Downtown San Diego is a great neighborhood for just walking around, sight-seeing, or going for a jog along Harbor Drive. Whatever you’re doing, you’re going to get hungry. While there are all kinds of restaurants and casual spots to grab a meal, some places offer healthier options than others.

Neighborhoods.com took a look around the neighborhood and found four places perfect for healthy eating, including what might be the healthiest drive-thru in San Diego County. Many of them provide opportunities for shopping healthy as well. 

Harvest by the Patio

Courtesy of Harvest by the Patio

 The people at Harvest by the Patio believe that being health-conscious can coincide with the satisfaction and flavor of comfort food. Located on 10th Avenue in East Village, their cuisine and beverage choices focus on sustainability as well as freshness.

Referred to as “healthy California comfort food,” their menu includes healthy starters such as a trio of hummus, crispy tofu, or roasted mushroom lettuce wraps. That last one is not only vegetarian but also gluten-free, as are many options on their menu. They also offer grain bowls that can be served with proteins and made vegetarian and gluten-free. There’s also classic offerings such as salads, sandwiches, and burgers. 

What makes Harvest by the Patio extra special? Four times a week you can enjoy local musicians live on their patio while enjoying one of their crafted cocktails or beers on tap. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 2 to 6 p.m. on weekends with $5 beers on draft, $6 select wines, $6-8 specialty cocktails, and $8 starters.

Salad Style

Courtesy of Salad Style

At Salad Style on B Street, they “bring local, organic, and sustainable food sources right to you” in an effort to support healthy eating and the community. Passionate about both fresh and natural food, they use ingredients free of chemicals and additives. Their menu includes both signature and simple salads, focaccia sandwiches, soups, bruschetta, sweets, and drinks.

Simple salads aren’t quite that simple, with options such as spinach and pear or their Moroccan couscous. Any salad can also be made into a wrap. If a sandwich is more your speed, their prosciutto and burrata is a must.

Evolution

Courtesy of Evolution

Who said you can’t get healthy food at a drive-thru? At Evolution on 5th Avenue, not only can you order healthy from the comfort of your car, but you can also do so for vegan food. Their ingredients are always fresh and local as they promote healthy living and clean-eating. Their menu includes burgers with three different types of patties and they also offer gluten-free buns. 

Unique items on the menu include their raw specialties, such as raw tacos or the raw burger (made with a dehydrated burger patty). Smoothies are available, which you might expect, but so are old-fashioned milkshakes, which you might not have expected. Just because you’re eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t try a dessert, like their organic flour and cream cheese-frosting cupcake.

Jimbo’s…Naturally!

Courtesy of Jimbo's

Jimbo’s…Naturally is the wild card on this list. While they offer food to-go, they aren’t a restaurant. Jimbo’s is a natural food grocer located in the Gaslamp Quarter (with other locations in Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, and 4S Ranch). What makes this grocery store special is their extras, such as gluten-free guides, recipes, and menu planners. 

If you’re in a rush, check out their deli, which offers hot and cold option plates, a juice bar, soups, and a menu of traditional and organic sandwiches, and veggie wraps. They also have some special offerings, such as the jalapeno jack burger, that are very much worth considering.