Healthy(ish) NYC Guide
Buckle up…
I recently traveled to NYC for a week intending to be healthy and not eat out at every meal, and let me just say… I was not in for a treat. My findings were dismal. The lack of easy, local, and affordable (or honestly, even not affordable) quality food options shocked me. NYC is a city-on-demand; yet, it’s actually hard to find healthy meals, even if you’re willing and able to pay top dollar for them. For busy professionals with demanding schedules, making time to prepare quality food to take on-the-go isn’t always possible (unlike in LA, where everyone has a flexible schedule and can spend their days loitering around Erewhon or preparing dinner all afternoon).
Of course, take my complaints with a grain of salt. It’s unfair to compare anything wellness-centric to LA (despite the New York Times’ recent attempt to do so). But you’d think someone would have capitalized on all the healthy, smart, busy, rich and hungry people out there. Stay tuned for my next business idea to take Erewhon east.
What NYC lacks in quantity (and availability/ease), they make up for it in quality. In this post, I break down my favorite healthy spots by “nice” restaurants, lunch/fast casual (+ the 411 on certain supposedly healthy chains), grocery/grab & go markets, natural wine, clean bakeries and bespoke kitchens, meal delivery, detoxes and cleanses, shops selling clean essentials, fitness, and detox destinations. Please reach out to let me know if I’m missing anything essential; I will update this post as I go so it is an ever-evolving resource.
QUICK SIDE BAR before the reccs—what makes a restaurant “healthy”?
There are obviously certain cuisines that are healthier than others, which I will get into more below. But the less obvious factor in rating restaurants for health isn’t just what kind of food you’re ordering, but what ingredients are used when preparing the food. Ideally, this should be as close as possible to what you might use when cooking at home.
Many people believe that the reason restaurants are unhealthy is because of the butter—wrong. This is an outdated perspective. Butter is not the cause of heart disease, in fact is it one of the healthier fats you can eat. The culprit of heart disease and many other chronic illnesses is the rise of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich vegetable oils such as canola, vegetable, soybean, safflower, sunflower, grape seed, rice bran oil and more. Since 1960, our consumption of these (mainly seed) oils has risen 1000%, largely due to the demonization of ALL fat—saturated fats (animal fat, butter, etc.) and trans fats (confirmed bad) alike—during the low-fat fad craze of the time. People wrongly believed that these vegetable oils were healthier "plant-based” alternatives. However, unlike omega-3-rich olive oil, avocado oil, and fatty fish like salmon, these omega-6-rich plants pose very dangerous health risks. As summarized by nutrition.org,
“Omega-6 PUFA-rich vegetable oils are now the most widely consumed cooking oils in the home and in restaurants worldwide. Nonetheless, very little data are available on the risks these oils may pose for human health. In particular, the rise of omega-6 PUFA-rich vegetable oil consumption in the United States coincides with the explosive rise in diseases labeled ‘lifestyle diseases,’ including Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other inflammatory disorders… When heated, omega-6 PUFA-rich vegetable oils generate a substance known as hydroxynonenal, which researchers now believe plays a key role in cell degeneration and cell death… ”
A study published in Advances in Nutrition, the international review journal of the American Society for Nutrition, “Intake of Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Rich Vegetable Oils and Risk of Lifestyle Diseases” examines this in depth, and notes that “fatty acid composition rather than the amount of fat, may actually be the key factor inducing obesity.” Summarized by the previous article, “more specifically, a higher percentage of omega-6 PUFAs in the diet increases appetite and adipose tissue inflammation, which, in turn, can lead to obesity.” AKA, FAT ITSELF ISN’T THE PROBLEM. It’s the KIND of fat. More on this in another post.
Long story short, best to avoid seed oils if you can help it. However, almost ALL restaurants cook with these oils as they are cheap and have a neutral taste. It is not the end of the world to eat at a restaurant and consume seed oils, but it should absolutely not be a staple in your diet or a regular occurrence if you want to lead a healthy lifestyle.
