When searching for a location that combines healthy choices with big flavours not many places can compete against the colourful food culture surrounding eden terrace restaurants. So it is hardly a surprise that this central Auckland precinct is proving to be a magnet for food lovers who like their ingredients good, their menus creative and the vibe friendly. Whether you’re in the mood for a substantial meal or one of the best salads in Auckland, it’s brimming with fresh options.

The dining here is more than casual eats. Several eden terrace restaurants are touting a philosophy that promotes conscious eating. They try to eat light on the palate, these chefs, but not heavy in their indulgence — instead of excessively processed or rich dishes they like to share seasonal foods and local ingredients, keeping meals important without being needy. You’ll encounter chefs playing with flavors anew — roasted vegetables strewn with citrus dressings, protein mingled in some casual way with grain, even frisée and curly endive dressed up until they’re hardly recognizably greens.

It is a must-stop for anyone looking for the best salads Auckland has to offer. With options that include a traditional Caesar, quinoa bowls and some with an Asian or Mediterranean flair, there’s something for everyone. In some places, plant-based dressings and house-made sauces can have the power to elevate humble ingredients even further. The meld of fresh, texture and creativity keeps patrons rolling back through the door.

For the locals, a go to for a clean eating destination that you can actually love is Gorilla Kitchen. Their menu represents the best of what contemporary plant-based eating looks like — luxurious, colorful and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or just looking for a healthier alternative, there’s something satisfying. The sustainable sourcing and quality of ingredients maintain this restaurant as a solid option for the conscious guest.

The eden terrace restaurants are too good if you want to explore them. You might begin your day with a smoothie bowl, eat a lunch rich in protein and end the say with a fresh salad paired with avocado, roasted nuts or tofu. Most of the best places to eat out here serve good food, but it’s also a crime not to care about presentation, which means every meal in this relatively small radius feels like a mini celebration.

If you are trying to eat healthily, the salads Auckland restaurants make are far from being just another side – they’re a full course meal. Think grilled tempeh over greens, beetroot and feta combinations or chickpea power bowls. Every dish will seem like a breath of fresh air (that you didn’t have to prepare yourself) and will be lovingly made, for those who care about both nutrition and flavor.

When there are so many other great options steps away, eating in this part of town is as much about community as it is about food. It is a place for locals to come in for a quick bite, a relaxed meal or an after-work drink and enjoy that lively yet intimate eden terrace restaurant vibe. And if you are a person who loves finding food that feels good to eat and good for you, these spots will soon enough become your go-to.

So when you’re next in Auckland, wander through Eden Terrace and enjoy a meal that’s 50 / 50 taste and wellness. Whether it’s a fresh salad, fruit-filled shake or one of the bowl-ful goods by Gorilla Kitchen, you’ll understand why this is listed as one of the city’s yummiest and healthiest things to eat and drink.