The summer heat is here, and while we’re all aiming to be safe and be outdoors, the only thing (besides ice cream) that will fit the bill for an alfresco lunch or dinner is a fresh salad. From Lake Norman to South Charlotte, here are some of our top salad picks.
Please remember to wear your mask until seated, and if you leave the table, put it on again.
IN CHARLOTTE
Visit: 2410 Park Rd., Charlotte
Order: The kale ribboned salad is on their current takeout menu: Tuscan kale with shaved Parmesan, dried cranberries & toasted almonds with lemon vinaigrette.
Visit: 1039 Providence Rd.
Order: The Bietole salad is sure to set the tone for your meal: roasted gold and red beets, fresh goat cheese, kale, arugula, walnuts and honey vinaigrette.
Visit: 4905 Ashley Park Ln J
Order: Try the Tuscan kale caesar (baby lacinato, pecorino romano, house made croutons.)
RH Rooftop Restaurant Charlotte
Where: 6903 Phillips Pl Ct.
Order: Brunch at this new SouthPark hotspot for the gem lettuce salad (radish, feta cheese, avocado, buttermilk herb dressing) with your choice of chicken, shrimp, lobster or smoked salmon on top.
Visit: 101 West Worthington Ave.
Order: Ensalada de la casa (chopped greens, avocado, cucumber, pickled onion, sweet corn, radish, Monterey Jack, crispy tortillas and your choice of chicken, shrimp or steak.)
Visit: 11508 Providence Rd. and 8426 Park Rd. They’re open for 50% indoor seating as well as for curbside pickup. Rea Village opens daily at 4 pm and Quail Corners opens daily at 11 am.
Order: Kale salad with roasted beets, pita croutons, pistachios, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, honey music and your choice of chicken, salmon or shrimp.
Visit: 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100
Order: Their kale salad (napa cabbage, orange, peanuts, crispy shallots, ginger-sesame dressing) is on both their dine-in and take-out menu.
Visit: 2823 Selwyn Ave., 4331 Barclay Downs Dr., 121 W. Trade St., 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts
Order: Berry salad: Arugula, strawberries, blueberries, dried cranberries, cucumber, candied pecans, and goat cheese with red wine vinaigrette.
Visit: 127 N Tryon St.
Order: For a fresh take on an first course, try the local stone fruit and beet salad: marinated baby beets, peaches, apricot, avocado, plums, yogurt and toasted pine nuts.
Visit: Optimist Hall (1115 N Brevard St.)
Order: A lunchtime favorite is the farmer’s daughter grain bowl (brown rice + kale or spinach, chicken, apple, sweet potato, spiced almonds dressing: balsamic dijon and roasted carrot vinaigrette.)
Visit: 300 East Blvd
Order: Seared Ahi Tuna – Organic Greens, Avocado, Fried Wontons, Seared Rice Cake, Sesame Dressing, Wasabi, Shoyu.
Visit: 601 S Kings Dr A
Order: Grilled salmon and arugula salad – Grilled salmon filet, grilled zucchini, fresh arugula, capers, artichokes, bruschetta tomatoes in a Kalamata olive vinaigrette.
Visit: 100 N Tryon St.
Order: Panzanella Salad: Heirloom Tomatoes, Olives, Red Onions, Cucumbers, Feta, Focaccia Croutons, Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Visit: 4201 Congress St #190
Order: Thai Chicken Salad – mixed cabbages, cucumbers, edamame, Lime Cilantro vinaigrette, drizzled with Thai Peanut dressing.
Visit: 10620 Providence Rd., 2230 Park Rd. (Charlotte)
Order: Caprese: Arugula, Buffalo Mozzarella, Sliced Tomato, Fresh Basil, Sea Salt, Balsamic Glaze.
Visit: 1100 Metropolitan Ave #125
Order: G’s House Salad: Mixed greens, goat cheese, apple caramelized onions, candied walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette. Open for dine-in and curbside pick-up Tuesday – Saturday, 5-9pm.
