I love eating healthy and delicious food, but I don’t always have time or money to eat at a sit-down restaurant everyday. NYC is abundant with healthy and delicious fast-food-style restaurants with both plant-based and non-plant-based options. These places are great for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast. I find myself coming back to my favorites again and again even if I’m not crunched for time because the food is so delicious! Here are six of my favorite healthy fast food restaurants in NYC (click on the links to read my full reviews):

Just Salad

Just Salad is a salad-bar-style restaurant with some of the best salads ever. They also have delicious wraps and avocado toast. All the ingredients are prepared fresh each day, and the service is always fast even if there is a line. There are many vegan and vegetarian menu items including salads and wraps with tofu or plant-based chicken. There are tons of locations all over Manhattan. Wherever you are you can find one. I find myself eating Just Salad at least twice a week. It’s really that good!

Dr. Smood

Dr. Smood is a healthy breakfast and lunch café. Every menu item is crafted to be both nutritionally balanced and delicious. All the ingredients are incredibly fresh. There are three locations in Manhattan including one right outside of Grand Central. I love their unique avocado toasts and sandwiches. There are many vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options. They have delicious iced and hot drinks as well. Dr. Smood is the perfect spot when you are looking for a nourishing meal to fuel you through the day.

Tap NYC

Tap is a Brazilian, naturally gluten-free café found on the UWS and Midtown East. They have delicious and unique Brazilian foods including tapioca crepes and some seriously good Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread). Their vegan tapioca crepe is one of my favorite “sandwiches”. If you are looking for something fun, different, and healthy, you must try Tap.

Beatnic

Beatnic is a completely vegan fast-food restaurant. They make both typical fast-food items such as vegan burgers and fries or fried chicken sandwich as well as salads, wraps, desserts, and other unique sandwiches. Everything is prepared so that it is as healthy as possible while satisfying your cravings (the fries and plant-based chicken are baked, the drinks are not artificial). The vegan substitutes for meat and cheese have incredible flavor and texture. You won’t even realize its plant-based. When November comes around, you MUST try their vegan thanksgiving leftover sandwich! Whether you are vegan or not, you will find something delicious at Beatnic.

Criolla’s Baked Empanadas

Criolla’s Baked Empanadas sells handmade baked empanadas with vegan dough. They are made with local organic ingredients. Since the empanadas are baked, they are much healthier compared to fried empanadas. There are many vegetarian empanadas and my favorite vegan corn empanada. Criolla’s is perfect if you are looking for hearty yet healthy food. They have a location in Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West.

The Little Beet

The Little Beet is a salad and rice bowl restaurant. You can make your own bowl or choose from the bowls on their menu. They have delicious vegan and vegetarian options including tofu or falafel. If you are looking for meat, they offer chicken, salmon, or pork. The Little Beet is my favorite place to get a rice bowl because they have such a variety of flavorful ingredients that come together to make delicious bowls. There are various locations around Manhattan.