Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
The O.G. Bowl at Hello Juice and Smoothie in St. Louis
In the land of toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, it can be a challenge to keep a well-balanced diet. Sometimes, simply knowing where to go is half the battle. If you’re looking to introduce some healthier options into your daily routine, consider checking out what these local places have to offer.
Fruit-based drinks might be the main draw, but Hello offers more than refreshing beverages. Hungry guests will find a menu featuring bowls, waffles, toast, and oatmeal, among other offerings. The O.G. Bowl features a base of açai, banana, strawberry, blueberry, and coconut milk that’s topped with granola, banana, seasonal berries, coconut, and honey. Made on sourdough from Knead Bakehouse, the avocado toast comes with crushed red pepper flakes, hemp hearts, salt and pepper, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and cherry tomatoes. 1000 S. Newstead.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
The Giant Rice Paper Wrap at Lona's Lil Eats in St. Louis
Lona's Lil Eats' Giant Rice Paper Wrap
There’s much more here than merely traditional Chinese and Thai offerings. At Lona’s, more than 80 percent of the menu is vegan, with healthy additions available for spring rolls, dumplings, and more. Create an individual wrap while choosing from rice paper or a flour tortilla, adding a protein (tofu, chicken, steak, turkey, brisket, or shrimp), some filler (salad mix, stir fried rice, stir fried glass noodles, jasmine rice, and cold glass noodles), and topping it off with a sauce (spicy sesame, lemongrass pesto, smoked vinaigrette, lime-ginger peanut, or house-made barbecue) of your choice. 2199 California.
The business started as a concept that tailored meals to the needs of elite local athletes, but it’s since grown to satisfy active St. Louisans of all stripes. Build your own bowl by choosing a base (rice, beans, eggs, or quinoa), a layer of vegetables (carrots, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, collard greens, or sweet potatoes), and a topping of protein (chicken, tofu, chorizo, pulled pork, beef, or salmon). Diners can also create a salad and choose from a list of fruit smoothies and cold-pressed juices. 8388 Musick Memorial; 11215 Manchester.
This quick-serve concept opened in the former Beets & Bones location in Clayton during the summer of 2022, offering juices, broth bowls, toasts, salads, and more. The Soulful Chicken Bowl is made with chicken bone broth, hand-pulled chicken, garlic-braised collard greens, roasted root vegetables, lemon zest, brown rice, and tomato confit. All of the juices, which are fruity and flavorful, are made without preservatives, additives, and artificial sweeteners. 8401 Maryland.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Dahi Kapri Chaat at Bombay Food Junkies in St. Louis
Bombay Food Junkies' Dahi Kapri Chaat
With a focus on plant-based foods, the menu here is inspired by a variety of cuisines. The Dahi Papdi Chaat (wheat crackers, potatoes, and chickpeas, topped with organic, non-GMO, dairy-free soy yogurt, and chickpea noodles) is among the items that serve as a nod to Indian street food, while the Crispy Chik'n Sandwich (served on a toasted bun with vegan garlic butter, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles) appeals to even the hungriest carnivore. 12955 Olive.
Kevin A. Roberts
Plant-based foods at Station No. 3 in St. Louis
From Station No. 3 (clockwise from brat): Spoiled Brat - Beyond Brat with grilled peppers and onions, Giardiniera peppers and mustard on a hoagie with fried pickle fries (vegan); Brisket Sandwich - housemade jackfruit seitan, smoked provolone, grilled onion, arugula, tomato, horseradish aioli on hoagie; Mean Ass Turkey Burger - real turkey and turkey bacon, white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, dijonnaise on brioche; Potato Skins - cashew cheddar, bacon, scallions, and sour cream (vegan); House Salad - romaine salad, tomato, cucumber, red onion, avocado, bacon, and ranch
Frida's / Diego's Cantina / Station No. 3
The kitchen renovation at Frida's is set to be complete this winter, allowing this staple of the St. Louis feel-good food scene to once again serve meals that cater to just about every diet. Frida's has long stayed away from sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, butter, and other potentially problematic ingredients, while using little to no oil in the recipes. Next door, neighboring restaurant Diego's Cantina serves Latin American-inspired food—including a separate, entirely vegan menu. Station No. 3, the third restaurant from owners Natasha Kwan and Rick Roloff, offers flexitarian fare in Benton Park. 622 North and South.
Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free oatmeal doughnuts from Seedz Cafe in St. Louis
Gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free oatmeal doughnuts from Seedz Cafe
With a menu focused on vegan, plant-based cuisine, there are plenty of healthy options to consider here. The gluten-free Detox Salad features Tuscan kale, broccoli, cauliflower, citrus poached beets, pepitas, walnuts, cranberries, and shredded cabbage. Heartier options include the Tempeh Reuben, which features marinated tempeh slathered with cashew cream, tomato, sauerkraut, Seedz’ own sauce, and spicy brown mustard on grain bread. 6344 S. Rosebury.
As the name implies, this Cherokee Street favorite specializes in teas, including loose leaves for purchase and made-to-order cups to sip on the go. But Teatopia also offers a variety of salads and small bites. Try the Teaditional Salad (romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, parmesan cheese flakes, croutons, and tea-infused vinaigrette) or the Veggie Wrap (romaine lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers with a tea-infused cheese spread, tea-infused vinaigrette, served on a spinach wheat wrap). 2606 Cherokee.
Courtesy UKRAFT
Honey Apple Salad at UKRAFT in St. Louis
UKRAFT's Honey Apple Salad
What started as a health-focused food truck has quickly become one of the region’s top spots for green cuisine. After opening its first location downtown, in Peabody Plaza, two years ago, UKRAFT opened a Chesterfield location last spring. The Honey Apple Salad includes antibiotic-free chicken, apples, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, cucumbers, almonds, granola, and honey apple vinaigrette, while the Baja California Wrap comes with black bean corn salsa, pico de gallo, avocado, pepper jack cheese, chicken, and chipotle lime vinaigrette. 701 Market, Downtown. 14888 Clayton, Chesterfield.
Courtesy Plant Kraft Kitchen
Kale Caesar Salad at Plant Craft Kitchen in St. Louis
Kale Caesar Salad at Plant Craft Kitchen
The popular vegan prepared meal service expanded its offerings in 2022, opening a brick-and-mortar location in Sunset Hills. Order from the in-house menu, which features salads, bowls, sandwiches, and more. Everything is created in-house, using plant-based ingredients. The restaurant's salads come completely free of oil. Try the Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar, which includes baby kale, shaved Brussels sprouts, watermelon radish, creamy cashew-based caesar dressing, and walnut parmesan. 3860 Lindbergh.
Vegan and vegetarian items fill the menu of this South Grand staple. The Brussels Sprouts Salad (red and green cabbage, shallot, fresh herbs, jalapeno & sweet chili vinaigrette) and the Wild Mushroom Stuffed Ravioli (roasted garlic cashew cream sauce, flash-fried Brussels sprouts) are among the healthy dishes worth trying. 3177 South Grand.
