clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A salad in a plastic green container.
A salad from Baby Greens.
Baby Greens/Facebook

18 Truly Amazing Salads in Austin

Leafy greens and bright vegetables

View as Map
A salad from Baby Greens.
| Baby Greens/Facebook

There is nothing better than a truly great salad that highlights the best and freshest produce and ingredients that Austin has to offer. Bring on the leafy greens, bright vegetables, juicy citruses, crunchy nuts, and all sorts of zingy dressings.

Here are Eater’s picks for the best salad destinations in Austin. These are no sad salad bar concoctions with mealy tomatoes and gloppy ranch dressing, though. Instead, these are complete meals bursting with lean protein, seasonal produce, and just the right amount of decadence.

Find great and filling salad concoctions from Kerbey Lane Cafe, nicoise salad at Hopfields, beloved drive-thru salad spot Baby Greens, New Mexico import Vinaigrette, kale wonders at Cafe No Se, seasonal ones at Better Half, and others.

As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurant themselves.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Interstellar BBQ

Copy Link

To balance out all of the barbecue, opt for the bright and lively tomato and zucchini salad at Interstellar BBQ, from the folks behind now-closed Noble Sandwich Co. Indoor and outdoor seating are available.

A deli container of cut-up tomatoes, zucchini, and red onions.
The tomato and zucchini salad at Interstellar BBQ.
Interstellar BBQ

Baby Greens

Copy Link

Taste all the colors with Baby Greens’s salad, the Rainbow, which brings together leafy greens, avocado, cucumbers, red cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin seeds, and feta cheese. Pickup orders can be placed online or through the drive-thru.

Someone holding up a salad with sectioned-off portions of vegetables in a plastic container.
The Rainbow salad at Baby Greens.
Baby Greens/Facebook

Little Deli & Pizzeria

Copy Link

Round out the (excellent) New York-style pizza by grabbing Little Deli’s chef salad, a protein-rich dish with shredded ham, turkey, half a boiled egg, and olive tapenade. To-go orders can be placed in person or over the phone. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Bufalina Due

Copy Link

A perfect Caesar salad can be found at the Neapolitan pizzeria. Adding boquerones (cured anchovies) is highly recommended. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Revelry on the Boulevard

Copy Link

Wedge salad fans can find a great version at the neighborhood restaurant. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A salad with greens, white sauce, crumbled white cheese, and brown nuts on a black plate.
The wedge salad at Revelry on the Boulevard
Revelry on the Boulevard/Facebook

Honest Mary's

Copy Link

The bowl-centric fast-casual spot offers up build-your-own salad options, with spinach and/or arugula, plus proteins, vegetables, seeds, etc. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The Steeping Room

Copy Link

People who lunch know that Steeping Room’s crustless tea sandwiches go best with a side of cashew caesar salad. Or just get the entree size. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A plate of a side salad with greens and cashews with a bowl of soup.
Soup and salad at the Steeping Room.
The Steeping Room/Facebook

Spread & Co.

Copy Link

The salads at the cheese and charcuterie board restaurant aren’t to be missed, like the Lawful Beet made with beet falafels or the baby green salad with fruit. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Kerbey Lane Café

Copy Link

The salads at the Austin diner chain are really great, including the hearty Nabil’s Mid-East Feast, with feta, olives, and tabouli. Takeout orders can be placed online and there are DoorDash deliveries. The restaurants are open for dine-in services.

A salad with greens, sliced chicken, sliced hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, and more.
Nabil’s Mid-East Feast at Kerbey Lane
Kerbey Lane/Facebook

Hopfields

Copy Link

Lunch is fancy yet simple with the gastropub’s nicoise salad, with slices of tuna atop sturdy butter lettuce, and fingerling potatoes. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Hopfields’ nicoise salad
Hopfields’ nicoise salad
Hopfields [Official]

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

Copy Link

The seasonal salad at Better Half is an exquisite one. The current rendition is made up of curry-roasted squash, crunchy watermelon radish, and greens. For more protein, add the restaurant’s pulled fried chicken or steak, both of which are also excellent. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Koriente

Copy Link

There are plenty of flavorful salad options at the downtown Asian fusion spot, from the simple garden salad with a mess of vegetables to the lemon-pepper-papaya salad. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone, and there are third-party deliveries.

The Well

Copy Link

A newer addition to the downtown scene, the restaurant focuses on a menu that is gluten-, soy-, and refined sugar-free. For salads, this means a vegan Caesar or roasted beets paired with tahini, or kale with lentils, dates, and pistachios. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Bento Picnic

Copy Link

The salad selection at the casual restaurant is excellent, packed with lots of vegetables. There’s a roasted cremini mushroom salad paired with Japanese pickles, the seaweed salad with toasted sesame, the kabocha potato salad, and more. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Cafe No Sé

Copy Link

The entire menu here is mostly simple, but the shredded kale salad is a standout, with crunchy puffed rice and tiny cauliflower pieces. A tangy vinaigrette gives it a kicky finish. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Bouldin Creek Café

Copy Link

Kick it raw with the Tarzen’s Big Salad at this South Austin vegan paradise, or any of the other salads. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Jack Allen's Kitchen