An app I HIGHLY RECOMMEND is Seed Oil Scout. It tells you all the restaurants around you that use these unhealthy, inflammatory oils. I discovered this literally today, and it changed my opinion about a lot of places that will be named (I.e. I thought were healthy but aren’t).
Springbone Kitchen, seed-oil free premises
Cuisines:
When traveling and eating out, it is best to stick to clean cuisines with minimal ingredients (just meat and vegetables, a la carte models, single ingredient dishes, etc.) like Mediterranean/greek, Middle Eastern, Steakhouses, Mexican, American, and clean Sushi. Cuisines to avoid or proceed with caution are typically Italian, French, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Asian Fusion, obviously fast food, fried food, and the like. These restaurants tend to use alternative oils, excess sauces and processing, soy (my face come morning…), gluten, and minimal whole foods/vegetables.
Unless I am traveling to Paris or Italy or a place where I would seriously be crazy to turn down anything, for me to full appreciate a trip, enjoy my experience, and feel good to the end, I have to 1) get some movement in most days whether that’s just a long walk or a sauna or run, 2) try to eat healthier options. I want to live and be able to order the fun cocktails, so I personally pick that over dessert or heavier meals. There are of course exceptions. But not feeling good on an amazing trip in a beautiful place is not worth it to me. I’m over pretending like what I eat doesn’t have an effect on how I feel.
“NICE” RESTAURANTS:
Shuka and Shukette (Mediterranean/Middle Eastern) - Soho / Chelsea
Incredible sister restaurants serving up fresh, fluffy dips, flavorful meats, and excellent vibes. A+ service. Shukette is like Shuka’s newer, a little more elevated, slightly more sophisticated, and definitely louder/buzzier older sister.
NYC gets bonus points for having wayyyyyy more greek/mediterranean options than LA, which is my weakness and my favorite and I don’t care if it’s basic.
Shuka HITS: whipped feta and pistachio dip, labne, crudite (like its oiled and salty-can’t explain just get it), shawarma chicken, moroccan spiced carrots (INSANE). If we had been a larger group, I would have added the beet hummus, a kebab (or a few..), and dates.
Shukette HITS: hummus, labne (my friend said the lafa bread is very special; I had great chickpea crackers they make), crudite, roasted cauliflower, joojeh chicken, grass-fed steak shish kabob, orange wine. would go back for fish in a cage and more veg.
Seed Oil Scout tip: avoid fryer and you’re good
Hearth (New American) - East Village
The highest standards for ingredients of all the high-end restaurants on the list, where “good fats are celebrated, whole animals appreciated, and vegetables crowned supreme”.
As Seed Oil Scout review states, “Marco Canora has vocally evangelized the abolishment of seed oils at restaurants since opening Hearth in 2003. …dine fearlessly on farm-fresh meats, poultry, and wild caught fish at Hearth.”
Cervo’s (Seafood, American) - LES
Plenty of unhealthy options (fried items, fries, bread, etc) but overall a clean, fresh, fish-forward menu of small plates and raw bar items.
Au Cheval (Burgers, Steak/Meat) - Soho
Zero seed oils, everything is cooked in high quality beef tallow. They are accommodating for dietary restrictions and can make modifications when needed.
Cafe Mogador (Moroccan/Middle Eastern) - Williamsburg/East Village
Traditional, delicious Moroccan food. Great for breakfast/brunch too
HITS: middle eastern breakfast, moroccan eggs, halloumi eggs, housemade spicy merguez sausage, mezze (labne, hummus, falafel and tahini, cucumber yogurt), halloumi cheese, hummus or hummus and falafel plate, kale salad, moroccan tagines, chicken kebab or anything from the grill
Little Owl (Mediterranean) - West Village
you know the drill
Seed Oil Scout tip: avoid fryer and you’re good
Celestine (Mediterranean) - Dumbo
SOO good, modern and warm space, and beautiful views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
HITs: labneh, pistachio feta, crudites/flatbread, blue prawns, lamb skewers, roasted beets, fennel half chicken, branzino, brussel sprouts, little gem.
