Eat Right While On-the-Go at These Healthy Fast Food Places in Downtown Vancouver
Whether you’re going to English Bay for a beach day, exploring the city, or getting some air before your next convention seminar, you’ll need something to eat that’s grab and go, and ideally on the good-for-you side. The beauty of being in Downtown Vancouver is that we have so many healthy (and affordable) places for fast food. So you can get your five-a-day, even when away from home!
Peqish
When I worked in the Downtown core, I was a frequent visitor of this place. Along with ‘regular’ healthy options, Peqish has gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan offerings. The variety is demonstrated in their hot breakfast and lunch items, as well as their salad bowls, sandwiches, smoothies and desserts. Everything is free of preservatives and made on-site, from scratch, so you know everything is fresh.
Location: 552 Seymour Street | Web: http://www.peqish.com/
Image: Peqish
SMAK
With locations in Coal Harbour and on Granville Street, SMAK’s offerings are 100% gluten-free. Not only healthy, their focus is on affordable, fast, and sustainably made and packaged food. Protein boxes, hearty soups, and hot bowls are just some of the tasty over-the-counter options available.
Location: Downtown (2 locations) / Web: http://smakfastfood.com/
Image: Peqish
The Juice Truck
What started as a food truck selling juice and smoothies in Gastown has quickly become a Vancouver staple, with multiple locations, for eating clean in Vancouver. All vegan, all organic, they have branched out into tasty savoury treats like bowls and hummus toast, and also desserts. Their Downtown locations include The Truck, The Smoothie Cart, and The Yaletown Cafe. Try the Green juice or smoothie – they are both excellent after a night out on the town.
Location: Multiple | Web: www.thejuicetruck.ca/
Image: Peqish
MELU Juice & Health Bar
Those looking for cold-pressed juice and smoothies will also love MELU’s ‘solids’ menu. Everything is ‘pure, raw, unpasteurized, vegan, and gluten-free goodness’, so you’ll feel like you have grabbed something amazing for yourself. And maybe grab one of their chia cups and let me know which flavour you tried!
Location: 11110 W. Pender Street | Web: https://www.melujuice.com/
Image: Peqish
Tractor
You will walk in to a Tractor location and wish that your school cafeteria had been as chic and as plentiful in its offerings. Their open-concept kitchens cater to all dietary restrictions and preferences, and are the place to go to grab a quick bite in, or on-the-go. Mix and match for a colourful meal!
Location: Multiple | Web: https://tractorfoods.com/
Image: Peqish
Field & Social
Field & Social is an excellent place to grab a healthy lunch and some fizzy kombucha. They exclusively serve Culture Craft Kombucha (founded by Vancouver chef Dan Larsen) and their philosophy of ‘eat well, feel good’ will keep your energy up.
Location: 415 Dunsmuir Street | Web: https://www.fieldandsocial.com/
Image: Peqish
Nuba
With a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as non-vegetarian dishes, Nuba is a filling and nourishing experience. I’m a bit embarrassed about how many times a month I eat their Falafel plate, but it’s good for me, and good for you! This is a great way to experience Lebanese food, and there are two locations in Downtown Vancouver.
Image: Peqish
MeeT
If you’re craving something a little heavier, MeeT is a vegan and vegetarian haven for comfort food that can be ordered for takeaway. MeeT recently won the award for Best Veggie Burger in the city, so you know you’ll be taken care of. You won’t miss the meat!
Location: Multiple | Web: http://www.meetonmain.com
Image: Peqish
Local restaurant chains Cactus Club and Earls also have some excellent healthy dishes and can accommodate takeaway orders. They have multiple locations in the Downtown area, so be sure to check them out!
Make sure to share your healthy fast food photos by tagging us @inside_vancouver and #VeryVancouver on Instagram!