Copy Link

Go big — really big — with Jack Allen’s Country Club Fancy Chicken Salad, with achiote grilled chicken, figs, pears, and spicy walnuts. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A salad at Jack Allen’s Kitchen
A salad at Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Kenny Braun

Vinaigrette

Copy Link

It’s a salad wonderland at the New Mexico import, where the leafy bowls are divided up by flavor like sweet, savory, and more. Add-ons range from simple (lemon-herb chicken, cilantro-lime shrimp) to fun (grilled-marinated artichokes). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A salad at Vinaigrette
A salad at Vinaigrette
Vinaigrette/Facebook

Interstellar BBQ

To balance out all of the barbecue, opt for the bright and lively tomato and zucchini salad at Interstellar BBQ, from the folks behind now-closed Noble Sandwich Co. Indoor and outdoor seating are available.

A deli container of cut-up tomatoes, zucchini, and red onions.
The tomato and zucchini salad at Interstellar BBQ.
Interstellar BBQ

Baby Greens

Taste all the colors with Baby Greens’s salad, the Rainbow, which brings together leafy greens, avocado, cucumbers, red cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin seeds, and feta cheese. Pickup orders can be placed online or through the drive-thru.

Someone holding up a salad with sectioned-off portions of vegetables in a plastic container.
The Rainbow salad at Baby Greens.
Baby Greens/Facebook

Little Deli & Pizzeria

Round out the (excellent) New York-style pizza by grabbing Little Deli’s chef salad, a protein-rich dish with shredded ham, turkey, half a boiled egg, and olive tapenade. To-go orders can be placed in person or over the phone. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Bufalina Due

A perfect Caesar salad can be found at the Neapolitan pizzeria. Adding boquerones (cured anchovies) is highly recommended. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Revelry on the Boulevard

Wedge salad fans can find a great version at the neighborhood restaurant. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A salad with greens, white sauce, crumbled white cheese, and brown nuts on a black plate.
The wedge salad at Revelry on the Boulevard
Revelry on the Boulevard/Facebook

Honest Mary's

The bowl-centric fast-casual spot offers up build-your-own salad options, with spinach and/or arugula, plus proteins, vegetables, seeds, etc. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The Steeping Room

People who lunch know that Steeping Room’s crustless tea sandwiches go best with a side of cashew caesar salad. Or just get the entree size. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A plate of a side salad with greens and cashews with a bowl of soup.
Soup and salad at the Steeping Room.
The Steeping Room/Facebook

Spread & Co.

The salads at the cheese and charcuterie board restaurant aren’t to be missed, like the Lawful Beet made with beet falafels or the baby green salad with fruit. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Kerbey Lane Café

The salads at the Austin diner chain are really great, including the hearty Nabil’s Mid-East Feast, with feta, olives, and tabouli. Takeout orders can be placed online and there are DoorDash deliveries. The restaurants are open for dine-in services.

A salad with greens, sliced chicken, sliced hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, and more.
Nabil’s Mid-East Feast at Kerbey Lane
Kerbey Lane/Facebook

Hopfields

Lunch is fancy yet simple with the gastropub’s nicoise salad, with slices of tuna atop sturdy butter lettuce, and fingerling potatoes. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Hopfields’ nicoise salad
Hopfields’ nicoise salad
Hopfields [Official]

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

The seasonal salad at Better Half is an exquisite one. The current rendition is made up of curry-roasted squash, crunchy watermelon radish, and greens. For more protein, add the restaurant’s pulled fried chicken or steak, both of which are also excellent. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Koriente

There are plenty of flavorful salad options at the downtown Asian fusion spot, from the simple garden salad with a mess of vegetables to the lemon-pepper-papaya salad. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone, and there are third-party deliveries.

The Well

A newer addition to the downtown scene, the restaurant focuses on a menu that is gluten-, soy-, and refined sugar-free. For salads, this means a vegan Caesar or roasted beets paired with tahini, or kale with lentils, dates, and pistachios. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Bento Picnic

The salad selection at the casual restaurant is excellent, packed with lots of vegetables. There’s a roasted cremini mushroom salad paired with Japanese pickles, the seaweed salad with toasted sesame, the kabocha potato salad, and more. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Cafe No Sé

The entire menu here is mostly simple, but the shredded kale salad is a standout, with crunchy puffed rice and tiny cauliflower pieces. A tangy vinaigrette gives it a kicky finish. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Related Maps

Bouldin Creek Café

Kick it raw with the Tarzen’s Big Salad at this South Austin vegan paradise, or any of the other salads. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Jack Allen's Kitchen

Go big — really big — with Jack Allen’s Country Club Fancy Chicken Salad, with achiote grilled chicken, figs, pears, and spicy walnuts. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A salad at Jack Allen’s Kitchen
A salad at Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Kenny Braun

Vinaigrette

It’s a salad wonderland at the New Mexico import, where the leafy bowls are divided up by flavor like sweet, savory, and more. Add-ons range from simple (lemon-herb chicken, cilantro-lime shrimp) to fun (grilled-marinated artichokes). Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A salad at Vinaigrette
A salad at Vinaigrette
Vinaigrette/Facebook

Related Maps