Seven Spots for Healthy Eats in Palm Springs

By Melissa Daniels

Sometimes a vacation invites the perfect opportunity to adopt healthy lifestyle habits – and that definitely rings true in Palm Springs, where the fresh air, hiking trails and outdoor activities can reinvigorate your mind, body and soul.

That goes for dining choices, too — the Palm Springs restaurant has a bevy of choices for healthy and clean eats.

Here are a few of our top local picks:

 1. Chef Tanya’s Kitchen

Ask any vegan or health-conscious eater where to dine in Palm Springs, and Chef Tanya’s Kitchen is sure to be at the top of their list. Since 2017, their tasty and flavorful variety of vegan fare includes housemade tempeh burgers, and veggie-topped sandwiches of unique varieties of seitan and seasoned tofu.

Salads, sandwiches and wraps are tasty enough to win over anyone who is still skeptical that vegan fare can pack a punch. Vegans and vegetarians who tire of salads or portobello sandwiches will be delighted by the variety: don’t miss the Chupacabra chick’n which features crispy seitan filets topped with avocado, cilantro, house-pickled jalapeños, shredded cabbage, tomato, onion, and the irresistible Chupacabra sauce on a toasted torpedo roll.

2. Nature’s Health Food & Cafe

Head over to Sunrise Way to enjoy the latest menu offerings from Nature’s Health Food & Cafe, which has been serving up vegan and vegetarian fare since the early 1990s. From tacos and quesadillas to hearty pastas and stir-frys, the menu features locally-sourced vegetables and infusions of regional flavor – plus a variety of choices for “Soup of the Day,” or “Beans of the Day.”

This spot is also one of the go-to spots for fresh juices and smoothies – and fun sweet treats like vegan cheesecake or shakes! Don’t miss the date shake featuring dates from the famous Shield’s Date Garden.

Fun features: Their outdoor patio is a perfect spot to enjoy your meal. There’s also an adjacent market where you can pick up a variety of your favorite healthy foods and products.

3. Palm Greens Cafe

After a morning seeking mid-century modern treasures at the nearby furniture stores, a stop at Palm Greens Cafe in Sun Center is the perfect stop to refuel. The extensive menu offers something for everyone: an array of salads, sandwiches, bowls and entrees offer healthy choices for vegetarians or meat-eaters alike without the use of any additives, preservatives or high-fructose corn syrup.

Palm Greens opens at 8 a.m. for those seeking healthy and hearty breakfast choices like gluten-free french toast topped with fresh berries, or a root veggie hash chock full of greens and eggs.

 Flexible choices: Dine on site indoors or outdoors, or take your order to-go!

4. Fruit Wonders Palm Springs

Fruit Wonders is a family-owned juice bar on the downtown strip in Palm Springs that has a great supply of fresh juices, acai bowls, homemade paletas, smoothies and packaged snacks that are the perfect options for travelers looking for a healthy treat.

Looking to be refreshed after a sunny stroll? Cool off with a cucumber lemon spinach fresca, or a sweet and icy homemade pitaya paleta. There’s also a variety of vegan snacks to take to-go, making Fruit Wonders the perfect stop for a pre- and post-hiking snack fix. And for those who are looking for a unique boost to the energy levels, try out a wellness shot — a tasty concoction of green apple, celery, lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper.

Order online: On the go? Put your order in online and then swing by to pick it up!

 5. Haus of Poké

Need to fuel up on something healthy and delicious during your shopping spree down Palm Canyon Drive? Nestled in the heart of downtown Palm Springs is a fantastic and casual spot to fuel up with a poké bowl, or what the owners of Haus of Poké call “healthy, cravable fast food.”  For the uninitiated, a poké bowl is an infinitely customizable dish based around rice or lettuce that typically features a seafood protein and lots of delicious veggies, sauces and tops mixed in.

If you’re looking to stay low on sodium or pack in some protein, you can select and add on what suits your preferences – mango, edamame, and cucumbers are some of the most popular mix-ins, while toppings like . Protein choices like ahi tuna, salmon or yellowtail satisfy any seafood cravings, or tofu is an option for those who don’t fish. It’s the perfect pick-me-up that will leave you feeling satiated and energized – and ready for more of Palm Springs.

6. Zadie Cafe

Boasting an impressive array of dishes inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Mediterranean, every bite is a celebration of flavors and textures. From freshly prepared salads bursting with seasonal ingredients to hearty mains that satisfy even the most discerning palate, each dish is thoughtfully crafted to showcase the best of the region’s cuisine. Zadie Café is located inside the Hilton Palm Springs hotel.

7. Native Foods

Native Foods is a local favorite that’s 100% plant based and 100% yummy. Located in the old section of Smoktree Village (1775 E Palm Canyon Drive, Ste #420). With such dishes as Backyard BBQ, Bowl, The Real Nashville Hot, and Spicy Cauliflower Dippers, you will love this comfort food. Their food is homemade with ingredients that are often bought locally or brought in from sustainable suppliers, non-GMO, and organic whenever possible.