Laser Wolf (Israeli) - Williamsburg
Hot and new rooftop restaurant with delicious grilled meats and views of Manhattan.
I actually recommend NOT getting the whole “salatim” platter and ordering a la carte. This isn’t super clear from the menu but just order what you want, you don’t need to do prix fixe.
HITS: chicken shishlik, steak shishlik, salmon sishlik (wanted to try lamb and beef koobideh too), shawarma spiced cauliflower.
Kiki’s (Greek) - Lower East Side
Hyped greek spot with fresh, simple dishes and ingredients
HITS: horiatiki salad, grilled octopus, chicken souvlaki platter or mixed grill, tzatziki, roasted lemon potatoes, lamb chops, branzino, oven-roasted chicken.
12 Chairs Cafe (Israeli/Mediterranean) - Soho/Williamsburg
In the same category as Shuka and Kiki’s—quality, casual, simple israeli/med/middle eastern food. good breakfast/brunch here as well.
HITS: shakshuka, lamb burger, israeli breakfast, 12 chairs salad, greek salad, hummus falafel, moroccan fish, labne, grilled chicken.
Bondi Sushi - Nomad/Nolita/UES/Tribeca/UWS
Fresh fish with the option to order cauliflower rice rolls.
Balaboosta (Middle Eastern/Israeli/Persian) - West Village
Another of the same Shuka/Kiki’s/12 Chairs-types with Mediterranean ingredients-focus, fresh vegetables, dips, meat and fish.
19 Cleveland (Mediterranean) - Soho
“ ” —sensing a theme….
Lighthouse Brooklyn (Organic, Natural Wine, Farm to Table) - Williamsburg
Haven’t been but heard super healthy, fresh, meat and veg flavors, natural wine, etc.
Little Beet Table (Plant-Based, Catering) - UES
All of Frank Prisinzano’s restauraunts (seed oil-free mostly, grass-fed butter and extra virgin olive oil, avoid fryer): Daddie’s, Lil Frankie’s, Supper, and Frank.
Confirmed Seed-Oil Safe (only using butter and/or extra virgin olive oil):
Lucali, Upside Pizza, F&F Pizzeria, Excuse My French, Hawksmoor, Razza, Juliana’s, Una Pizza Napoletana (avoid fryer, grass-fed meat only), Rucola, Peter Luger Steakhouse, L’Industrie Pizzeria, Two Boots Pizza, Fette Sau BBQ
Honorable Mentions:
Haven’t been but recommended to me: Marinara (italian that let’s you subbing zuchinni noodles, cauliflower crust pizzas, and more healthy alternatives)
THOUGHT WERE HEALTHY but aren’t 100%: Per this Infatuation article listing healthy restaurants in NYC, I decided to cross reference with Seed Oil Scout to see what oils they use. Ruby’s (only use canola oil), Miriam (seed oils), Atla (canola/grapeseed), Olea (canola), Dudley’s (canola on all), and jury is out on the rest. While eating healthy cuisines is foundational for health, it is important to also be aware of what oils are used in the kitchen.
LUNCH & FAST-CASUAL:
Springbone Kitchen (Broth, Bowls, Organic, Delivery) - Greenwich Village, Williamsburg, FiDi
This places rates 100x higher than anywhere else on the list. I would eat every meal here if I could. They keep it tight… quick service, smallish menu, no nonsense. I want them to expand locations with an even bigger menu. Everything is organic, grass-fed, grain-free, paleo, seed oil-free, and whatever else you require.
HITS: actually everything but I love the immunity bone broth (in a mug to-go), the bowls with cauliflower rice subbed for rice (Mom’s chicken and rice, Mexican bowl, Salmon bowl I’ve had), the granola, the hot sauce, and the tahini chocolate chip cookie.
