Honest Greens review: the best spot for healthy and tasty food in Madrid?

Visiting Madrid and looking for vegan-friendly spots? You need to visit Honest Greens.

It’s my go-to restaurant when I’m in the Spanish capital, whether it’s for a post-run breakfast or a flavour-packed lunch break between sightseeing. Here are my top picks from Honest Greens menu.

Honest Greens: “chef-driven honest kitchen”

Honest Greens was founded in 2017 by three entrepreneurs and food lovers. Christopher from the US, Rasmus from Denmark and Benjamin from France had crossed path in Spain and were all equally frustrated to be unable to find a restaurant offering healthy but delicious food, with quick service and affordable prices.

They then decided to create their own, and the Honest Greens journey started. The mission? Be a “Chef-driven honest kitchen” that democratizes healthy eating for any diet, on any budget.

Today, there are several Honest Greens locations in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), as well as in Portugal.

Most locations are divided in 2 separate sections with different entrance doors: one side is for breakfast, coffee and treats whilst the other serves lunch and dinner dishes.

They pride themselves in serving “real food” that is fresh, made in house every day, unprocessed and without additives. Most ingredients are organic and locally sourced from nearby suppliers and artisans who have sustainable practices.

Where to find Honest Greens in Madrid?

There are currently 8 Honest Greens locations in Madrid. The ones pictured above are on Calle de Hortaleza and Gran Via.

They are open from 8:30am on weekdays and 9:30am on weekend, to 23:00 or 00:00 depending on the days.

Is Honest Greens menu vegan?

Honest Greens menu isn’t 100% vegan but they have plenty of plant-based options, whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

They also have a lot of vegan treats (cookies, cupcakes, cheesecakes…) for your afternoon sweet tooth.

Do they have gluten-free options?

Yes, Honest Greens cater for every diet. They have gluten-free dishes, as well as paleo and veggie options.

Honest Greens Review

Since discovering Honest Greens last year, it has become my go-to spot for breakfast and lunch every time I’m in Madrid. The menu evolves, but hopefully you’ll still find these staples when it’s your turn to visit.

The restaurants

Each location I went to had the same warm and welcoming vibe, with the interior matching the “artisan-like” ethos, with wooden tables and Honest Greens values written on the wall.

I really like the fact that the kitchen area where lunch and dinner are prepped is like an open salad bar with all these colourful foods and you can see the team make your dish to order.

The mornings are usually fairly quiet and I found myself enjoying working at Honest Greens. They offer free wifi and it’s never too loud to be able to focus.

Lunch time is busier and the use of laptop is then discouraged, to promote a real (and laptop free) break.

The staff is very friendly and the service is quick, which is perfect if you’re in a hurry but don’t want to resort to a fast-food meal.

What should you try for breakfast at Honest Greens?

My top 3 plant-based recommendations (from the Spring 2023 menu) are the Blueberry Chia Pudding, the Protein Power Overnight Oats and last but not least, the sensational Overnight French Toast (which is not marked as plant-based on the website but is on the actual menu in the restaurants).

The chia pudding dish has been revisited since I first tried it last year, but it is still as tasty. It is made with coconut milk and topped with banana and berries, alongside some delicious house made granola.

I found the overnight oats to be a great choice to refuel after a morning speed session (I love running in Madrid).

The porridge is actually not made with oats only, but also with quinoa which makes it very filling. It is soaked in coconut milk for at least 24 hours and topped with dried and fresh fruit.

Finally, if you want to treat yourself, you’ve got to try the French Toast which is incredible. The slices of sourdough bread are soaked overnight in plant milk to be super soft and chewy.

They are topped with a delicious plant-based creme fraîche, banana, coconut sugar and cinnamon, not to mention a very tasty (and of course homemade) blueberry jam, green Spirulina and granola.

It’s a very satisfying breakfast and I usually don’t really like Spirulina, but everything tastes amazing at Honest Greens.

They also serve very good coffee and I’d recommend pairing your breakfast with an oat flat white or an iced almond latte. The only slight downside is the extra 0.25€ charge for plant milk, which I think should disappear everywhere.

What are the best lunch & dinner options?

I would absolutely recommend the Garden Bowls, which you can customise. They pack a bunch of flavours, textures and colours which makes them as visually appealing as they taste. They are the definition of a nutritious and delicious lunch.

There are 5 plant-based Garden Bowls options. My favourite is the Wild Mediterranean which has been tweaked in this year’s menu.

It has avocado, Spirulina cream, portobello mushroom, leaves, cucumber, sesame relish (super tasty), dried tomato sauce and sweet chili baked sweet potato (my favourite part of this bowl).

Finally, you can choose between cauliflower rice and black rice, you can also add bread or a side. I’d recommend the hummus (flavours change every week).

The portions may not look huge in the big plates, but when you eat “real food” that is nutrient-packed, you don’t need an XL serving size and it’s more than enough.

Plus, if you still have some room, you can grab a sweet treat at the coffee corner!

I’d also recommend trying some of their flavoured waters (free refills) which are very refreshing on a hot day.

Value for money

I would personally consider that Honest Greens offers great value for money, considering that everything is house made and nothing is processed.

It is more expensive than eating at a fast food or grabbing a couple empanadas, but it is also much more nutritious and they know how to make healthy food taste incredible.

To give you an idea of the price range, I paid about 13€ for lunches, including a Garden Bowl with a side and water (2.50€ with free refills).

Breakfast dishes go from 5.90€ to 7.90€ (excluding adds-on). Count 2.25€ for a flat white, 2.50 for a small cappuccino and 3€ for an iced latte. Add 0.25€ for plant milk.

Final words

The Honest Greens founders have truly brought their vision to life and created the perfect concept combining healthy and tasty food that is freshly made with sustainably sourced ingredients.

Service will be quick if you’re in a rush, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the relaxed setting and take your time if you are able to. And you’ll pay a very reasonable price for it all.

If you’re near a Honest Greens spot, you need to visit once (and you’ll probably come back!). I’m already looking forward to going back to Madrid for my Honest Greens fix and I hope they’ll open a branch in London!