Wellness
While Chicago has a reputation as a meat-and-potatoes kind of town, that doesn’t mean those looking to eat and drink with their health (and waistlines) in mind should worry. Like the rest of the country, the Windy City has fully embraced the wellness movement.
Here is a round-up of our favorite health-minded spots to eat, drink and be merry.
PLACES TO EAT
At the West Loop’s Bad Hunter, impeccably prepared vegetables take center stage with a few proteins thrown in for good measure. Dishes at the hip, plant-filled spot range from charred string beans and tempura-fried lemons to wood-grilled mushrooms with puffed grains.
Think fast food can’t be healthy? Let the Gold Coast’s LYFE Kitchen change your mind with dishes such as buffalo cauliflower tacos, vegan beet poke and quinoa crunch bowl. Wash it down with a lemonade—charcoal- or lavender-infused, perhaps?—and save room for dessert, which leans healthy without loosing any of the decadence. Its name, after all, does stand for “Love Your Food Everyday.”
PLACES TO DRINK
The stunning views of Millennium Park across the street have justifiably earned Cindy’s a ton of loyal fans and more than its fare share of Instagrams. But this Loop hot spot perched atop the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel also offers a selection of thoughtfully prepared spirit-free drinks with revealing names such as Carrot Top and Botanicals.
Beloved mixologist Julia Momose, an alum of The Aviary, has joined forces with Noah and Cara Sandoval of two Michelin-starred Oriole for Kumiko, a Japanese-inspired West Loop bar scheduled to open this fall (fingers crossed). In addition to pristine cocktails, Momose will focus on spirit-free drinks made with the same attention to detail as the traditional ones. Bites from Noah round out the experience.
PLACES TO BE MERRY
Chicago might be new to the whole bike-sharing trend, but we’ve caught up fast with stations filled with those adorable powder-blue bikes all over town. Divvy is fun, affordable and easy to use. Pedal power, indeed.
Here is a round-up of our favorite health-minded spots to eat, drink and be merry.
PLACES TO EAT
At the West Loop’s Bad Hunter, impeccably prepared vegetables take center stage with a few proteins thrown in for good measure. Dishes at the hip, plant-filled spot range from charred string beans and tempura-fried lemons to wood-grilled mushrooms with puffed grains.
Think fast food can’t be healthy? Let the Gold Coast’s LYFE Kitchen change your mind with dishes such as buffalo cauliflower tacos, vegan beet poke and quinoa crunch bowl. Wash it down with a lemonade—charcoal- or lavender-infused, perhaps?—and save room for dessert, which leans healthy without loosing any of the decadence. Its name, after all, does stand for “Love Your Food Everyday.”
PLACES TO DRINK
The stunning views of Millennium Park across the street have justifiably earned Cindy’s a ton of loyal fans and more than its fare share of Instagrams. But this Loop hot spot perched atop the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel also offers a selection of thoughtfully prepared spirit-free drinks with revealing names such as Carrot Top and Botanicals.
Beloved mixologist Julia Momose, an alum of The Aviary, has joined forces with Noah and Cara Sandoval of two Michelin-starred Oriole for Kumiko, a Japanese-inspired West Loop bar scheduled to open this fall (fingers crossed). In addition to pristine cocktails, Momose will focus on spirit-free drinks made with the same attention to detail as the traditional ones. Bites from Noah round out the experience.
PLACES TO BE MERRY
Chicago might be new to the whole bike-sharing trend, but we’ve caught up fast with stations filled with those adorable powder-blue bikes all over town. Divvy is fun, affordable and easy to use. Pedal power, indeed.
Want to combine a great workout with some local sightseeing? Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m., our neighbor Lululemon hosts a 2- to 3-mile run around the beautiful Gold Coast. Done and done!
(AND DON'T FORGET TO RELAX)
Thompson Chicago also feels that you deserve the time to unwind. After working up a sweat at a top-notch gym, relax at a gorgeous bathhouse with plenty of luxurious touches. Your body—and mind—will thank you.
Peruse our favorite food, drink, fitness and relaxation havens for the wellness-minded below. It's all about balance, after all.