Visit: 4127 Park Rd.
Order: The season calls for the Summer Anson Mills Farro Salad: Sweet Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Vidalia Onions & Whipped Feta.
Duckworth’s Kitchen & Taphouse
Visit: 14015 Conlan Circle, 9805-D Sandy Rock Place, 16609 Statesville Road, 560 River Highway
Order: Blackened Salmon Salad – Scottish salmon lightly blackened and drizzled with a sweet chili sauce served atop greens, charred corn, edamame, quinoa, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, green onion, and chipotle ranch
Visit: 3920 Sharon Road, Suite 160
Order: Summer calls for the strawberry gazpacho and crab salad from this SouthPark hotspot.
Where: 1608 East Blvd., Charlotte
Order: Super grains and avocado: greens, quinoa, fennel, pistachios, cilantro yogurt, oranges, lemon vinaigrette. Try it with shrimp.
Visit: 4905 Barclay Downs Drive
Order: Ceasar salad: romaine, roasted olive tapenade, croutons, parmesan, Caesar dressing.
Visit: 4521 Sharon Rd.
Order: Broiled Faroe Island Salmon Salad: Faroe Island Salmon on mixed greens with toasted quinoa, zucchini, dried tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red peppers and barolo dressing.
Visit: 4125 Park Rd., 9844 Rea Rd., 8022 Providence Rd.
Order: Mexican Caesar: FreeBird grilled chicken, cotija cheese, jalapeno peppers, tortilla chips and romaine lettuce with Mexican Caesar dressing.
Visit: Various locations around the Charlotte area
Order: While the quinoa stuffed avacode is a crowd pleaser, we’re also fans of the limeña chopped salad with Kale Romaine Mix, Solterito (Peruvian Corn, Edamame, Queso Fresco), Bacon, Crispy Chickpeas, Aji Amarillo Ranch Dressing.
Visit: 2000 South Blvd #300 and 4521 Sharon Road Suite 175
Order: Summer salad: choice of spinach or mixed greens, avocado, strawberries, blueberries, candied pecans, mushrooms, with a creamy bacon vinaigrette.
Visit: 1419 East Blvd.
Order: Green goddess salad: mixed greens. radish. cucumber. zucchini. broccoli. cashews. avocado dressing. vegan or dairy feta.
Visit: 7416 Waverly Walk Avenue and 4201 Park Rd D
Order: Try the green papaya salad (green papaya, cabbage, carrots, jalapeño, peanuts, thai basil, sweet lime vinaigrette) or opt for the bun Tao (vermicelli, lettuce, pickled carrots, bean sprouts, pork & crab spring roll, cilantro, nuoc cham dressing.)
Visit: 235 West Tremont Avenue Suite 101 and 2001 E 7th St.
Order: Take your burger in a bowl. Add your choice of beef, chicken, black bean or salmon burger to mixed greens, bacon, tomato, red onion, guacamole, egg, sweet potato and dressing.
Visit: 1600 W Morehead St
Order: Tahini Salad: Four traditional falafel cakes on a bed of mixed greens, topped with red onion, cucumber, feta cheese, tomato, pepperoncini & toasted sesame seeds – with tahini dressing or garlic-parsley.
Visit: Multiple locations in Dilworth, Ballantyne and around the Lake
Order: Mexican chicken salad: Romaine lettuce, 6 oz. buttermilk fried chicken, cilantro, red onion, tomato, black beans, corn, and tortilla strips tossed in chipotle ranch.
Halcyon Flavors from the Earth
Visit: 500 S Tryon St.
Order: The farmer’s salad is on both their lunch and dinner ad-hoc menus currently. Lunch option: aged white cheddar. heirloom tomatoes, marinated cucumbers, red onion, radish, hard boiled eggs, crushed brown-butter crackers. Choice of mustard vinaigrette roasted garlic buttermilk dressing. Add shrimp or chicken.