Locanut (Organic, Any Dietary Restriction, Delivery) - Chelsea
Imagine your Mom cooking you dinner and delivering it to your door when you’re sick—that’s the vibe. It’s organic, everything can be customized and subbed to accommodate seriously any preference (GF/DF/Paleo/Keto/Low-Carb/Sugar-Free), extra sides and sauces can be added and everything is a la carte (we love), and there are a million options. Like any sandwich can become a wrap, or a collard wrap, or a GF wrap, or whatever. Any protein or vegetable you pick the sauce. It’s pretty overwhelming in a good way.
HITS: people love the chicken avocado collard green wrap but collard green wraps sadly aren’t for me. I got the broth, a plate with chimichurri chicken, garlic butter brussels and tahini cauliflower, and a side of spaghetti squash and it was all delicious. Upon request they also give you adorable Maldon salt packets which really charmed me. I also got a great paleo tahini chocolate chip cookie (sensing a theme). I need to try it again and order something totally different.
The WELL Kitchen & Table (Organic, Delivery, Dietary Restriction) - Union Square
Aware this isn’t a “cool” option, but the menu is extremely clean and well sourced. Pastured eggs, grass-fed and pasture-raised meat, wild caught fish, and zero seed oils.
Le Botaniste (Organic, Plant-Based) - Soho
Excellent, healthy organic plant-based bowls. They have a cool new feature on the menu tab where you can select “bowls tailored to you” and put in your height/weight/activity level/macros and they recommend exactly what to order including complete nutritional information.
Spring Cafe Aspen (Organic, Juice, Plant-Based) - Greenwich Village
This is a buzzy plant-based cafe with an outpost in Aspen and NYC. It’s organic and completely plant-based. Pretty trendy, goop vibes. I find it’s good but needs some seasoning (salt pep) and sometimes I ask for extra dressing.
Honeybrains - Noho/Saks/Flatiron/Midtown
Menu based on brain-supporting foods and nutrients. Zero processed sugar. They offer nutrient breakdowns in terms of brain-supportive vitamins and minerals for every menu item as well.
Tacqueria Ramirez (Tacos) - Greepoint
Mexico City-style tacqueria serving up some of the best new tacos In the city. Best part is it’s 100% legit and seed-oil free—they only use pure lard to cook.
Two Hands (American/Australian) - multiple locations
classic healthy lunch staples, bowls, salmon, etc.
Isle of Us (Market, Cafe) - UES
Healthy cafe focused on sustainability with a marketplace and grab-and-go situation as well.
Instagram here.
Daily Provisions (Lunch/Dinner, Working Meal, Coffee/Tea, American) - UWS, UES, Union Square, West Village
Nice cafe with good vibes, outlets, and serving coffee/tea/bites plus real food. I like their rotisserie chicken options, especially the half chicken and vegetable combo. Nice place to bring your computer and get some work done with weeknight dinner. They clearly label allergens as well. Plenty of unhealthy stuff here too but you have the tools to pick and choose.
Seed Oil Scout Tip: avoid eggs, fried in soybean, check allergens on menu
Good Thanks Cafe (Cafe, Coffee/Tea, Breakfast/Brunch, Australian) - Bowery
Modern, minimalist lunch spot with Australian vibes and good breakfast/lunch and a la carte options. Again has their fair share of unhealthy items but you can pick and choose.
Seed Oil Scout Tip: avoid fried items
Little Beet (Vegetarian/Vegan, Gluten-Free) - multiple locations
While many items are cooked in canola or safflower oil, some are are cooked in olive oil and you can pick and choose. Bonus points for strong transparency, all ingredients publicly listed here.
Baby Blue’s Luncheonette (Greek) - Williamsburg
Clean Greek diner food with great branding in a brightly lit space.
