Skinny in the City

Winter has hit the Big Apple hard, and as the temperatures drop, so does the motivation to eat healthy food. Really, what sounds more appealing: a big bowl of mac and cheese or a tiny salad filled with kale and wheatberries?

Luckily, Manhattan has turned healthy dining on its ear, and now eating well has never been more delicious. Hit up any of these spots for a chance to keep your waistline and your tastebuds happy. And, if you don’t want to go outside, don’t fret—most of these places deliver.

Pure Food and Wine is one of the most respected vegan restaurants in the city. Nothing that comes from an animal has any place in this restaurant, which pairs organic wines with inventive dishes that are so delicious you won’t believe how low calorie they are. Try the sweet corn and cashew tamales with chili spiced portabellas for a spicy entrée, and don’t miss the signature mint chocolate sundae for dessert—totally vegan and totally delicious.

Le Verdure at Eataly is pork-lover Mario Batali’s ode to all things vegetal. There is a designated “vegetable butcher” on site who specializes in preparing seasonal vegetables in interesting and tasty ways. The daily bruschetta often features woodsy roasted mushrooms, and the mixed vegetable and farro salad is a medley of flavors and textures that proves that health and taste are not mutually exclusive.

Takashi is the place to head for those of you who want to eat healthily with a little bit of meat in your diet. This yakiniku restaurant features pristine cuts of beef that you BBQ at your own tableside grill. The portions of meat are small and well-trimmed, so the fat is minimal and the flavor is maximized. To round out your meal, get the garden vegetables, which is a veritable garden of golden beets, cucumbers, mustard greens, bibb lettuce, tiny jewel-like tomatoes, and steamed cabbage.