Best Restaurants with Healthy Menus in Santa Barbara

When you are looking for a healthy bite in downtown Santa Barbara, consider a visit to Silvergreens. Everything on the menu - from the soups to the breads to the salad dressing - is made from scratch in their kitchen daily. Try a scrumptious sandwich, crisp salad or savory gluten-free quinoa bowl. Also, Silvergreens is the first certified green restaurant in Santa Barbara. On an educational note: check the back of your receipt to see that calorie count and nutritional value of your order. Catering and school lunch programs upon inquiry. Some street parking available. More parking is available in the lot under Paseo Nuevo mall across the street.

If you're hungry for a taste of the Mediterranean, head to Zaytoon for tasty Lebanese food in a lush, tropical setting. Two blocks off of bustling State Street, this restaurant offers an oasis for road weary travelers and work weary locals. Enjoy falafel, shawarma, kebab and many other Lebanese favorites in the open air, surrounded by the happy sounds of fountains and lit by twinkling lights. Long tables make this the perfect destination for a dinner party. Flavored hookah water pipes are also available on the patio. And if you'd prefer to stay in? Zaytoon has a unique online takeout service that offers quick ordering via their website.

Lilac Patisserie is a dedicated gluten-free bakery and cafe right in the center of downtown Santa Barbara. Located near some of the best shopping on State Street, this charming stop is the perfect place to grab a latte and a cookie - or a slice of cake - for people who are gluten intolerant or enjoy eating gluten free! In addition to desserts and coffees, Lilac Patisserie creates gorgeous fluffy cakes that are just right for any occasion. They can even make custom cakes for special occasions. Breakfast and lunch is also served. There is plenty of parking in nearby city lots.

Freshness is paramount at this sophisticated Japanese restaurant, where sushi is the top draw and crowds flock for ambience and fun. Creative chefs craft spectacular rolls featuring sea urchin, yellowtail, albacore tuna, quail egg and all the other usual undersea suspects. If cooked foods are your preference, you'll find sweet scallops, butterfish and soft shell crabs. Edamame, seaweed salad and premium sakes are expected and offered, but there is also a wide range of surprising dishes, including a soba salad with sundried tomatoes. Arigato serves dinner only and does not take reservations. Doors open at 5:30 nightly. Walk from local hotels or park in nearby city lots.

Brasil Arts Cafe serves a variety of meats and fishes paired with yucca roots, chimichurri and more. Their menu has a strong focus on serving high-quality local meats and produce. In addition to delectable lunch and dinner entrees, they also serve refreshing acai bowls - bowls featuring the antioxidant-rich Brazilian fruit topped with a variety of other treats. Park in nearby city lots. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Brasil Arts Cafe also offers capoeira classes and hosts local art shows. Many Brazilian expats hang out here - a great place to hear (and speak?) a little musical Portuguese.

Their slogan says it all: better life through better food. Don't let your meals slow you down; you can grab complete nutrition on the go at Backyard Bowls. Serving acai bowls, whole grain bowls and nutritious smoothies, Backyard Bowls offers you a healthy alternative for breakfast or lunch. Most ingredients are organic and none contain any chemicals or high fructose corn syrup. Better still, Backyard Bowls engages in sustainable practices that are good for your planet, too. Food scraps are composted and to-go containers are biodegradable. Visit Backyard Bowls anytime you want to eat real food and feel really good about it.

A fine local restaurant with one of the best salad bars in town, Savoy Cafe & Deli is a great choice for an easy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Mornings highlight fresh eggs, piping hot coffee and loose leaf teas. At lunch they serve up made-to-order sandwiches and house-made soups. Savoy Cafe & Deli was featured on an episode of Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. Everything there is very fresh and the staff is very friendly. Street parking out front or park in a nearby city lot. Savoy Cafe & Deli is centrally located in downtown Santa Barbara. Many shops and attractions, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, are within close walking distance.

Goodland Kitchen and Market is a gem of an eatery located in the heart of old town Goleta. Breakfast and lunch are served Monday through Saturday. Everything is made in-house using the freshest ingredients, sometimes in limited quantities. In fact, it's not uncommon for some of their more coveted (yes, we used that word and we meant it) sandwiches and salads to sell out! Warm baked goods are also available, like melty chocolate chip cookies and homemade pastries. Their lemonade is legendary and the fresh-brewed coffee is darn good, too. When not serving meal to hungry Goletians, Goodland operates as a commercial kitchen, allowing community cooks to produce small-batch treats.

With 10 locations in the surrounding areas, The Natural Cafe is a Santa Barbara small business success story. A local favorite for vegetarian and vegan options, this popular lunch and dinner restaurant also serves up delicious chicken and fish entrees. In all of their semi-casual establishments, you place your order at the counter and then wait for your food to be delivered to your table. Popular dishes include their fresh fish tacos, savory meatless burgers and signature caesar salad generously topped with avocado. To drink The Natural Cafe offers beer, regional wine, natural sodas and delicious custom blended smoothies and shakes. Great for lunch or dinner.

This restaurant in Santa Barbara's beautiful Mesa neighborhood is a vegetarian's dream. Mesa Verde's flavor-packed menu goes far beyond your standard garden burger offerings, into a colorful world of bright local flavors. For lunch, try a pulled mushroom sandwich with harissa and housemade turnip pickles. For dinner, why not try celeriac root linguini with edible pink roses? There are also flatbreads and starters that are perfect for sharing. Brunch is served on the weekends. Pair your meal with with one of their herbal teas, tonics or coffees. Gluten-free and vegan dishes are heavily featured on the menu. Free parking directly out front.