Eden’s (Plant-Based, Salad) - Greenpoint
Baba Cool (Coffee/Tea, Breakfast/Brunch, Bowls) - Williamsburg/Fort Greene
Risbo (French, Natural Wine, Breakfast, Rotisserie) - Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Healthy comfort food, natural wine, fast casual rotisserie? say no more
The Butcher’s Daughter (Plant-Based, Juice/Smoothies) - West Village/Nolita/Williamsburg
Not a huge Butcher’s Daughter’s fan as I’m not vegetarian/vegan and I don’t always think that means something is healthy or made with quality ingredients, so I would be wary, but they have a good juice/smoothie bar and some healthy things on the menu for sure.
CHAINS:
I hesitate to include this section because these are “the best of the worst”. Unfortunately, convenient chain favorites like sweetgreen, Dig Inn, Chipotle, Cava, and Starbucks may offer healthier options and substitutes for busy professionals, but it comes at a cost. It may not be safe to eat long-term or in place of home-cooked meals because they all use industrial seed oil exclusively. See their ratings on Seed Oil Scout below.
The crazy part? They aren’t alone. It is much more expensive to cook with anything other than seed oils. Gwyneth Paltrow’s namesake, goop, launched goop kitchen in LA in 2021, promising healthy takeout, and has since expanded into goop rotisserie and goop superfina. Their health standards follow what they call “goop Certified Clean (GCC) = no processed sugars, processed foods, gluten, dairy, peanuts, or preservatives.” However, according to Seed Oil Scout report, “the oils they use for cooking, sauces, and dressings are safflower, grape seed, sesame, rice bran, and olive oil”. Similarly, infamous Erewhon in LA is known for having the highest standards (and making you pay for it). However, most of their house-made bottled dressings contain safflower oil and/or grapeseed oil, and all fried items at the hot bar are cooked in non-gmo rice bran oil. IS ANYONE SAFE ANYMORE?????
GRAB & GO, GROCERY and MARKETS:
Bonberi Mart (Health Market, Juices/Smoothies, Salads, To-Go) - West Village
Cute little spot with healthy snacks, grab-and-go salads and prepared items, and a small menu. Very clean.
Goods Mart - Soho/Midtown
Healthy convenience store with all Erewhon/LA-type snacks, drinks, and products. Small but cute. I highly recommend the goodSAM roasted salted macadamia nuts and the Gjusta rosemary almonds, but everything is great and clean.
Brodo (Broth, Paleo) - multiple locations
Another place making high quality bone-broth with superior sourcing, a la Springbone Kitchen. Good to bookmark when Springbone is too far as there are lots of Brodo locations.
Grass Roots Juicery (Juices/Smoothies, Coffee/Tea, Cafe, Organic, Clean Essentials) - Williamsburg
Not just juice, they have very clean grab and go, cafe, baked goods, cleanses, smoothies, and a curated selection of wellness and beauty products.
Madfulhalla Organic Juice and Smoothie Bar (Smoothies, Juice) - Nolita
Great and quick service, large menu, organic produce. Only downside is their smoothie bases are apple juice, water and almond milk only. I would want to make sure the almond milk doesn’t have added sugar (definitely ask every smoothie place what brand they use and if it’s unsweetened), and definitely staying away from apple juice.
Juice Generation (Smoothies/Juice) - multiple locations
Juice Press (Smoothies/Juice) - multiple locations
The Juice Shop (Smoothies/Juice, Cafe, Acai Bowls) - Flatiron/Brooklyn
Lifethyme (Health Market, To-Go, Prepared Food, Juice/Smoothies) - Greenwich Village
Erewhon’s less cool, more crunchy, and a bit more 90s relative. Things are organic and well-labeled so it’s generally easy to find exactly what you’re looking for here. They carry all the usual healthy snacks, essentials, and products.
