The best health-food restaurants in Manchester

Initially launched as a juice bar and raw food café, The Garden Eatery has evolved into a comprehensive wellness hub offering food and drinks packed with goodness. The Hale café offers an all-day brunch menu featuring nourishing vegetarian dishes that are both healthy and flavourful, including the likes of avocado with eggs, sweetcorn fritters, and supergreen omelettes. Get one of The Garden Eatery's cold-pressed juices or a hot drink to go with your meal. Daily lunch specials are available too.

The Eighth Day was launched as a workers' cooperative in 1970 and is a devout proponent of an ethical, eco-conscious lifestyle. In addition to a wide range of meat- and animal cruelty-free products on the store's shelves, including groceries, beauty products, and house cleaning materials, there's a colourful on-site café where you can enjoy healthy lunch fare such as curries and bowls, fresh smoothies, and more.

The minimalist Bondi Bowls, at the Kampus residential complex next to Piccadilly Station specialises in healthy bowls brimming with fresh, nutritional ingredients. You can select from a range of health-conscious foundations, like an Indian-inspired bowl or a Mexican-themed one, and add your protein of choice, for example salmon or feta. Soup and smoothie bowls, as well as traditional smoothies and invigorating health shots, are available here too.

Platt Fields Market Garden is a community initiative that grows and sells its own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The organic garden project in Platt Fields Park is run by Manchester Urban Diggers and includes an on-site café, where visitors can relish seasonal soups, tarts, other sweet and savoury dishes, all made with produce grown in the Market Garden. You can also volunteer to put a few hours of work into the garden yourself.

The Green Lab is a well-being space that puts an emphasis on sustainability and an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. At the café, you can order from a wholesome menu catering to different dietary requirements and revolving around fresh, nutritious dishes, including a build-your-own-bowl option. Homemade juices and smoothies are available too. Beneath the café, there's a fitness studio with a diverse programme of group exercise classes.

The Plant Boost, located in Hale, is a tropicana-infused oasis that caters to the well-being of both body and mind with its menu, rich in superfoods like açai, baobab, and spirulina. Evoking the vibe of South American beach bars, the venue offers a variety of superfood bowls, energising smoothies, fresh cold-pressed juices, and classic brunch favs, with organic coffee and other hot drinks to go along. 

Originally based in Ardwick, ARMR Cafe & Kitchen built a loyal following before taking over the kitchen at Manchester's Contact Theatre. The team at this contemporary theatre café focuses on healthy Caribbean dishes, for example, curried chickpeas or crispy jackfruit wraps. Both breakfast and lunch are offered here, and there's also a healthy catering option if you're hosting an event.

The Counter House in Ancoats cooks up a wide range of British and European dishes, ranging from indulgent comfort classics to health-inspired options. If you're on a health kick, the menu makes it easy to steer away from the fish and chips, burgers, and other hefty choices by providing plentiful wholesome alternatives such as a warm grain bowl, lentil dahl, pan-fried salmon, and more. The spacious restaurant features a modern, on-trend interior with exposed brick walls.

Açai and The Tribe is a one-stop-shop in Manchester City Centre for all things healthy, highlighted by its varied assortment of açai bowls. A seasonal brunch menu packed with nutrition, superfood smoothies, and hot drinks for an extra wellness boost, the modern café caters to different dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free choices. The food here aims to go beyond just providing flavour and filling your belly, supporting both your mental and physical well-being too.

With its emphasis on fresh vegetables and healthy cooking techniques, Vietnamese cuisine is a popular choice for diners in search of a nutritious meal. The nationwide Pho chain offers plentiful options for health-conscious patrons, starting with their bowl of steaming pho. Other nourishing dishes, such as summer rolls and salads, are available here, too, and the menu accommodates a wide range of dietary preferences, including keto-friendly and high-protein selections.

An Italian eatery of any kind might not be at the top of your list when it comes to health-conscious dining, and indeed, there are lots of carb and cheese-based pitfalls to avoid at San Carlo Gran Café. But there's plenty to find among the indulgence here, ranging from light brunch fare and things like roasted veg sandwiches to a variety of salads. There's even a dedicated on-site smoothie bar for boosting your well-being.