Health & Wellness: Top 5 cooling and healthy eats in Annandale

By Rachel Martin

Summer may be winding down, but we’re not quite done with the heat yet.

Most mornings may start with temperatures in the 70s, but by afternoon, Annandale can still feel like the middle of summer. So, before we trade our iced drinks and fresh salads for soups and comfort foods, I wanted to share five of my favorite cooling, fresh, and healthy dining options around Annandale.

This may have been my most fun assignment since I started writing health and wellness articles for Annandale Today. I spent some time around town tasting different options and looking for meals that are refreshing without leaving you feeling weighed down.

I narrowed my favorites down to five categories: breakfast, beverage, lunch, appetizer, and dinner.

If you haven’t tried these places yet, consider this your excuse to check them out before fall arrives.

(1) Breakfast – avocado toast from Underdog Coffee and Bread (7109 Columbia Pike).

There are plenty of great choices at Underdog, including acai bowls, iced coffee, and homemade lemonade. But my personal favorite for a summer breakfast is the fully loaded avocado toast with egg, arugula, tomatoes, and avocado.

You get a nice combination of protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and carbohydrates in one meal, while the fresh toppings keep it feeling light.

And if you’re a coffee fan, don’t skip the coffee. They have plenty of iced and frozen options that are perfect for a warm afternoon.

(2) Beverage – the Mango Refresher drink from Cafe Hive (4260 John Marr Drive).

Cafe Hive has become a popular stop in Annandale, and I’m guessing their cold coffees and matcha lattes are probably more popular than my pick.

But I have a soft spot for their Mango Refresher. It reminded me of the fresh fruit juices you find in tropical climates. There was a freshness to the mango flavor that you don’t always get from a typical juice or bottled drink.

If you’re looking for something cold and fruity instead of another coffee, this is worth a try.

(3) Lunch – a poke bowl from Hana Poke (4364 John Marr Drive).

Located inside Garden Social in the Eastgate Shopping Center, Hana Poke is a newer addition to the Annandale food scene.

You can build your bowl with a variety of protein options, including tuna, salmon, tofu, shrimp, and chicken. Add vegetables and your choice of rice, greens, or noodles, and you’ve got a meal that checks a lot of boxes.

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One of my favorite things about a good poke bowl is how easy it is to get protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates all in one meal. The combination of chilled fish, ginger, seaweed salad, and fresh toppings makes it especially refreshing on a hot day.

You can eat inside Garden Social or take your bowl outside to the updated patio. And if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the game, you can catch it on the big screen at the bar.

(4) Appetizer – summer rolls from Pho Hai Duong (4231 Markham St.)

Sometimes you don’t need a big meal. You just need something fresh, light, and satisfying.

That’s where the summer rolls from Pho Hai Duong come in.

Wrapped in rice paper, these rolls include shrimp, vermicelli noodles, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, and fresh herbs. They’re served with your choice of peanut dipping sauce or sweet chili sauce for a little extra flavor.

They’re cool, crunchy, refreshing, and easy to share—which makes them a great option for a hot summer afternoon or as a lighter meal on their own.

(5) Dinner – Longevity Seaweed Salad from Chay (6351 Columbia Pike at Barcroft Plaza).

I’ll admit it: I’m biased toward Chay. As a mostly plant-based eater, there are several things on their menu that I love.

But here’s the funny thing: I had been eating at Chay regularly for about two years before I finally tried the Longevity Seaweed Salad. There were just too many other favorites to choose from.

This salad is a perfect summer meal, with thinly julienned vegetables, a light sauce, and crunchy rice chips. I especially love the snow mushrooms, crunchy celery, and fresh bell peppers.

It’s fresh and satisfying without feeling heavy – the kind of dinner that works particularly well when it’s still hot outside but you’re ready for something more substantial than a snack.

Don’t let summer go just yet. Fall will be here before we know it, bringing cooler temperatures, warm meals, and a whole new list of seasonal favorites.

But for now, there’s still time to enjoy the fresh, colorful, cooling foods that make summer eating so enjoyable. One of the best things about Annandale is that you don’t have to go far to find something new.

So, if you haven’t tried one of these five spots yet, pick one and give it a try before summer is officially over. You just might discover your new favorite local meal.

Rachel Martin, a certified personal trainer and life coach, is the owner of the Connection Wellness Center at 4113 John Marr Drive in Annandale.