11 Keto-Friendly Eateries Around Philadelphia
Because only eating meat and cheese isn't going to cut it.
The ketogenic diet doesn’t have to be difficult when you’re out in Philly. Stop by one of these keto-friendly eateries for an easy meal out. / Photo courtesy of Snap Kitchen, background courtesy of iStock/tupungato.
Diets come and they go. After two years, the ketogenic diet is still going strong. Keto for short, the strict regimen focuses on nearly eliminating carbohydrates and amping up your fat intake. (There are several variations on the keto diet, and some include more carbs than others.) This combination triggers a metabolic state known as ketosis, in which your body turns to fat instead of carbs for energy — and burns away those pesky fat deposits around your waistline.
Sounds great, right? Not so fast. Experts’ opinions vary, but many are wary of keto, especially from a long-term perspective. We’d advise discussing any drastic shifts in eating habits with a nutritionist or doctor before making those changes. For those who have decided that keto is the right nutrition strategy, we rounded up 11 keto-friendly eateries in and around Philly that will ease the transition. From Tinto in Rittenhouse Square to M20 Burgers and Salads in Queen Village, these restaurants will help you stay on track while still eating a nutrient-rich meal.
FYI: A bunch of national fast food chains actually have keto-friendly menu options: McDonalds, Chipotle, Qdoba, Panera, and Five Guys are all surprisingly fair game. While these spots wouldn’t be our first go-tos, it’s handy to know secondary options exist.
BurgerFi
44 North 12th Street, Center City
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BurgerFi’s keto-approved option is as protein-packed as it is delicious. Their KetoFi burger features two Angus beef patties topped with bacon and a fried egg that are drizzled with mustard and served green style (aka wrapped in lettuce). BurgerFi also offers the option to drop the bun and swaddle the burger of your choice in lettuce.
Dessertcrazy
1925 Fairmount Avenue, Fairmount
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Just because you’re on keto doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy dessert! If you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to Dessertcrazy in Fairmount. As Philly’s first keto bakery, they pride themselves on making delicious confections that are all low-carb. The shop has an extensive menu from cupcakes and brownies to keto bombs and pies. Plus, they’ve got a full binder of every item’s nutritional info, including net carbs, so you can stay on track.
Farmer’s Keep
10 South 20th Street, Center City
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No matter what you’re eating, it’s always a good idea to fill your plate with a variety of colors. Farmer’s Keep makes that easy with fast-casual meals free of allergy-prone ingredients and foods (think: gluten, dairy, nuts, shellfish). Order a combo platter — a salad, two sides, and your choice of protein — to fully customize your meal to your liking.
Honeygrow
Multiple Locations
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This healthy, fast-casual chain will put together your healthy dish in a flash, while giving you the option to customize your meal. If you’re angling for the stir fry, for instance, go with the lettuce cups as your base or skip the base entirely. Or create your own salad and double the amount of meat for extra protein.
Just Salad
1729 Chestnut Street, Center City; 3728 Spruce Street, University City
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If you want tasty meals that use seasonal ingredients and can be eaten on-the-go, order from Just Salad. They’ve got a variety of salads (obv), but their Keto Salad is a sure bet, as it’s made specifically for anyone on the diet. If you want a protein-packed bowl, we suggest trying their Warm Chicken Shawarma Bowl served over cauliflower rice or their Keto Zoodle Bowl featuring Beyond Meat’s beef-free meatballs.
M20 Burgers & Salads
703 South 5th Street, Queen Village; 50 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood
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Burgers don’t exactly come to mind when dieting, but they’re not off limits with the keto regime. The only requirement to stay on track when you’re ordering a patty at M20? Ditch the bun (obviously) and avoid carb-y toppings, i.e., ketchup, honey mustard sauce, breaded onions. (Mayo, salsa, fried egg, and avocado are all OK.) If you’re looking for a leafier option, go for one of the featured salads, like the chopped kale or village — made up of arugula, clementines, sprouts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, goat cheese, maple balsamic dressing — or build your own combination of greens.
Real Food Eatery
Multiple Locations
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As good as a meat and cheese board is, you can get sick of the protein-heavy smorgasbord if it’s all you’re eating all the time. There’s no better way to incorporate real, balanced meals than stopping by Real Food Eatery. Decide between the grass-fed sirloin, salmon filet, or lemon herb chicken for your entrée; chopped kale or the spring mix for your base (no quinoa or brown rice to stay grain-free); and a plethora of cold or warm, keto-friendly sides to top the whole thing off.
Snap Kitchen
Multiple Locations
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Since Snap Kitchen launched in Austin, Texas, in 2010 — and opened several locations in Philly starting in 2016 — the healthy chain has become famed for simple, grab-and-go meals that make sticking to whatever diet you’re on so much easier. Part of that stems from the fact that the restaurant categorizes its menu items by diet, taking all the guesswork out of the situation. For keto folks, that means knowing Snap Kitchen’s naked beef with green beans and cauliflower or chicken piccata will be filling and guilt-free.
Sweetgreen
Multiple locations
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It’s not hard to stay committed to keto at Sweetgreen. Of course, you can always go with the create-your-own salad — as long as you avoid quinoa and wild rice as bases. If you’re in a pinch, go with the Kale Caesar or Guacamole Greens salad (sans tortilla chips), as they’re both rich in protein and low in net carbs.
Tinto
114 South 20th Street, Rittenhouse Square
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Trying to quell your anxiety about a keto-friendly date night? Don’t fret. The romantic Tinto offers protein-packed tapas in a small-plate style that makes sharing optimal. If you’ve grown tired of red meat and chicken, this is the opportunity to spice up your diet with a seafood option (Spanish octopus, anyone?) that’s bound to give you the protein you need.
Tria
Multiple Locations
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If your friends or significant others aren’t feeling the keto diet as much as you are, this is the place for the whole group to dine satisfied. Go for any of the salads — all loaded with nuts, figs, vegetables, and fruits — or, of course, the charcuterie board (Tria has a ton of meat and cheese options!).
Additional reporting by Cierra Williams and Mary Clare Fischer.
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