The food scene in St. Louis is diverse. Foodies of every kind have a plethora of options in this exciting city, from tried-and-true restaurants to newer joints popping up all over the city. Luckily, eating out doesn’t always have to equal indulging. There are plenty of healthier spots to enjoy a nutritious meal in St. Louis. Whether you have diet restrictions or you’re trying to eat healthier in the new year, here are some of the top places to enjoy a meal in St. Louis:

Tree House

Where: 3177 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO

When it comes to healthy foods, vegetables often come to mind. At Treehouse, you’ll find a plant-based menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes that are thoughtfully-prepared. This Tower Grove spot serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days and brunch on weekends. They make all of their vegan cheeses, seitan, pickles, sauces, dressings, and desserts from scratch in-house, so you know you’re eating fresh. They’re also committed to sourcing organic non-GMO and local ingredients as much as possible. One standout dish to try is their Wild Mushroom Stuffed Ravioli, served with roasted garlic cashew cream sauce and flash-fried brussels sprouts.

Lulu’s Local Eatery

Where: 3201 S Grand Ave. St. Louis, MO

Lulu’s Local Eatery is another gem serving up creative vegan fare in St. Louis. They began as a successful food truck business and have since blossomed into the popular spot you’ll find today in South Grand. They change their menu with the seasons, focusing on locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients for scratch-made dishes that satisfy vegans and meat-eaters alike. Some standout dishes you’ll want to try are their volcano tots, with butternut-squash “cheese” sauce and their buffalo cauliflower bites with “ranch” dipping sauce. You can pair your meal with a craft brew, some kombucha, or local artisan tea. They even offer vegan baked goods from Whisk.

Union Loafers

Where: Botanical Heights, 1629 Tower Grove Ave., Saint Louis, MO

Healthy doesn’t have to mean meat-free. If you’re looking for a fresh sandwich in the city, check out Union Loafers. They bake naturally-leavened artisanal bread daily and use it for delicious sandwiches. If you’re looking for a protein-packed sandwich, try their Rare Roast Beef sandwich on ciabatta bread with gruyere and pickled peppers. If you want a leaner choice, try their Smoked Beet sandwich on ciabatta, with Emmenthaler, sauerkraut, Thousand Island, and an egg. For a light lunch, their soups and salads hit the spot as well. At night they transform from a bakery into a pizzeria, complete with beer and wine. And while bread gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, fresh-baked quality breads are as good as it gets.

Wicked Greenz

Where: 16 N. Central Ave., Clayton, MO

In Clayton, you’ll find a healthy and fast option for a nourishing meal. Wicked Greenz offers bowls and wraps to help you “eat your greens” without compromising on flavor. They have a list of signature bowls and wraps to choose from, like their Mexicali or Avocobbo. You can also add on proteins like their teriyaki chicken or lemon pepper shrimp to kick things up a notch. Overall, this a great quick and healthy option for those moments when you don’t have time to spare.

Pho Grand

Where: 3195 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Mo

On a cool winter’s day, where can you get a warm hearty meal while still being health conscious? Pho Grand. If you haven’t tried this Pho before, the traditional Vietnamese beef-broth noodle soup, you’re missing out. They have options with rice or egg noodle and a variety of proteins. They serve plenty of other authentic Vietnamese dishes as well, including salads and rice and protein plates.

Vicia

Where: 4260 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO

Vicia delivers a thoughtful and creative dining experience with vegetable-forward dishes. For a great dinner out, make your reservation at this Central West End restaurant, and experience why they were nominated for the James Beard Award. You can expect to find locally-sourced fish, produce, meats and artisanal bread at this unique spot. Best of all, their options are health-conscious, and the ingredients are allowed to shine through without overpowering and calorie-packed sauces. Their menu changes frequently with seasonally-sourced ingredients, but some standout choices to try now are their Purple Top Turnip Tacos and their Celery Root Risotto.

Whether new year’s resolutions have you eating healthier, or you’re invested in fueling your body with nutritious food, St. Louis has plenty of restaurants to help you stay on track. The best part is that you don’t have to sacrifice on flavors or unique dishes to eat healthy — there are plenty of spots throughout St. Louis dishing up creative, exotic, and healthy meals.