New Year New You, The Gourmet Grid
Each issue we will be taking you on a gastronomic journey along the coast stopping on the way at our top picks for each culinary style or dish.
You´’e not human if you haven´t, at least once, made your New Year´s Resolution to eat healthier. To give you a little helping hand we have compiled our top pick of the best healthy eateries on the coast, because we all know food tastes a lot better when you haven’t cooked it yourself!
Manuka
In Brief… – A flexitarian restaurant that focuses on offering its clients clean, healthy, wholesome food the way it was intended by nature, free from refined sugars, additives and chemicals. Amongst the menu you will find an array of delicious plant-based dishes inspired from around the globe. They offer vegan and vegetarian diets as well as a selection of free range and grass-fed meats.
Where? Take your pick from not one, not two but three Manuka restaurants. Find them at La Cañada, on the Paseo Marítimo in Marbella and in the Marbella Hotel Alanda.
Healthy Pick… The Chocolate Mood Lifter, boost your serotonin the guilt-free way with raw chocolate blended with banana, dates, almond milk and topped with raw Mayan cacao nibs.
@Manukamarbella
Keto Cafe
In Brief… – Mainland Spain´s first healthy, ketogenic café, 100% sugar-free, 100% gluten free and low carb cafe.
Where? – Located in San Pedro on Calle Jose Pintor Caballero, just behind Supersol.
Don´t miss? Every Thursday they serve fresh oysters and champagne, what better way to spend a Thursday?
Healthy Pick… the Shrimp & Seafood Croquettes served with homemade spicy chipotle mayo or the 100% vegan and sugar-free pecan and caramel ice cream!
Breathe & Ground
In Brief… – Two for one, two healthy establishments in one location. Ground artisan café and bakery is on the, you guessed it, ground floor; easily accessible and connected with its surroundings yet relaxed, and sheltered from noise and traffic where you can meet up and enjoy breakfast the healthy way. Their philosophy is good, honest food made from locally sourced, quality and seasonal ingredients. Above you will find Breathe, the restaurant, gastro bar and garden. Breathe caters to all its customers including vegetarians, vegans and people with special dietary requirements.
What’s unique… Breathe invested in their own geothermal energy plant which consists of 12 perforations drilled into the soil below allowing them to heat and cool the building and supply hot water using a fraction of the energy. Plus, all the food they offer is locally sourced wherever possible and always carefully prepared on the premises from specially selected quality ingredients.
Healthy Pick… Ground’s Poke Bowls packed with sushi rice, avocado, edamame beans, radish, cucumber, red cabbage, spring onion, sesame seeds and quinoa. Top with marinated sushi-grade raw tuna for a special treat!
Miss Matcha
In Brief… – Miss Matcha Café was created to offer a variety of Matcha energy drinks as an alternative to traditional coffee. Their organic ceremonial grade matcha drinks offer a unique way to boost your energy with an antioxidant-rich drink.
What is matcha? – In Japanese “cha” means tea and “ma” means powder, so the word matcha literally translates as powdered green tea. Eisai, who introduced the Zen philosophy to Japan, was the first person to grind and consume green tea leaves in powder form. Zen and matcha were then inextricably linked in the form of the exquisite tea ceremony. The tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, celebrates the profound beauty of simple things and is intended to attract all participants to the here and now. The natural green caffeine from Matcha acts as a stimulus with no anxiety.
Top Tip – Enjoy a matcha with water, your favourite milk or mix it with adaptogens and superfoods like ashwagandha, chaga or activated charcoal to provide your body with special nutrients that help to achieve optimal mental, physical and work performance.
Healthy Pick… the Harvest bowls served every day from 1pm and the vegan pancakes are not to miss!
Lagom! CAFE
In Brief… – Situated in the Tennis Club of the Puente Romano Hotel, Lagom is born from Rachel´s eco love, a referent in healthy and ecological food in Marbella. Influenced by the best global gastronomy it offers a varied menu boasting first-rate ingredients and super foods.
When? – Its non-stop kitchen is open from 8.00 to 22.00 pm offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea and dinner in a cosy ambience and a sunny terrace with views to the tennis court.
Healthy Pick… Pure pasta zucchini noodles with coconut sauce and curry, Wild bowl chicken with carrot, ginger, lemon, onion, curry and wild rice or the Gypsy salad with strawberry, kale and ricotta.
Gioia
In Brief… – Founded by Carlo & Trisha Zanasi, Gioia is a vegan restaurant in Marbella offering a vibrant menu packed with plant-based, gluten free, raw and organic dishes. They believe in harnessing the power of natural, plant-based food to create balanced, nourishing and tasty dishes that help you to attain greater levels of health in both body and mind. All dishes are fully prepared to order by Carlo and his kitchen use the freshest natural ingredients and techniques which preserve taste and nutritional value.
When? – Open Tuesday – Saturday from 1pm – 4pm, closed Sundays & Mondays
Top Tip – Try their Organic Sparkling Wine, available by the glass or the bottle!
Healthy Pick… Raw Ravioli filled with Brazil nut & cashew ricotta topped with black garlic sauce followed by the Raw Lemon and Coconut Cheesecake served with berry coulis.