After an epic weekend of indulgence, the next week your body may be craving salads and vegetables. Luckily these restaurants are either vegan, vegetarian, or feature plenty of healthy yet delicious options when you want to feel better about your diet.
1. Rockin' Raw
rawketscience.blogspot.com
178 N. 8th St., (718) 599-9399
Rockin' Raw is the ultimate in healthy cuisine in Williamsburg. Not only is it vegan, the food is raw - meaning it's not cooked. On their website their cooking style is described as "live vegan raw organic Peruvian new Orelanian creole cuisine with soul." Signature dishes include Lentil Chili ($10), Gumbo ($15) and a perplexing "Raw Burger Platter" ($15). At brunch, there are $3 Bloody Mary's. Who knew?
2. Bliss
urban75.org
191 Bedford Ave., (718) 599-2547
Bliss serves up both vegetarian and vegan food all day. Their brunch is delicious: the Breakfast Burrito ($6.95) is an excellent choice, and they only use organic eggs. For lunch or dinner their gigantic salads can't be beat. Throw it back with a Spirit Juice (carrot, beet, lemon and ginger) and you've reached healthy nirvana.
3. Wild Ginger
flickr.com/tommylane
212 Bedford Ave., (718) 218-8828
If you have a hankering for Chinese food but you don't want all the salt and mystery meat, look no further than Wild Ginger - serving up vegan asian fusion cuisine. The basil soy protein ($8), or the steamed mixed vegetables ($6) are delicious and healthy and the staff is accomodating when it comes to choosing a sauce or substiutions.
4. Ella Cafe
TapIt Water
177 Bedford Ave., (718) 218-8079
Though Ella Cafe is not 100% vegetarian or vegan, they are totally organic and committed to serving healthy food. Stop in for a juice at their juice bar or for brunch or lunch specials. The Mediterranean Salad ($8.95) is packed with lentils and goat cheese and the Avacado and Tomato omlette ($10.95) is out of this world.
5. Foodswings
cheapassfood.com
295 Grand St., (718) 388-1919
Foodswings calls themselves "vegan fast food," and they mean it. Though there are small tables this is more of a grab and go place. But goodness there are plenty of things to choose from: salads, nachos, pizza, fried not-chicken, sandwiches and over ten different varities of veggie burgers. Whether you're just trying to be healthy or you're a die-hard vegan, Foodswings has something for you.