When you think of Memphis cuisine, you might picture barbecue piled high atop a pile of nachos, loaded with cheese and jalapeños. You might think of Southern meat-and-three classics like fried chicken and cheesy macaroni. Memphis may not be known for healthy cuisine, but thanks to an ever-expanding health-conscious community, mindful eating in Memphis is easier and more convenient than ever. We’ve rounded up some of our go-to favorites for healthy eats to add to your rotation in the new year.
The Best Healthy Restaurants in Memphis
City Silo Table + Pantry
Memphis: 5101 Sanderlin Ave #104b, Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 729-7687
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday
Germantown: 7605 W Farmington Blvd #2, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 236-7223
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
City Silo offers re-imagined comfort food made with clean, nutritious ingredients — and conveniently, there are two Memphis area locations. Growing up in the South, husband-and-wife duo Scott and Rebekah Tashie opened City Silo to bring a conscientious approach to the comfort food they were raised on. They aim to make their guests feel fueled but not full by offering healthy options for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. Their menu includes all-day breakfast items, small plates, salads, acai bowls, smoothies, juices, coffee, and cocktails.
City Silo‘s menu offers nutritious takes on familiar Southern comfort food favorites. Image: Justin Fox Burks
Raw Girls
Downtown Memphis: 150 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 496-0755
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
East Memphis: 5502 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Raw Girls has specialized in fresh juices and plant-based cuisine since 2011. The brand has grown from food trucks to two brick-and-mortar locations in Downtown and East Memphis. Founded by Amy and Hannah Pickle, the vibrant shops are a reflection of the couple: bright, happy, and modern. On the menu, you’ll find an array of plant-based grab-and-go items, juices, soups, salads, bowls, and toasts, as well as a selection of take-home, cleanses, and boxed meals.
Check out Raw Girls for plant-based grab-and-go items, juices, soups, salads, bowls, and toasts, as well as a selection of take-home cleanses and boxed meals. Image: Raw Girls
Julles Posh Food Co
6300 Poplar Ave Suite #110, Memphis, TN 38119 • (901) 509-8675
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday
For more than eight years, Julles Posh Food Co has provided Memphis with delicious, healthy food, abiding by the philosophy that “tasty food does not have to be unhealthy, and unhealthy food does not have to be bland.” With over 30 years of experience cooking in kitchens worldwide, Chef Julles’s flavorful menu features globally inspired, preservative-free, take-home meals that remain fresh for four to five days. No cooking is required; heat and eat!
At Julles Posh Food Co, pickup takeaway options like Caper-Crusted Salmon in Lemon Sauce with a mix of veggies and multigrain pilaf you can make at home. Image: Julles Posh Food Co
Cheffie’s Café
483 High Point Terrace, Memphis, TN 38122 • (901) 343-0488
Hours: Sunday through Tuesday + Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At Cheffie’s Café, you’re invited to “be the chef.” Choose from an extensive list of top-quality meats, fresh produce, tasty cheeses, and delicious toppings to build your own sandwich or salad just the way you want. Alternatively, leave it up to the experts and order from the menu of seasonal soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Cheffie’s is a great spot for customized salads and sandwiches, built to your liking! Image: Facebook
Wild Beet Salad Company
6641 Poplar Ave, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 552-5604
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sunday
When founder Kelcie Noliner returned to Memphis after attending college in Manhattan, she was disappointed in the city’s healthy offerings. In New York, she was accustomed to having a salad shop on every block. Thus, Wild Beet Salad Company was born, offering salads and wraps highlighting fresh, clean, healthy ingredients. Diners can select from an array of vegetables, fruits, proteins, cheeses, nuts, and “crunchies,” all hand-chopped to order. Wild Beet Salad Company is open for lunch and dinner and offers online ordering.
Wild Beet Salad Company offers an array of salads and wraps emphasizing fresh, clean, and healthy ingredients. Image: Wild Beet Salad Company
Imagine Vegan Cafe
2158 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 654-3455
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Eating healthy can be difficult, especially when all you’re craving is comfort food. However, this family-owned cafe makes it a bit easier. Imagine Vegan Cafe was opened to offer the Memphis community a dining destination to enjoy creative vegan dishes — without worrying about the ingredients. The eatery’s menu features delicious appetizers, entrées, soups, desserts, smoothies, and weekend breakfasts, all made without animal products and served in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.
