Top healthy lunch picks in the city centre

Contrary to popular belief, a healthy lunch doesn’t necessarily mean a home-made lunch. Being healthy has never been easier in the city centre. Although salads and wraps are a staple, here are a couple of healthy lunch picks that will make your lunch break the highlight of your day – if it isn’t already.

Bowler | Wynyard Quarter | Victoria Street West

Bowler is all about fresh, chef‑crafted bowls packed with bold flavours and nutrient‑dense ingredients, making it one of the best spots in the city for a healthy lunch. Their menu ranges from vibrant salad and grain bowls to smoothies and açaí, all made with locally sourced produce. Whether you need something quick between meetings or a wholesome post‑workout meal, Bowler makes eating well both easy and genuinely delicious.

Image via @bowler_bowler_

Yeah Bowl Poke Shop | Atrium on Takutai Britomart

Yeah Bowl's poke makes an easy, fresh and energising lunch, and you can keep it simple or build it exactly how you like it! Choose from various premade options or customise your own — start with a base of regular rice, brown rice or salad, then pick your protein, from raw cubed fish to cooked options like chicken, shrimp, beef or tofu. Finish it off with your favourite dressing and any extra toppings to make it your own.

Goodlife Juice Co. | 47 Fort Street | 132 Halsey Street

Goodlife prepares nearly everything in‑house — from almond butter and cashew milk to crunchy granola, dressings and cold‑pressed juices — making it a healthy takeaway choice. If you’re craving something cold, their superfood smoothies and açaí bowls are worth the hype! You’ll find them across the city centre in Fort Street and Wynyard Quarter.

Image via goodlifesuperfood.co.nz

Hello Mister | 5 Hardinge Street | 29a Customs Street West

This colourful spot on Hardinge Street offers quick, delicious and healthy Vietnamese street food perfect for tasty lunches on the go. With banh mi sandwiches, vermicelli noodle salads, rice paper rolls and a variety of moreish pho bowls, this is the place to go for the vibrant flavours of Vietnam that we all love. And for the perfect pairing, grab a refreshing Vietnamese iced white coffee to sip alongside your meal.

Image via hellomister.co.nz

Revive | 24 Wyndham Street

Revive’s fresh, feel‑good aromas will pull you straight off the busy street and into their vibrant vegan haven. Their meals change daily, with new salads and sweets every week, so there’s always something different to look forward to! Most dishes are gluten‑free, and they use natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and date purée.

Image via revive.co.nz/pages/menu

Scarecrow | 33 Victoria Street East

Scarecrow is more than just a cafe, it's a destination for food lovers, shoppers and those seeking high-quality locally made goods in a unique setting. Their Mediterranean‑inspired menu is built around fresh, seasonal and nourishing ingredients, with plenty of vegan‑friendly and gluten‑free choices. They alsoserve organic coffees and teas, and their grocer section is stocked with organic eggs, fresh produce, dairy and a range of house‑made specialties.

Fatimas | Commercial Bay, 7 Queen Street

Fatima’s has been dishing up crowd‑pleasers for years, putting a fresh spin on Middle Eastern favourites with fresh herbs, bold spices and punchy citrus. Think pitas, chawarmas, salads and their famously addictive potato koftas. It’s the kind of spot that works for anything, whether you’re flying solo or feeding a whole crew.

Image via fatimas.co.nz