, all with an Indian flare. All of their foods are also labeled DF/GF, so it makes it very easy to eat Paleo.

As usual, I went with the build your own bowl every time I was there. I always went with their cauliflower rice and was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful it was because most restaurants really mess up cauliflower. I also added salad greens to get extra greens along with my vegetables. You really can’t go wrong when picking your veggie toppings. I tend to go for the warm veggies, but also liked their watermelon radishes simply because they were so pretty. Both times I went I also got their chicken curry. I highly recommend the chicken curry if your are a curry fan, it pairs perfectly with the cauliflower rice. Lastly, their sauces are AMAZING. I tried loads of them and loved them all, but the ones I loved the most were the hot sauce, and their avocado crema. The crema was great to cool off your mouth from the spicy hot sauce and curry!

If you are an Indian Food lover and in search for a healthier alternative, this is the place to go!

5. Mike & Dave’s

I discovered Mike & Daves on my last stay in NYC. It was in the middle of winter, the temperatures were below freezing, and I took the bus everywhere so I wouldn’t have to endure the cold walks. But regardless of being frozen to my core, I was determined to try this healthy ice cream. I found it months in advance online and had been stalking their social media ever since.

Mike & Dave’s is a healthy soft served with loads of gluten free and vegan options. My favorite part is that they are also no added sugars and all natural. Their soft serves are made from frozen fruits like bananas, strawberries, and even frozen nut butters and squash like pumpkin! They have a set menu of different ice cream options, or you can even create your own with different bases and toppings. It is also not like your typical soft served ice cream, because it is so nutrient dense and filled with real food, it is also an extremely dense soft served (in a good way). It leaves you full, happy, and not craving more sugar like most soft served does.

I was lucky enough to meet one of the owners, Dave, while I was at one of my visits. He was extremely passionate about health and bringing a healthy alternative ice cream to the market that everybody would love. It was great to see a young entrapenuer in the restaurant industry so passionate about health and we talked for over an hour just about a real foods diet thats not full of crap, like their nice cream.

I was able to go twice in my last short trip to NYC and it still wasn’t enough. The first time I had their pumpkin “pie,” which is seasonal unfortunately for anyone wanting it past the winter months. It was a pumpkin purree base with almond butter and I was in heaven. It not only tasted like a pumpkin pie, but was x10 better because it was ice cream. The next time I went I got the peanut butter base with add ins of almond butter and chocoalte chips. When I say it was like I was eating frozen peanut butter I am not kidding! I had a huge peanut butter obsession before I went Paleo, so I had to splurge and get this nice cream. I honestly have never had a better dessert, and couldn’t believe how filling and healthy it was.

If you are in NYC this is a MUST for dessert. Even if it is the dead of winter, you have to make your way there. It is truly like nothing you can get anywhere else on the planet.

6. Le Botaniste

This recommendation may be a surprise to many since it is not considered Paleo, but Vegan. I don’t get to eat at Vegan restaurants very often, but when I do it is usually one of the better meals I have because if Vegans can do one thing, it is cook. Le Botaniste is an amazing Vegan restaurant located in SoHo and the Upper East Side that offers food with amazing flavors. They are organic and also gluten free. Their food is not only delicious and filling, but probably the prettiest food and most creative I ate while in NYC.

They have many bowls you can choose from, also appetizers like raw sushi, desserts, and build your own bowls. Unlike most restaurants, I think I enjoyed Le Botaniste’s cold options more than the hot. Both were absolutely amazing, but their spreads like their beet hummus and coconut ceviche were extremely unique.

When I went I built my own bowl with a vegetable base and  got their curry, which did have peanuts, so it wasn’t 100 percent Paleo, but was amazing. I then added many toppings like their seaweed tartar, which I expected to be much more fishy, but was actually amazing and kind of had a cheesy taste. I also had their red beet caviar, and kimchi. I am usually not a huge fan of kimchi, but whatever they did with it not only made it palatable, but delicious. Lastly I had the coconut ceviche on top and this was by far my favorite part. It was almost like a coconut stew with so much flavor.

