Daria 
With endless restaurant options, bottomless brunches, and Sunday Fundays, how can anyone stick to a clean-eating diet while living in Hoboken? It’s just about impossible: You usually nail the healthy eating during the week, but the late night mac n’ cheese and trips to Basile’s on your way home from a night out — or the fact that Insomnia delivers until 3am basically reverses all the hard work Monday-Thursday. But for anyone who is calorie counting or trying to stick to their New Year’s resolution {yes, still}, or prep for MDW, we’ve got you covered! For clean{er} eating, here’s where to eat and what to order for dinner in Hoboken to keep your #fitlife in check:
Madison Bar and Grill {1316 Washington Street, Hoboken}
We all love Madison after hours for their ’90s dance parties + DJ situations, but if you haven’t eaten here, you’re missing out. Usually known for their amazing brunch spread, Madison Bar and Grill offers a little bit of everything, guaranteeing that no matter your taste, you’ll find something delicious on the menu. Try the super delicious Bohemian Burger – a veggie burger made mostly with beans and quinoa and topped with cranberry aioli and arugula to keep it clean-“er”. And to keep it extra clean, order a salad as your side instead of fries – because who can actually have fries on their plate and NOT eat them? Especially sweet potato FFs — so good.
Otto Strada {743 Park Avenue, Hoboken}
Eating healthy and eating Italian food are usually impossible to do together, because pasta. But between the wine, basket{s} of bread and butter, and the fact that antipasto is always a good idea, it’s hard to keep to a healthy diet when dining Italian. However, this Hoboken staple has Chicken Milanese that is pretty much to die for {without killing your diet}. You can’t resist this perfectly breaded chicken cutlet on top of a bed of arugula and underneath bruschetta, a piece of prosciutto, mozzarella and topped off with a lemon vinaigrette. Of course, if you’re really trying to stick to clean eating, ask the server to grill the chicken instead and lose the prosciutto and mutz {we know, we know} – but they’re VERY accommodating here.
Frankie & Ava’s Italian Eatery {208 Washington Street, Hoboken}
While any diet will most likely steer you clear of sandwiches, it might be okay to splurge a liiiittle as long as the inside of your sandwich is still healthy. With an unlimited amount of wraps, sandwiches, and panini options to please any palette, Frankie & Ava’s specialty is creating homemade Italian delicacies for either take out or a fast casual dining experience. One item you’ll definitely love on their menu is not only healthy, but also next level delicious: The Gardillo – grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, red onion, arugula, fresh homemade mozzarella, and basil oil.
Cucharamama {233 Clinton Street, Hoboken}
If you’re looking for something more off-the-beaten {Washington} path, check out Cucharamama. This artisanal, South American-inspired restaurant, whose name means “mother spoon,” was the perfect expansion for chef Maricel Presilla — who is also the woman behind the former pan-Latin restaurant, Zafra. Definitely try the Salmon con Salsa Pomesco y Papas Doradas {aka roasted salmon with a catalan sauce of fire-roasted peppers and hazelnuts with golden potatoes}. The dish may be a mouthful to say, but once you taste it, you’ll understand why.
PSA: This is list is not, in fact, 100% clean eating — just healthier options to eat cleaner while dining out. The best way to totally “eat clean” is to make food at home {so you know 100% what goes into it sans butter, oil, etc}. So while these are cleaner options, it’s not totally foolproof—so make sure that if you have specific goals, you consult with a professional for help with your diet.
Where is your clean eating Hoboken restaurant go-to? Share it with us on Instagram @HobokenGirlBlog, or in the comments below!
Have you joined our Facebook group yet? Request here to gain access to even more local tips, and connect with fellow Hudson County residents.
