Deal Food, Restaurants & Dining Music & Events Fara Illich January 14, 2016

Phoenix Public Market Cafe (Photo: NBMA Photography)

The Phoenix Public Market Cafe. (Photo: NBMA Photography)


Fresh Start in the Urban Heart is a health and wellness initiative in Downtown Phoenix. Whether you’re on the Whole 30 diet, going gluten-free or just looking to eat a little lighter — several downtown restaurants make healthy eating easy and enjoyable. From local to organic fare, these downtown locales are known for their delectable dishes, so you can get your grub on without worrying about your waistline.

Phoenix Public Market Cafe

Whilst the pastry case is tempting, the Public Market Cafe also has an array of healthy menu items, including several salads, the veggie-packed Del Real sandwich and specialty items like the brown rice bowl. The restaurant uses locally grown produce when possible and features various local food purveyors, so you can be sure everything is fresh and seasonal.

Kaleidoscope Juice

Kaleidoscope is a health nut and foodie’s dream. They offer an assortment of scrambles, protein bowls, sandwiches, salads, acai bowls, and organic smoothies and cold-pressed juices — all prepared with natural, fresh foods. For those looking to refresh their system, Kaleidoscope has several juice cleanse programs ranging from a one-day reboot to a seven-day cleanse.

Bowl of Greens

Mostly catering to college students and nearby office workers, Bowl of Greens is always packed and it’s no wonder why. From hummus to a build-your-own salad to falafel — the Mediterranean-inspired fare is made fresh daily and full of flavor. Whether you’re on the go or dining in, the restaurant’s salads, wraps, rice platters, smoothies and juices are a must-try. You can find it on the ground floor of the Cronkite School building on the ASU campus.

Harumi Sushi

We won’t pretend to be experts on the health benefits of sushi, but if you’re looking to add more fish to your diet, Harumi is a great place to start. Located on the ground floor of the Orpheum Lofts, this unassuming restaurant has quickly become a local favorite and for good reason. Dine-in or to-go, their creations are packed with flavor and minerals, especially their signature use of increasingly popular black rice. Actually more of a dark purple, the dark-hued grain is revered for its dense supply of fiber, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium and antioxidants.

(Photo: Radish Facebook)

A fresh salad from Radish, located inside DeSoto Central Market. (Photo: Radish Facebook)

Radish

This locally owned eatery has serious salad game. Located inside DeSoto Central Market, Radish serves up an array of signature salads with a side of humor — like the Kale-ing Me Softly or the Guac This Way — plus cold-pressed juices, hummus and house-made soup. If you’re feeling creative, you can also build your own salad choosing from an array of toppings that range from pickled jalapeños to roasted sweet corn to pineapple salsa. (Bonus: Get 25% off when you go to the free yoga class hosted at DeSoto Central Market every Saturday at 10 a.m.)

The Corner

Looking for a light lunch or dinner? Look no further than The Corner. The locally owned restaurant, coffee shop and small market offers an array of salads, soups, fresh produce and even a build-your-own salad bar. This is the perfect place to pick up a pre-made salad, enjoy a meal on the patio, or snag an apple from the cold case for a nutritional snack. (Bonus: Get 20% off your bill on Monday nights with your Meet Me Downtown hand stamp.)

Squid Ink Sushi @ CityScape

Want to indulge yourself sans the guilt? Try the new and improved happy hour menu at Squid Ink Sushi. Emphasizing gluten-free and lighter options, the menu includes items like edamame and cucumber sunonomo or the nutrient-rich Rainbow Roll, filled with avocado, tuna, salmon and yellowtail. And with $2 off glasses of wine, $4 wells and drafts, and $5 specialty cocktails — you can treat yourself without skimping out on flavor or your New Year’s resolutions.

Grabbagreen

Where healthy, great tasting food meets fast food. A local chain, Grabbagreen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up healthy greens or grain-based bowls, juices and smoothies. Everything is made to order and can be adjusted based on your dietary needs. (Bonus: Get a free 12-ounce juice with a $10 food purchase on Monday nights with your Meet Me Downtown hand stamp.)

(Photo: Fara Illich)

The free-range turkey burger and sweet potato fries from Province Urban Kitchen & Bar. (Photo: Fara Illich)

Province Urban Kitchen & Bar

With an entire section of the menu dedicated to lighter fare (lunch only), Province Urban Kitchen & Bar simplifies eating out and eating healthy. From the free-range turkey burger served with sweet potato fries to the portobello vegetable wrap — each item on the “Lighter Side” is labelled with specific calories, fat, protein and carbohydrate counts. All of them are under 500 calories.

Fair Trade Cafe

Fair Trade Cafe is your home away from home — if your home has great-tasting, fresh foods. With murals by local artists and mix-and-match furniture, this cozy cafe is just inside Civic Space Park, where it serves up tasty and light sandwiches, wraps, salads and smoothies. Grab a table inside or on the patio, take your lunch to-go and dine in the park, or call for delivery.