For those of you who may be seeking alternative eats–vegetarian, vegan, paleo and gluten-free options, the city is primed and ready for your visit. In addition to the recommendations on this page, consider one of our favorite spots, Vinaigrette, which offers a full range of creative and tasty salads, soups and sandwiches and is featured on Best Eats. If gluten-free pizza is your thing, add Pizza Centro, also included on Best Eats, to your list. Please check back often for new healthy alternatives.
Annapurna’s
When you have seemingly had your fill of red and green chile-laced dishes or an overload of carbs and sugar, your body may be telling you to take a day off the hard stuff and give your belly a rest. Or maybe you are a strict vegetarian or vegan? If so, head straight to Annapurna’s for a world of healing Ayurvedic flavors with sensational options for vegetarians, vegans as well as those that are gluten-free.
Having heard about this restaurant for years, we finally made it for a visit to Santa Fe’s only Ayurvedic restaurant–they have a sister location in Albuquerque. Plopped in the same lifeless strip center off of St. Michael’s where the famous (and now closed as of 2019), don’t judge the book by the cover.
The inside is colorful and clean and filled with glass jars or loose tea, buddhas hanging on the walls, ribbons hanging from the ceiling and happy people eating and drinking foods that heal and make you feel good.
Definitely start the experience with the lemon-ginger drink that is chock full of grated ginger, tart lemon juice and a touch of sweetener. A cross between tea and lemonade, all of these ingredients aid in digestion and the taste is sensational. When the liquid is gone, scoop up the ginger that settles on the bottom of the glass with a spoon and eat it.
Known as India’s national dish, I ordered the Thaali plate which features copious cups and varieties of freshly cooked vegetables of the day, along with dal, brown rice and a gluten-free dosa to scoop and sop up the goods. Each vegetable cup was packed with flavor and I felt amazing after eating this food.
Ending on a sweet note, we gave in to a gorgeous slice of coconut cream pie that is both gluten-free and vegan. Woo-hoo! Being coconut fans, we couldn’t pass this up and it was just enough to share and send us on our way with a smile on our face knowing we ate something grounding and good for us. I anticipate this becoming one of my go-to places when I feel the need for a truly balanced meal that heals and makes me feel great.
The Teahouse
Whether you are with a big group, your best friend, partner or alone, treat yourself to a favorite haunt where you can relax on the expansive and relaxing patio (70% of the year) with an esoteric and nurturing pot of tea, a dirty chai with almond milk or a good + good for you meal.
Months ago, some friends visiting town suggested we meet up at The Teahouse and it has been on the top of our list ever since. Whether you choose to sit inside the cozy house or outside on the well-shaded but sunny patio, get ready to kick back and enjoy the chill vibe, supreme teas and creative, global bites.
If you are in search of a healthy way to start your day, fuel up with a variety of egg dishes featuring poached eggs, housemade granola or their daily quiche special. I love the mixed greens that accompany most breakfast dishes. It makes me feel so European and virtuous.
My standard lunch order is the Brussels sprout salad with roasted pears, pistachios, pecorino Toscana cheese and mixed greens, though I have been known to order the equally sensational beet salad with the requisite Brussels sprouts. These hearty salads are surprisingly intoxicating and fuels me to a state of happiness. Because they are a bit scarce with their salad dressing, which is better than overdressing a salad, I request a little extra on the side.
For the more manly-meat customer, David approves of the Italian meatloaf, which is served over polenta and with minimally dressed mixed greens. He also sings the praises of the braised brisket and the gluten-free chicken pot pie. But, honestly, we have never been disappointed with anything on the menu.
If you have any room left, please order the gluten-free key lime pie. Considering I make the best key lime pie, this is one I would return to when I am craving this perfectly balanced tangy and sweet concoction and don’t want the ordeal of making (and eating) an entire key lime pie.
No matter what time of day, who you are with or the occasion, The Teahouse fits the bill, satisfies all palates and is consistently a restaurant we return to as often as possible, which ends up being pretty often–and that’s fine by me.
