Feast your eyes on these healthy hotspots…

It’s never a bad time to start eating healthier, or even to make small changes in your diet and lifestyle. Overall Dubai is becoming more health-conscious, and there are so many healthy eateries popping up around the emirate.

Here are 13 of our favourite healthy cafes in Dubai…

1. Bounty Beets

Where: Dubai Marina

Since the closure of Gourmet by Kcal, its replacement, Bounty Beets, has firmly positioned itself as the place to find fun, healthy dishes in Dubai Marina. With chic modern interiors and pink accents throughout, it’s the perfect weekend spot for when you’re craving a late breakfast sans the side of food-guilt. The menu includes a range of healthy meals such as butternut squash risotto, vegan burgers and treats like caramel coconut cheesecake. Bounty Beets also have a ladies’ night – Up Beet, where ladies can enjoy four hours of all-you-can-eat dishes from their gluten-free set menu for Dhs99.

Bounty Beets, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 511 7333. @bountybeets

2. HEAT

Where: Jumeirah, Al Barsha (opening soon)

A favourite among Dubai’s keen fitness fanatics, HEAT (Healthy Eats & Treats), offers a range of meals aimed at people who follow a low fat, high protein, low carb, or generally health-focused diet. The Jumeirah cafe is a decent size, and boasts an outdoor area at the front of the restaurant -but tables do get snapped up in busy times. Popular dishes include the bodybuilder bowl, low-carb pizza and all-natural pancakes. Following the success of its first outlet, HEAT will soon open an Al Barsha branch located on Hessa Street.

HEAT Cafe, Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 2, Jumeirah, daily 7am to midnight. Tel: (04) 338 8831. @heatcafe

3. Pineapple Express

Where: JLT

Cute boutique cafe Pineapple Express is the place to be for creative healthy treats that look almost too good to eat. From pineapples carved to act as Açai bowls loaded with tasty toppings, to superfood poke bowls filled with raw ‘posh fish’, ‘flaky furikake’, or ‘mighty maui’. The entire menu is an array of colourful creations from ‘unicorn rainbow toast’ to ‘pretty in pitaya’ – no dull healthy foods in this place.

Pineapple Express, Almas Tower, JLT, Sat to Thurs 8am to 10pm, Fridays 8am to 8pm. Tel: (054) 402 4660. @pineappleexpressdubai

4. Vibe – The Retreat

Where: Palm Jumeirah

For a healthy lunch with a twist, check out the ‘Detox Brunch’ at Vibe. Not only do they have a huge selection of healthy bites from the buffet, you can also get a free DNA genetics test which will tell you the secrets of your health, including any possible allergies and what you can be doing to help lose weight. The buffet offers a huge selection of healthy bites, highlights include the air-dried beef, salmon gravlax, roasted vegetables and whole crabs by the bucket-load! Not forgetting dessert, there’s a wide range of healthy alternatives to your favourites sweets, such as mixed berry crumble, activated charcoal mousse and nutella cake. All washed down with a freshly-pressed juice – now that’s a delicious healthy lunch.

Vibe, The Retreat Palm Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 4pm, every Saturday, Dhs299 per person, or Dhs349 with pool and beach access. Tel: (04) 524 7777. theretreatpalmdubai.com

5. Wildflower

Where: Dubai Studio City

Dubai Studio City is quickly making a name for itself as an up and coming area for places to find great food with the opening of Studio One hotel. In addition to that, Wildflower Poke & More (part of the Freedom Pizza group), is the next healthy hotspot to open its doors in Studio City’s Boutique Retail Centre. The quaint cafe offers poke and Açaí bowls as well as plenty of other fresh and tasty treats such as a seared ahi sandwiches and even a Korean fried chicken sandwich. Wildflower also uses eco-friendly packaging including bamboo straws, cutlery and keep-cups in a bid to reduce waste.

Wildflower Poke & More, Boutique Studio Retail, Dubai Studio City. Tel: (04) 557 4329. wildflowerpoke.com

6. Kave

Where: Al Quoz

Kave is the latest addition to Alserkal Avenue’s repertoire of trendy hipster cafés. Not only does it offer delicious homemade pho in a plastic-free environment, but also up-cycling services, workshops, home styling sessions and even consultations on how to make your home or business more eco-friendly. Their ethos is a positive space to eat, create and communicate whilst looking after the environment. Good vibes, great ideas, and even dogs are all welcome in this warm inviting warehouse.

