If one of your new year’s resolutions for 2024 is to eat healthier ~ and who’s isn’t ~ you know that a great salad can be one of your best choices. It’s a common misconception that a veggie-packed bowl has to be basic and boring, but that isn’t the case at all for the salads on this list. We’ve gathered our favorite salads around Charlotte — from unique flavors like roasted root vegetables to classics like caesar — so everyone can find all the salads to love this year.
CU Caesar Salad at Church and Union
127 N Tryon St #8
You can’t go wrong with a classic caesar salad, and Church and Union has an elevated version that is simply delicious. The CU Caesar is made with hearts of romaine, buttery croutons, parmesan, radish, sweet drop peppers and a boiled egg, this caesar is what salad dreams are made of — yum! We’re also partial to their Southern Salad with avocado, corn, tomato, pickled red onion, croutons, cotija, creamy poblano dressing.
Seafood Salad at Chapter 6
2151 Hawkins St
If you love seafood, why not eat it in salad form? This Mediterranean-inspired salad contains octopus, shrimp, shallots, herbs, Calabrian chilis, EVOO, sourdough and lemon for the perfect seafood meal.
Salade Royal Niçoise at La Belle Helene
300 S Tryon St Suite 100
This salad — packed with herb crusted tuna, farro, quinoa, avocado, olives, egg, local greens, and a miso vinaigrette — is sure to be equally tasty and satisfying. Pop in to La Belle Helene for this salad as a workday lunch, or order it on a date night out. Or add one of their classic bistro salads to any meal ~ the Frisée Salad with Frisée & Mixed Greens, Dijon Vinaigrette, Lardon, Buttery Crouton or the Arugula Salade with Marinated Beets, Chèvre, Pickled Fennel, Champagne Vinaigrette.
BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad at Rusty Bucket
4810 Ashley Park Ln
If you’re looking for a salad that will fill you up and keep you satisfied, look no further than the BBQ chopped chicken salad at the Rusty Bucket. This salad comes with BBQ glazed chicken, greens, black bean and corn salsa, tomato, pepper jack cheese, tortilla strips and a cilantro ranch.
Blackened Salmon Salad at Duckworth’s
Multiple Locations
Salmon lovers will go crazy for the blackened salmon salad at Duckworth’s. This salad features an 8oz salmon, lightly blackened and drizzled with a sweet chili sauce, served atop a bed of mixed greens ribboned with charred corn, edamame, quinoa, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a pinch of green onions; served with a side of chipotle ranch.
Chopped Chicken Salad at Culinary Dropout
1120 S Tryon St #100
The chopped chicken salad at Culinary Dropout is delicious and filing. It comes with avocado, bacon, heirloom tomato, white cheddar, deviled egg, lettuce, and a bacon BBQ ranch dressing that is simply can’t be beat.
Brussels Sprouts & Mixed Greens Salad at Link & Pin
155 New Bern St
Both airy and refreshing, the brussels sprouts and mixed greens salad at Link & Pin is the perfect light lunch or dinner. It’s made with sliced brussels, mixed greens, tomato, avocado, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, pomegranate seeds and a green goddess dressing. If you want something a bit more classic, you can’t go wrong with their wedge salad or chopped kale salads either.
Local Lettuce Salad at Customshop
1601 Elizabeth Ave
The local lettuce salad at Customshop is not your average salad. This dish changes with the seasons to bring customers the absolute freshest ingredients all year long. Currently, this salad features lunchbox pepper, radish, green goddess, parmesan, and pistachio.
Roasted Root Vegetable Salad at Napa Restaurants
110 Perrin Pl & 1310 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill
The roasted root vegetable salad, available at both Napa on Providence and Napa at Kingsley, is a filling and nutritious salad. It has house-made herbed labneh, honey, arugala, and a sherry vinaigrette. We also love the Napa salad with artisanal lettuce blend, granny smith apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, feta, and a mustard maple vinaigrette.
Mexi-Cali Caesar at Eight + Sand
135 New Bern Street Retail A
This salad consists of romaine lettuce, kale, corn, avocado, house made croutons, cotija cheese and a cajun caesar dressing. Pro tip: add crispy fried chicken to this salad for the perfect meal.
Twenty-Five Dollar Complete Salad at 800° Carolinas
6815 Phillips Pl Ct
The twenty-five dollar complete salad at 800° Carolinas is true to its name — this salad has everything! Quinoa tabbouleh, tuscan kale, garbanzo beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and lemon tahini make up this salad. Plus, it comes with your choice of protein (either wood fired salmon, shrimp, or roasted chicken).
Kale Salad at Restaurant Constance
2200 Thrift Rd
Sometimes you just can’t beat the classics and Restaurant Constance delivers on a killer kale salad. This salad is packed with kale, parsnip fondue, pears, candied pecans, sweet potato croutons, pear relish brie, and a white balsamic vinaigrette.
Harvest Salad at Salted Melon Market & Eatery
100 W Worthington Ave Suite 107
The harvest salad at Salted Melon is perfect for the colder months, but you’re sure to be craving these festive ingredients all year long. This delicious salad is made with artisan greens, sweet potatoes, sliced pears, cranberries, pecans, feta, and a pear vinaigrette.
Fixin’ to Chicken at Midwood Smokehouse
Multiple Locations
With romaine lettuce, pulled BBQ chicken, chopped tomatoes, black beans, red onion, avocado, corn, cilantro, tortilla strips and chipotle ranch, this dish at Midwood Smokehouse includes all of the BBQ flavors we know and love, but in salad form.
Caesar Salad at Fern, Flavors from the Garden
1419 East Blvd, A
This all-vegan and vegetarian restaurant in South End has a unique take on the caesar salad that will make your mouth water. Fern’s caesar salad features your choice of fried oysters, mushrooms, or marinated tofu, with local mixed greens, croutons, grape tomatoes, shaved local radish, and parmesan.
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. You can find more of her Charlotte-related content on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
