Catering to its East Nashville neighbors, A Matter of Taste serves southern inspired plates for brunch, lunch and dinner. Celiac-sufferers can take refuge in an extensive gluten free menu as well as a few raw options.
Must Try: Shrimp and grits Location: 1100 Fatherland St, Ste 101, 615-866-8144; amoteatery.com
Calypso Cafe has been serving food for over 24 years for a good reason: they offer consistently delicious, healthy, and filling meals at an affordable price. In addition to table service, the cafe offers caribbean inspired dishes for take-out and catering.
Must Try: Black bean salad Locations: 3307 Charlotte Pk; 615-321-3878 301 Gallatin Rd; 615-227-6133 700 Thompson Ln; 615-297-3888 calypsocafe.com
In addition to healthy grab n' go meals, the vegan cafe inside the Center of Symmetry holistic center, offers a varied menu of sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and raw desserts.
The Lebanese-focused menu offers lean grilled fish, roasted vegetables with pairings of lentils, rice pilaf and legume purees that will make any vegetarian swoon.
Must Try: Bustan (grilled seasoned vegetable plate) or the Sayadeya (spiced fish and vermicelli rice) Location: 2902 12th Ave S, 615-720-6765; epicenashville.com
Grabbagreen's warm grain and green-based bowls are created with housemade sauces, super nutrients, and multiple protein and whole-food options. For lunch on the go, the Grabba Mart is full of quick and healthy options, including bottled elixir shots, bottle juice, fresh fruit, and healthy snacks.
You can count on vegetable-driven, fresh, clean food at this chic Gulch restaurant. The menu features Whole 30-compliant dishes without sacrificing taste.
The Bongo Java team opened Grins on Vanderbilt University’s campus with a focus on kosher, vegetarian food. The menu balances between ingredient availability, preparation demands, and unique offerings.
Must Try: Nashville hot tofu Location: Schulman Center for Jewish Life, 2421 Vanderbilt Pl, 615-322-8571; bongojava.com/grins
Housed in a former pet shop, Fido is an upscale coffeehouse with a casual restaurant vibe. The menu features "Nashville's finest mix of organic, exotic, and junk foods," and the daily specials board is always full of locally-sourced, imaginative dishes. Fido is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
With a variety of sandwiches, melts, and salads, The Food Company is a great place to grab a quick, healthy lunch. In addition to their in-house offerings, they also have an extensive catering menu and several boxed lunches.
Must Try: Tarragon almond chicken salad, fruit tea Location: 2211 Bandywood Dr, 615-385-4311; thefoodcompanynashville.com
Authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes stock the Kalamatas menu with memorable and low-cal options. Plenty of salads, grilled meats, and vegetables, plus freshly-made hummus are available at their three locations around town.
Must Try: Greek salad Locations: 3764 Hillsboro Pk; 615-383-8700 330 Franklin Rd, Brentwood; 615-221-4002 eatkalamatas.com
Their website says it all: Local. Organic. Quick. This 12 South sandwich shop operates with its community and its carbon footprint in mind, serving affordable, properly-portioned sandwiches made only from organic and locally-sourced ingredients. Not to mention they provide up-cycled glass containers for water cups and a recycling station for waste when you're through.
Must Try: Vegan meatball sub, slow-roasted veggie sandwich with micro-greens Locations: 2905 12th Ave S; 615-499-4793 Nashville Farmers' Market, 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd; 615-880-2001 slocolocal.com
This sunny old home tucked back in Berry Hill boasts a selection 90 percent gluten-free vegan fare, although the lasagna generally comes with a dairy cheese option. Serving since October 2012, the cafeteria-style café has a clientele that includes Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, and Nicole Kidman.
The café menu is full of items inspired by Mediterranean markets, Greek islands, and mom's kitchen. Everything on Taziki's menu, from the fresh-grilled gyros to the daily specials, is made intentionally with healthy ingredients.
Must Try: Dolmades plate Locations: 3001 West End Ave; 615-724-2276 2190 Bandywood Dr; 615-873-1027 230 11th Ave S; 615-203-0346 tazikiscafe.com
Locally-owned and operated, Turnip Truck is a natural food retailer who also offers a hot bar featuring organic soups and sandwiches made to order with the taste and quality you would expect from a Nashville staple.
Must Try: Sweet chili tofu Locations: 701 Woodland St; 615-650-3600 321 12th Ave S; 615-248-2000 theturniptruck.com
Owners Melanie and John Cochran decided to open the restaurant when they became vegans and realized there was nowhere to dine out. Located on Eastland Avenue in the heart of East Nashville, The Wild Cow sources about 60 percent of its produce locally and has received the Eat REAL certification (designated by the United States Healthful Food Council).
Must Try: Buffalo beans and greens Location: 1996 Eastland Ave, 615-262-2717; thewildcow.com
This delicious hot bar offers a healthy (and still convenient) alternative to prepared foods available at the grocery store. Choose from over two dozen hot meal items every day, made with organic and sustainably harvested ingredients in flavors from homestyle to Mediterranean and more.
Must Try: Chicken fried tofu and vegan collard greens Locations: 4021 Hillsboro Pk; 615-440-5100 1566 West McEwen Dr, Franklin; 615-550-5660 wholefoodsmarket.com
Opened in 2004, Woodlands is both a staple for ethnic and health conscious eaters. The contemporary cuisine is hardly bland, using innovative spices in each dish.
Must Try: Bombay bhaji dosa Location: 3415 West End Ave, 615-463-3005; woodlandstennessee.com
With three locations, one in Belle Meade, Brentwood, and Green Hills, Zoës Kitchen offers a menu full of fresh, flavorful, Mediterranean-inspired recipes. They also provide catering services with a variety of pre-made meal options, so you can dine in or grab one of these conveniently portable options for your next gathering.
Nashville’s first raw, vegan, and plant-based restaurant, Avo is as satisfying as it is inventive. Housed in a shipping container at the growing OneC1ty site on Charlotte Avenue, Avo’s menu caters to people who crave comfort food—regardless of whether they eat raw.
Must Try: Mushroom reuben, the avocado margarita Location: 3001 Charlotte Ave, 615-329-2377; eatavo.com
