You don’t have to drive to Minneapolis to experience some of the best flavors of Minnesota. We would love to introduce you to a few of our favorite local and healthy restaurants in the Edina and Woodbury areas. We chose these restaurants for their freshness, their local sourcing practices, and their commitment to serving special diets such as ketogenic, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more.
The Good Earth: Edina, MN
We love The Good Earth for their environmentally-conscious sourcing and their passion for connecting guests with fresh, organic, and locally-grown food that you can feel good eating. Located inside the Galleria Edina, this flavor-forward restaurant offers up a colorful variety of nutritious fare in a comfortable, sit-down and enjoy yourself setting.
You’re sure to find offerings to satisfy every eater in your family, from a picky tween (try the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla) to those looking for something a little more exotic (Chicken Chiang Mai Thai Noodles). The Good Earth also serves up many recipes that are compatible with, or can easily be modified to fit a ketogenic diet.
The Good Earth’s scrumptious burgers are piled high with vegetables and come with a side of soup, fresh salad, or crunchy Terra root veggie chips. Opt for the salad and a lettuce wrap “bun” to make it keto. Our favorite is the delicious grass-fed Bison Burger from Northstar Bison. Fun fact: Did you know that grass-fed bison is not only lean and protein-rich, but a good source of Omega-3? True story.
The kicker that puts The Good Earth over the edge for us: They offer a gluten-sensitive menu. With many of our patients facing gluten allergies or Celiac disease, this is invaluable.
Grabbagreen: Edina, MN
Our Edina pick for a fast-food favorite is Grabbagreen. This chain proclaims that everything is prepared and cooked onsite, and judging by the freshness, they’re speaking the truth. Grabbagreen vows to source local foods whenever possible and pledges to use free-range, meats free of hormones and antibiotics. And get this, guys–they use no processed foods or preservatives (and you know how we feel about processed foods and preservatives). None. This is unheard of for fast food and just one more of the many reasons we love this scrumptious quick-bite restaurant.
Try the French Quarter, a favorite ketogenic-compatible and super filling meal. Loaded with avocado goodness, order it as a bowl with spring mix, onions, red peppers, and shrimp. If you’re okay with carbs, roll it up in a wrap. If it’s comfort food you’re after, try the Moroccan Mac and Cheese. It’s heaven in a bowl–creamy and cheesy without any of the guilt.
The smoothie and fresh-pressed juice offerings can’t go without a big mention. Between all the unique and tasty recipes Grabbagreen has to offer, you’re sure to find something you love. We prefer the Power juice: Kale, apples, spinach, and lemon. The apple gives this juice just enough sweetness while the greens lend such a fresh, earthy body. Delicious.
It gets better: At Grabbagreen, you can create your very own concoction from their fabulous menu of choices. Choose a green or grain base, a protein (choose from salmon, edamame, and more), load on the veggies, and top your meal with some tiny flaxseeds for big health benefits.
Cravings Wine Bar and Grill: Woodbury, MN
Cravings is the perfect solution for a fun family outing or a Friday night date. It’s a local favorite, so consider making a reservation if you don’t want to wait. The indoor atmosphere is classy and cozy, or you can dine in fresh air in the garden patio area. And, like our other restaurant picks, freshness abounds with locally sourced fish and meats, and handmade pasta and burger patties.
Steak or salad, duck or pasta–no matter what you crave, Cravings has the most savory and delicious version. We love the Steak and Gorgonzola Salad, with tender flank steak over a bed of greens and covered in a salty sprinkle of crumbly gorgonzola. Try it dry or with their creamy blue cheese dressing. The Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sandwich has just the right amount of spice with a honey sriracha glaze. For a healthy twist, have it wrapped in romaine lettuce!
Cravings is well known for their extensive gluten-free menu and is happy to accommodate patrons with allergies and special dietary needs.
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill: Woodbury, MN
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill is a family favorite with cafeteria-style ordering, plenty of seating, and cuisine bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavor. Whether you need a quick and filling lunch or prefer to sit down with family or friends, Naf Naf has you covered. The kids will enjoy the trendy ambiance, and you will appreciate the flavor and price point. While it is technically a chain establishment, this “fast food” sets a new standard in terms of flavor and health-conscious menu choices. There are definitely some delicious, deep-fried, and not-so-healthy items here, but we all need a little falafel splurge now and then.
Choose a sandwich with soft and doughy pita bread or a bowl with crisp romaine lettuce, savory hummus, couscous, or basmati rice. For protein, try perfectly seasoned chicken or steak shawarma, both of which are marinated, grilled, and keto-friendly. If you are a veggie lover like we are, you will adore the extras, including purple cabbage (which is packed vitamin C and K), refreshing cucumber salad, and tangy, sumac-seasoned onions! Yum!
We appreciate Naf Naf’s allergy guide, which allows patrons with food allergies or health concerns to determine which offerings to avoid.
Happy Dining!
We are Drs. Katie Corazzo and Rachel Alioto, licensed Naturopathic Doctors with offices in Edina and Woodbury, Minnesota. We are enthusiastic about holistic medicine and offer our patients comprehensive naturopathic treatments for a wide variety of conditions, including heart health, diabetes, anxiety and depression, chronic illness, women’s health, weight loss, and so much more. Call today at 612-564-2218 to set up a free 15-minute consultation for new patients.