If you’re a health-conscious student at Brooklyn College, it’s probable that you’ve had little to no luck finding affordable, nutritious food close to campus. Sure, there are plenty of fast food options and a handful of choices at the Boylan Hall cafeteria, but you’re out of luck if you want something organic, fresh, and filling. Healthy eating in Brooklyn is easy if you know where to look and Ditmas Park is the perfect place to start.
Ditmas Park, a small neighborhood in western Flatbush, is a twenty-minute walk from campus and hosts a variety of healthy options for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Cortelyou Road is the main street in Ditmas Park, filled with an amazing collection of restaurants and cafes (perfect for studying!) Compiled below are just a few of the options Cortelyou Road offers.
Ayurvedic Plate
Casual, friendly service and ready-to-serve food are two of the main attractions of Ayurvedic Plate. This café offers about fifteen dishes for customers to choose from, including daal, chana masala, roasted papaya, and curried eggplant. While there are a couple of dishes with meat and dairy, the majority of the foods are prepared vegan. There is a fixed price of $12, but you can request as little or as much food as you’d like, and it will always be served with a heaping side of naan bread. Additionally, their menu boasts tasty vegan smoothies and mango lassis, as well as appetizers like samosas. Be open minded when eating here and try a bit of everything, the diversity of flavors and ingredients is an experience in it of itself.
Café Madeline
Managed by the same owner as Ayurvedic Plate, Café Madeline employs a similar mission to serve healthy, delicious food to its customers. Their menu focuses on bowls and brunchy meals with an emphasis on farm fresh eggs, leafy greens, sourdough breads, and alternative grains like farro. Inventive bowls such as their Crispy Kale Poke and Cheddar Scallion are not to be missed. If you’re looking for something to sip on, they have an endless selection of espresso drinks, matcha lattes, as well as a giant case of cold drinks like kombucha and natural sparkling water.
Qathra Café
Haul your ginormous workload to this café, because it’s the perfect spot to spend those tedious hours of studying. Offering up cozy drinks like their fall inspired ginger-turmeric latte, Qathra is a wonderful spot for a cup of quality coffee with an equally adorable interior. Their colorful backyard patio is especially beautiful in warmer months and creates a peaceful environment to get work done. While they serve fantastic beverages, it’s to your advantage to check out their food menu as well. They offer similar brunch staples to Café Madeline and a handful of sandwiches. The star of their menu is the Mezze Plate, served with whole wheat pita, creamy labneh and hummus, tabbouleh, and savory caramelized onion, eggplant salad. Steal away from campus on a sunny day to come enjoy this dish out on Qathra’s patio.
Flatbush Food Co-op
Nonmembers can shop at this Co-op too, making it a great choice for an on-the-go meal. If you’re in the mood to peruse the aisles, you’ll find an overwhelming selection of delicious, organic produce and packaged foods alike. No time to do a full-fledged grocery shop? The deli case has two meal options under $10 that include choice of proteins like turkey, chicken, and salmon burgers, as well as sides like tofu fried rice, roasted vegetables, beet salad, and steamed broccoli. The portions are heaping and guaranteed to give you a bang for your buck. In addition, they make fresh juices and wheatgrass shots if you need a quick immune boost.
Next time you’re hungry between classes venture over to Cortelyou Road! McDonald’s and Chipotle are always there when you want fast food, but if you’re craving something a bit more nutritious, you won’t be disappointed by what Ditmas Park has to offer.