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Healthy Places To Eat In January

For most, January is synonymous with detoxing yourself from the over-indulgence of Christmas. No drinks, and no bad food. But removing alcohol and bad food from your diet doesn’t actually have to feel like a gruelling exercise in self-restraint – not when there are so many decent, healthy restaurants in the capital that provide goodness and flavour together. Here are just a few of our favourites.

Farm Girl Café  

Want a healthy dinner you can Instagram to high heaven? Head to Farm Girl Café – and don’t forget your phone. With three locations across London, each boasts beautiful interiors and again, has a robust breakfast menu that shouldn’t be missed – the house granola with elderflower and orange zest tastes like spring in a bowl and the Island breakfast with sweet potato, labneh and hazelnut dukkah really packs a punch. Not vegan? Not a problem – they do have a limited number of dishes that contain meat, such as their chicken sandwich, with alfalfa sprouts and a healthy dollop of guac. And, as you’ll see on their Insta page, you simply can’t snap a bad pic with this menu.  

59a Portobello Rd, W11 3DB; 9 Park Walk, SW10 0AJ; 1 Carnaby Street, Soho, W1F 9QF 

Visit The FarmGirl.co.uk 

Ceviche Old Street 

If you’re getting a bit bored of sushi, it’s time to try ceviche. Marinated in citrus juice, ceviche is a Peruvian dish that’s made with fresh fish and zingy dressings. It’s what Ceviche Old Street specialise in: tuna, king prawn, sea bass ceviche, as well as a ‘ceviche of the day’. It’s not a great spot for vegetarians (although their corn fritters are delicious), but those who aren’t keen on the raw fish aspect needn’t miss out – Ceviche also put their Peruvian spin on grilled salmon, chicken and a rib-eye steak.  

2 Baldwin St, London EC1V 9NU 

Visit CevicheFamily.com

Ethos 

For those looking to adopt a meat-free lifestyle in the new year, Ethos is your guy. Located just moments from Oxford Circus, this self-service, pay by weight restaurant specialises in providing options for those who are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free that still manages to offer vibrant, complex flavours. And if you try just one thing? Head down for breakfast and get yourself a big helping of the shakshuka – you won’t regret it. 

48 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DX 

Visit EthosFoods.com 

Apres Food Company  

Apres Food Company’s motto is ‘Make friends with food’. They know that people have a tumultuous relationship with healthy eating, particularly when it comes to eating out, but their menu features comfort food that makes you feel good – healthy dishes that don’t compromise on taste. Pop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a healthy snack. Our favourites include the Apres hash and poached egg for breakfast and ‘Bit of Broc’ for lunch – chargrilled broccoli with garlic, almonds, a hint of chilli and extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that are the best. 

72 St John St, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 4DT 

Visit ApresFoodCompany.com

Farmacy 

Farmacy’s mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle through plant-based, organic eating, and as such their food is entirely vegan. The non-vegans among us might balk at this fact, but the truth is, vegan or not, their food is actually really tasty – take it from an avid meat-eater. Offering a vast menu spanning breakfast, brunch, dinner and high tea (not to mention a drinks menu where you’re spoilt for choice on health juices), there’s something there for everyone, from syringe shot starters (mostly, we suspect, just to placate the Insta crowd), creamy mac ‘n’ ‘cheese’ and oh-so-filling ‘earth bowls’. And for those already missing their pre-new year indulgences, take a shortcut with their version of chocolate chip waffles, made with oats, sunwarrior protein & chia seeds served with banana, homemade Nutella & coconut ‘yoghurt’. Cheating on the diet with none of the guilt? Yes please. 

74 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5SH 

Visit FarmacyLondon.com 

Farmstand 

Yes, a lot of restaurants seem to use the word ‘farm’ to denote health. But don’t get Farmstand confused with the others – this Covent Garden hotspot is a build-your-own canteen that takes inspiration from the roadside stalls of the American Midwest. It lets you create healthy salads that you want to eat, with portions that aren’t on the stingy side – £7.50 lets you add two salads, hot or cold, to your protein of choice. From tender chicken strips in a lively chipotle marinade to smoky root vegetable chilli, theirs is a menu that’ll suit lifestyles of all shapes and sizes.   

42 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5AJ 

Visit FarmStand.co.uk 

Granger & Co

 Named after Australian restaurateur and food writer Bill Granger, Granger & Co encompasses everything its namesake stood for: creating sunny, easy-going and generous food. With four spots across London and known for its legendary breakfasts, there’s a brekkie in here suitable for even the strictest of January diets, without conceding on taste. We’d direct you to the Granger classics: ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter, or the ‘Fresh Aussie’: jasmine tea hot smoked salmon, poached eggs, greens furikake, avocado and cherry tomatoes. Who said healthy eating leaves you hungry? 

Various locations across London 

Visit GrangerAndCo.com 

Mortimer House Kitchen 

Serving health-conscious Mediterranean style food, Mortimer House is the place to go if you’re looking for a real hit of flavour. Their 90-seat restaurant features an open kitchen and chef’s counter where you can watch all your food being freshly prepared. Head down at any time of the day to experience their exquisite seasonal food, which includes autumn shakshuka with hen’s eggs and rustic bread; grilled swordfish with puntarelle, salsa verde & Amalfi lemon; and king crab & avocado salad burnt corn, wild chicory & tabasco mayo. If you don’t like to live life on the spicy side, however, there are other items on the menu that might be more to your taste – the grilled chicken & pumpkin salad with baby gem, cashew nut & chive dressing is also pretty great. 

Mortimer House, 37–41 Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3JH 

Visit MortimerHouse.com 

 

Tibits 

For those who like their food a particular way, Tibits is for you. This sprawling salad bar features over 40 vegetarian and vegan salads, soups and hot dishes, with a pay-by-weight system that lets you try a little bit of everything, so you avoid getting the dreaded food FOMO. Plus, they’re big on avoiding food wastage, changing its menu every month to use seasonal produce. With everything from Swiss Alpine macaroni to Tamarind glass noodle salad, there’s something to suit every taste bud.  

12-14 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4DA 

Visit Tibits.co.uk 

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