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Now that the 12 Pubs of Christmas are behind us, and we are all riddled with guilt for the necessary festive over-indulgence, it’s time to get back to healthy eating. Here are the 12 healthy eating establishments leading the pack in Dublin for 2016, sure to put a pep in your step while you wash away those January blues.
1. Happy Pear:?A?trip here is the health nut’s (present company included) version of going to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory. They have a grocery shop with organic vegetables and foods, along with a fantastic restaurant that serves delicious salads, meals, and healthy desserts. My favourite was the Normandy Bake, absolutely loaded with beans, butternut squash, and cheese.
2. The Punnet: Their sporting backgrounds have given owners James Norton and Darragh Buckley a perceptive insight into what customers want and need to fuel their active lifestyles. From tasty protein balls to a diverse range of salads, wraps, juices, and coffees, this is a great spot to order a pickup lunch, or perhaps to suggest to your HR department as a place to host your next (healthier) company event.
3. The Hopsack: Established in 1979, the Hopsack has long been a leader in healthy eating, with top notch food and a very helpful and knowledgeable staff to advise on nutritional needs. It is one of Dublin’s best sources of organic, fairly traded, ethnic, and special dietary foods. It’s also a family business in its second generation with current owners Finn and Kate, and once a week you will still see mom Erica at the shop helping out. A good spot to stock your cupboards with healthy, nutritious groceries.
4. Alchemy:?A great place to catch up with a friend after the holidays for a healthy lunch, coffee or cup of bone broth (after perhaps a dose of retail therapy downstairs). They also do healthy lunch takeaways.
5. Green Beards:?One of the best juice places in town. Owners Ray and Kevin strive to get the very best organic produce to make their juices. They put as much thought into their juices as they did with the beautiful design of their glass bottles. If you’re looking for a ?go to? juice to flood your system with greens, ?The Boss? is, well, the boss. Remember, don’t chug your juices; chew through them to give the enzymes in your mouth a chance to start the digestive process, allowing the nutrients to break down like regular food.
6. Coco: A?cheap and cheery option for healthy takeaway lunches. You choose your protein, which comes with a few salad choices and a selection of healthy carbohydrates such as brown rice or sweet potatoes.
7. Eathos:?Where the plates are as pretty as the food. I love the seared tuna, turkey and courgette koftas, and, of course, the chickpea burgers. The sides are just as tasty, from saffron fennel, pomegranate, and new season purple sprouting broccoli to the grilled halloumi cheese with samphire and their classic sweet and roasted potatoes. Great desserts too!
8. Urban Health:?A great little spot in Ranelagh. They have the best paleo brownie in town (made with no refined sugar), and a lovely selection of soups, juices, and lunches. They are also one of the first places in town to offer a soup and juice cleanse; an excellent option for those who want something warming to help detox this winter.
9. Cornucopia: A renowned award-winning restaurant located on Wicklow Street in the heart of Dublin. In addition to healthy wholesale food, you can expect high-quality vegetarian and vegan food here.
10. Blazing Salads:?Go early to avoid lines. Set up like an American-style deli, you pick your mains, sides, and sauces, and pay by the kg. A great place for someone who wants to try it all.
11. Sova the Vegan Butcher:?Vegans all over Dublin rejoiced when Sova opened their pop-up at Yoga Hub during the holiday season. The tables were packed with people enjoying the beetroot soup, seitan wraps, and healthy vegan chocolate desserts. We wait with bated breath for news of their new store opening – hopefully in 2016.
12. Staple Foods: Open only for lunch, this is a great spot. Its location on Curved Street can be a little tricky to find, but luckily they also deliver via Deliveroo, so you can get lunch dropped off right at your doorstep. Favourites include the Jamaican Jerk Chicken salad and the Vegan Superfood salad.
by Kaman Ryan, kamanryan.com