High Vibe (Health Market, Supplements) - East Village
Elm Wellness (Health Markets, Supplements, Juice/Smoothies - West Village
Pure Green (Juices/Smoothies) - multiple locations
Duals Natural (Health Market, Herbs & Spices) - East Village
East Village Organic (Juice, Smoothies, Health Market) - East Village
4th Street Co-Op (Health Market, Bulk, Organic Produce) - East Village
Mulberry Market (Grocery, Health Market) - Soho
Health & Harmony (Grocery, Health Market) - Greenwich Village
Gourmet Garage (Grocery) - multiple locations
Greenpoint Natural Market (Health Markets, Organic, Juice/Smoothies, Breakfast) - Greenpoint
Organic Planet & Pharmacy (Health Market, Juice/Smoothies, Supplements) - Williamsburg
To The World Farm (Organic Produce, Juice/Smoothies) - Williamsburg
Brooklyn Fare (Grocery, Grab & Go) - multiple locations, manhattan/brooklyn
Grow NYC - Source for Greenmarkets, Farmstands, and Fresh Food Boxes
Saturdays, 8am-2pm, year-round
Chelsea’s Down To Earth Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 9am-2pm, 04/22 - 12/23
Mon/Weds/Fri/Sat, 8am-8pm, year-round
Fulton’s Fish Market (Fish Market, Grocery)
NATURAL WINE, BEER, & SPIRITS:
Sea Grape Wine Shop (Wine) - Greenwich Village
Chamber’s Street Wines (Wine) - Tribeca
The Natural Wine Company (Wine) - Williamsburg
People’s Wine (Wine) - LES
Orange Glou (Wine) - LES
Wine Therapy (Wine) - Soho
Leisir Wines (Wine) - Chinatown
BAKERIES, CLEAN TREATS, & BESPOKE KITCHENS:
Knead Love Bakery (GF, Organic, Bakery/Treats) - Shipping/Pickup/Delivery/Greenmarkets
Gluten-free sourdough breads, bagels, cookies (and customizable cookie cakes..), pizza dough, and many other delicious handmade baked goods using hand-milled, locally-sourced ingredients. They ship certain items nationwide too. Organic and clean.
Available for pick-up or delivery
Wednesdays: Union Square Greenmarket
Saturdays: Fort Greene Park Greenmarket and Williamsburg/McCarren Park Greenmarket
Instagram here.
Rawsome Treats (Vegan, Raw, GF/Paleo, Organic, Bakery/Treats) - Bowery
These are elite clean desserts. Cakes, pies, cookies, mini treats, bars, you name it, they make it healthy. Very aesthetically pleasing as well.
They do delivery, catering, and ship nationwide!
Kira Puth Bakes (Bakery/Treats, GF/Paleo, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
My friend Kira makes the most insane clean treats and better-for-you desserts. Everything is gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, but you would never know. You can order on her website (although orders are currently on pause until ~July). Her most popular offerings so far are the banana bread, granola, and (my personal favorite) the chocolate PB bars. I will re-share her biz when operations are back up and running this summer, so stay tuned, but run don’t walk!!!!
Instagram here.
The Love Bakery (Bakery/Treats, Adaptogenic, Everything-Free, Delivery/Shipping)
Erica runs a completely clean bakery that is free of gluten, dairy, refined sugar, soy, vegetable oil, and more. She adds superfood adaptogens to all her recipes to boost their health benefits. Her most popular items include cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, peanut butter cups, peanut-butter-brownie-jars (?? need), banana bread jars, ready-to-bake cookie dough, and more.
She requires 48 hours for delivery in NYC (but pickup options on the LES) and also ships nationwide.
Seed + Mill at Chelsea Market (Middle Eastern/Healthy Treats) - Chelsea
Seed + Mill makes the best tahini on earth hands down, and also the best halva. Here they serve tahini soft serve ice cream, which I did not know I needed but I very much do.
