20 Healthiest Restaurants in Massachusetts
This eating healthy guide will help you select some of the Healthiest Restaurants in Massachusetts to get and stay fit.
When it comes to eating out, Massachusetts is packed with restaurants that prove you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health. Whether you’re in Boston, Cambridge, or exploring the Cape, you can find nutrient-packed meals, fresh farm-to-table options, and dishes designed for wellness. Fitgirlboston.com has rounded up 20 of the healthiest restaurants in Massachusetts that make clean eating delicious and easy.
What Makes a Massachusetts Restaurant Healthy ?
When you’re dining out, it can be tricky to know whether a restaurant is truly healthy or just using buzzwords like “fresh” or “natural.” With more people focusing on wellness and nutrition, healthy dining is in demand—but what actually makes a restaurant healthy? Let’s break down the key factors.
1. Fresh, Whole Ingredients
Healthy restaurants prioritize whole, minimally processed ingredients. That means meals built around fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats—rather than refined carbs, fried foods, or heavily processed items.
2. Cooking Methods That Preserve Nutrition
How food is prepared matters just as much as the ingredients. Grilling, steaming, roasting, and sautéing with minimal oil are much healthier than deep frying. A healthy restaurant will highlight lighter cooking methods that enhance flavor without unnecessary calories.
3. Transparent Nutrition Information
Restaurants committed to health often provide nutrition details or at least list ingredients clearly. This allows guests to make informed choices and avoid hidden sugars, sodium, and additives.
4. Plant-Forward Menus
Even if a restaurant isn’t fully vegetarian, healthy eateries tend to offer plenty of plant-based options. Vegetables, legumes, and grains play a starring role, with animal proteins used in balance rather than dominating every dish.
5. Local & Sustainable Sourcing
Healthy dining isn’t just about calories—it’s also about quality. Restaurants that source local produce, organic ingredients, and sustainable seafood often deliver meals with higher nutritional value and fewer harmful chemicals.
6. Customizable Choices
One sign of a healthy restaurant is flexibility. Being able to swap sides for vegetables, choose whole-grain bread, or add lean proteins gives diners control to make better choices.
7. Balanced Portions
Healthy restaurants focus on balance, not excess. Portion sizes are reasonable, often designed to fuel energy rather than overwhelm you with oversized plates. Choices of protein meals ( white fish, shrimp, grilled/baked free range chicken, lentils and legumes – low salt/uncanned, lean steak and beef, quinoa and tofu choices. Variety of salads and veggies preferably organic, grilled or steamed. Plus, the ability to swap items like a baked potato instead of mashed, salad instead of pasta, sour dough bread instead of corn bread and so on…
8. Mindful Beverages
Soda refills and sugary drinks don’t pair well with wellness. A truly healthy restaurant offers alternatives like infused water, fresh juices, kombucha, or smoothies made without added sugar.
Check Out 20 Healthiest Restaurants in Massachusetts Below:
– Cambridge, Boston, Lowell
A staple for plant-based, organic food lovers. Known for hearty grain bowls, fresh juices, and colorful wraps, Life Alive is all about nourishing meals that taste amazing.
2. Dig Inn
– Boston & Cambridge
This farm-to-table spot serves customizable bowls with responsibly sourced proteins, seasonal veggies, and whole grains.
3. Cava
– Multiple Locations
Fast take out focusing on salads with a variety of protein and veggies. You can make your salad healthier by selecting the add ons that are more basic like chicken, steak, veggies, power greens and drizzle the dressing on yourself.
4. Clover Food Lab
– Multiple Locations
Famous for fast, healthy vegetarian eats. Their chickpea fritter sandwich and rosemary fries are cult favorites.
5. Whole Heart Provisions
– Allston & Cambridge
Build-your-own veggie bowls packed with flavor and global inspiration—topped with creative sauces like miso ginger or smoked cashew.
6. Pressed Café
– Burlington & Newton
Local favorite and so many options. All-day café with smoothies, acai bowls, salads, and lean protein wraps. Perfect for a quick, energizing bite.
7. Sweet Greens
– multiple locations
Salads for fast takeout. You can design your own healthy meal for on the go. Stick to the basics and it’s a healthier alternative to Wendys and other fast food options.
8. Jugos
– Boston
A go-to juice bar downtown for cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, and grab-and-go healthy snacks.
9. Root Natural Market & Café
– Northampton
An organic café and market that serves smoothies, macro bowls, and vegan baked goods.
10. The Friendly Toast
– Boston, Burlington, Cambridge
Not your average brunch spot—the menu includes plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options alongside traditional fare.
11. Revitalive Café & Juice Bar
– Newburyport
Organic, plant-based meals with everything from raw tacos to energizing juices.
12. Animo Juice & Burrito Bar
– Boston (Financial District)
A perfect lunch stop featuring smoothies, fresh juices, and whole-grain burritos filled with lean protein and veggies.
13. GreCo
– Boston & Seaport
Mediterranean-style bowls and wraps with customizable healthy toppings, falafel, and grilled meats.
14. The Juicery
– Newburyport & Portsmouth (MA/NH border)
Known for cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, and light, energizing food.
15. Oak + Rowan
– Boston
Farm-to-table fine dining with a focus on sustainable seafood, seasonal produce, and healthy yet indulgent meals.
16. Fresh Food Generation
– Boston
Caribbean-inspired meals made with locally sourced produce. Delicious grain bowls, grilled meats, and plantains.
17. Boloco Modern Mexican
– Boston & Cambridge
Burritos and bowls with clean, customizable ingredients, including organic tofu and whole grains.
18. Farmacy Café
– Manchester-by-the-Sea
Plant-based, whole-food meals designed for wellness, plus smoothies and gluten-free treats.
19. Legal Seafood
– Multiple Locations
Vegan dishes and seafood inspired meals that can be made all healthy with healthier cooking options. Skip the free bread and opt for a basic salad.
20. Island Creek Oyster Bar
– Boston & Burlington
Seafood lovers can enjoy fresh oysters, light fish dishes, and sustainably sourced proteins.
Final Thoughts
A healthy restaurant is more than a menu—it’s a philosophy. It’s about sourcing thoughtfully, cooking with care, and giving diners the power to choose meals that fuel their lifestyle.
Next time you’re scanning a menu, look for these signs. If the restaurant checks most of these boxes, chances are it’s a place that makes eating well easy—and delicious.
Discover more healthy restaurants at Fitgirlboston.com the best directory for gyms and healthy restaurants.
