Last updated: December 4, 2023
Looking for the best restaurants in North Bend for healthy food?
North Bend, WA is a small-town community with a huge heart and an enormously wide range of outdoor activities. I’ve lived here nearly two decades, and have eaten at nearly all North Bend restaurants at least once, always looking for a healthy meal that tastes good.
Fortunately, many restaurants offer healthy and fantastic items on their menu. Here are your best bets for healthy and delicious, because good taste is just as important as nutrition.
Healthy Eating in North Bend Restaurants
✅ Eating healthy is important for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases.
Coffee in North Bend
Trail Youth Coffee Home
- 226 E North Bend Way
- Hours: 11 am – 5pm Tuesday – Friday, noon – 5pm on Saturday
Did you know that a little coffee every day is healthy for you? It’s true, though the stuff most people put in there with it isn’t so good. Black coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, colon cancer, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis and gallstones.
In addition, it boosts energy and mood, leading to greater productivity and a more positive outlook. By purchasing a cup of coffee from Trail Youth, you are supporting a fantastic non-profit organization that inspires hope and promotes positive relationships among teens and adults.
Their charming shop also provides a safe environment for students to learn job skills and connect with local businesses in the community.
Breakfast in North Bend WA
✅ Starting the day with a healthy breakfast boosts your metabolism, provides energy for the day, and improves brain function.
1. Pressed On Main
- 208 Main Avenue South, North Bend, WA 98045
- Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Wednesday to Monday
Pressed on Main, relatively new to the North Bend scene as of Spring, 2023, is a luxury many in the valley have been dreaming about for years.
Owned and operated by a local family, this adorable eatery serves 100% organic fruits and vegetables in their smoothies, smoothie bowls, seed mylks and juices. Gluten-free treats baked fresh daily, while supplies last.
Their Signature Acai Smoothie Bowl, one of four fantastic choices in smoothie bowls, is a delicious combination of organic fruits, oat milk, granola, honey, coconut and mint. I will be returning regularly until I’ve tasted everything they have to offer.
Good health has never tasted so good.
2. Arete Coffee
- Inside Pro Ski and Mountain Service
- 112 W 2nd St Ste C
- Hours: vary depending on the day
Arete Coffee is inside Pro Ski and Mountain Service, and just knowing this gives you a good feeling for the casually friendly atmosphere here.
This used to be the location of the North Bend Volunteer Fire Department and has changed names a few times since. Pro Ski and Arete have transformed this site into a relaxed, cozy and friendly place to shop for outdoor clothes and grab a delicious bite to eat.
Everything on the menu is good here, but the avocado toast is my personal favorite. I admit that I’ve not tried an avocado toast I didn’t like, but this one has layers upon layers of satisfying goodness to it – lemon olive oil, aged balsamic dressing, sliced parmesan and Everything seasoning.
3. South Fork North Bend
- 14303 436th Ave SE
- Hours: vary depending on the day, closed on Tuesday
Their Foragers Burrito is a perfectly delicious and nutritious start for any of the fantastic hikes in North Bend. For a more trail-worthy edible, ask that they not fill it so completely full with vegetables and put the avo sauce and salsa inside the burrito for less mess.
I understand that their Trailhead Burrito, for those who prefer meat in their meals, is also satisfying on every level.
I highly recommend calling ahead before coming in, as they are short-staffed and will not open on schedule consistently as a result.
✅ Remember, starting the day with a healthy breakfast can set the tone for a productive and healthy day.
Best Quick Bites
✅ If you’re struggling to have enough energy for your day, consider a quick bite in between tasks to maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
4. North Bend Bakery
- 127 W North Bend Way
- Hours: 7 am to 5 pm daily, closed Monday
You can make your own panini combination at the North Bend Bakery so really can’t go wrong here. Unless you’re tempted by everything else they sell because they are, after all, a bakery.
If you do decide to splurge, say after hiking Mailbox or Tenerife, I promise that you won’t be disappointed in the apple cinnamon bread that they offer. What this lacks in nutritional value, it makes up for in emotional wellness.
5. UnPhogettable
- 458 SW Mt Si Blvd
- Hours: 11:30 am to 8 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday
Their vegetarian noodle soup, Hủ Tiếu Chay, is everything you look for in a soup, especially after a long hike on a cold day. They have a wide range of other items to please everyone’s palette as well.
