Whether you’re looking for a grab-and-go salad to get through the workday or a spot to dine out with friends that won’t wreck your healthy eating goals, we’ve got you covered. From build-your-own salad concepts to under-the-radar orders at local pizza and burger joints, here’s where to snag some of the best salads in Nashville — updated just in time to support those 2025 resolutions!
*Listed in alphabetical order
AVO
Neighborhood: OneC1TY
More Info: eatavo.com
A longtime local favorite for plant-based fare, it’s no shock that AVO serves up some seriously good salads. The menu rotates based on what’s in season, but you can always expect to see their signature Kale Caesar on the menu. Chopped kale is piled high and topped with sun-dried tomatoes, fried chickpeas, cashew cheese, roasted garlic, and a vegan walnut Caesar dressing. (Their “Raw Pad Thai” is also a must-try for salad lovers!)
Burger Up
Neighborhoods: 12 South + Franklin
More Info: burger-up.com + burgerupfranklin.com
Another great pick for kale lovers! Burgers may be the main attraction at Burger Up, but plenty of folks show up specifically with their chopped kale salad in mind. Topped with roasted hazelnuts, dried cherries, Parmesan cheese, and a fresh lemon wedge for squeezing, the main dish portion of this salad is enough for a meal — but you can also add a grilled protein or any of their specialty burger patties to really make it count.
Calypso Cafe
Neighborhood: Berry Hill
More Info: calypsocafe.com
While this Nashville staple is currently open only for lunch at its Berry Hill location, we love Calypso’s salads for those days when you’re looking for something comforting — but not too comforting, if you catch our drift. If that’s the vibe, choose from the Black Bean Salad (loaded with greens, beans, cheddar, red onions, sour cream, and your choice of chicken, beef, or rice) or the Lucayan Salad (topped with grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, almonds, vinaigrette, and sweet corn muffins on the side). Or, if you’re after a classic protein-and-veggies option without any frills, they have that, too!
As of January 2025, Calypso Cafe’s website promises the return of its West End location and extended hours in Berry Hill, so keep an eye out for announcements.
Crisp & Green
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: crispandgreen.com
Tennessee welcomed its first Crisp & Green location in 2023 under the local ownership of Lori Mitchell. In the vein of other health-conscious quick-service eateries, you can expect both pre-selected “signature” combinations that are both flavorful and well-balanced, plus a long list of “build-your-own” options for creating a customized salad or grain bowl. They also offer smoothies and açaí bowls.
Five Points Pizza
Neighborhoods: East Nashville + Sylvan Heights
More Info: fivepointspizza.com
The next time your friends or coworkers proclaim that they’re craving pizza (again), rest easy. The salads at Five Points Pizza are not to be overlooked. All of their salad offerings are consistently well-executed, but the arugula salad, in particular, feels like a treat. It’s topped with a clever combination of feta cheese, tomatoes, walnuts, and house-cured orange peel.
Greenery Co.
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village
More Info: greeneryco.com
Greenery Co. is a local hotspot for healthy options in Hillsboro Village. Build your own bowl from a selection of fresh ingredients, or choose from signature flavor combinations like the Tennessee Thai Salad, pictured here. It’s loaded with blackened shrimp, greens, veggies, apples, crispy sesame rice, and fresh basil. Greenery Co. is a quick-service concept, but the interior features white marble tabletops, chic lighting, and plenty of natural light — far from your average workday lunch!
Greko Street Food
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: grekostreetfood.com
The salads at East Nashville’s Greko start with a classic Greek salad base: greens, tomato, feta cheese, kalamata olives, crispy chickpeas, green onion, cucumber, and grilled pita. Round out your order with your choice of meat or seafood — or, if you’re going plant-based in January, you can order yours “naked” or with a topping of grilled veggies.
Hearts
Neighborhoods: 12 South + East Nashville
More Info: heartsnashville.com
Hearts offers a wide variety of fresh options, ranging from light and healthy to full-on indulgent. Among them, you’ll find a small selection of nutritious bowls like the Pan-Seared Salmon Bowl, piled high with Asian slaw, fresh herbs, a punchy vinaigrette, and, of course, a generous serving of salmon.
