New Orleans is a foodie's dream! We've got hundreds of years
of culinary traditions totally unique to our city. Visitors from all over the
world specifically travel here just to get a taste of it. Most of our delicacies
are full of flavor, and sometimes they can be a little bit heavy on the
stomach. That's especially true if you've been eating traditional New Orleans fare
for days on end. There's nothing wrong with wanting to eat less meat or go meatless for a meal.
Sometimes you just need something a little lighter. Salads are a great way to eat your greens and give your body a break from too much butter and oil. The following restaurants have some of the best salads in the city that aren't light on flavor. Lettuce eat and enjoy these satisfying salads!
The Best Salads in New Orleans
1. Salad Station
618 Magazine St., (504) 354-8503
thesaladstation.com
This spot lets you create your own salad for your perfect bowl. With over 100 toppings to choose from, including an assortment of crisp greens, savory proteins, and zesty dressings, the possibilities are truly limitless. The best part? You pay by the pound, giving you complete control over your portion size and budget.
Beyond the traditional salad bar, Salad Station elevates your dining experience with a rotating selection of hearty soups and delectable hot side items. Whether you're in the mood for a light, refreshing mix or a substantial, protein-packed creation, this salad paradise caters to all tastes and dietary preferences.
2. City Greens
Multiple Locations
eatcitygreens.com
City Greens, a locally-owned and operated green eatery, has blossomed into a beloved New Orleans institution with three thriving locations. The green eatery City Greens has two locations, one of which is in New Orleans in the heart of the CBD (909 Poydras St.).
Try their Beet Street Salad, which artfully combines mixed greens and romaine with sous-vide beets, carrots, and goat cheese, all topped with honey-roasted walnuts and a zesty lemon basil vinaigrette. For those craving a heartier option, the Thai Peanut Chicken Wrap stands out, featuring a harmonious blend of roasted chicken, aromatic herbs, crisp vegetables, and a spicy Thai peanut sauce that packs a flavorful punch.
3. St. James Cheese Company
Multiple Locations
stjamescheese.com
St. James Cheese Co., with its charming locations in Uptown (5004 Prytania St.) and the Warehouse District (641 Tchoupitoulas St.), has carved out a niche as more than just a cheese lover's paradise. While renowned for their exquisite sandwiches and charcuterie, their salad offerings are a hidden gem that deserves the spotlight. These salads are not your average greens; they are hearty, indulgent creations that showcase the versatility and richness of fine cheeses, promising to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Among their standout offerings, the Manchego Salad is a testament to simplicity and flavor harmony. It artfully combines the nutty, slightly sweet Manchego cheese with peppery arugula, crisp sliced pears, and crunchy almonds, all brought together by a house-made quince vinaigrette that adds a touch of fruity sweetness.
4. Good Bird
5041 Freret St., (504) 516-2307
goodbirdnola.com
Good Bird may be renowned for its mouthwatering fried chicken sandwiches, but this New Orleans hotspot offers much more than just poultry perfection. Their menu boasts a delightful array of options, with hearty salads that cater to various tastes. Don't miss out on their refreshing salad options that perfectly complement their famous chicken offerings. The Cobb Salad is a standout, featuring crisp mixed greens topped with grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, hard-boiled egg, and blue cheese crumbles, all drizzled with their house-made ranch dressing.
For those seeking a lighter fare, the Grilled Chicken Salad is a delightful choice. It combines tender grilled chicken breast with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onions, finished with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Good Bird also offers a vegetarian-friendly option with their Garden Salad, packed with seasonal vegetables and topped with a choice of their signature dressings.
5. The Daily Beet
Multiple Locations
thedailybeetnola.com
The Daily Beet is health and wellness forward, but you don't necessarily have to be the healthiest eater to enjoy their food and beverages. You can check out the CBD (1000 Girod St.) and Uptown (3300 Magazine St.) locations to see what they've got cooking or order on their website for easy pick-up or delivery to certain areas.
Among the sweet and savory bowls and extensive juice options, you'll find the awesome salad section. The Mexicali Blues Salad is one of a kind: romaine lettuce, spring mix, avocado, black beans, corn, tomato, red onion, cilantro, corn chips, and Cotija cheese with jalapeno lime vinaigrette. This salad is Eat Fit-certified to boot!
