11 Places for Healthy But Satisfying Meals in D.C.

Because power greens are the new power lunch.

by Lisa Ruland May 7, 2019, 1:40pm EDT

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by Lisa Ruland May 7, 2019, 1:40pm EDT

Flower Child [Official]

A D.C. power meal used to mean a steak-and-martini lunch at the Oval Room, the Palm, or some other clubby, white-table-cloth joint around K Street NW. And as long as this town’s lawyer-lobbyist industrial complex holds out, that’s not going anywhere.

But these days, the D.C. power lunch is just as likely to mean a grain bowl topped with organic superfoods as an expense-account surf n’ turf. And an influx of boutique chains — like DIRT from Miami, Fruitive from Virginia, or national Flower Child — have added to the healthy-ish food scene. Here are 11 area spots to eat well while eating clean.

Terrain Café

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The garden theme at the Terrain Café in Bethesda starts with the potted plant decor and continues with the elegant, seasonal menu. Diners can enjoy a harvest bowl or organic omelet with truffled pecorino and greens, then head over to the attached Anthropologie and plant and garden shop to check out the latest sales and styles.

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7228 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

(240) 345-9492

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True Food Kitchen (Multiple Locations)

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True Food is a national chain that takes nutritious eating seriously. Founded by renowned integrative medicine doctor Andrew Weil, the lengthy menu centers on making people feel better with better food. It’s packed full of eat-the-rainbow dishes like Korean noodle bowls and quinoa burgers. Local locations can be found in Bethesda and Fairfax, with an Arlington outpost opening May 8.

7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

(240) 200-1257

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JRINK Juicery (Multiple Locations)

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Green juice and clean eating go together like miniature Snickers and Halloween. Jrink offers a variety of raw, cold-pressed juices — each made from up to five pounds of produce. With categories like cleanse, greens, and digestive aid shots, customers can grab-and-go from any of their retail locations, and even schedule a consult and delivery service.

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1630 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 459-7785

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Ching Ching Cha

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Stepping into the tranquil confines of this Georgetown tea house feels a world apart from the noise and bustle of Wisconsin Avenue NW and M Street NW just one block away. The local favorite lets customers unwind over pots of traditional oolong, green, or black tea. There’s also tisane, or herbal, medicinal teas. Ching Ching Cha offers an accompanying menu of traditional, simply-prepared Chinese food and small bites.

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1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 333-8288

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Bluestone Lane (Multiple Locations)

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The West End location of this Australian chain of cafes features wellness lattes, cold-pressed juices, coffee, organic teas, plus a health-focused brunch menu. Selections include an avocado smash, signature Rainbow Bowl, and multigrain porridge.

1100 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037

(718) 374-6858

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Flower Child

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“Hippie food” is a compliment at this recently opened West End cafeteria favored by George Washington University students and the Foggy Bottom lunch crowd. Flower Child’s food is vegetarian and vegan friendly. The national chain’s menu focuses on casual, produce-filled dishes like the Mother Earth ancient grain bowl and vegan ramen.

2112 Pennsylvania Ave NW Suite 101, Washington, DC 20037

(202) 919-3646

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Chaia Tacos (Multiple Locations)

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With an eye toward sustainability, this vegetable-loving taco restaurant in Georgetown and Chinatown uses local farms and seasonal produce to turn out some of the District’s most inventive tacos. The soft corn tortillas are made in house, where employees serve up fillings like like creamy kale and potato, rainbow carrot, and braised mushroom from from big cast-iron pots. Be sure to order a side of cilantro rice and black beans.

615 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 290-1019

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Beefsteak (Multiple Locations)

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“Vegetables, unleashed,” is the motto of José Andrés’s fast-casual business. With Andrés-quality dishes ranging from customizable warm bowls to sandwiches and salads — try the Kimchi-Wa bowl — guests can easily rack up their daily dose of veggies in one sitting. Protein-packed ingredients like chicken sausage and mozzarella are available as add-ons.

800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20052

(202) 296-1439

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Fruitive (Multiple Locations)

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With locations in CityCenter and Dupont, Fruitive checks all of the “clean food” boxes: certified organic, seasonal, 100 percent vegetarian, with cold-pressed juice in returnable glass jars and everything made on-site. Their gluten-free, vegan waffles are a best seller, as are lunch favorites like the avocado-portobello panini and the Tuscan kale wrap.

11th St NW &, Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 836-7749

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Teaism (Multiple Locations)

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This O.G. tea house and restaurant (with locations in Penn Quarter, Lafayette Square, and Dupont) has been a mainstay of the healthy-ish crowd for years. The Asian-influenced menu centers around nutrient-dense bento boxes and soups, with other vegetable-heavy large plates and curries. The shop, of course, carries a wide selection of teas and tea accessories.

400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 638-6010

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DIRT

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Straight from Miami’s trendy, pilates-on-every-corner Sunset Harbor neighborhood, DIRT’s goal is to provide nutritious but satisfying food at an affordable price. And lest the giant “EAT CLEAN” sign not clue diners in to this Ballston newcomer’s healthful ethos, DIRT’s extensive all-day menu of sustainable proteins, salads, grain bowls, smoothies, and kombucha on tap certainly will.

4121 Wilson Blvd Suite 102B, Arlington, VA 22203

(703) 337-3790

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