Healthy and Delicious Dining Options in Sarasota County
There are plenty of great places in Sarasota County to eat healthy. Check out my list of some personal favorites in the area.
I'm at marks the end of my 21-day clean eating challenge. I gave up processed food, caffeine, alcohol and sugar which is hard when there are so many great places to eat and grab a drink in Sarasota County. Luckily for me, I didn't have to look far to find places where I could honor my challenge and still get a healthy bite to eat without sacrificing flavor. Here are a couple of my go-to favorites:
Simon's Coffee House

Where: 5900 South Tamiami Trail
Phone: 941.926.7151
Although it's a coffee house, there are plenty of sans caffeine options at Simon's Coffee House. Serving breakfast and lunch, the café offers plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, many house-made. There's always a raw food option, such as the Raw Lasagna made 100% from nuts and vegetables. For a treat grab a milky Lassi or fruit-forward smoothie. The take-out menu is perfect if you have to eat-on-the-go.
Veg
Where: 2164 Gulf Gate Drive
Phone: 941.312.6424
Veg restaurant in the Gulf Gate neighborhood is a sit-down eatery with a piled-high menu of vegan and vegetarian options. Their menu caters to the Gluten-free, raw and seafood-only eating crowd. There is also a Little Sprouts menu for tikes--a major bonus. My daughter loved the Little Sprouts Hummus & Veggies.
Ionie Healing Center and Raw Food Café
Where: 1241 Fruitville Road
Phone: 941.955.4599
Ionie Healing Center and Raw Food Café is a calming oasis on a bustling street corner. Part healthy gourmet goddess and part healing studio, it's an all-around good for you kind of place. For a cleansing boost try the Lemon Drop elixir. Ionia's was the perfect cure for my husband's burger hankering. The home-made vegan burger came with rutabaga fries.
Café Evergreen
Where: 801 South Tamiami Trail
Phone: 941.412.4334
Café Evergreen in the Nokomis area of Sarasota is nestled in a historic building and offers a juice bar, dining and a produce market. There are non-vegetarian options, all natural and organic, as well as vegetarian options such as quinoa cakes or the paleo-diet friendly roasted cauliflower.
Of course, a green smoothie from Whole Foods is always a quick and filling treat any day of the week.