25 Best Healthy Breakfast Restaurants for Guilt-Free Brunching

25 Healthy Breakfast Restaurants to Try for Guilt-Free Brunching

Brunch is one of life's simple pleasures. But finding healthy brunch options at restaurants can be tricky when you're watching your diet. Tempting dishes like pancakes, French toast, and eggs Benedict may taste amazing, yet they're loaded with calories, refined carbs, and saturated fats.

The good news? You don't have to sacrifice taste or nutrition to enjoy a satisfying weekend brunch. Many restaurants now cater to health-conscious diners by offering nutritious and delicious morning meals. Read on for 25 healthy breakfast restaurants to try the next time you go out brunching.

Tips for Choosing Healthy Brunch Options

When perusing a brunch menu, keep these tips in mind to identify better-for-you dishes:

• Opt for lean proteins like egg whites, chicken sausage, smoked salmon or turkey bacon.
• Look for whole grain or sprouted breads and wheat tortillas.
• Choose side fruits instead of home fries or grits.
• Go for plain Greek yogurt over sour cream on dishes.
• Get sauces and dressings on the side to control portions.

With a few simple modifications, you can transform traditional brunch fare into a more nutritious meal.

1. First Watch

First Watch is a breakfast and lunch chain with over 400 locations nationwide. It's a go-to for satisfying yet healthy morning meals.

Lighter options include:

• Egg white veggie scramble
• Avocado toast on sprouted grain
• Power breakfast wrap with egg whites, turkey and avocado
• Fresh juice and superfood smoothies

2. Le Pain Quotidien

This Belgian-inspired bakery serves fresh-baked pastries but also nutritious dishes like:

• Spinach and goat cheese omelet
• Chia seed yogurt bowls
• Organic steel-cut oatmeal
• Tartines on organic bread

Plus, you can feel good about enjoying their pastries made with organic, whole grain flours.

3. Seasons 52

At this restaurant, all meals contain 475 calories or less. Brunch options include:

• Steel-cut oatmeal
• Multigrain pancakes
• Spinach and mushroom egg white frittata
• Shrimp and avocado salad

Seasons 52 caters well to gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diets too.

4. True Food Kitchen

True Food highlights fresh, nutritious ingredients in dishes like:

• Farro bowl with poached egg
• Coconut quinoa pancakes
• Inside out turkey burger
• Ancient grain granola with Greek yogurt

They also offer a "lighter fare" menu at brunch with under 600 calories per entree.

5. Eddie V's Prime Seafood

Enjoy upscale brunch with options like:

• Power protein omelet with egg whites, turkey, spinach
• Smoked salmon plate
• Crab cake benedict with poached eggs
• Build your own oatmeal

Eddie V's provides high-protein brunch fare minus the heavy sauces and sides.

6. Urban Table

This eatery offers weekend brunch with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce. Lighter picks include:

• Farro avocado toast
• Harvest hash with sweet potato and kale
• Veggie scramble with zucchini and peppers
• Ancient grain bowl

Their "From the Juicery" menu also features nutrient-packed juices and smoothies.

7. Flower Child

This health-minded chain serves grain bowls, salads, and wraps. Brunch menu highlights:

• Breakfast tacos with whole wheat tortillas
• Breakfast tostada with beans, greens, and eggs
• Supergreens breakfast quinoa bowl
• Acai and pitaya bowls

Most menu items are vegan and gluten-free as well.

8. Jason's Deli

Jason's Deli is a fast-casual option with nutritious morning choices like:

• Organic steel-cut oatmeal
• Veggie or egg white wraps
• Breakfast potatoes with cage-free eggs
• Build your own yogurt parfait

Their "Lighter Side" menu also features lower-calorie entrees under 600 calories.

9. Datz Tampa

This eclectic eatery offers weekend brunch with healthier picks like:

• Tofu rancheros
• Salmon cake benedict
• Kale and quinoa salad
• Assorted house juices

Lighter fare options include a customizable omelet with egg whites and veggie add-ins.

10. Ethos Vegan Kitchen

This plant-based restaurant in Orlando serves weekend brunch with options like:

• Tofu scramble
• Tempeh sausage
• Waffles with fresh fruit
• Protein-packed smoothies

Ethos makes it easy to enjoy all your breakfast favorites in vegan form.

11. Bartaco

This taqueria offers brunch tacos and bowls including:

• Egg white tacos on corn tortillas
• Chicken and egg white breakfast bowl
• Cauliflower taco with egg and avocado
• Yogurt and fruit bowls

With its fresh flavors and produce, Bartaco puts a healthy twist on Mexican favorites.

