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.
BareBurger {515 Washington Street, Hoboken}
Don’t let the word “burger” scare you. This regional chain, known for its organic burgers, serves up America’s favorite food in ways you may have never even thought of. While this restaurant has all the basic burgers you could imagine, there are also four different healthy burger options: a choice of farmer’s quinoa veggie, black bean, organic turkey or portabello mushroom burgers. Trying to take it to the next level? Lose the bun and wrap it in collard greens.
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 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!
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