More Arizona parents like you are on the lookout for healthier options to feed your families. Thankfully more local restaurants than ever are stepping up to answer your call. Next time the kiddos announce “We’re hungry!” fill them up guilt-free and on the go at one of these top seven healthy eateries around Mesa.
Green Corner Restaurant
“Kunafi, Ricotta and Jam Cigars” licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr by avlxyz
Green Corner offers an endlessly delicious menu filled with some of the East Valley’s best Mediterranean food. Its fare is healthy and tasty enough for your finickiest preschooler. Select from a long list of traditional Levantine-inspired dishes based on Chef-owner Takkem’s culinary heritage, with specialties like:
- Kebab.
- Gyro.
- Chicken shawarma.
- Kibbeh.
- Knafeh.
This family-owned restaurant takes pride in offering only the freshest organic foods and strives to maintain a five-star quality rating. You will notice the difference with your first bite, and the portion sizes are healthy, too. Enjoy a sweet end to a gratifying meal with a complimentary piece of baklava. Green Corner offers two locations, one in Mesa on West Southern Avenue and another in Chandler.
International Foods
Introduce your child to the wonders of some of Mesa’s top culinary artists at International Foods. This spot on West Guadalupe Road is more than merely a healthy eatery. The cooks here specialize in allergy-friendly foods. As a result, everything on its carryout menu is delicious and safe for everyone in the family to eat.
Order something scrumptious for dinner, like island-inspired pulled pork and cabbage or the “Rotner.” The cook smothers these house-cut fries in scratch-made “unfried” beans and carnitas. Choose from one of five salads with ingredients like fresh diced veggies, kale, and marinated artichoke hearts. They even have a build-your-own meal for the kiddos, so they’re sure to clean their plate. Don’t forget dessert. Our favorite is the organic blueberry ice vanilla donuts.
The Nile Coffee Shop
This local downtown java house on West Main Street offers 100% vegan eats for breakfast and lunch, plus a long list of locally roasted coffee drinks. So drop the kiddos off at school and start your morning off right with a tofu scramble bowl with spinach, tomatoes, and quinoa.
The mushroom melt on sourdough is a terrific option for a hearty lunch break from the office. At the Nile, you can get mylk options like oat milk, and it offers quite a few gluten-free choices too. Bring your mat on Saturday and join in on a yoga class or pop in for regular live events from jazz performances to wrestling.
The Uprooted Kitchen
Located on East Ray Road, the friendly husband and wife team that runs The Uprooted Kitchen takes the concept of farm-to-table pretty seriously. Nestles on the grounds of its own certified organic farm, this eatery sources many fruits and veggies right outside its back door. They curate a superb menu of healthy meals, including plant-based, organic cuisine.
Whatever you pick, it’ll surprise your taste buds with its home-cooked flavor, like the lentil burger on a fresh-baked bun. Even The Uprooted Kitchen’s desserts are amazing. Of course, they’re rich and flavorful, and they’re good for you too. These treats won’t give you a sugar crash like other sweets because the chef makes them with natural ingredients like peanut butter. The menu here changes often, so stop in regularly to see what’s new.
Seed Shack
Seed Shack is another local gem. This mom-and-pop vegan restaurant on East Baseline Road touts a welcoming environment and a healthy menu that’s good for the heart — and the tummy. Its diverse dishes offer a fusion of American and Oriental cuisine made with plant-based ingredients and seasoned with fresh herbs.
Order up the black bean burger topped with smashed avocado and a side of sweet potato fries. It has a nice bite and is never too dry. The rainbow tofu vermicelli bowl explodes with flavor thanks to spiced tofu, rainbow slaw, and a drizzle of soy caramel sauce atop a bowl of glass noodles. Don’t forget a big glass of protein-rich hemp horchata to drink.
MAD Greens
We all know it’s essential for kids to eat well-balanced meals to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. That’s why we recommend MAD Greens. Everyone can explore the joy of vegan eating right on South Val Vista Road. There’s something yummy for the whole family here, like the hearty Southwest Bowl for dad. This dish features:
- Southwestern chicken.
- Cotija cheese.
- Wild rice.
- Spinach.
- Avocado.
- Roasted corn.
- Tomatoes.
- Cilantro chili lime dressing.
Why not get mom a Vibrant Venus salad? The cooks pile a plate high with farm-fresh ingredients like:
- Spinach.
- Grilled chicken.
- Praline pecans.
- Strawberries.
- Goat cheese crumbles.
- Red onions.
- Balsamic vinaigrette.
Your children are going to love the “Awesome Box.” It includes a kid-friendly combination of:
- Grilled chicken.
- Pasta.
- Edamame.
- Apple slices.
- Carrot sticks with ranch dip.
- Their choice of apple juice, regular, or chocolate milk.
Matcha Grove
Located on South McQueen Road, Matcha Grove touts friendly owners, a clean venue, and Instagram-worthy decor. They paid attention to every detail, from its inviting dining area to its expansive selection of matcha-based drinks. This cafe uses high-quality ceremonial quality matcha from Japan, green alternatives instead of regular plastic, and ingredients that are:
- 100% gluten-free.
- Completely dairy-free.
- No refined sugar.
- Vegan friendly.
- Paleo approved.
Bring your toddler along and check out the bakery items. They always include a few gluten-free, keto-friendly pastries. The cooks bake them with natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar, so they satisfy just about any craving. The blueberry buckle cake looks fantastic, and it tastes moist and yummy too. If that’s not your thing, try the matcha banana nut bread or the chia pudding.That’s our list of the top seven healthy and delicious eateries in the Mesa, Arizona, area. Did we miss any of your family’s go-to local restaurants? If so, let us know! Crème de la Crème will add it to our growing list of recommendations so other parents can take advantage of your experience.