Arete Coffee Bar
- Inside Pro Ski and Mountain Service
Arete Coffee again, because it’s just that good. Offering delicious and healthy bites for breakfast and lunch as well. They have a Ferngully sandwich, with your choice of breads, that is the perfect combination of flavor and crunch.
While the Ferngully is conveniently vegan, they have a variety of other sandwiches as well.
When in season, Arete Coffee also has a nice selection to choose from in their salads. Their Greek salad, always in season, comes with a homemade Greek dressing worth remembering.
✅ Remember, the best tasting salads are the ones you don’t have to make!
Delicious Dinners in North Bend
✅ A good habit to be in is to check out the restaurant’s menu online before you go. Choose the healthy option before you arrive, and you’ll be less tempted by everything else on the menu.
6. North Bend Bar and Grill
- 145 E North Bend Way
- Hours: 10 am to 10 pm weekdays, 9 am to 10 pm Sat, 9 am to 9 pm Sun
- Now accepting reservations!
This has to be the most popular restaurant among locals in North Bend. This restaurant offers a wide range of American comfort food. They offer a warm and cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and something for everyone to eat, including healthy eaters.
For a vegetarian meal that always hits the spot, my personal favorite is the Vegetable Thai Curry dish, with a side of savory Sweet Potato Fries.
The Salmon Quinoa Salad and the mouth-watering Honey Sriracha Sprouts are another good choice at NBBG. You can’t go wrong with either, or even with the ABC wrap without the B and the Sesame Soy Beans.
7. Little Si Restaurant and Lounge
- 456 SW Mt Si Blvd C1
- Hours: vary depending on the day
Tucked in the strip mall by Safeway, right next to the freeway, this place is a hidden gem. They have so many wonderful items to choose from that your entire family will love it. My favorite, by far, is the Asian Chicken Salad. It’s a delight for all your senses.
8. Wildflower Bistro [CLOSED until further notice]
- 228 W North Bend Way Ste B
- Hours: 5 pm to 9 pm daily, closed Sunday and Monday
Quite possibly the most upscale restaurant in North Bend, the Wildflower Bistro focuses on locally sourced organic foods and wines. It hosts a thoroughly charming atmosphere, whether inside or outside on a beautiful summer day.
Every item on their menu has received high praise from locals, but my personal favorite for health is the Apple Walnut Salad, with or without chicken.
✅ Eating healthy in restaurants can be a challenge, but is possible with some simple strategies. Plan ahead, ask for modifications if you need them, and eat smaller portions by sharing with a friend or saving some for later.
What exactly is a healthy meal? That depends on who you ask! I define a healthy meal as one that is low in all the things you shouldn’t be eating so much of – salt, simple sugars, trans fat, saturated fat, processed foods or red meat.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about North Bend, its’ restaurants and healthy eating in general.
What are some things to do in North Bend, WA?
North Bend, WA is an outdoor lover’s paradise. It has everything from beautiful parks, fabulous hiking trails, camping, lakes for paddling or biking trails to chasing waterfalls are within a short drive of the city center.
What are some useful tips for healthy eating when dining out?
- Choose lean protein. Opt for lean proteins such as grilled chicken, fish, or tofu.
- Choose sides that are healthier such as steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a side salad.
- Opt for seasoning rather than salt, fats or sugars to flavor your meal.
- Avoid high-calorie drinks such as sugary drinks and alcohol, as they can add up quickly.
- Watch out for hidden calories. Be mindful of foods that are high in calories, such as creamy dressings, sauces, fried foods, and cheese.
- Listen to your body. Pay attention to your body’s signals and stop eating when you feel full.
Final Thoughts: Delicious and Healthy in NB
Eating healthy in restaurants can be a challenge wherever you go, but it’s possible with some simple strategies. Plan ahead, ask for modifications if you need them, and eat smaller portions by sharing with a friend or saving some for later.
Several North Bend restaurants are highly rated by locals and visitors alike. Most of them offer something for everyone, including health-minded individuals.
Remember, a healthy diet is not about depriving yourself of foods you love, but about finding a balance that works for your body and lifestyle.