THE BEST HEALTHY TAKEOUT SPOTS IN PITTSBURGH

Short on time (aren’t we all)? Well, grabbing takeout isn’t all pizza and wings. Pittsburgh’s takeout scene actually has healthy options for every eater. So if you’re looking for a vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free meal on the go, your search is over.

These healthy takeout spots around the Burgh have you covered.

• BLUEBIRD KITCHEN

Bluebird Kitchen is fresh, simple, and fast. But who knew that could also mean made from scratch? With two locations, Market Square and Stanwix, Bluebird has upgraded healthy offerings downtown. Best of all, they know you’re in a hurry. That’s why the space is streamlined to make the pop-in and takeout process a breeze.

• GAUCHO PARILLA ARGENTINA

Now a seasoned restaurant star, Gaucho Parrilla Argentina has stayed true to the grill. Simply meaning that your meal will be wood-fired, and it will be delicious (we promise; so do they). Keep on your healthy track with some grilled vegetables, topped with one of their tasty sauces. A word to the wise, don’t overdose on the toasty, crusty bread.

• BISTRO TO GO

Venture over to the North Shore and you’ll find this gem tucked away on East Ohio Street. Their mission is to focus on fresh, local healthy, and nourishing food that “delights the taste buds”, and it does not disappoint. Bistro serves up grab-and-go, sit-down, and catering options that are not only delicious but also won’t tear a hole in your wallet.

• HONEYGROW

Looking for a fast and healthy takeout option that doesn’t come in the form of a sad, limp salad from the convenience store? Look no further. Honeygrow in East Liberty has customizable stir-frys, seasonal salads (that definitely aren’t sad), and delicious snacks all made with intelligently sourced, fresh ingredients. You can’t go wrong with their honeybar fresh fruit snack topped with local honey (or maple syrup) and your choice of coconut shavings, dark chocolate chips, or granola. Get ready to eat different.

• KAHUNA POKE AND JUICE BAR

When you stop by this island-inspired East Liberty fast casual spot, you’ll pretty much be transported to your favorite beach side paradise. Kahuna’s laid-back vibe and flavor-packing poke bowls, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies are the perfect grab-and-go healthy lunch or snack option. Order online and have your meal ready and waiting for you when you arrive. What lunch rush?

• CAFE RAYMOND

In the Strip District, you’ll find a special little place where the foods are made from scratch and locally sourced. Family-owned Cafe Raymond is the perfect place to grab breakfast (served all day) or lunch on the fly. From their Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes to their Mediterranean Salad to their Veggie Muffaletta Sandwich, you literally can’t make a bad choice when you order from their menu. Fitt Tip: do yourself a favor and call ahead when you order; they frequently sell out of some of their popular menu items.

• BRGR

No, the milkshakes aren’t healthy (ugh). But when you’re in a rush, and really want a burger, tell the folks at BRGR that you’d like your meat (or veggie) patty sans bun, sub lettuce wrap. Or if you’re trying to meet your vegetable quota, grab the grilled asparagus salad: a baby spinach + swiss chard + kale mix, grilled asparagus, and quinoa. Yeah, that’ll do the trick.

• NICKY’S THAI KITCHEN

Nicky’s is fresh Thai done right. The food is bright, clean, and topped off with just the right amount of spice. We’d opt for the curry. Literally any of them. Red, green, pumpkin (obviously), wild, or pineapple are all equally delicious. On top of that, they travel well, are naturally gluten-free, and can be vegetarian should you choose.

• DAPHNE CAFE

Daphne’s is a hole in the wall without the holes. The Turkish and Mediterranean-style eatery in the heart of Shadyside will win you over with their colorful meals, and their family-run approach will keep you coming back. While all of their platters are delish, give their vegan Veggie Köfte a whirl. There’s no doubt you’ll feel good about eating this feast on the fly.

