Detox dining: How restaurants are tackling the January health kick

From spin classes on the forecourt to alcohol-free menus, restaurants across the UK are launching a host of healthy initiatives aimed at attracting detoxing diners to help avoid a post-Christmas sales slump.

Strada is supporting customers ditching the booze this January as the official food partner of Dry January. The campaign – which encourages people to abstain from drinking for 31 days – saw two million people cut out alcohol during last year’s campaign.

To help diners stick to their resolutions the restaurant is serving a range of de-alcoholised wine and alcohol free beer and is offering a free non-alcoholic drink as part of its January Set Menu.

Tom James, operations director at Strada, said: “We’re relentlessly committed to what we call 'the good life'; proper wholesome food created from some of the best quality ingredients in the market, and Dry January perfectly embodies this.

“We think our customers will love the chance to stick to their resolutions without sacrificing their social life!”

Hush Mayfair has teamed up with fitness class BOOM Cycle to offer spinning classes outside the restaurant throughout January. ‘Cycle In The Courtyard’ will run on Saturdays and be followed by a brunch menu. 

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Darwin Brasserie's porridge bar

Also combining eating-out and working-out is the new Fitzrovia opening from healthy meal delivery service Detox Kitchen. The restaurant and juice bar launched on 4 January and serves small plates and salads free from wheat, dairy and refined sugar. Downstairs a fully equipped fitness studio is offering classes in yoga and high-intensity interval training.

Andina founder Martin Morales has joined forces with fitness specialist Harry Jameson to create a series of dishes specially designed to be consumed pre or post workout.

The Replenish Menu will run until 31 March and includes Pudding de Doña Pepa (chia seed pudding) and Steak, Eggs and Avocado.

Morales said he was ‘really excited’ to launch the new concept.

“Harry is my own personal PT and a friend, so it’s a pleasure to be working with him,” he said.

"At Andina we’ve always focussed on naturally healthy ingredients that grow natively in the Peruvian Andes and this menu takes our dedication to the next level."

Thirty-six floors above London Sky Garden’s Darwin Brasserie has launched a new porridge bar to cater to detoxing diners. Available daily from 7am, varieties include Blueberry, Banana and Mānuka honey; and Kiwi and Mango.

Meanwhile Gordon Ramsay Group is helping people pack in their five-a-day with the launch of a D.I.Y juice bar at Heddon Street Kitchen, a range of mocktails at Bread Street Kitchen and a Resolutions Menu of freshly-pressed juices at The Narrow in Limehouse.

Throughout January both maze Grill Park Walk and maze Grill Royal Hospital Road are serving limited-edition dishes - all under 500 calories - including Raw Cauliflower and Lemon salad, and Kale and Seaweed Salad with a Carrot and Orange dressing.