MEAL DELIVERY & CLEANSES:
Combined by Alanna (Plant-Based, Meal Delivery, Catering)
Alanna created her company after experiencing digestive distress and gut issues for years, and finally finding a solution with a plant-based diet and food combining principles. She offers full-service meal delivery with different plans based on your needs and new menus released weekly. Sign up on her website before 9am on Friday to receive your weekly meals the following Monday. She also offers personal chef services and catering around NYC. If you want a reset, have digestive issues, or want to experiment with a very intentional, cleansing, and health-focused way of eating, I highly recommend giving Alanna’s meals a try!
Instagram here.
SSERE meal delivery (Real Food, Custom Dietary Needs, Meal Delivery, Wellness, Catering, Cleanses)
Sarah Pacelli created ssere (pronounced sah-RAY, derived from essere, meaning “to be”) to be a personalized approach to nutrition that can improve anyone’s “vitality, longevity, and food freedom”. To her, eating is a pleasurable experience that should be savored.
Her offerings are “dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, egg-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, et cetera. All meals are are free of gluten, refined and lab-made sugars, seed oils, chemical compounds, stabilizers, gums, random additives, and food dyes.”Everything is sourced with the utmost care (organic, sustainable, etc.). I like her mission because she is a purist and doesn’t rely on artificial sweeteners, shortcuts, or fake processed substitutes. Find her mission here.
She offers anything from nutritional counseling to her classic meal delivery plans, cleanses, a la carte smoothies/muffins/cookies/sups, pre-natal meal plans, postpartum meal plans, and custom wellness packages. Check out her website for current offerings.
Instagram here.
Sakara (Plant-Based, Cleanses, Meal Delivery, Supplements/Snacks, Shipping)
I’m sure you’ve all heard of it.c Sakara offers great plant-based nutrition products with a range of customized programs, a la carte options, and meal delivery services for busy professionals. Programs include their Signature Nutrition Program, The Fresh Start Cleanse, The Metabolism Reset, The Gut Health Reboot, and the Performance System. Beyond that, they offer many of their foods, snacks, supplements and other superfoods a la carte so you can pick and choose and continue to eat healthy/detox outside of the programs.
Kroma Wellness (Plant-Based, Cleanse, Supplements/Snacks, Shipping)
Kroma is the new kid on the block that everyone is talking about in the cleanse market. The chic packaging and non-perishable model makes Kroma 5-Day Reset totally doable for those with busy schedules. The idea is that you should not be depriving yourself in order to eat healthy. Depending on your goals and activity level, there are various routes you can complete the reset to reach those goals. The cleanse consists of lattes, elixirs, porridges, broths, smoothies, superfood snacks (including the famous cookie butter), and more. I haven’t tried but heard great things, so will be ordering ASAP.
CLEAN SHOPS:
Clean Market (Health, Wellness, Beauty) - NoHo, Midtown East, FiDi
Credo Beauty (Beauty) - SoHo
Where I buy all my Clean Beauty products, ships everywhere.
Detox Market (Beauty) - SoHo
Shen (Beauty) - Cobble Hill
FITNESS:
Equinox (Gym) - multiple locations
Dogpound (Gym, Personal Training) - SoHo
Performix House (Gym, Training, Sauna/Cryo, Physical Therapy)
The Liv Method (Personal Training) - Midtown
CorePower (Yoga) - multiple locations
My friend Christine, otherwise known as @yogi_scan, teaches the best classes at CorePower NoHo on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8am. Sign up for a class, and follower her on IG for yoga flows, stretching, mental health tips/advice, and more!
New York Pilates - multiple locations
[solidcore] (Pilates) - multiple locations
p.volve (Functional Movement/Low-Impact/Pilates) - SoHo
Bodyrok (Pilates) - multiple locations
SLT (Pilates/Resistance Training)
PureBarre - multiple locations
Y7 (Yoga)
Rumble Boxing - multiple locations
Tracy Anderson Method (Dance/Functional Movement)
The Class by Taryn Toomey (Functional Movement/Dance)
Barry’s Bootcamp - multiple locations
DETOX & HEALING:
HigherDose (Infrared Sauna, Lymphatic Drainage) - SoHo
Located in 11 Howard and Modernhaus hotels, HigherDose is the company that brings you the at-home wellness tech and light therapy devices, and they offer lymphatic and infrared sauna sessions. Hotel guests receive a discount. I like that they give you the whole room, shower, cold towels, and free Spindrift and face wipes.