Visit: 201 S Tryon St #101
Order: Insalata Reef’n Beef: Beef fillet and shrimp on mixed leaf salad and grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, green onions with parmesan cheese. Recommended with our arugula-mustard dressing.
Craft Growler Shop and Tasting Room
Visit: 1320 S Church St.
Order: Grab a beer, cider or glass of wine to pair with their newest salad with Arugula, Apple, Strawberry, Pecan, Citrus Vinaigrette.
Visit: 6705 Phillips Place Court
Order: Jumbo Crab Over Grilled Romaine Hearts: roasted red and yellow peppers, goat cheese, caramelized walnuts, and charred lemon vinaigrette. Available at lunch only.
Visit: 3920 Sharon Rd.
Order: Grilled shrimp and strawberry salad: Mixed greens, goat cheese, jicama, spiced pecans, balsamic vinaigrette.
Visit: Various locations
Order: Make your own from your choice of greens, spreads, proteins and fresh toppings. Don’t forget the sauces!
Visit: 5011 South Blvd., Charlotte
Order: Village Salad: tomato, onion, cucumber, feta, bell pepper, peperoncino, olives. Try adding grilled chicken.
SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN
Visit: 14825 Ballantyne Village Way
Order: Harvest kale salad: Brussels sprouts, squash, cheddar, beets, chickpeas, pepitas, balsamic vinaigrette.
Visit: 7828-E Rea Rd.
Order: Caprese salad: fresh tomatoes, basil pesto, balsamic glaze, fresh mozzarella
Visit: 15105-F John Delaney Dr., Charlotte
Order: Buffalo Caulipower – romaine, buffalo cauliflower, roasted chicken, shredded carrots, bleu cheese, buttermilk dressing, Red Clay Hot Sauce
Visit: 7800 Rea Rd A
Order: Yum Kung salad: Shrimp mixed with cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, mint, cilantro, scallions, chili powder, lemon juice and fish sauce. Served on a bed of Romaine lettuce.
Visit: 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy
Order: Fried chicken strawberry and broccoli salad: Goat Cheese, Charred Avocado, Chickpeas, Gallery Spice, Black Garlic Vinaigrette.
Visit: 2000 Hwy 160 West, Fort Mill
Scoop reader’s pick: California chopped salad with field greens, avocado, tomatos, cucumber, red onion, gorgonzola cheese and fried onions.
Southern Salads and Sandwich Company
Visit:2000 Hwy 160 W., Fort Mill
Scoop reader’s pick: The opportunities are endless at Southern Salads and Sandwich Company, where you can add scoops of their homemade BBQ or pimento cheese to any salad. Our pick is the harvest salad with sliced apple, craisins, grapes, chopped pecans with shrimp and raspberry vinaigrette.
NORTH SIDE OF TOWN & LKN
Visit: 20210 Henderson Rd., Cornelius
Order: Citrus Crab Louie: egg, dill, breadcrumb.
Visit: 130 Landings Dr., Mooresville
Order: Brussel sprout salad: smoked almonds, bacon, dried blueberries, Manchego cheese, lemon vinaigrette. Add grilled chicken, Atlantic grilled salmon, or chicken fried oysters.
Visit: 416 S Main St., Davidson
Order: Build your own or try the fan-favorite The Brulé: Boneless Grilled Chicken, Grilled Corn, Grilled Slaw, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Black Beans, Tickled Pink Onions, Fire Cracker Pimento Cheese.
Visit: 17830 Statesville Rd., Cornelius
Order: The Thai steak salad: marinated tenderloin tips, Asian noodles, peanuts, cabbage, grape tomatoes, mint, fresh avocado and mango.
Visit: 215 South Main Street, Davidson
Order: Kale & quinoa salad: candied walnuts, red onion, pecorino green apple, honey vinaigrette. Try it with salmon.
Visit: 19918 North Cove Rd., Cornelius
Order: The Kale caesar with grilled chicken – simplicity at its best with kale, parmesan, chicken and a homemade dressing.
