When you want to maintain your healthy lifestyle choices while dining out, you become an expert at locating the salad page on a menu. Let’s change that. These local spots are giving you entire menus full of nutritious dishes while also staying mindful about the sources and sustainability of their ingredients. For vegan, ethnic, time-crunched or gourmet cuisine that will nourish both your body and your local environment, read on.
The Globetrotters
1. Rice and Noodles
1238 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA / riceandnoodlesrestaurant.com
With myriad fresh choices, Rice and Noodles, along with its sister restaurant Sprout, is a staple for Lancaster. WHAT TO GET: Whether you’re feeling fine or a little under the weather, try the soup rau chay (S1), a vegetable broth loaded with tofu and veggies that leaves you feeling light and soothed.
2. Himalayan Curry and Grill
22 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA / himalayanlancaster.com
Himalayan Curry and Grill masters Indian and Nepalese cuisine, both known for their use of healthful spices like ginger, turmeric and cumin. WHAT TO GET: Go for the elegant buffet or try a menu item such as chicken jalfrezi or mis mas tarkari.
3. Kissho Sushi
970 S. George St., York, PA / kisshosushi.com
Sushi with fresh vegetables and seafood can make a nutritious and filling dinner, especially if you start with low-calorie miso soup or edamame. WHAT TO GET: Some of our favorites are the Kampyo roll, Atlantic roll and vegetable roll combo.
4. Korealicious
829 State St., Lemoyne, PA / korealiciousfusion.com
Korean cooking often involves nutritious ingredients such as ginseng, a spice that can lower blood sugar levels, improve your immune system and increase energy. WHAT TO GET: As you prepare for cold and flu season, head to Korealicious for the ginseng chicken soup.
5. Pho Bistro
887 E. Market St., York, PA / yorkphobistro.com
Because Vietnamese fare relies on fresh herbs and spices for flavor, it contains minimal fats and sugar. WHAT TO GET: Check out Pho Bistro for some top-notch Vietnamese dishes like bun xao rau chay, a vegetable noodle soup, and com ga nuong sa, lemongrass chicken with vegetables and rice.
6. Chop Sushi
126 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA / chopsushilancaster.com
WHAT TO GET: Chop Sushi allows you to create your own poke or hibachi bowl from various rice, protein, veggie and topping options. Or choose from one of their favorites such as the salmon salad, a combination of salmon, edamame, carrots, cucumbers and ginger sauce on spring mix.
The Vegan Dream
7. Root
223 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA / rootoflancaster.com
Root is redefining vegan food with its creative recipes and unique ingredients. WHAT TO GET: Try the pizza bean dip or Caribbean BBQ jackfruit tacos to start, and finish with eggplant bolognese or chickpea and mushroom curry.
8. The Vegetable Hunter
614 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg, PA / thevegetablehunter.com
WHAT TO GET: Kimchi is a superfood megastar for its density of probiotics, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. That’s why we love the taco bowl at The Vegetable Hunter. This rice bowl is loaded with Korean tofu, cumin black beans, kimchi, kale, mushrooms, potatoes and chana masala.
9. Mellow Minded Café
5943 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA / mellowmindedcafe.com
Most vegans and vegetarians rely on beans for a portion of their daily protein and fiber. WHAT TO GET: Head to Mellow Minded Café for the black bean tacos, which are wrapped in a tortilla and topped with avocado aioli and broccoli slaw.
10. Vrai
1015 Market St., Lemoyne, PA / vrairestaurant.com
Boasting multiple vegan and vegetarian options, Vrai is creating a new level of veg dishes. WHAT TO GET: The vegan ala vodka features gluten-free chickpea pasta, veggies and a vodka tomato sauce with cashew cheese.
11. Busy Bee
34 W. Philadelphia St., York, PA / busyfizzybeez.com
For the perfect balance of hearty and healthy, check out Busy Bee inside York’s Central Market. WHAT TO GET: Among an extensive veg menu, the Buddha bowl with tofu, onions, peppers, sugar snap peas, red rice and mushrooms is a breakfast favorite.
The Better Fast Food
Image Courtesy The Speckled Hen
12. The Speckled Hen
141 E. Main St., Strasburg, PA / speckledhencoffee.com
Quinoa is a must-have pantry item for all mindful eaters. WHAT TO GET: The Speckled Hen beats your average grain salad with its quinoa platter, a bed of creamy quinoa topped with corn, black beans, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, scallions and parmesan.
