At Crème de la Crème of Bridgewater, we know how important it is for kids to eat well-balanced meals as often as possible to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. And while eating home-cooked meals is a great way for your children and the rest of your family to eat well-balanced and nutritious meals, having a special breakfast, lunch, or dinner out at a healthy restaurant can be a fun treat. Here are some of our favorite healthy eateries in and around the Bridgewater, New Jersey, area.

Turf, Surf, and Earth

“Chili’s Chicken Bowl” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Clotee Pridgen Allochuku

Turf, Surf, and Earth is a local healthy restaurant that serves up a little bit of everything, so it’s a great place to take picky eaters of all ages and both omnivores and veggie-lovers. This fast-casual, made-to-order eatery offers burgers, chicken, seafood, and plant-based meals all made with local ingredients. Plus, they have a great “little” menu with kid-friendly portions of omnivore specials and plant-based options.

The unique menu is set up so that you pick a protein from the “turf,” like beef or chicken, from the “surf,” which is seafood like salmon or shrimp, or from the “earth,” which includes plant-based options like falafel, tofu, and black bean burgers. Then, you pick your style, such as over rice, leafy greens, a combination of both, on a flatbread, as a taco, or on a bun. You can then choose flavorful toppings like barbecue ranch with onions and bacon, or sweet strawberries, pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette. Grab sides like vegan mac and cheese, nachos, or a hummus platter.

Visit Turf Surf and Earth at 46 E. Main St. in nearby Sommerville, New Jersey. This must-visit eatery is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Veganized

Get the plant-based version of some of your absolute favorite dishes for a healthy twist at Veganized in nearby New Brunswick. Here you get salads, flatbreads, wraps, sandwiches, and veggie-full entrees and appetizers.

Order a protein-packed lentil salad, which comes with a greens mix of spinach, arugula, and purple cabbage, lots of lentils, roasted carrots, charred onions, toasted pumpkin seeds, and avocado, all topped with a lemony vinaigrette. Or get a flatbread, wrap, or sandwich featuring some of your favorite flavors, like Philly cheesesteak, falafel, a Reuben, and curry. Go for an Italian-inspired entree like pasta and plant-based meatballs or a unique polenta-based dish with Mexican flavors. Kids are sure to love the mac ‘n’ “cheese,” a classic margherita pizza with cashew “cheese,” or the vegan-twisted hot dog.

You can find Veganized at 1 Elm Row in New Brunswick. They’re open every day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cafe Nune

When owner Sarah Pemberton had her first child, she realized just how important a nutritious diet was to growing children. So, she started Cafe Nune with this in mind. At Cafe Nune’s two locations, in Dunnellen and Branchburg, you can order unique yet healthy concoctions in the form of powerful, fruit-filled bowls, yummy salads, hearty toasts, as well as fresh smoothies and juices.

Get a bowl made with a base of blended acai, chia pudding, or protein-packed oatmeal and topped with fruit, granola, and a sweet drizzle. Or get a salad made with nutrient-rich mixed greens, fresh veggies and fruits, nuts, seeds, and house-made dressings. Opt for an avocado-, hummus-, or nut butter-topped toast.

Cafe Nune’s Branchburg location is at 1190 State Highway 28. This healthy eatery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also visit their Dunnellen location at 112 N. Washington Ave. This location is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tango’s Restaurant

Get some of the best Tex-Mex cuisine this far north at Tango’s Restaurant. They use fresh, local ingredients in their flavorful dishes, and they have many options to choose from, even if you prefer plant-based or are trying to eat healthier.

This place offers nutritious salads made with freshly mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more. You can also order fajitas, which are grilled veggies with meat, like steak or chicken, that you pile onto warm tortillas, or you can order just the veggies for a delicious plant-based dinner. If you like seafood, Tango’s has fantastic Baja tuna tacos topped with fresh lettuce for another healthy option. Kids will love options like a quesadilla made with just cheese, chicken, or vegetables.

Head to 45 W. Main St. in Sommerville for delicious Tex-Mex food Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Grain House

If you’re looking for a homey place with great eats, then The Grain House is sure to be your go-to destination. It’s part of the Olde Mill Inn property in Basking Ridge, about 20 minutes from Bridgewater. This historic location was built in the 18th century, and it maintains its old-timey charm with wooden beams along the ceiling, cozy seating, and gorgeous brick fireplace.

The Grain House is a fantastic location for healthy American dishes since they use fresh, local ingredients and organic whole foods in their recipes. You can come for lunch or dinner during the week and enjoy brunch on the weekends. Order healthy appetizers like red lentil soup or avocado toast and have a giant fresh salad, rice power bowls, a panini, or entrees like the sauteed rock bass or veggie burger for the main course. For brunch, enjoy healthy dishes like soup and salad, an egg-white frittata, a breakfast quinoa power bowl, or salmon avocado toast.

The Grain House is in nearby Basking Ridge at 225 Morristown Road, and they’re open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.That’s our list of amazingly healthy and delicious eateries in the Bridgewater, New Jersey, area. Did we miss any of your go-to local healthy restaurants? If so, let Crème de la Crème of Bridgewater know, and we’ll be sure to add it to our growing list!