Summer is here and short of ice cream, there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a fresh, crisp salad. Whether you swing by on your break or enjoy a leisurely lunch with a view, we’ve got you covered on what to order at our favorite Charlotte salad spots. No matter what your pleasure or your neighborhood, we’ve got the greenery.
Did we miss one of your favorites for Best Salads In Charlotte? Our taste-testing forks are always ready. Please let us know where we should grab our next bowl of greens in the comments.
New to the CLT scene
Not to worry, these recently opened restaurants brought their salad game.
Visit: 7417 Waverly Walk Avenue
Order: Heirloom tomato & charred melon salad. Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese, balsamic, lemon and basil.
Visit: 4777 Sharon Rd Suite 125
Order: Burrata salad. Mixed local greens, strawberries, pickled blueberries, biscuit crumble, brown butter orange vinaigrette.
Visit: 7404 Waverly Walk Ave
Order: Balsamic Blue Steak salad. Certified Angus® beef sirloin, organic spring mix, iceberg, romaine, cucumber, blue cheese, bacon, vine-ripened tomato, balsamic reduction and onion straws.
Visit: 1523 Elizabeth Ave
Order: Insalata carbonara salad. Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, spinach, pancetta lardons, & Pecorino tossed in an emulsion of buttermilk, egg yolk, black pepperand parmesan.
Visit: 1500 E 3rd St
Order: Caprese salad. Spinach, mozzarella di bufala, Vesuvian cherry tomatoes and basil.
Visit: 36 N Main St, Belmont
Order: Spring salad with fired chicken add-on. Locally Grown Mixed Greens, Candied Pecans, Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, Crispy Shallots and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette.
Known for greens
Who knew there were so many types of salads? Try them all at these spots with menus brimming with green.
Visit: 4125 Park Rd
Order: Mexican Caesar: FreeBird grilled chicken, cotija cheese, jalapeno peppers, tortilla chips and romaine lettuce with Mexican Caesar dressing.
Visit: 2000 South Blvd #300 and 4521 Sharon Road Suite 175
Order: Rawco Taco salad. Slices of avocado, pico de gallo, meaty walnut‐almond crumbles and cashew sour cream atop a bed of organic lettuce. Served with hot sauce and raw, herbed veggie triangles.
Visit: Multiple locations
Order: Build your own salad with a variety of their fresh toppings and plenty of delicious dressing to choose from. Not feeling overly creative? Go for the F.C.N Salad: Fruit, Cheese, & Nuts: Mixed Greens, Apple, Pear, Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Craisins, Lemon Vinaigrette
Visit: 1419 East Blvd.
Order: Strawberry and fig salad. Mixed lettuce with red wine and thyme cooked figs. Topped with strawberries, candied walnuts and a choice of goat cheese or avocado in a lemon vinaigrette.
Visit: 274 S. Sharon Amity Rd
Order: The Kale Cobb: Massaged kale with tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, bleu cheese, pecan wood bacon, hard boiled egg and pickled red onions with vegan coconut milk ranch.
Visit: Multiple locations in Uptown, Dilworth and Ballantyne
Order: Cajun Crunch salad. Crisp romaine lettuce, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar jack cheese, toasted pecans, and all natural Cajun chicken breast with honey mustard dressing.
Unexpected greens
Cheese fries and hot dogs may be on the menu, but these salads are the undercover heroes at these restaurants known for indulgences.
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 South End, Matthews, Steele Creek and the Lake
Order: The Thunderbird Salad. Mixed sweet greens, shoepeg corn, applewood smoked bacon, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, fried onions with a BBQ buttermilk ranch dressing (Perfect with BBQ chicken).
Visit: Multiple locations in Dilworth, Ballantyne and around the Lake
Order: “Cue” The Chicken Salad. Romaine lettuce, red cabbage, pulled BBQ chicken,Roma tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, avocado, spicy corn slaw, cilantro and topped with crispy onion straws and of course, the BBQ Ranch dressing.
Visit: 1750 Camden Rd #112
Order: Tomato and mozzarella salad. Wild baby arugula, romaine, grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, red peppers & pesto vinaigrette.
Visit: 15105 John J Delaney Dr. and 1514 East Blvd.
Order: Sonoran Salad. Mixed Greens, Borracho Beans, Shredded Cheese, Salsa, Red Onion, Tortilla Strips with Ranch.
Tried & true staples
There are no surprise names on this list. Here’s what to order at Charlotte’s go-to eateries when you’re craving greens:
Reid’s Fine Foods (pictured)
Visit: 2823 Selwyn Ave and 4331 Barclay Downs Dr.
Order: Kale & Brussels with Blueberries, Golden Raisins, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Pickled Red Onions and Poppy Seed Vinaigrette. Add grilled salmon, shrimp or chicken.
Just in time for summer, look out for two new salads in early July. A seasonal update on this salad features strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, goat cheese and candied almonds. Plus, they are adding a grilled watermelon salad with arugula, feta cheese and toasted pine nuts.
Visit: 1100 Metropolitan Ave #100
Order: Summer Bibb salad. Arugula, pickled strawberry, pecans, smoked gorgonzola, honey vinaigrette. Try it with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Visit: 2839 Selwyn Ave
Order: The NK Salad. Mesclun greens, herbed goat cheese, granny smith apple, red onion, spiced pecans, tart cherry vinaigrette.
