Many grew up eating salads as a prelude to the main meal—an earnest attempt by parents to sneak some greens onto the plate. For others, salads became synonymous with “diet food,” endured more as penance for overindulgence than for pleasure.
The humble salad, it turns out, has been unfairly dismissed.
In Houston, restaurants have a multitude of options that will change diners’ opinions about the often-maligned dish. Gone are the days of sugar-laden dressings and wilted lettuce. Chefs across the city have created craveable salads that are entree-worthy. Some are super healthy, while others are indulgent treats. Whether the goal is a bowl packed with antioxidants or simply a satisfying vegetarian alternative, this list goes far beyond rabbit food.
Dish Society
With four Houston locations and two in Austin, Houstonians can enjoy a Dish Society salad at home, or when traveling to the capital city. Salad options range from the quinoa-stuffed avocado—a decidedly nontraditional take—to the apple pecan salad and a crispy chicken kale Caesar. Beyond salads, the menu shines just as brightly with its lineup of hearty, well-balanced bowls like the local veggie grain bowl with farro, quinoa, and chickpeas, plus the salmon poke with sriracha aioli. Multiple locations, dishsociety.com
Barnaby’s
With 8 locations in Houston, plus a Baby Barnaby’s, this local favorite has been serving up delicious eats for more than 30 years, and its salads are among the bestselling items. Entree salads cater to every taste, with options like Chinese chicken, Lebanese chicken fattoush, and Sausalito chicken crunch. The California salad fits the bill for vegetarians with sliced mushrooms, diced artichoke hearts, and avocado. For a carnivorous salad, the Cobb is loaded with blue cheese, shredded chicken, egg, bacon, olives, and more. Barnaby’s salads come generously sized, though a smaller portion is available for $2 less. Multiple locations, barnabyscafe.com
Kenny & Ziggy’s
This New York–style deli is famous for its giant sandwiches and Jewish specialties, but its salads are equally impressive. The K&Z wedge is topped with Russian dressing, while the Houstonian chicken salad gets a Texas twist with the addition of corn, tortilla strips, avocado, and picante cilantro ranch dressing. The Singer’s chopped salad is filled with deli favorites like salami, provolone, bacon, and blue cheese. For a guilt-free option, try the Kale & Quinoa with soy lime mint vinaigrette. 1743 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, kennyandziggys.com
Il Bracco
It may be a challenge to pass up the homemade pasta at this contemporary Italian resto in Post Oak Plaza, but its selection of salads is just as amazing. From wild arugula with shaved fennel, to the chopped salad packed with salami, aged provolone, olives, and peppers, these Italian-inspired salads tempt with full flavor. The burrata salad makes a tasty starter, while the Tuscan grains could serve as a complete meal with jumbo shrimp, farro, cucumbers, tomatoes, and green goddess dressing. 1705-A Post Oak Blvd., Houston, ilbraccosrestaurant.com
Local Foods
Benjy Levit and Dylan Murray founded this fresh food concept in 2011, and it has since grown to include five locations in Houston and one in Austin. True to its name, Local Foods sources ingredients from local purveyors, offering an array of healthy options. Standouts include the harvest salad, loaded with snow peas, mixed greens, cauliflower, pickled carrots, and Texas goat cheese, alongside craveable choices like Asian chicken, vegan taco salad, and salmon poke. Multiple locations, localfoodstexas.com
Hungry’s
Hungry’s menu blends American and Mediterranean influences, a mix that carries through to its bistro-style salads. The organic tricolor quinoa is a nutritious meal that will keep diners on their New Year’s regimens, while the avocado tostada is a Southwestern-style treat. There’s a grilled salmon iceberg wedge with orzo pasta salad, plus a hearty beef tenderloin salad with feta jalapeno dressing. Multiple locations, hungryscafe.com
Local Table
From the family that founded Hungry’s, Local Table has five locations with another expected to open soon in the Sugar Land/Missouri City area. The local farmers market salad is brimming with healthy salad veggies, plus goat cheese balls and crispy chickpeas. The honey ginger-roasted Brussels sprout salad will make any sprouts-hater a convert, while the beef tenderloin fajita version is good for low-carb folks. The pita can be left off for a gluten-free dish. Multiple locations, eatlocaltable.com
King Steak
Whether you’re ordering a salad as a meal or as an enzymatic prelude to a juicy ribeye, this steakhouse has options. The Palomino beet salad gets hit with a taste of green apple and goat cheese, while the Caesar is a traditional mix of romaine, parmigiano reggiano, anchovies, and croutons. Guests can start with an antipasta-style chopped salad or opt for a lighter Thai salmon salad dressed in a spicy citrus vinaigrette. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, kingsteakhtx.com
Hillstone
Though it changed its name more than 15 years ago, this longtime Kirby Drive staple is still known to many locals as Houston’s—and it continues to serve much of the same classic American fare, from French dip sandwiches to the Hawaiian, a prime steak marinated in pineapple and soy. Its traditional salad is topped with chopped egg and smokehouse bacon, while the grilled chicken salad is flavored with peanut sauce. However, it’s the emerald kale, with rotisserie chicken and peanut vinaigrette, that makes Houstonians happiest. 4848 Kirby Dr., Houston, hillstonerestaurant.com
Októ
At this chic Mediterranean restaurant in Montrose, chef Yotam Dolev has created salads just as worthy of mentioning as the mains. The Greek salad is fresh and fragrant, with cucumbers and a mix of Roma and cherry tomatoes set atop pistachio-whipped feta and finished with shaved shallots. Dolev gets even more creative with the Beyond Green, an herbal concoction with seven types of greens and herbs, crispy buckwheat, cured onions, pickled peppers, and a drizzle of fragrant flower blossom dressing. Accompanied by a bright glass of prosecco or crisp chenin blanc, either salad is delicious as a shareable starter or nutritious weekday dinner. 888 Westheimer Rd., Houston, oktorestaurant.com
Leaf & Grain
Vegetables and grains come together at this locally-owned eatery for wholesome salads, bowls, and sandwiches. There are four locations across the city, and the menus vary slightly, but guests will find nutrition-packed salads like the MFH veggie boost and the whimsical Thai-ger King, made with roasted cage-free chicken thigh, mango, pickled veggies, cashews, and coconut flakes. Try a berry boost smoothie or cayenne brownie for dessert. Multiple locations, eatlg.com
The Ginger Mule
While many salads can be made vegan, this Heights-area restaurant is all about using non-animal products across the board. The Caesar is made with cashew Dijon dressing; the San Miguel is dressed with a vegan garlic cilantro cream; and the Buddha bowl salad is chock full of goodness, with avocado, broccoli, microgreens, and lentil cakes. 449 W. 19th St., Houston, thegingermule.com
Mendocino Farms
Based in California, this sandwich shop now has six locations in Houston. Besides sandwiches and soups, the menu features several signature salads. Chen’s crispy rice salad can be made with chicken or tofu, and the avocado and quinoa superfood ensalada offers all the craveable flavors of a Tex-Mex meal. For those bored of traditional Caesars, Mendocino’s has one that kicks it up a notch with avocado, superfood crunchies, and three types of greens.Multiple locations, mendocinofarms.com
