Welcome to Where a Dietitian Eats Out, a series that showcases practical examples of how nutrition experts navigate food choices and real-world dining scenarios around the globe. Learn tips on making healthier choices at restaurants and maintaining a balanced diet while dining out. Because enjoying food is important to developing a healthy and sustainable way of eating.
Ella Davar is a registered dietitian and gut-health nutritionist from Miami, Florida. As a gut health specialist, Davar’s a big believer in bio-individuality, and emphasizes the importance of finding food that works for you.
Some of the things that work for Davar? “I’d always choose a place that uses olive oil and offers simply grilled, Mediterranean-style sauteéd vegetables.”
Feeling your best is Davar’s top priority when she decides what food to eat. And that doesn’t mean just looking at protein, fiber, and all those other key nutrients. Davar’s never one to shy away from taste and enjoying the food that appeases your appetite!
“I know exactly what I want and how I want it to be prepared – including a sugar-free dessert like a bowl of berries, broth-based soup or vegetable appetizer to start.”
Here are Davar’s favorite healthy restaurants in Miami to grab a wholesome, healthy, and delicious bite to eat.
Ella Davar’s Favorite Healthy Restaurants in Miami, Florida
1. Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Type of food: Turkish
Why she loves it: “There’s clean, fresh seafood and vegetables, and beautiful outdoors patio seating for amazing Greek & Turkish cuisine.”
Go-to orders: “Horta! (Greek side dish of sauteed dandelion and wild greens) Also the grilled fish, lamb chops, crudites, roasted beets, anchovies with tomatoes.”
2. Pura Vida Miami, South of Fifth
110 Washington Ave, Miami Beach FL
Type of food: American fare
Why she loves it: “One of the best places for casual, clean breakfast or lunch over salads and wraps.”
Go-to orders: “The green smoothie (very gingery!), Jen’s herb salad (a blend of arugula, kale, mint, Italian parsley, and cilantro) with salmon, or avocado toast.”
3. Carrot Express
Multiple locations
Type of food: American fare, smoothies, juices
Why she loves it: “They have amazing salads, soups, and wraps.”
Go-to orders: “Green Goddess Salad, LIV wrap with avocado and kale, lentil and kale soup.”
4. Blue Lavender Cafe
1414 Collins Ave, Miami Beach FL
Type of food: Varies for brunch, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Why she loves it: “They have the freshest organic ingredients, a gluten-free bakery, grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, and organic wine.”
Go-to orders: “Organic gluten free carrot pancakes, asparagus/artichoke salad, grass-fed steak, and the sweet potato cake with goat cheese.”
5. Cipriani Downtown Miami
465 Brickell Ave CU1, Miami, FL 33131
Type of food: Italian
Why she loves it: “It’s italian cuisine at its finest, and it fits all my criteria: elegant, white table cloths, great service, food never disappoints (all menu items are made without garlic!).”
Go-to orders: “The artichoke salad, the beet salad, calf’s liver, grilled vegetables, Tomato salad, Grilled Octopus, Grilled Peppers/ vegetables, Branzino.”
Learn more about Ella Davar on her website or follow her on Instagram.