13. Prince Street Café
15 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA / princestreetcafe.com
Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, acai bowls have become a superfood staple. WHAT TO GET: Prince Street Café amps it up with the green acai bowl, which includes kale, spinach and spirulina for extra iron and protein.
14. Rijuice
23 N. Market St., Lancaster, PA / rijuice.com
When you don’t have time for even a spoon or fork, find Rijuice. Located in Lancaster Central Market with distributors throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Rijuice presses local fruits and vegetables into on-the-go nutrition.
15. Deli Delicious
966 S. George St., York, PA / delidelicious.com
For deli salads of grains and beans, sandwiches on scratch-baked bread, or green salads with fresh veggies, head to Deli Delicious. WHAT TO GET: Favorites include the Mediterranean salad and lentil deli salad. Both are light enough that if you choose not to resist one of the homemade Greek bakery items, we won’t tell.
16. LettUsKnow
22 S. George St., York, PA / lettusknowyork.com
LettUsKnow is one of the most popular spots for Yorkers seeking a healthy lunch. WHAT TO GET: Here, you can build your own salad or wrap from endless enticing options, or you can choose one of their tried-and-true recipes like the California surfer, a blend of spinach, avocado, chickpeas, roasted peppers and more with the option to add protein like turkey, chicken or tofu.
17. Simply Soup
34 W. Philadelphia St., York, PA / simplysouponline.com
Soup season is almost here! One of our favorite places to warm up on a cool autumn day is Simply Soup, located inside York’s Central Market, which offers regularly changing choices of countless soups, including vegan and gluten-free options.
The Next Level
Image Courtesy Millworks
18. Millworks
40 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, PA / millworksharrisburg.com
WHAT TO GET: The Chesapeake Bay Rock Fish from Millworks is prepared with white beans, kale and asparagus for a flavorful, light dinner. Since rockfish is low in fat and high in lean protein, our best advice is to sneak in a craft brew or two while you’re there. It is all about balance, after all.
19. Cork and Fork
200 State St., Harrisburg, PA / corkandfork.us
Small plates are a smart way to experience new foods while keeping true to your diet. WHAT TO GET: The spaghetti squash, swordfish spiedini and oven-roasted Brussels sprouts are some favorites at Cork and Fork.
Image Courtesy Tutoni's
20. Tutoni's
108 N. George St., York, PA / tutonis.com
As an Italian restaurant famous for its pasta, Tutoni’s might not be your first idea for healthy eats. But don’t forget about the upstairs tapas bar where a daily changing tapas menu offers creative bites of true farm-to-table fare.
21. Hunger N Thirst
920 Landis Ave., Lancaster, PA / hungernthirst.com
The small plates at Hunger N Thirst are perfectly portioned for a meal that fills your appetite but not your calorie count. WHAT TO GET: Stuffed piquillo peppers are served with lentils and a French bean salad while smoked trout is accompanied by beet carpaccio and shaved veggies.
22. Revival Social Club
19 N. George St., York, PA / revivalsocialclubyork.com
As one of York’s newest restaurants, Revival Social Club has established itself as a destination for creative dishes of fresh, local ingredients. Their seasonally-changing menu always features various salads, daily soup and veg-friendly entrees.
Image Courtesy Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar
23. Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar
2625 Brindle Dr., Harrisburg, PA / harvestseasonalgrill.com/harrisburg-restaurant
WHAT TO GET: Whole foods from sustainable sources are an imperative component of healthy eating. That is why we love the steamed ancient grain bowl at Harvest. This bowl of farro, freekeh, organic chickpea asado, black beans, avocado, roasted peppers, corn and okra succotash and more is everything you crave.
24. The Handsome Cab
106 N. George St., York, PA / thehandsomecab.com
The Handsome Cab is the new kid on a block of big-name restaurants like Tutoni’s and The Left Bank. WHAT TO GET: When you want to balance calories in food and wine, try The Handsome Cab’s small plates such as Moroccan meatballs or shrimp and vegetable skewers, and then choose a lower-calorie pinot noir or shiraz.
25. Greystone Public House
2120 Colonial Road, Harrisburg, PA / greystonepa.com
WHAT TO GET: Loaded with protein and B-12, striped bass is a nutritious fish to consider on any menu. Greystone Public House pairs its Maryland striped bass with green chickpeas, pole beans and clams. If you’re not too hungry, go for the veggie board or chickpea fritter—both vegetarian and gluten-free.