Kave The Story of Things, Warehouse 20, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, 11am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday. Tel: (055) 102 4469. thestoryofthings.com

7. Zerofat

Where: Jumeirah 1

Trendy urban cafe, Zerofat, started in Al Ain and has recently opened a branch in Dubai. It’s located in Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1 and offers a complete menu of healthy dishes as well as a meal plan service for those who want to reap the benefits away from the cafe. The restaurant offers a range of breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, super bowls, salads and healthy gluten-free, oil-free pizzas. There are activities to get involved with as well in the restaurant, such as complimentary yoga classes.

Zerofat, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, daily 8am to midnight. Tel: (04) 330 0066. zerofat.ae

8. Super Natural Kitchen

Where: The Dubai Mall

This spot is a fully raw vegan restaurant with no animal products, honey, gluten, dairy, refined sugar or preservatives, with many of the dishes offering substitutes for non-vegan ingredients. Anyone can enjoy the tasty offering that Super Natural Kitchen has on the menu: cashew nuts are prepared in a way to take the place of cheese, salmon is replaced with marinated papaya and there’s a faux duck substitute for their crispy Asian-style rolls.

Super Natural Kitchen, Galleries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, daily 11am to 9pm. Tel: (050) 242 9408. @besupernatural

9. The Acaí Spot

Where: Dubai Marina, DIFC, Port Saeed

Who doesn’t love an Açaí bowl? The Açaí spot serves not only one of the best Açaí bowls in town, but a range of delicious breakfasts from avocado on toast to chicken or salmon wraps. The cafe has three outlets – Dubai Marina, DIFC and Port Saeed, with chic Instagrammable interiors and the beautifully presented food to match. Just going to show that healthy food can also look as good as it tastes.

The Açaí Spot, Dubai Marina, Sunday to Thursday 8am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 580 7635. @theacaispot

10. Omnia Gourmet

Where: Jumeirah 2

Led by Chef Silvena, Omnia Gourmet offers tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner without gluten, sugar or dairy but not compromising on taste. The gorgeous space is perfect for catching up with friends while taking in views of the harbour, or snapping pics of the lush green interior.

Omnia Gourmet, Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, daily 9am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 343 7181. @omniagourmet

11. Walnut Grove

Where: City Walk, The Dubai Mall

Serving up the tastiest salads and some of the biggest portions in the city, Walnut Grove is the answer to anyone who’s said ‘healthy food can’t be satisfying’. The South African restaurant offers a selection of giant salads (one between two is recommended) as well as delicious breakfast options and main courses. We won’t judge you for indulging in a slice of rainbow cake either.

Walnut Grove, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Sun to Weds 9am to 11pm, Thurs to Sat 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 335 4888. walnutgrove.ae

12. Wild & The Moon

Where: Al Quoz, Downtown Dubai, DIFC (opening soon)

Whether you’re looking for a detoxing juice, or a quick lunch that won’t leave you feeling stodgy, Wild & The Moon has a huge range of healthy bites. Their juices are prepared fresh daily and come in just about every colour of of the rainbow. On the food menu is a wide selection of bowls – Açaí, superfood, matcha, noodles, quinoa, granola as well as tacos, focaccia and soup.

Wild & The Moon, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Sun to Thurs 8am to 8pm, Fri to Sat 8am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 343 3392. wildandthemoon.ae

13. Kulture House

Where: Jumeirah

Kulture House is the recently opened cafe/shop/florist situated in a villa in Jumeirah. The space has a mix match of rattan chairs, colourful poofs and stools, with a few comfy booths and a long communal table with majlis style cushions. On the menu you’ll find a selection of healthy dishes for breakfast and lunch, including avocado on toast, açaí bowls and tricolour quinoa date salad.

Kulture House, 106,Jumeriah Beach Road (opposite Beach Centre), Sun to Weds 9am to 7pm, Thurs to Sat 9am to 9pm. @kulturehousedubai

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Images: Facebook