If you are looking for a meal that is loaded with veggies and flavor, you should definitely check out Le Botaniste.

7. Rosa Mexicano

If you like Mexican food and are looking for a nice dinner with friends or family, you should check out Rosa Mexicano in NYC! My family and I are big on Mexican food because of the flavors, and now because it is easy to make Paleo. There is nothing I love more than an amazing taco, and some of the best I have had have been at Rosa Mexicano.

Rosa Mexicano is more of an upscale Mexican restaurant compared to most. This is why I usually went as a treat with family or friends for dinner. Their dishes are typically around $20 dollars and you get a wide variety of options, from tacos and burritos, to fish, to braised pork shank. They also have fantastic appetizers and drinks and a great atmosphere.

When I go I ALWAYS get the guac they make at the table. This is hands down the best guac I have ever had. You get to pick from mild, medium, and hot for spice level, and they make it right their at the table for you. I recommend getting the medium, because the hot is so hot you may not taste your meal after. Also if you ask for vegetables for dipping instead of chips they will do this for you, even though it doesn’t say so on the menu! They will give you an assortment of romaine, carrots, celery, and jicama to dip with the guac!

As for the meals, you really can’t go wrong with anything you get. I have had a few different things, and all have been amazing. But the best by far has been their gluten free braised beef tacos. This beef has been braised for hours and almost melts in your mouth it is so moist. I also ask for them on lettuce instead of tortillas and they always are glad to do that! It typically comes with a corn side, but I have subbed for their cauliflower and it was better than most restaurant cauliflower.

A definite dinner spot if you and your dinner partners love Mexican food!

8. Honest Chops Butchery

Now I know this isn’t a restaurant, but I had to add this butcher to my list because this was one of the best butcher’s I have ever had. When I lived in NYC I quickly realized how expensive high quality meat was at grocery stores. Before I found Honest Chops, I was paying $10 for mediocre, grass fed ground beef. But once I found Honest Chops, I didn’t go anywhere else for my meat. This was because it was so high quality, and at great prices. There were few cuts that were over $13 dollars a pound, which is amazing in NYC.

Honest Chops Butchery is a halal butcher in the East Village that has beef, lamb, and chicken that are all organic, grass fed, pasture raised, and from local farms! I have had A LOT of meat in my lifetime, so I consider myself a sort of meat expert, and in my opinion Honest Butcher had the best meat in NYC (in my price range at least lol). The mat was always fresh, had great flavor, and was fabricated perfectly.

I had a lot of meat from there while I lived in NYC, and there was none that I disliked. But the best by far were their short ribs. It is very hard to find grass fed short ribs that are of higher quality since grass fed cattle are much leaner. But these short ribs were massive and had tons of marbled meat on the bone! I would get them often and braise them a few hours and they were hands down the best short ribs I have ever had.

If you are staying in NYC and want to cook a meal, I recommend getting your meat from here!

9. Pressed Juicery

Unless you live under a rock, you know what Pressed Juicery is. Pressed originated in California, but has spread to many locations in the US, including NYC. Pressed started as a juice company with amazing juices and cleasnes. But now at many of their locations they also have their “freeze,” which is essentially soft served made from their juices. Although they are not at every Pressed location, if you have one that does have the Freeze, you must go!

Their freeze is much different than Mike & Dave’s. I see it more as a dessert or addition to the meal since it is not as filling. Their freeze are made from mostly fruits, nuts, and waters. I really don’t know how they get those ingredients to turn into such an amazing soft serve consistency, but it is magical. They typically have four flavors as options, they have chocolate, vanilla, matcha, and strawberry. Every flavor is honestly amazing, but vanilla is probably my favorite. You also get to choose from a variety of toppings like fruits, nuts, cacao, almond butter, honey, coconut chips & chocolate chips.

