Many people equate healthy eating with nothing more than salads and water — but incorporating good-for-you meals into your diet doesn’t have to be bland or boring. From colorful fruits and vegetables to wholesome fats and nutrient-packed smoothies, healthy choices are anything but flavorless. With dishes like fluffy-yet-crispy falafel and vibrant poke bowls, these Tampa Bay restaurants prove you don’t have to sacrifice taste to eat well.
Toss Salads & Wraps
600 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg | (727) 291-0070
With no healthy grab-and-go options in St. Pete, husband-and-wife duo Chris and Christina Battafarano dreamed of bringing such a concept to the area. In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, they made that dream a reality. Now with a second location in Seminole, their family-owned restaurant, Toss, offers both pre-designed and build-your-own salads and wraps made with fresh ingredients prepped daily. With more than 50 toppings and ingredients to choose from—including a variety of dressings, over half of which are made from scratch—Toss makes healthy eating easy and customizable.
CALI
217 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa | (813) 305-2473
Craving the perfect bowl? A fresh, crunchy wrap? Or maybe a fire sourdough pizza moment? Longtime Tampa fave Cali hits every time—no matter which of the four locations is nearby. With a mission to serve Real Food Only, Cali always keeps it health-forward and flavor-obsessed. It’s a real one.
The left-coast feel is major at Cali’s South Tampa spot on Dale Mabry, freshly redone this summer by a top L.A. designer. Think textured plaster walls, an 11-foot olive tree, marble tables and soft-glow lighting—all serving laid-back California with just the right amount of polish. It’s giving weekend dinner, any day of the week.
“Our recent refresh to the South Tampa location is such a vibe. You have to come experience it for yourself,” says David Cudnick, Director of Operations.
All Cali spots have an updated menu that doubles down on Cali’s Real Food Only approach—spotlighting whole, high-quality ingredients in every dish.
“Cali’s menu is built on our Real Food Only philosophy of health-forward ingredients like 100% olive oil in dressings, hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken and grass-fed beef,” Cudnick adds. “All our sauces are housemade and there’s no sneaky sugar added — even our aguas frescas are agave sweetened.”
At Cali, it all starts with ingredients. Produce is fresh and hand-cut daily. Cheese is sourced from the block or wheel and shredded in-house to avoid preservatives and additives. The tuna is Sea Change and MSC-certified, ensuring sustainable seafood practices. Fried items use 100% sunflower oil with no additives. Sauces and dressings are made in-house using 100% olive oil or cold-pressed sesame oil. The pizza dough and cookies are crafted from locally fermented sourdough starter.
Cali’s commitment to conscious dining extends beyond the plate. Through its Cali Composts program, the company diverts more than 100 tons of waste from landfills each year, further supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future.
So whether it’s lunch, dinner or weekend brunch, Cali stays serving. And it’s a mood.
Pacific Counter – Northeast St. Pete
210 37th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | (727) 275-2028
Founded by three longtime friends, Pacific Counter—now with five locations—is a build-your-own sushi burrito and poke bowl concept that blends bold flavors with balanced nutrition. Focused on macros, protein and vibrant presentation, each bowl or burrito features fresh, healthy ingredients like in-house cut and cured salmon, hormone-free chicken and raw or house-fermented veggies. With four bases, ten proteins, 30+ toppings,and over eight housemade sauces, the options are nearly endless. Not in the mood for a bowl? Try their all-beef hot dog on a potato bun, a fan favorite since debuting at Tropicana Field.
Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery
13830 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa | (813) 922-2338
A family-owned and operated business, Fat Beet Farm was founded by Jen and Tim Curci, who—after years in the restaurant industry—wanted more control over where their ingredients came from. What began as a plan for a restaurant supported by a small farm quickly evolved into something more. By embracing sustainable agricultural methods, they expanded their vision to include farm tours and educational programs focused on growing in Florida’s climate and caring for the earth. The fruits—and vegetables—of their labor are brought straight to the kitchen and transformed into seasonal dishes that reflect the farm’s fresh, ever-changing harvest.
The Mediterranean Chickpea
3217 S. MacDill Ave. SUITE C, Tampa | (813) 515-7981
Recognized by Yelp as the #1 Vegan Restaurant in Florida and #2 in the U.S., The Mediterranean Chickpea has spent the past seven years serving hearty, plant-based meals made with fresh, natural ingredients—never any preservatives or dyes. Favorites like crispy falafel, scratch-made hummus and moussaka have earned a loyal following, thanks in part to generous portions that ensure no one leaves hungry. Can’t choose what to order? The mixed mezze platter, featuring five items and warm pita, is perfect for indecisive diners.
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