• THAI SPOON

This BYOB joint is also takeout appropriate if you’d rather BYOB to your living room and stay in your sweats. The only issue? The menu is enormous and there are too many good options to choose from. One thing to make sure you include in your order are the Drunken Noodles; other than that, throw a dart at the menu to choose because everything here is delicious.

• SIMPLE GREEK

If you work/live/wander around downtown Pittsburgh, eating clean isn’t always easy, but there’s a reason Simple Greek isn’t called Really Complex Greek. Fresh and fast Greek grub means thin-sliced lamb or beef served in a pita or in a bowl over salad, lentils, or rice (psst, the bowl is healthier). Plus, you can double up the protein for a cool three bucks.

• EATUNIQUE

Here’s some great news for students, museum-goers, and passersby in Oakland: Eat Unique offers some much-needed relief from second-rate delis and subpar fast food joints. This grab-and-go sandwich, salad, and fresh specials joint offers something for everyone, and provides plenty of vegan and veggie options.

• B52

B52 is a quaint vegan café serving the best healthy coffee pairings on the corner of Butler and 52nd streets in Lawrenceville. Their to-go section is full of American and Middle Eastern cuisines and house-baked goods, making it easy to eat healthful on-the-go.

• HELLO BISTRO

Or shall we call you, Hello Delicious. With four convenient Oakland, Shadyside, Downtown, and McCandless Crossing locations, this is a salad bar worth getting excited for. Place your order online to avoid the line, choosing from unlimited goodness (toppings) for $7.75. We’re talking goat cheese, bacon, almonds, farro (Google it), edamame, and any of their dressings (all GF) for less than an Alexander Hamilton.

• ALADDIN’S EATERY

With six locations around Pittsburgh, Aladdin’s is serving up healthful Lebanese-inspired meals free from sulfites and preservatives. The Mediterranean menu is made up of fresh dishes that are clearly labeled vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free. Our go-to to-go order (say that three times fast) is the V-Nine soup paired with their signature Taza Chicken Salad. Easy. Affordable. Fresh.

• KAYA

You won’t sacrifice taste when you grab Kaya’s flavorful menu to-go. Pick up your dinner in the Strip District, or use Grubhub so you don’t even have to leave the house. The entire menu is on-point, but give their Tropical Paella a try; the chicken, chorizo, shrimp, mussels, and scallops combo will make your taste buds do a happy dance. Fitt Tip: there’s a Veggie Prix Fixe dinner on the third Wednesday of each month. Date night, anyone?

• PITTSBURGH BBQ COMPANY

Tucked in a tiny shack behind a hotel on Banksville Rd. (no, this is not a joke), this real-life smokehouse is a diamond in the rough. It’s so good, that we’re willing to take on the Fort Pitt tunnel monsters everyone slows down for to get it. As for the healthiness factor — it’s just melt-in-your-mouth meat with sauce on the side. See? #TunnelWorthy.

• EARTH INSPIRED SALADS

Let’s face it, salads are lame. At least that’s what thought until we scored a next level salad from this spot in Market Square. Choose from a list of pre-made veggie concoctions, like the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Chicken. Or build-your-own salad, assembly line style. Not feeling a salad? Opt for a grain bowl or sandwich instead.

• CHOOLAAH

Let’s face it — if you’re grabbing lunch out, a greasy burger and soggy fries is no longer going to cut it. Enter: Choolaah, a fast-casual authentic Indian BBQ restaurant in East Liberty that is here to make sure the lunch you’re eating is healthy, responsibly sourced, and never boring. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or meat-a-tarian, Choolaah’s customizable tandoor BBQ meals with tangy masalas and freshly-baked Naan will take your taste buds on a joy ride.

• SUSHI FUKU

Craving sushi? Mozy over to Oakland for a made-to-order meal unlike anything you’ve experienced. You’ll have your pick of protein, toppings, and sauce, as well as brown or white rice, with one more very important question: roll it or bowl it? As in, do you want a sushi roll or do you want a deconstructed sushi roll in a bowl? Decisions, decisions. It’s okay — there’s no wrong choice here.

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