Scoop reader’s pick: The Kale salad with roasted beets, croutons, toasted pistachios, grape tomatoes, herbed goat cheese, honey sumac dressing.
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, chopped tomatoes in a sweet herb vinaigrette.
Visit: 4201 Congress St #190
Order: Asian Glazed Shrimp Noodle Salad. Soba noodles, mixed cabbages, peppers, snow peas, carrots, onions with Lime Cilantro vinaigrette, peanuts and cilantro.
Visit: 1100 Metropolitan Ave #125
Order: G’s House Salad. Mixed greens, goat cheese, apple caramelized onions, candied walnuts, balsamic 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 tried onions.
Ballantyne lunchers
Whether stepping out of the office for lunch or meeting the girls on the weekend, you need to know what to order when dining in the 28277.
Visit: 3429 Toringdon Way #104
Order: South Beach: Avocado, Beet, Blueberry, Hempo, Kaleo, Parsley, Pistachio, Spinacho, Feta, Mediterranean Pomegranate Sauce.
Visit: 14825 Ballantyne Village Way
Order: Summer berry salad. Baby spinach, strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese, figs, candied walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette.
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: Mizuna Salad. Blueberry kombucha vinaigrette, smoked goat cheese, mixed spring berries.
Visit: 14815 Ballantyne Village Way Suite 150
Order: Grilled chicken cobb salad. Field Greens, cucumbers, tomatoes onion, Gorgonzola crumbles, hardboiled egg, avocado, smoked bacon, grilled chicken breast.
Visit: 14835 Ballantyne Village Way
Order: Quinoa Tabbouleh. Finely diced onions, celery, cucumber, tomato, basil, bell pepper, mint, parsley, feta cheese, cumin lemon vinaigrette.
Visit: 13735 Conlan Cir
Order: Spinach, Watermelon and Mint Salad. Seedless watermelon, spinach, mint, red onion, chopped candied walnuts, apple cider vinaigrette.
Uptown walkables
It’s amazing what a superfood-packed bowl of goodness can do to fuel the rest of your busy day. With these options for lunch, you’ll be unstoppable at home or at the office.
Visit: 601 S College St
Order: Spring Salad. Pickled Strawberries, Country Ham, Almonds, Local Goat Cheese & Champagne Dressing.
Halcyon Flavors from the Earth
Visit: 500 S Tryon St
Order: Crab & Asparagus Salad. LA Crab. Maitake Mushrooms. Pancetta. Toasted Olive Oil Bread. Poached egg. Hollandaise.
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.
Visit: 201 S College St
Order: Curried chicken salad. Red Grapes, Endive, Pecans and Fresh Tarragon with Baby Greens.
Visit: 401 North Tryon St
Order: Kale chicken Ceasar. Baby Kale, Tomatoes, Croutons, Grated Parmesan, Bacon, Grilled Chicken, Caesar Dressing.
Visit: 222 S Tryon St
Order: Chilled shellfish salad. Tender jumbo shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat, dressed in fresh-squeezed lemon and olive oil and served on a bed of mixed greens, tomatoes and diced peppers.
Visit: 200 S College St
Order: Metaboost salad. Spinach, kale & field greens, goat cheese, mango, almonds, carrots, edamame, balsamic vinaigrette.
Visit: 150 N College St
Order: Salad with scallops, avocado, corn, buttermilk-lime dressing.
Visit: 435 S Tryon St #100
Order: Thai Beef Salad. Cucumber, Shitake mushrooms and Tomato with Thai Chili Vinaigrette.
Visit: 224 E 7th St
Order: Greek salad. Onion, tomatoes, olives, Feta, pepperoncini, Greek dressing. Try it with the smoked salmon add-on.
South Park eateries
Take note of these nearby spots to grab a salad mid-meeting or mid-shopping spree.
Visit: 4905 Ashley Park Ln J
Order: Blueberry salad (served for lunch Friday & Saturday only) with broccoli, goat cheese, marcona almonds, scallion vinaigrette. Suggested pairing: a dry, crisp Grüner Veltliner or Dry, Riesling.
Visit: 6706 Phillips Pl Ct
Order: NC Apple Salad. Buttermilk blue cheese, frisee, arugula, radicchio, candied walnuts, sherry vinaigrette.
Visit: 4625 Piedmont Row Dr
Order: Watermelon and Cucumber Salad: toasted pistacios, whipped herb goat cheese, panchetta vinegrette, watermelon and cucumber tartare.
Visit: 6705 Phillips Place Court
Order: Nova Scotia Lobster Salad. Baby greens, tomatoes, onions and avocado in a cilantro lime vinaigrette.
Visit: 4310 Sharon Road
Order: Chinese Chicken Saled. Grilled all natural chicken, mixed greens, Asian slaw, snow peas, red peppers, cilantro, green onion, tangerines, peanuts, carrot & beet curls, crispy noodles, crispy wontons with peanut ranch vinaigrette.
Visit: 3920 Sharon Rd
Order: Grilled shrimp and strawberry salad: Mixed greens, goat cheese, jicama, spiced pecans, balsamic vinaigrette.
Visit: 720 Gov Morrison St #120
Order: Sharon’s Salad. Baby spinach, kale, quinoa salad, tabouleh, beets, goat cheese and mint vinaigrette.
