June 11, 2019 – Living in 2019, it is not hard to notice that people are increasingly more self-aware and conscious about their health. With more information today than ever before, we’re able to find out what food hurts us, what helps us, and the routines we should adopt to prolong our lifespan.
Whether it’s substituting coffee for celery juice in the morning, going gluten-free, or kicking meat for good, this new ’self-care’ trend sweeping across the globe seems to be sticking – that is, especially if you’re looking at the health food boom in Split.
So, where can you exercise your healthier habits in the Dalmatian capital? Here’s our 2019 guide.
Up Cafe: Did you know the Up Cafe was the first vegan and vegetarian food cafe in Split? Less than a 10-minute walk outside of the city center, Up Cafe offers healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes, tofu, seitan and tempeh sandwiches on whole grain, hemp burgers, gluten-free options, cold-pressed and freshly squeezed juices, coffee with soy milk, organic tea, and more. And if you can’t make it there, they also deliver!
Kat’s Kitchen: Kat’s is a new gastronomic concept in Croatia. Named after its founder, who has created tasty natural dishes for the family for the last decade, Kat’s focuses on innovative, mostly local, and seasonal ingredients. Their mission is to educate about the importance of eating a balanced diet, and their menu includes things like seasonal salads with peanut and tahini dressing, lunch bowls with coconut curry and rice noodles, protein toast, vegan burgers, raw cakes, and bottled juices made in house.
And they also have a Kat’s Grab’N’Go in the city center at Morpurgova poljana 1
Superfood Healthy Food Factory: The original Superfood opened in Split 3 back in 2016 and quickly became a hit – and now, with their new location just around the corner from Prokurative, Superfood is making waves again. A ‘healthy food bar’ known for their pizzas made from spelt flour, protein-packed breakfasts, seafood pasta, vegan options, matcha lattes, smoothie bowls, raw cakes, Superfood has it all.
And visit their original location at Ruđera Boškovića 13
Pandora Greenbox: Thanks to the brains behind the established Split restaurant Corto Maltese, there’s a new plant-based restaurant in town – Pandora Greenbox. The menu features items like vegetarian beetroot risotto, eggplant parmesan, the ‘Kate Moss’ detox energizing juice, and a very impressive looking vegan burger. But that’s just part of it – the decor is a reason to visit, too.
Marta’s Veggie Fusion: Marta’s serves up ‘feel-good, hearty vegan and vegetarian street food’ in a small family-owned location around the corner from Peristyle. Here, you can find a vegan black bean burger, hummus and tofu sandwich on homemade focaccia bread, veggie burritos, tofu wok dishes, raw cakes, and a selection of juices and smoothies.
Step by Step: Step by Step is a health food bar and restaurant that boasts a range of gluten-free options for guests, like chia pizza, spaghetti primavera or crepes. Guests can also make their own salads, juices and smoothies and enjoy a variety of options for breakfast, like egg dishes and açai bowls.
Health In: Another new restaurant to the scene is Health In. Located outside of the city center near Firule, the owners have said it is a place where “Lovers of meat and fish, vegetarians, vegans, but also those who like to avoid gluten can find their favorite meals in one place,” and we can see why. From wok dishes to gluten-free pasta, protein-packed meals called the ‘Hulk’, açai bowls, colorful sweet potato salads, and banana pancakes, how could you go wrong?
Roots Coffee and Cuisine: Just steps outside the city center you’ll find Roots. From tuna burgers to spicy curries, spelt flour pancakes, vegan sarma, bulgur dishes with lentil salsa, brussel sprouts and chicken (or tofu), or falafel bowls, Roots is the perfect balance for vegans, vegetarians, and those who eat it all.
Other options: Of course, there are plenty of other places in Split where you can satisfy your health fix. Popular pizza place Velo Misto, for example, offers gluten-free pizza and pasta, as does Krustić bakery across from Corto Maltese. Toto’s, one of Split’s beloved burger joints, offers gluten-free buns and a variety of raw cakes and healthier options, too. And let’s not forget that Split is a haven of health food stores – Bio&Bio, Bio Planet, and Refužo are just part of them!
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