Choosing healthier options: 6 restaurants in Volusia, Flagler to grab a healthy bite

Café del Soul in New Smyrna Beach, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
Café del Soul in New Smyrna Beach, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

DAYTONA BEACH — When deciding where to eat for lunch or dinner in Volusia-Flagler, options are endless.

The vast dining scene certainly offers a wide variety of eateries — from well-known chains to those smaller, family-run, but just as busy, favorites.

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While it is true that most of these restaurants offer indulgent dishes from many different cuisines, there are some that focus on a lighter, healthier fare as an alternative.

Here are six of them:

1. The Health Nut Café

The Health Nut Café promises a fast service of “healthy, not boring” food. Located at 715 Earl St. in Daytona Beach, the restaurant’s menu offers a variety of breakfast items, such as oatmeal dishes, avocado toast, breakfast wraps, bowls and sandwiches.

The lunch menu also includes tacos, paninis and wraps with protein options like chicken, pork, shrimp, ham and more.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Contact: myhealthtreecafe.com or 386-281-3257

2. Back to Eden Café

This small restaurant at 210 S Central Ave. in Flagler Beach is a go-to spot for many in Flagler County. The menu has wraps, sandwiches, salads and organic smoothies — all of which are made with vegan ingredients. Some of the dishes include the black bean wrap, Krab Kake Sandwich, organic kale avocado salad, and several organic smoothie flavors.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Contact: 386-693-4930

3. De La Vega

Located in the heart of downtown DeLand at 128 N. Woodland Blvd., De La Vega promises “Latin ingredients with a modern twist” with several healthy options. The menu offers a variety of appetizers that include hibiscus tacos (hibiscus flower petals are rich in vitamin C and minerals), as well as chicken mole rice balls.

De La Vega restaurant at 128 N Woodland Blvd in DeLand.
De La Vega restaurant at 128 N Woodland Blvd in DeLand.

Besides salads, bowls and soups, the menu offers main courses like chicken or vegan plantain enmoladas (ingredients wrapped in three corn tortillas and smothered in mole sauce), as well as grilled salmon and chicken dishes.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Contact: delavegart.com or 386-734-4444

4. Ohana Food Co.

This restaurant at 107 N. Central Ave. in Flagler Beach has a large variety of lunch and breakfast items. Ohana Food offers lunch bowls (North Side Poke, pad Thai bowl-vegan), broth bowls (spicy beef, chicken, pad Thai broths), as well as wraps, toast, oatmeal and smoothie options.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Contact: ohanafoodco.square.site

5. Café del Soul

This new addition to the restaurant scene in New Smyrna Beach brings unique organic flavors in the menu. Located at 105 Magnolia St., the restaurant offers soups, nachos, quesadillas, wraps, salads and rice and quinoa dishes with the option of adding a protein.

Cafe del Soul in New Smyrna Beach, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
Cafe del Soul in New Smyrna Beach, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

Nachos, quesadillas and wraps include a mix of vegetables, cheeses and different kinds of dressings. They include the quinoa quesadilla, Cilantro Lime-ilicious wrap, and Nachos del Soul.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Contact: cafedelsoul.net or 386-957-3597

6. Hi Tulip Café

Located at 400 Beach Village Drive in Flagler Beach, the Hi Tulip Café restaurant offers house specials in its breakfast menu that include the New York lox platter (smoked salmon, vegetables and a choice of bagel), as well as an avocado toast platter (grilled sourdough bread with vegetables and fruit).

Burgers on the menu are all made from grass-fed meat, and can be substituted with veggie patties. The menu also offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and other lunch house specials.

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday-Tuesday

Contact: hitulipflagler.com or 386-439-9274

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Healthy restaurants in DeLand, Flagler, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach