Finding foods that are simultaneously healthy and delicious shouldn’t feel like hard work. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree, CO. has rounded up these amazing eateries in and around our home base to get you inspired to head out and treat the kids to a fun (and of course, super healthy) meal. We’ve found area restaurants that feature everything from hearty and classic breakfasts to authentic ethnic cuisine to fully plant-based menus. No matter what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find a wholesome option without traveling far from home.

Bluebird Cafe

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Treat the whole family to healthy food right here in Thornton. Bluebird Cafe is dedicated to providing delicious fare for picky and adventurous eaters alike, so it’s the perfect place to go when you need to cater to a range of tastes. Head in for breakfast or lunch to start sampling the menu.

The breakfast menu here has a whole section devoted to healthy meals. Choose from selections like avocado toast or a chicken avocado omelet when you want to start the day with superfoods. You can also go with a frittata, an open-faced omelet filled with healthy foods like veggies and cheeses, or morning classics like steel-cut oatmeal or fresh fruit and yogurt.

The lunch options continue the healthy theme. From salads to sandwiches to soups, this local spot has it all. You can rest assured the kids will find something to love when you make a visit to Bluebird Cafe a family outing, too. Kiddos can choose from the main menu or select meals from the kids menu, which includes whole wheat pancakes, macaroni and cheese served with fresh fruit, and more.

Babajoon’s

Head over to nearby Westminster for a fresh and healthy take on Persian and Mediterranean fare. The modern restaurant boasts many keto- and paleo-friendly foods. They also have plenty of dairy- and gluten-free options, and they cook their meals using fresh, delicious ingredients (including real saffron they’ve imported from Iran). Recipes and marinades use healthy ingredients like organic lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, Norwegian salmon, and all-natural chicken to bring out the delicious flavors that await you here.

Go with family meals to take the guesswork out of putting together an order, or choose different items off the menu when the whole group wants to sample new foods. Start with a garden salad or lentil soup, then move on to specialties like salmon kabob or Mirza Ghasemi, a dish with crushed eggplants sauteed with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and eggs.

This spot even has whole menu sections devoted to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes, making it even easier to find the exact right meal for your needs. All in all Babajoon’s offers the perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to new cuisines, without traveling far from home.

Jewel of India

Jewel of India offers another Westminster restaurant ideal for treating the kids to healthy fare from cuisines they might not yet have tried. Authentic Indian dishes sure to become new family favorites abound on this extensive menu. Try the vegetarian lunch special, or order off the full menu to make a meal kids and adults alike are sure to love.

Begin the meal with appetizers like Alu Chaat, potato tossed with spices, then go for a soup like Dal Soup, a protein-rich lentil soup that hits the spot if you’re in the mood for something spicy. Continue with salad, or move right into mouthwatering entrees like Fish Tandoori (grilled fillet of fish marinated in spices), Vegetable Korma (mixed vegetables with cream, nuts, and spices), or Chana Saag (chickpeas with spinach and spices).

Saigon Basil

Craving Vietnamese cuisine? Just drive a few minutes to Northglenn to Saigon Basil. The family-owned and -operated restaurant features dishes created from fresh ingredients and served in an inviting, friendly atmosphere.

Warm up with a bowl of pho, a Vietnamese soup made from broth, rice noodles, herbs, and often meat. This restaurant offers a few different varieties of the dish, including Pho Ga with chicken and Pho Chay with tofu and mixed vegetables made in a vegetable broth. You’ll find a variety of other authentic meals on this menu, as well.

So Radish

You’ll find So Radish located close to Thornton in Arvada. This plant-based menu has treats the whole family is sure to enjoy. Stop by for weekday brunch and indulge in a veggie tofu scramble, or start with an appetizer like the sweet and spicy fried Brussels sprouts or spinach and artichoke dip (made from a creamy cashew base, of course!).

That’s just the beginning. Get a salad or soup, or dive right into 100% plant-based sandwiches including unique options like mushroom cheesesteak, barbecue jackfruit, and vegan meatball subs. You’ll also find entrees like fried cauliflower tacos and a creative take on macaroni and cheese made from coconut milk-based sauce and noodles. So Radish offers the perfect opportunity to show the kids that healthy, plant-based meals can also be incredibly tasty.

Urban Beats

Urban Beets is another Arvada restaurant making finding healthy eats close to Thornton a breeze. After all, this restaurant seeks to make plant-based eating more accessible to the local community, so you’re sure to find so much to love here.

The rotating menu is not only created to be cruelty-free, it also features a wide selection of wholesome and delicious meals. From vegetable dishes to nachos with cashew cheese to seitan steak and so much more, there’s something to fit any craving here.

There you have it. Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree just listed the best healthy restaurants in our area! We hope this roundup has you eager to get out and explore all the delicious restaurants you’ll find close to home, whether you’re looking for a place to go for brunch, dinner, or anything in between. Do you have another favorite healthy eatery that’s easy to get to from Thornton? Let us know so we can check your go-to spot out and add it to our list!