Clean Market (IV, Cryo, Sauna, Lymphatic Drainage, Market) - NoHo, Midtown East, FiDi
I have yet to try a treatment but they’ve been featured in goop, Forbes, and many others and are relatively new on the scene. I stopped by the NoHo location and loved the shopping area—had an excellent selection of chic supplements, beauty products, and clean essentnials from cool brands.
THE WELL (IV, Massage, Lymphatic, Facials, Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Holistic Healing) - Union Square
A home to all things wellness, including treatments, holistic healing, a super clean kitchen and cafe (listed above under restaurants), and a shop for essentials. You can book services as a gust or apply as a member to receive premium offers and special benefits.
Remedy Place (Sauna, Cryo, Cold Plunge, Hyperbarics, Holistic Practitioners) - Flatiron
Self-proclaimed “the world’s first social wellness club”. A favorite of the Kardashian’s, Remedy Place has everything from contrast therapy to chiropractors, acupuncture, IV, and functional medicine.
cityWell Brooklyn (Boutique Bathhouse/Outdoor Oasis, Sauna, Hydrotherapy, Massage) - Gowanus
They have a cool cabin “outdoor oasis” you can book for sauna, soak, steam, massage, etc., they have good packages, and you can reserve it for yourself and a friend.
JTAV Clinical Skincare (Lymphatic Drainage, Massage/Facials, IV, Medical Spa) - Upper Midtown East
Very comprehensive array of both spa and medical spa services. I’ve heard great recommendations for their lymphatics and facials. all organic, non-toxic products.
Rise Up Beauty (Lymphatic Drainage) - Midtown East
IMD Beauty Spa (Lymphatic Drainage) - Murray Hill
Sage + Sound (Salon, Spa, Lymphatic, Reflexology) - UES
They function as a home to everything from non-toxic mani pedis by Sundays and lymphatic drainage by IMD Beauty Spa to eyebrow therapy by Paolo Siquera, acupuncture, massage, and reiki.
The Tox NYC (Lymphatic Drainage) - UES, NoMad, SoHo
Spa Castle NYC’s “Sauna Valley” (Sauna, Color Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Gold/Jade/Salt Caves)
Sounds insane but intriguing LOL. There are endless caves, saunas, and healing rooms made of different minerals, soil, and stones, or with varying light therapies. Must go.
Chillhouse (Lymphatic Drainage, Sauna, Nails, Skincare, Massage) - SoHo
FloLo Holistic (Float Tank, Sauna/Cold Plunge, Massage, Acupuncture, Yoga, IV) - Midtown
Bamford Wellness Spa (Massage, Facials, Sauna, Soundwave) - Brooklyn
Wthn (Acupuncture) - NoHo, Flatiron
Holos NYC (Float Tank, HOCATT Infrared/Ozone Sauna, PEMF, Theraphi)
Gravity East Village (Colonics, Sauna, Reflexology, Massage Therapy) - East Village
The Piper Center for Internal Wellness (Lymphatics, Infrared, Colonics, Massage) - UES
healhaus (Yoga, Meditation, Sound Baths, Classes, Cafe) - Clinton Hill
Maha Rose (Breathwork, Sound Bath, Meditation, Reiki, Holistic Healing) - Brooklyn
As for Erewhon coming to NYC (the final frontier), there may be hope:
“‘It’s a big and exciting question, huh?!’ an Erewhon executive, Demi Marie Alhaik, said when asked about the prospect. She added that while Erewhon has no current plans for a New York opening, ‘it is certainly on our radar.’”
Excerpted from The New York Times’ “Is New York Turning Into Los Angeles?”, January 8th 2023.
