Isn’t it nice when someone else does the cooking for you? If you’re seeking a place to dine in Wichita, Kansas, that serves health-conscious menu items made with fresh ingredients, this list of restaurants checks all the boxes.

I’m a native Wichitan who has dined at each of these locally owned eateries, and I can vouch for their menu selections, customer service, and overall value.

10 Places to Dine in Wichita, Kansas, If You’re Seeking Healthier Menu Options

Meddy’s

Fans of Mediterranean cuisine rave about Meddy’s (4 Locations) for its menu of entrees prepared fresh daily. Their shawarmas filled with marinated meats with tomato onion relish try to steal the show, but platters like the Fancy Falafel served with a salad of your choice, creamy hummus, and Spanish eggplant steal the show.

One may not expect a fast-casual restaurant kitchen to produce healthy selections, including Grilled Citrus Salmon and Tabbouleh Salad, but they’d be surprised.

The Kitchen

Are you craving a protein bowl or a mega-sized signature salad? The Kitchen (725 E. Douglas), known for chef-prepared lunch and dinner entrees, delivers flavor-forward meals focusing on creativity.

The owner/chef Natasha Gandi-Rue is the real deal. She won Food Network’s Grocery Games, proving she can curate ingredients and produce award-winning dishes. Customize your salad or order one of six signature salads. “Good-for-you-delicious” Buddha Bowls, like the Thai bowl, arrive at the table heaped high with chicken and vegetables.

Tanya’s Soup Kitchen

The soup, salad, or sandwich combo doesn’t get much better than at Tanya’s Soup Kitchen (1725 E. Douglas). Each recipe is handcrafted in-house using only the freshest ingredients available. Plus, the chalkboard near the register features a list of four seasonal soups, which are available as a flight of 4.5-ounce servings.

Ten signature sandwiches are equally loved by vegetarians and carnivores alike. Delilah’s Light Lunch, prepared with sliced chicken breast, apricot relish, sharp cheddar and romaine and served between a onion kaiser roll, is top-notch.

Sunflour Collective & Cafe

Sunflour Collective & Cafe’s (6120 W. Central) focus is to serve health-focused and plant-forward using whole foods and in-season ingredients. Expect the unexpected on the menu. Balsamic Fig Salad, Pistachio Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese, and Cheesy Spinach sandwich are menu favorites that you won’t find served elsewhere in the city.

Order appropriately so you leave room for a scrumptious 4″ ExtraOrdinary Cheesecake prepared gluten-free but full of flavor.

HomeGrown

If someone asks me if I want to dine for breakfast, only one restaurant that comes to mind, HomeGrown (3 locations). Perfectly ripe fruit, vegetables, and organic eggs are used in early-morning classic dishes like Salsa Verde Pork & Egg, The Ironman, and West Coast Wake Up.

For lunch, diners can choose from a short list of Sammies served on optional gluten-free bread, or Power BLT salad or bowl of soup.

Las Delicias ICT

Not every meal needs to be a big, hearty one, and that’s why I like visiting Las Delicias ICT (1052 N. Waco) when I’m craving lighter fare. Employees stand over cutting boards, slicing watermelon, cucumber, and jicama to add to Mexican Fruit Cups drizzled with sweet but tangy Chamoy sauce.

If you’re seeking a small lunch entree, order an open-faced tostada or shrimp ceviche cup and pair it with a glass of freshly made aqua fresca.

Oak & Pie

This might sound odd, but I don’t visit Oak & Pie (2244 N. Greenwich) for their pizza. For me, it’s all about the salads served in unexpectedly large portions with ingredients like candied pistachios, red wine vinaigrette, and hard salami.

Most pizza joints serve a Caesar salad or a basic garden salad, but you find far better on the menu at Oak & Pie. If you need help deciding which one to choose, order the Farmer’s Market Salad or an extra-large House Salad layered with unique ingredients.

Public

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve dined at Public (129 N. Rock Island), a farm-to-table restaurant in the basement of a historic Old Town district building.

The chef uses regionally sustainable ingredients to create sought-after charcuterie boards, Prairie Bison Sliders, hearty salads, and homemade pizzas (gluten-free crust available). The Spicy Cauliflower, a starter appetizer, is a flavor punch that delivers serious spice. Ask the server about the day’s specials or plan your visit around a season, which often inspires the chef to make limited-time-only dishes.

Bella Luna

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its use of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, legumes, produce, and spices. Bella Luna‘s (2 locations) menu features a robust list of Greek and Lebanese traditional entrees. Chicken Schawarma or Grilled Portobello Sandwich are ideal lunchtime choices.

Seafood Trio and Chicken Du Chateauround out the healthier menu options for dinner. Curry lovers will feel right at home with three protein options served over rice.

Newport Grill

What if you could indulge in a fabulous seafood meal while viewing a scenic waterfall from your patio table? Newport Grill (1900 N. Rock Rd), a fine dining restaurant, ships fresh seafood daily.

The appetizers are so good, especially when paired with Happy Hour cocktails, that you may need to remind yourself that the shining star is the dinner menu. Fresh catch entrees ranging from swordfish to trout are the base for delectable meals that are beautifully plated.

Skip the high-caloric meal when dining out in Wichita and instead choose a meal from one of these ten restaurant menus.

A few notable runner-up restaurants include locally owned Crafted, Green Acres (Deli), and The Wine Dive. Also, refer to my blog post, Get Your Greens On: Where to Find the Best Salads in Kansas if you’re on the hunt for big bowl salads that satisfy.