Imagine Vegan Cafe specializes in vegan versions of Southern favorites — BBQ, burgers, and even chicken & waffles. Image: Imagine Vegan Cafe
Bedrock Eats & Sweets
327 S. Main St., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 512-5374
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Owner Chef Brandi Marter believes there are enough terrible things to worry about; what you eat shouldn’t be one of them. After switching to a paleo lifestyle, she opened Bedrock Eats & Sweets, helping customers eat “cleaner” and feel better by offering them healthy, prepared-in-advance meals made with natural ingredients like organic fruits, locally grown vegetables, and grass-fed, free-range protein. You can order meals online for delivery or pickup, but if you have time to sit, visit the cozy downtown Memphis dine-in location. It offers the perfect spot for morning coffee or a healthy post-workout breakfast.
Dine at the Bedrock Market Cafe or order healthy pre-made meals for pick up at over ten Memphis area locations. Image: Bedrock Eats & Sweets
Happy Greek Cafe
547 S. Highland St., Memphis, TN 38111 • (901) 249-8325
Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday
Happy Greek Cafe on Highland offers a delicious, affordable menu of Greek and Middle-eastern favorites. Protein-filled dishes like the Chicken Souvlaki Rice Bowl (served on a bed of Basmati rice with tomato and cucumber salad) or the Beef and Lamb Gyro Bowl (served with seasoned veggies and your choice of sauce) are guaranteed to keep you pleasantly full and fueled.
The menu at Happy Greek Cafe features a wide variety of Mediterranean favorites. Image: Happy Greek Cafe
Global Café
1350 Concourse Ave. Suite 157, Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 512-6890
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
This international food hall features eclectic and exciting global dishes from immigrant and refugee food entrepreneurs. Try authentic cuisine from Bhutan, Germany, Jamaica, Korea, Sudan, and Venezuela — all in one cafe and without ever leaving Memphis! In addition, the rotating menus feature many healthy options like Sopa De Arvejas, a hearty vegetable soup from Venezuela, or the Asado Bowl from Mexico that can be made vegan, vegetarian, and gluten- or dairy-free.
Head to Global Café, where you can try a range of authentic cuisine from places like Bhutan, Germany, Jamaica, Korea, Sudan, and Venezuela. Image: Global Café
Vibe Foods Superfood Bar
3139 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111 • (901) 207-2535
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
With locations in Memphis and Colorado, the health-conscious cafe owners at Vibe Foods Superfood Bar believe that, in today’s over-processed world, good food is medicine. With that in mind, they offer some of the most unique and powerful superfoods on the planet. The plant-based menu features bowls, smoothies, juices, and coffee beverages that are gluten- and dairy-free, plus refined sugar-free. Packed with nutrients, enzymes, and minerals, the healthy choices will leave you feeling energized and invigorated.
In today’s over-processed world, Vibe Foods Superfood Bar believes good food is medicine. Choose from an array of gluten- and dairy-free bowls, smoothies, and juices, all made without sugar and packed with nutrients. Image: Vibe Foods Superfood Bar
The Vegan Goddess
7940 Fischer Steel Rd., Cordova, TN 38018 • (901) 210-6877
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday
Owner Camri McNary set out to break the typical “vegan mold” when she founded The Vegan Goddess. She specializes in various vegan food options: standard vegan, raw vegan, and alkaline- and gluten-free. Camri believes preparing healthy meals shouldn’t be stressful, and thanks to The Vegan Goddess, meal prep is easy — she offers real, whole-food options you can pick up and take home to enjoy.
Preparing healthy meals shouldn’t be stressful, and at The Vegan Goddess, you can pick up a variety of natural, whole-food options you can take and make at home. Image: The Vegan Goddess
INSPIRE Community Cafe
510 Tilman St. Suite 110, Memphis, TN 38112 • (901) 509-8640
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
INSPIRE Community Cafe is a family-founded eatery that nourishes the community in more ways than one. Initially a mobile cafe, the business was founded in 2017 to create meaningful living wage jobs, healthy and delicious foods, and a gathering place for local change-makers to connect and collaborate for a more just and compassionate community. Now, with a brick-and-mortar and a catering service, INSPIRE Community Cafe serves a sweeping menu of coffee and espresso drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, and substantial dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With gluten-free paleo, vegetarian, and vegan options, there is truly something for everyone.
INSPIRE Community Cafe offers something for everyone — from coffee and espresso drinks to fresh fruit smoothies and filling dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Image: INSPIRE Community Cafe
Juice Bar
553 Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 612-2720
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The mission at Juice Bar is to make wellness the simplest, most delicious part of your day. Featuring a colorful menu of smoothies, juices, wellness shots, soups, and “bites” like fresh salads and wraps, Juice Bar is a one-stop shop for fueling your body. Founded with the belief that wellness doesn’t have to be high-maintenance, Juice bar makes prioritizing health approachable — even when you’re on the go.
Juice Bar is a one-stop shop for fueling your body with a bright and colorful menu of smoothies, juices, wellness shots, and more. Image: Juice Bar
Enjoy your healthy dining adventures, Memphis!
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