I have been to Pressed so many times I now have a strategy going in which I recommend you follow for optimal soft serve. First, I always get samples of all the flavors. This is because sometimes if on flavor is running out, or not churned right, it is liquidy, and not nearly as good. So if you try all you know which ones are the best. The next most important thing is that you can pick two flavors and put them in one bowl. DONT DO THE SWIRL. Ask to get them side by side. Why? Because then they almost always give you more by accident, and the more the merrier. Lastly I always go for the same three toppings if they have them, the cacao chips, almond butter, and cacao drizzle. If they don’t have those three options, I will usually sub it with coconut flakes.

Pressed is a soft serve that is light and doesn’t fill you up, so it is the perfect dessert after a meal out. But you shall be warned, it is extremely addictive!

10. Bareburger

Bareburger is a great restaurant for if you want a sit down dinner. It is the perfect option if you want to meet friends and family because they have a wide variety of options ranging from healthy to unhealhty. Bareburger also has many locations in NYC and also many other cities in the US. Their mission is to bring organic, grass fed, pasture raised meats and also high quality vegetables and ingredients to their customers. They are also very conscious of all types of diets and food allergens. On their menu they clearly mark if something is gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.

I have only been to Bareburger a few times since it is more of a sit down restaurant, but each time I have gone it has been fantastic. Each time I go I obviously get the burgers. But what is fun is they have loads of meats to try from. They have beef, chicken, turkey, elk, bison, impossible burger, and vegetarian. Also, different locations may have different burgers, like some have duck. They also have amazing sides. They have loads of greens and appetizers that go great with the burger. Lastly, they have an endless list of toppings that compliment the burger greatly, including a collard wrap instead of a bun!

My favorite meal I have gotten from Bareburger was the Elk Burger. I always try to have a new thing if I see it on the menu, so of course I had to try the Elk. If you have never had it, it tastes like a mix of Venison and beef, just very lean. I decided to top it with a fried egg, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes wrapped in a collard. It was AMAZING. I asked to cook it rare so it would be extremely moist, and it was perfection topped with the fried egg. Lastly, on this occasion I got the brussel sprouts, which are definitely not Paleo since they are fried, but they were bomb!

11. by Chloe

By Chloe is another restaurant that is extremely popular in NYC. They are a vegan restaurant that has great healthy options, but also vegan comfort food indulgences. Because it is Vegan it isn’t 100 percent Paleo, a lot of their main dishes includes tofu or seitan as a meat replacement, or foods like beans and corn. But, if you do okay with those foods on occasion, by Chloe is a great dinner option for a healthy burger and fries!

By Chloe is so popular because many of their foods seem unhealthy, but are actually cooked with high quality ingredients and in a way that won’t ruin their makeup and nutrients. They have a menu that would please everyone, even those who don’t like veggies. They have a great lunch and dinner menu, along with vegan desserts. They have amazing salads like their caesar, greek, and my favorite, their quinoa taco. They also have pasta dishes like their mac and cheese and pesto pasta, neither gluten free or good for you though. Their most popular items are their burgers and fries, and for good reason. They have burgers that come with bold flavors like the Guac Burger, The Classic, Whiskey BBQ and more! They also have fries that are air fried and gluten free that are the perfect side for the burger.

Every time I have gone I have not been disappointed. If I go for a lunch I typically get the quinoa taco salad because it is large and has bold Mexicany flavors. For the burger you have to get the guac burger because everything is better with guac. If you ask you can get it on a bed of lettuce, since they don’t do collard wraps. Also every time I go I have to get their sweet potato air fries. You get a ton with your order, and they are super crispy and aren’t heavy from oil.

If you are interested in a Vegan indulgence that is still healthy, by Chloe is a great option for lunch or dinner. But do know that it is super popular, so lines are long and finding a table is difficult when it is busy.