Disproving the old adage that if it tastes good it must be bad for you, Tantric Tonic allows you to indulge your taste buds without any of those nasty pangs of guilt.

The Venue
Its location close to St Pauls Cathedral means Tantric Tonic is immersed in the hustle of city workers, and those that are looking for something a little more interesting than the bland snacks on offer elsewhere head right here. It’s a pokey little place with little or no dining space so if you want to stay out of the cold you might have to ask to perch at the counter. It does however have an outrageously deceptive mirror filling one wall so it can be easy to think there might be somewhere to sit - that is until you catch sight of yourself holding a smoothie, looking confused.

The Atmosphere
Tantric Tonic is primarily a takeaway place so you can expect city folk of all shapes and sizes (though usually skinny) to pop in and order confidently from the plethora of healthy options on offer. Luckily though, it’s not an impersonal transaction, something that really sets it apart from other eateries in the area.

You can expect a friendly, yet by no means intrusive conversation from affable and amusing staff members who clearly know their stuff. What’s more, their enthusiasm for the products is infectious and probably has considerable psychosomatic benefits for those swinging the door open excitedly. Even if you’re sceptical of the merits of a shot of wheatgrass, the staff’s passionate belief in its power will have you smiling as you fight to keep it down.

The Food
It’s nice to know that whatever you purchase is going to be full of wholesome goodness but what is surprising is the fact that much of it tastes delicious. The lunchtime special panini is especially good, boasting Zimbabwean red peppers, soft, melted feta and peppery rocket. However, it’s utterly outshone by a heavenly roasted red pepper soup with a delectable hint of the Orient thanks to spicy chilli and a peanut garnish – it’s seriously good.

You can also get all your breakfast favourites such as honey, marmite or peanut butter on toast so if you’re running late fret not, you can grab something tasty here. Keep your eyes peeled for the daily specials though, you might just encounter the chicken, sun dried tomato, olive and fetta panini – a heavenly mix of good quality ingredients that prove more than the sum of their parts.

The Drinks
This is where Tantric Tonic really excels as not only are the drinks healthy, they’re also pretty darn delicious. You can almost taste the health coursing through your veins with every sip, especially with the Burst of Berry, a vibrant, tangy mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apple and yoghurt that does exactly what it says on the tin.

If you really want to be good then there are some juices designed to directly benefit the body. With names like Energy, Detox and Body Tone, you know roughly what the aim is but these don’t skimp on taste either so don’t expect to be wincing like you would with a shot of the famous wheatgrass. However, it’s not all health, health, health so if you fancy treating yourself then try the peanut smoothie, a simple mix of peanut butter, banana and milk that’s thick and gloopy but oh so good.

The Last Word
Healthy options are all the rage these days and when they’re combined with titillating taste and passionate staff, they really can be the perfect tonic. The improvement that should be made is to have some seating where people can linger over lunch.

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