Healthy Eating with Kids—Best Family Restaurants with Healthy Food Options on Long Island

Let's be honest—giving children a green food without resorting to a bribe or a hostage standoff **is no easy feat**. With their complete love affair with the chicken nugget and suspicion of anything greenish in hue, parents are engaged in a daily battle. But the silver lining is: **Long Island is teeming with family restaurants where healthy eating is a treat and not a punishment.**

Why Healthy Eating for Family is Not Just a Fad

If a side of broccoli for your child is time wasted as far as you are concerned, think twice. **70% of parents actually order healthy meals for their children**, and **restaurants are being pushed to step up their game**.

• The global health-conscious dining market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% through 2028, meaning that more restaurants are investing in fresh, organic, and whole-food-based menus.

• In the U.S., 65% of families report that their dining choices are influenced by nutritional value, and Long Island is no exception.

• More than 75% of restaurants on Long Island that have introduced healthier options have seen an increase in repeat customers—turns out, people actually like feeling good after a meal. Who knew?

The reality? **Restaurants that are not following the trend towards healthy eating are losing patrons**, and **Parents who are embracing it are raising kids who might actually voluntarily eat something green.**

Best Family Restaurants with Healthy Options

1. Bee-Organic (Great Neck & Huntington

If you're looking for a place **where your kids will eat healthy without throwing a tantrum**Bee-Organic is the place. Their **build-your-own grain bowls, freshly juiced, and hormone-free protein** are tasty enough that the most finicky eaters will approve. And their **organic almond butter banana toast** is the best proof yet that healthy food doesn't have to be bland-tasting.

2. The Purple Elephant (Northport)**

This place is **proof that plant-based doesn't have to be boring**. With dishes such as **sweet potato tacos, grilled salmon bowls, and dairy-free mac & cheese**kids won't even notice they're eating something healthy. And the **smoothies?** A total game-changer. It's also got a **laid-back, waterfront vibe**, which is a win for parents and kids alike who need to burn off some steam.

3. Wild Side Organic Bistro & Bar (Oakdale)

If gluten-free, organic, and local food are your thing, this is the spot. Wild Side takes "clean eating" seriously without skimping on flavor. Their **children's menu includes wild-caught fish tacos, grass-fed burgers, and veggie-packed pasta**—and honestly, it sounds better than half the takeout establishments out there. Bonus point: They also have **organic wine and kombucha cocktails** for parents who need a little indulgence for surviving yet another dinner with the kiddos.

4. Tula Kitchen (Bay Shore)

Tula Kitchen is where **you make your kids think healthy food is just plain cool food**. Their **almond-crusted chicken tenders**, **sweet potato fries baked**, and **avocado toast with organic honey** make healthy eating not a chore but a treat. And their **coconut chia pudding**? Your kids will think they're eating dessert and you can silently give yourself a pat on the back.

5. The Shed (Huntington, Plainview, West Sayville)

This is **where "health-conscious" and "kid-friendly" finally meet**. Their **daily made salads, grilled chicken bowls, and protein smoothies** enable you to eat something besides the fries from your kid's plate. The **whole wheat pancake, organic turkey sliders, and fruit side dishes** available on the kids' menu are a tribute to the fact that restaurants can actually treat families well without resorting to the usual processed food.

Why It Matters: It's Not Just About a Meal

Healthy eating isn't a trend—**it's transforming the restaurant industry and community culture**. When parents eat healthy with their families **kids receive better grades, lower obesity rates, and better focus**. And aside from the advantages for their children's health, these restaurants are **a driving economic force within the local food economy**.

The Numbers Don't Lie:

• The farm-to-table movement has led to a 7.6% increase in local food-based businesses in New York.

• Restaurants focused on organic and locally sourced ingredients are seeing a 20% increase in revenue.

• The restaurant industry on Long Island employs over 260,000 people, and the rise of health-conscious dining is creating even more job opportunities.

Backing these businesses is **an investment in our communities' futures**—and giving your children a shot at eating something other than mac and cheese. 

Time to Think Differently About Family Dinners

If the same tired **fried, breaded, and sugary kids' menus** are starting to get stale for you, it's time to explore Long Island's **growing healthy dining scene**. Restaurants here are teaching us that healthy eating doesn't have to mean deprivation of flavor, enjoyment, or sanity. **Where's your next family dinner headed?** Want to move into a community with **outstanding schools, fine community spirit, and top-notch local restaurants?** **Dean Miller is Long Island born and raised. Need the quintessential family neighborhood or just want to live close to the top organic brunch eateries?** **Let us make it happen. Get in touch with us today!**