12. Brassica Kitchen

This plant-based San Diego eatery offers weekend brunch with dishes like:

• Quinoa breakfast bowls
• Tofu breakfast burrito
• Avocado toast with chickpea scramble
• Acai bowls

It caters especially well to vegan, gluten-free, and paleo diets.

13. Original Pancake House

Yes, pancakes can be healthy! This chain lets you customize by choosing ingredients like:

• Whole wheat or multigrain pancakes
• Egg whites instead of whole eggs
• Fresh fruit toppings

Building your own creation is the best way to enjoy pancakes minus the guilt.

14. Egg Shop

This New York City hotspot offers signature baked eggs along with healthier bowls like:

• Egg white bowl with kale pesto
• Mediterranean quinoa bowl
• Aai bowl

Their menu caters well to gluten-free, paleo, and vegetarian diets too.

15. Starbucks

Yes, you can now enjoy nutritious brunch fare at Starbucks, including:

• Egg white and roasted red pepper sous vide egg bites
• Oatmeal bowls
• Spinach, feta, and cage-free egg white wrap
• Whole grain bagels with smoked salmon

Starbucks is stepping up its food menu with fresher, healthier options.

16. Punchbowl Social

This entertainment venue offers weekend brunch with lighter choices like:

• Ancient grain bowl
• Breakfast tacos on corn tortillas
• Scrambles with egg whites
• Build your own oatmeal

You can enjoy brunch while bowling, karaokeing, or playing arcade games.

17. The Grey

This upscale Southern eatery in Savannah serves weekend brunch featuring:

• Poached eggs over ancient grains
• Breakfast salad with kale, fennel, and poached egg
• Omelet with egg whites, veggies, and goat cheese
• Housemade granola with Greek yogurt

It puts a sophisticated, nourishing spin on down-home fare.

18. FRESH&co

This NYC-based chain lives up to its name with fresh, healthy fare like:

• Build your own omelet and bowl
• Overnight oats
• Chia pudding
• Cold-pressed juices

Their customized bowls are perfect for paleo, gluten-free, and plant-based eaters.

19. South City Kitchen

This upscale Southern eatery offers weekend brunch in Atlanta with options like:

• Farro porridge with almond milk
• Egg white omelet or frittata
• Shrimp and grits
• Oatmeal brle

It puts a nourishing spin on comfort food classics.

20. Chaia Tacos

This fast-casual spot offers grain bowl tacos for a healthy take on Mexican fare. Brunch options include:

• Egg white breakfast taco
• Tofu breakfast taco
• Sweet potato breakfast bowl
• Chia pudding

Their tacos feature superfood ingredients like quinoa, kale, and avocado.

21. Caf Gratitude

This plant-based chain has locations in California. For brunch try:

• Scrambles and bowls with scrambled tofu
• Avocado toast
• Acai and pitaya bowls
• Cold-pressed juices

All menu items are organic, non-GMO, and made without animal products.

22. The Greenhouse Tavern

This Cleveland eatery offers weekend brunch with healthier picks like:

• Tofu rancheros
• Breakfast salad with kale and soft egg
• Steel-cut oatmeal
• Build your own omelet with egg whites

It caters well to vegan and gluten-free diets.

23. Thrive Kitchen

This casual eatery in Connecticut serves gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo fare. Brunch bowls include:

• Sunrise bowl with scrambled eggs, kale, and sweet potato hash
• Zen bowl with scrambled tofu, quinoa, and chickpeas
• Acai bowl

Thrive also offers fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, and coffee.

24. The Flying Biscuit Cafe

This Southern chain offers healthier brunch options like:

• Egg white omelet
• Autoimmune sunshine bowl with gluten-free ancient grains
• Oatmeal with almond milk and fruit
• Build your own yogurt parfait

It caters especially well to gluten-free diners.

25. True Food Kitchen

This seasonally-driven chain highlights fresh, antioxidant-rich fare. Brunch choices include:

• Ancient grain bowl with greens, egg, avocado
• Grass-fed steak and egg white tacos
• Quinoa pancakes with almond butter
• Cold-pressed juices

With its emphasis on produce and lean proteins, True Food makes healthy brunching delicious.

Discover Satisfying Yet Nutritious Brunch Options

With the growing interest in healthy eating, fortunately many restaurants now cater to nutrition-minded diners. By opting for vegetable-centric dishes with lean proteins and whole grains, you can enjoy flavorful brunch fare minus the excess calories, carbs, and fat.

Try some of the go-to healthy breakfast restaurants above to keep your weekends deliciously guilt-free. And don't be afraid to customize orders by swapping egg whites, choosing fruit sides, or asking for dressings and sauces on the side.

By becoming an informed diner and doing a bit of menu planning in advance, you can dine out for brunch without derailing your diet or nutrition goals.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.