6. Tartine
7217 Perrier St., (504) 866-4860
tartineperrier.com
Tartine happily serves breakfast and lunch daily to their loyal customers. People can't get enough of the breakfast bagels, lunchtime sandwiches, and incomparable tartines. Though the menu is fairly small, the salads take up a large part of it. There are six fantastic salads regularly on the menu and a soup of the day that will certainly complement at least one of them.
Try the Roasted Shrimp Salad that is drizzled with pistou vinaigrette and served with seasonal vegetables. Or maybe you'll like the stomach-satisfying Steak Salad with grilled vegetables, piquillo peppers, croutons, and creamy vinaigrette?
7. Carmo
527 Julia St., (504) 875-4132
cafecarmo.com
This Warehouse District restaurant has several cultures represented on its menu. There's a little bit of the Caribbean, some South American, influences from West Africa, and flavors of Southeast Asia. Of course, there's also some Gulf South for the local twist. Carmo masterfully blends of all these together for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
While you won't want to miss out on the ceviche or sashimi, the salads are a fantastic complement to the fish dishes. Try the Burmese Tea Leaf Salad for a rich mouthfeel or try the Gulf Tuna Salad that features house-smoked local tuna before the restaurant officially closes at the end of 2024.
8. The Milk Bar
710 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 309-3310
themilkbarneworleans.com
This adorable family-owned restaurant serves lunch from Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you'll have to make time to get down here if you want to try it out! While most of their menu consists of great sandwiches, the salad section is huge. All of the options are made fresh to order, but quick enough to get you back to the office.
Just some of the salad offerings are the Mediterranean Lamb Salad, the Bangkok Shrimp Salad, and the Roasted Sweet Potato & Blue Cheese Salad. The Peanut Satay Chicken Salad is a show-stopper with romaine lettuce, warm satay chicken, red pepper, cucumber, carrot, red onion, cabbage, cilantro, and honey mustard vinaigrette.
9. True Food Kitchen
801 St. Charles Ave., (504) 558-3900
truefoodkitchen.com/locations/neworleans
True Food Kitchen is a perfect spot to get a quick, healthy lunch for anyone who works in the Warehouse District or CBD. But it's a spot for anyone who wants a health-conscious meal at a good price. The salads and bowls are so fresh you'll feel like it was just picked. You can also ask about making your selection vegan to be totally plant based, vegetarian, keto, or paleo.
The Tuscan Kale Salad is a simple and elegant blend of organic kale, lemon juice, garlic, parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs. The Chopped Salad is a colorful mix of medjool dates, dried cranberries, jicama, organic apples, Manchego cheese, farro, marcona almonds, and champagne vinaigrette.
10. Salads Galore & More
7011 Read Blvd., (504) 240-6552
saladsgalorenola.com
Salads Galore NOLA is the ultimate destination for salad enthusiasts in the heart of New Orleans. This vibrant eatery caters to both locals and tourists looking for a refreshing, healthy meal without compromising on flavor. With fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, Salads Galore NOLA allows you to create your perfect salad masterpiece. From crisp leafy greens to an array of colorful vegetables, proteins, and house-made dressings, every bowl is a celebration of wholesome goodness.
What sets Salads Galore NOLA apart is their commitment to dietary inclusivity. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, following a keto or paleo diet, or simply looking for a nutritious meal, their knowledgeable staff can guide you to create a salad that meets your needs. Don't miss their signature Cajun Shrimp Salad, a local favorite that perfectly balances the zesty flavors of the Gulf with fresh, crisp vegetables.
Where To Get A Good Salad In New Orleans
These big salads are light on the stomach but still very
filling and satisfying. They're crunchy, savory, colorful, and more. And with
all of these options, you could eat a salad for a meal regularly and never get
tired of it. You can also look at our vegetarian guide to New Orleans to see even more salad options.
There are so many great benefits to eating salads regularly, and it would be a shame to miss out on these. Do you know of a great local salad that we didn't list? Let us know where we can find it!
