The combination of words seems contradictory “Healthy fast food in Barcelona”… yet there is a chain of restaurants that provide healthy dishes on a fast food model in Barcelona. Would it surprise you to learn that they are known as “Honest greens“?

The first thing you should know is that they don’t accept reservations. The menu is handed out to you when you arrive at the restaurant. They have an English one, for sure. You can get them from a stand if no one attends you. You may also look it up online, but a printed version is easier to understand the concept.

The fast food part of the “healthy fast food in Barcelona”

Once you have the menu, you order at the register and then pay. The cashier will give you a number for your table if you eat in or to identify you to give your takeaway. There is a collection point for takeaways.

You wait at your table until your food arrives. The entire process can be quite fast. The chefs assemble the food from prepped veggies. Most of the meat proteins are charcoal-grilled, and most of the fish are served raw or seared.

Lately, though, I waited in line to be able to order. As a result, going to Honest Green was not always quick. I guess this is the price of success.

The healthy part of the “healthy fast food in Barcelona”

I lack imagination on vegetables recipes. Here, the cuisine inspires me and I can sample delicious vegetable dishes. The hummus to share is fantastic and good value (4,90 Euros). I never thought of aubergine as boring anymore after tasting one here.

The starters regularly change. The market plates remain over time. I prefer the ones with salmon or tuna. I am ok with eating fish here because they seem to come from sustainable sourcing. The extra proteins are also good value.

You can only order the sides and extras if you ask for a plate or a bowl. They don’t sell separately. I asked once for a starter and a side, and it was not possible.

Is this healthy fast food in Barcelona place affordable?

Honest Greens versus a “menu del dia”

Last time I paid 18.20 Euros for a market plate with tuna tataki (7.90 Euros). The market plate consists of a protein to choose between chicken, steak, fish, falafel and tempeh and a leaf salad. To the 18.20 Euros, I also had a side of Moroccan rice (2.90 Euros), extra spicy salmon (3.90 Euros) and a kombucha (3.50 Euros).

Compared to a “menu del dia”, which is a set menu with a starter, a main, a dessert, bread and one drink (about 15 Euros in the centre), this total is expensive.

Honest Greens versus junk food

Compared to junk fast food, the price in Honest Greens is the same without the rice and extra salmon. In a renowned fast burger place, I ordered a burger, a giant soda and fries for 11 Euros. The first option was healthier. The second one was satisfying but unhealthy.

The overall effect though

Overall, Honest Greens is cheaper. They use healthy cooking methods and a lot of vegetables. Therefore the food is good for you. Yes, I sound like your mama.

Their website mentions that they use locally and responsibly sourced ingredients which are good for the planet. The ingredients are of quality.

The cuisine is innovative and fresh and rival some great vegetarian restaurants. Spirulina hummus apart, I liked everything here.

Base dish and garden bowl

The base dish is affordable. 7.90 Euros for some tuna tataki with salad and bread, is ok. The garden bowl is also 7.90 Euros. That day, I was particularly hungry but you don’t need to go for all the extras. They add up on the bill.

Here you can find their official website. They also have restaurants in Madrid, Lisbon and Porto.

The addresses in Barcelona

Honest greens Rambla Cataluny: Rambla de Catalunya 3. 08007 Barcelona

Honest greens Born: Pla de Palau, 11. 08003 Barcelona

Honest greens Tuset: C/ Tuset, 4. 08006 Barcelona

Honest greens Tuset 22@: Av. Diagonal, 208. 08018 Barcelona