Healthy restaurants in Madrid

Now that summer is almost approaching, there is nothing better than having lunch sitting outside in the sunshine. However I find that every time I eat out, I end up by putting on so much weight because I eat a lot of tapas and Mediterranean dishes full of carbs, so I started looking for some healthier alternatives that still enable me to eat out and enjoy myself, but also take away the guilt.

Faborit

You free on a quick lunch break? Faborit is a fresh bar located in a few spots such as Salamanca, plaza de España, Calle Alcalá, Calle San Bernardo etc. It is a quick and easy option to fit in between touring the city. You have a salad bar where you chose 2 base ingredients and 4 or 5 additional ingredients. There are so many ingredients to choose from that your salad will be fun and delicious. For 7. 90 you have a salad and a fresh juice. The juices are made at the spot and you can chose from orange, pineapple and mango, banana strawberry and orange or a green detox juice. The atmosphere is very tranquil so if like me you like studying in a café then why not come here, have a juice and a coffee and spend some time on your work?

Mox

Mox is the best take-away salad place in Madrid. I remember coming here before taking a three-hour flight to the Canaries because I hate airport food, yet I love eating on the plane because for some reason it feels as if time is going quicker. Mox is a healthy salad bar and juice bar located in the heart of Malasaña. Opened recently in 2015 they try to promote the idea of healthy eating and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. They create super tasty salads by using 100% ecological ingredients. They have seven salad options all varied, for example my favourite is Granada which uses a spinach base, chicken, sweet potato, strawberries, nuts, feta cheese and red berry vinaigrette. Another delicious option is Roma, which is a pasta base, turkey, avocado, tomatoes, green leaves, nuts, feta cheese and basil pesto. They also make fresh juices with 3 fruit of your choice, or if you fancy a milkshake then why not try Noel, made of milk, mango, apple, banana, almonds and cinnamon? You even have your choice of milk whether its whole, skimmed, semi-skimmed, lactose-free, soya, vanilla soya, rice milk or almond milk.

Lateral

Lateral is another quick and healthy option for lunch or dinner. I lived in Calle de Fuencarral and Lateral was literally a one minute walk from my house which was slightly dangerous, because seeing as they do take-away as well, I found it easier to buy some delicious take-away food than to cook for myself. They specialize in a variety of small tapas - like pinchos made for sharing. They combine traditional recipes with modern touches. Some things you can find on their menus are traditional: Spanish tortilla, duck ravioli, avocado tartar with smoked salmon, gazpacho and vegetable lasagne. Other things include salmon roll filled with ham, cheese sauce and caramelized apple, sirloin steak with melted Brie cheese, mini beef burger served in a bun with onion relish and a variety of salads. This place is perfect because you can order a few things to share with some friends and taste some of Madrid’s top quality tapas.

Ve-Ga Bar Madrid

Ve-Ga bar in Madrid is a very popular venue amongst students. With two locations in Calle Juan Bravo 29 and Calle Lagasca 115, Ve-Ga bar is one of the best tapas restaurants of the city. The décor is contemporary chic aiming to create a relaxed yet cool and quirky atmosphere. This venue serves a variation of little tapas perfect for sharing between you. The tapas include tortilla, Russian salad, prawn croquetas, mini tacos, risotto, mini burgers, raviolis, steak tartars and roast beef. Of course all of these portions are very small however, the pricing ranges between 1. 5 euros and 5 euros, so I would suggest ordering three dishes and seeing how that goes.

Bump Green

I am someone who is always looking for the next, healthy restaurant in the city. I would much rather prefer a beautiful avocado on toast than a beef burger. When I found Bump Green I couldn’t have been happier. It is a restaurant that inspires healthy eating. They aim to enlighten you with fresh, simple, healthy recipes that hopefully underlines the idea that healthy does not mean boring. David Ariza and Jordi Bresó are the chefs who created the menu of the restaurant and they created both lunch and brunch menus. In the brunch options you can chose an acai bowl, quinoa porridge, chia pudding and avocado on toast. The quinoa porridge is indescribable. It is made with apple, vanilla, cinnamon, agave syrup and almond milk and it is the best porridge I have ever eaten. For something simpler then there are eggs cooked in a variety of different ways and toast with different topping.

Furthermore, this is the first restaurant that serves matcha latte, which I was over the moon about. Also if you have never tried Goji Latte then there is always a first time for everything. Almond milk with cacao powder, dates, goji berries, vanilla, acai and coconut oil makes the perfect protein shake for a post-workout.

If you were wondering about the lunch menu then try their fresh salads or their delicious dips such as hummus with vegetable chips! For something slightly more filling then why not try their courgette spaghetti with green or red pesto for 9. 50 euros! They also offer main meals of fish and meat such as tartars and burgers. If you are still hungry then you must try one of their desserts.

La Maquina La Moraleja

La Maquina is a restaurant located in Calle Jorge Juan 12, or if you prefer a relaxed garden atmosphere then you can try the one located in Avenida Victoria. The restaurant’s décor is very fun, rustic setting with American style stools, brick walls and high tables. During the evening this restaurant evolves into the perfect location for an evening drink. The restaurant aims to combine life’s simple tastes with tradition and creativity. The restaurant revolves around seafood, including freshly fished lobster, prawns, barnacle, king prawns and more. The menu also includes little tapas and appetizers for you to share such as Iberian ham, tortilla, croquetas and salads. The mains include options such as stewed squid, cod, and my personal favourite, sole. When I came here last I was not very hungry so I opted for a burrata pugliese with truffled mortadella and semi-dried tomatoes. Although I’m sure the restaurant has numerous delicious options on the menu, the burrata really hit the spot.

To book a table then you can do so through their website: La Máquina Jorge Juan

For their garden restaurant book through here: La Máquina La Moraleja

Ana la Santa

Located in the heart of Plaza Sant’Ana is Ana la Santa, a modern concept of a restaurant with the idea of renovating traditional Spanish cuisine into a more elaborate innovation. They specifically use high quality ingredients to ensure full client satisfaction. The décor is very rustic, with large glass windows and dark wooden interior. The abundance of plants also adds to the casual, friendly ambiance. The menu centres around their tapas, with tasty options such as truffled meatballs, fried eggs, corn cakes with tuna sashimi and potato tortillas. Prices vary between 5 euros to 21 euros for a bigger portion. For something slightly different and easier you can chose amongst their sandwiches or their mains such as curries and tartars.

To book a table, click the following link: Ana la Santa

Luzi Bombón

Luzi Bombón is a modern brasserie located in the Castellana area of Madrid. It is a fun and easy restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and delicious food. One of my favourite aspects of Luzi Bombón is that it offers an extra menu for people with allergies and intolerances. This menu is marked with everything it contains so that it is easy to identify what they can or cannot eat. The one thing that stole my heart in this place was the hummus. I am one of the world’s biggest hummus lovers and for 11 euros you have a good portion of hummus and fried yucca to dip. Amongst other starters, interesting options are the beef Carpaccio with Gorgonzola, rocket and soya sauce or guacamole with tortilla chips. Following onto the mains they have a freshly fished fish stand with prices that go by weight. Furthermore they have meat options such as beef ribs, t-bone steak, hamburgers and chicken, a variety of fish served with vegetables and potatoes. Also delicious are their pasta and rice options such as tagliolini with black truffle or vegetable and mustard risotto. If you are still hungry by then, there are various desert options that should fill you up such as crème brûlé, chocolate coolant with vanilla ice cream and a red berry cheesecake. To book a table at Luzi Bombón click the following link:

Luzi Bombón

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