Top Healthy Restaurants in the Columbia, TN Area

It can be tough to eat healthy throughout the week, especially when you’re busy with work, school, family, and everything else going on in your life. Sometimes it’s easier to grab a quick meal when you’re on the go than to prepare something healthy at home. However, when you live in the Columbia, TN, area, you can visit several great places to enjoy a healthy meal. The Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia team has compiled this list of some of the top healthy restaurants in Columbia, TN, where you can get delicious, wholesome food.

River Terrace

Image by Yoav Aziz is licensed with Unsplash License

For a taste of the Big Easy right here in Columbia, make a reservation at River Terrace. With an award-winning Creole-inspired menu designed by a New Orleans local, River Terrace is an upscale dining experience perfect for a date night or a celebration. The Shrimp Elizabeth, fresh shrimp and a crab cake atop a bed of rice and beneath a creamy, fruity sauce, is popular. You could also opt for the Crawfish & Shrimp Etouffee, a favorite Creole dish, or the Bourbon & Maple Glazed Salmon, a simple but flavorful entree.

There are plenty more seafood dishes to enjoy, including ones with oysters, catfish, and scallops. The delicacies aren’t limited to seafood, either. River Terrace also serves excellent steaks and decadent chicken dishes. Finish your meal by sharing a rich dessert like Flourless Chocolate Torte or White Chocolate Raspberry Marscapone Layer Cake. You could also toast to a romantic night out with one of their sweet dessert cocktails. In addition to delicious food, the restaurant also offers a peaceful dining experience. Patrons rave about River Terrace’s relaxing atmosphere and the attentive staff.

Catfish Campus

If you’re looking for the best catfish in town, Catfish Campus, as the name may suggest, is a safe bet. This family-owned local spot is beloved for its fresh, farm-raised ingredients, like catfish, pickles, steaks, and fried green tomatoes. You can enjoy your catfish as a combination plate with another piece of fresh seafood, like Fried Clam Pops, Cajun Shrimp Pops, Regular Shrimp Pops, or Stuffed Crab. All catfish dishes come with hush puppies and your choice from the restaurant’s list of sides, like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, turnip greens, or fries.

Other seafood options on the menu include Crab Cakes, an Oyster Plate, Shrimp Scampi, Crab Legs, or Frog Legs. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you could opt for Grilled Catfish Fillets, Grilled Shrimp, or Grilled Tilapia. Steak, chicken, and burgers are on the menu, so even picky eaters can find something to love. With a casual, cozy ambiance, this local spot is an excellent option for a quick dinner with friends.

Farmers Family Restaurant

An inconspicuous buffet spot with plenty of charm, Farmers Family Restaurant is a seafood lover’s dream on weekend evenings. Make a plan to join Farmers on a Friday or Saturday night for the weekly all-you-can-eat Seafood Dinner. Come hungry because, for just $18.99, you can get the following from the buffet:

• Clam strips.
• Baked fish.
• Fried fish.
• Scallops.
• Oysters.
• Steamed shrimp.
• Jumbo fried shrimp.
• Salmon.
• Crab cakes.
• Seafood delight.

If you’re hungry for something more, Saturday’s special is a Surf & Turf plate from the buffet. If you’re hungry enough, you can choose from steak, roast beef, chicken, ribs, or all of the above. You can pair your pick with crab legs, shrimp, catfish, or the seafood buffet. Locals love the rustic environment, friendly team members, and expansive salad bar filled with fresh vegetables.

Vanh Dy’s Restaurant and Lounge

With a name meaning “it’s a good day,” you can bet that any day you show up to dine at Vanh Dy’s Restaurant and Lounge is an excellent day to go. This family-owned and operated establishment ensures customers dine on authentic Asian cuisine using dependable and delectable family recipes handed down for generations. Every dish is made fresh daily, and the medley of flavors you’ll be treated to is a testament to the dedication and pride Ms. Vanh Dy, the restaurant owner, takes in her life’s work.

As you walk in, you’ll be greeted by the friendly and attentive Front of House Staff, who will quickly find comfortable seating for you and your party. Then try a little of everything from their menu. Begin your meal with an appetizer order of our house-made dumplings. Each dumpling is carefully filled with a balanced mixture of chicken, beef, pork, cilantro, garlic, onions, and shiitake mushrooms. There are four in each order, all of which are served with a side of fresh ginger sauce made for dipping.

Then try their signature Lao House Salad. It combines good-for-you greens with Asian herbs and our made-from-scratch creamy egg yolk dressing. As an entrée, select the Khau Mee. The base of this dish, small rice noodles, is stir-fried with bean sprouts, cilantro, green onions, garlic, and your choice of minced protein. You can choose just how spicy you want the savory sauce of this particular dish, which makes it an easy favorite of loyal customers. End your meal with one of our signature cocktails.

You can call ahead for reservations, make arrangements online, or place an order via phone to take home and enjoy the cuisine in the comfort of your own home.

Grace Chinese Restaurant

At Grace Chinese Restaurant, you’ll find everything from fresh wonton wrappers to curry shrimp and onion. As a cornerstone of our Columbia community, this award-winning restaurant has been recognized for having outstanding Chinese cuisine, exceptional service, and friendly staff. When you go, we recommend the Moo Goo Gai Pan. This chicken and mushroom platter is prepared in specialty sauce and has the perfect balance of flavors. If you go in the afternoon, get the lunch special, which comprises a generous entrée plus egg drop, hot and sour, wonton soup, or a spring roll. It’s delicious!

Eating healthy without cooking at home has always been challenging. We hope you found one of the places on this list appealing, and we encourage you to get out and try them all. All of us could benefit from a healthier lifestyle, and these restaurants can help us meet our healthy eating goals. Have you tried any of these places? Let us know how your experience was. We love hearing from our valued customers.