Where to find the best salads in Chicago

While Orkenoy is known for its scrumptious Smørrebrød (a Scandinavian open-faced sandwich), it also has incredible, vegetable-forward dishes, such as a rotating seasonal salad and a classic Vegan Kale Caesar Salad. The latter is a crunchy, healthy salad featuring curly kale, cashew parmesan and homemade croutons. It's a wonderful complement to the hearty Smørrebrød and is served year-round.

For an innovative take on a salad, Superkhana offers seasonal and creative options to counterbalance its indulgent and famous Chili Cheese Naan and Butter Chicken Calzone. The Sambar Squash Salad features mustard greens, pomegranate chutney and candied pepitas drenched in a sambar vinaigrette. You will never get bored with the salads at Superkhana.

Salad lovers can get creative at plant-based haven Soul Veg City by making their own vegan salads at the hot and live bar for $9.95/pound. Soul Veg City’s hot and live bar consists of 24-30 soul food-inspired options so you can liven up your salad routine with an amalgamation of hot, cold and fresh elements.

Globally-inspired American cuisine is the name of the game at S.K.Y., which boasts hypnotic Black Truffle Croquettes and sultry Lobster Dumplings. But S.K.Y. also has innovative and cozy salads. The Warm Mushroom Salad is perfect for all seasons with its combination of hot and cold ingredients and is available during both brunch and dinner. Diners can also enjoy rotating seasonal salads.

Salads reign supreme at Plenty Goods Cafe, where you can be healthy and satiated. Ethical eaters can rejoice in their commitment to sustainability and plant-based eating. Plenty Goods has a combination of rotating and staple salads, such as the Turmeric Tahini Buddha Bowl, along with soups, smoothies and breakfast items. The salad bases range from traditional greens to quinoa, brown rice and buckwheat groats (seeds).

This iconic Logan Square restaurant is known for their fresh and sophisticated take on farm-to-table dining. So it is not surprising that Lula is a safe-haven for salad lovers. Lula’s Kale Side Salad is a perfect complement to that hefty brunch burrito. For sharing, they also have their classic Lula House Salad and Caesar Salad featuring fresh greens from Werp Farms in Michigan and crunchy textures that go seamlessly with the toothsome pastas.

This feel-good gem in Evanston has 12 salads and an assortment of grain bowls to make you feel nourished and healthy. Picnic is solely a delivery and carryout spot so you can grab it for your next picnic by the lake. It also has a vegan menu with extensive salad options, such as the Miso Mantra featuring super grains, roasted vegetables, caramelized carrots, almond quinoa crunch and sesame miso dressing.

Your soul and body will feel nourished at this vegan, daytime eatery. Loving Heart has a creative assortment of bowls and salads along with wraps and burgers if you’re craving something to complement your greens. A noteworthy one to try is the Bibim Salad, consisting of spinach, portobello mushrooms and bell peppers drizzled with a tangy, sweet Korean bibim gochujang sauce.

Indulge in salads, wraps and soups at this casual Lakeview spot. The calorie info is provided on the menu, and the made-to-order salads are satiating and filling with base options like couscous and quinoa topped with proteins such as seared ahi tuna and black beans. You can find globally-inspired salads here, too, including a Banh Mi Salad and a Chipotle Lime Quinoa & Kale Elote Salad.

Little Bad Wolf is known for its new American comfort food, but it always feels good to accompany indulgent bites with a salad. There are four “substantial salads” that veer towards more traditional bases and toppings, such as the Waldorf Salad and Caesar Salad. These salads are large and luscious so they're perfect for sharing.

If you’re not excited about the ubiquitous salad structure of greens and dressing, then Sunda is the place to be for creative, pan-Asian inspired offerings. You can indulge your senses with the Seaweed, Papaya or Crispy Brussels Sprouts salads. Sunda’s Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad is a standout with red cabbage, red onions, carrots, chilis, shallot crisps, minced shrimp and a nước chấm vinaigrette (a sweet and sour staple of Vietnamese cuisine). 

With multiple locations throughout Chicago, salad lovers can always count on the Goddess & Grocer for one’s healthy salad addiction. The pre-made salads accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions such as the vegan and gluten-free Super Green Detox Salad and the gluten-free Keto Cobb Salad. You also have the option of making your own at an extensive salad bar. With coffee, breakfast burritos, soups, wraps and bowls, Goddess & Grocer has your cravings covered.