J.Alexander’s
Neighborhoods: White Bridge + Midtown + Franklin
More Info: jalexanders.com
J.Alexander’s has a couple of fabulous Asian-inspired salads, but today, the spotlight is on their classic Greek grilled chicken salad. It’s tossed with feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and vinaigrette — all piled into a gravity-defying mound. The salads aren’t cheap, but the quality is fantastic, and the portions are very generous!
M.L.Rose
Neighborhoods: Melrose + Sylvan Park + Capitol View + Mt. Juliet + Franklin + Gallatin + Inglewood (Coming Soon)
More Info: mlrose.com
Another spot known for its burgers, M.L.Rose also has excellent options for salad lovers. We love the Thai Peanut Chicken salad pictured here, which comes with plenty of fresh greens and veggies, sliced chicken, and crunchy wonton strips, all drizzled with a spicy-sweet peanut sauce and tossed in ginger-lime vinaigrette.
They also offer a classic crispy chicken salad and their popular Strawberry Fields Salad, studded with fresh berries, candied nuts, and tangy feta cheese. A little something for everyone!
Radish Kitchen
Neighborhood: Sylvan Heights + East Nashville + Franklin
More Info: radishkitchen.com
At both locations, Radish Kitchen offers up fresh-but-filling options like the Falafel Fattoush pictured below, featuring greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, crunchy chickpeas, and a generous serving of falafel. If none of their suggested combinations strike your fancy, you can mix and match ingredients to your liking. (And, once you’ve had your fill of salads, all combinations are also available as a grain bowl or wrap!)
The Turnip Truck
Neighborhoods: East Nashville + Sylvan Park + The Gulch
More Info: theturniptruck.com
It’s super easy to build your ultimate salad at The Turnip Truck. They keep their salad bar and hot bar stocked with fresh options every day of the week. The salad pictured here is a bit of a hybrid, starting with a bed of salad greens, then piled high with salmon and roasted veggies from the hot bar.
The Urban Juicer + Eatery
Neighborhoods: Hillsboro Village + East Nashville + Sylvan Heights + Melrose + Nashville Yards
More Info: theurbanjuicer.com
True to its name, The Urban Juicer offers an extensive list of fresh juices, smoothies, and wellness shots, but it also offers a variety of heartier menu items like salads, wraps, and loaded toasts. The menu varies by location, but each store stocks grab-and-go salads ready in the fridge, plus a few options that are made to order.
Two Hands
Neighborhoods: East Nashville + Franklin
More Info: twohandshospitality.com
The Brassicas Salad at Two Hands is a fabulous choice if you’re looking for a well-balanced bowl. It starts with a serving of hummus, topped with broccolini, Brussels sprouts, kale, avocado, seeds, and a jammy soft-boiled egg. If you’re looking for extra protein, opt to add slow-roasted harissa chicken or a filet of salmon.
Vui’s Kitchen
Neighborhoods: Berry Hill + East Nashville + Franklin + Nolensville
More Info: vuiskitchen.com
The Vui’s Salad at Vui’s Kitchen is an absolute must if you love salads with Asian flavors. This salad starts with a base of always-crisp fresh greens, and it’s loaded with julienned carrot, cucumber, and fresh herbs, all topped with your choice of protein — grilled chicken, ribeye steak, shrimp, pork belly, or tofu.
If you’re extra hungry, you can choose from healthy accompaniments like house-made bone broth, summer rolls with peanut sauce, and a blended avocado shake for dessert.
Waldo’s Chicken
Neighborhoods: Germantown + White Bridge + Belle Meade + Brentwood + Cool Springs + Franklin + Nolensville
More Info: waldoschicken.com
The Chicken Scratch Salad from Waldo’s Chicken is a lesser-known Nashville gem. This super-filling salad includes your choice of Waldo’s signature fried chicken or a generous serving of pulled rotisserie chicken. (They offer buffalo chicken, too!)
If you’re looking for a lighter option, go for rotisserie chicken and blue cheese, ditch the croutons, and choose a vinaigrette. But if you’re going full-tilt, the fried chicken option with all the fixings and a creamy dressing is delicious. Some locations even have drive-through windows, making it super easy to get your on-the-go fix.
Bonus picks!
The restaurants above are mostly local favorites, but we like these larger chains for salads, too:
- Taziki’s Cafe – various locations
- Cava – Green Hills
- Chopt – Green Hills
- True Food Kitchen – Green Hills
Here’s to getting your greens!
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