After indulging over the holidays, we’re craving fresh, delicious salads. Fortunately, healthy options around town are abundant. Here are some of the best salads in Memphis to satisfy your longing for lighter fare and make it easy to stick to those healthy-eating resolutions for 2025!
Babalu
Neighborhood: East Memphis and Overton Square
More info: eatbabalu.com
Yes, we know Babalu is popular for its tapas and tacos … but have you tried the chopped salad?! It’s filled with romaine lettuce, black beans, poblano peppers, red onions, tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, toasted pepitas, cotija cheese, and housemade lime vinaigrette, so your taste buds will thank you! Don’t forget to start your meal off with some tableside guacamole.
Central BBQ
Neighborhood: Multiple locations around Memphis
More info: eatcbq.com
Yes, Central BBQ is mainly known for its barbecue, but the salads are also delicious! Start with a house salad with romaine lettuce topped with shredded colby-jack cheese, tomatoes, and pepperoncini peppers. You can also indulge in the Pork BBQ Salad, Beef BBQ Chef Salad, or Portabella Mushroom Salad, filled with the same ingredients as the house version — only with more meat/mushrooms!
Cheffie’s Café
Neighborhood: East Memphis, Cordova, and Collierville
More info: cheffies.com
While Cheffie’s menu includes signature soups, sandwiches, and salads, it is perhaps best known for allowing customers to “be the chef.”
With plenty of nutritious options, you can make your own custom creation. Start with leafy green lettuce such as kale, mixed greens, baby spinach, or romaine. Then, choose a protein and toppings, including artichokes, avocado, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, celery … the list goes on and on. Add cheese and something crunchy, and top it with your favorite dressing. Make sure you order it chopped; nothing else blends the flavors quite so well.
The Beauty Shop
Neighborhood: Midtown
More info: thebeautyshoprestaurant.com
For something super fresh, head to The Beauty Shop, where you can almost convince yourself a salad isn’t really a salad. Order the Cooper-Young Farmer’s Market Salad filled with seared squash, asparagus, sweet bell peppers, Tennessee peas, red onions, French feta, toasted sesame seeds, and sambal ginger oil.
If you’re craving something a little more substantial, the ribeye salad comes with ponzu, coconut kaffir lemongrass broth, heirloom tomatoes, greens, avocado, onion, mango, herbs, shiso, peanuts, and a mirin-lime vinaigrette. Additionally, you can add chicken, fish, shrimp, or steak to any salad!
City Silo Table & Pantry
Neighborhood: East Memphis and Germantown
More info: thecitysilo.com
If you’ve resolved to eat clean this year, you can’t go wrong at City Silo. The salads are packed with flavorful, nutrient-dense ingredients. While choosing just one is hard, we love the Superfood Hero. This salad truly has it all: farm-fresh spring greens and spinach, local microgreens, apples, carrots, goji berries, hemp seeds, and sunflower kernels combined with a tasty tahini-ginger dressing.
Huey’s
Several locations throughout Memphis
More info: hueyburger.com
Huey’s is known for its burgers, but its salads are equally delicious. If you’re in the mood for chicken, they offer deep-fried or grilled chicken salad options. The chicken tender salad has tomato, mushroom, scallions, bacon bits, grated cheddar, and Monterey jack cheese. We also recommend adding avocado! If you want a kick, go for the Thai chicken salad filled with mixed greens, grilled chicken, chopped peanuts, crunchy rice noodles, and Mandarin oranges with Thai peanut dressing.
Libro at Laurelwood
Neighborhood: East Memphis
More info: libroatlaurelwood.com
When it comes to salads at Libro at Laurelwood, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. From sweet to savory, you’re in for a treat. The loaded Italian chopped salad is filled with olives, artichokes, tomatoes, salami, pepperoni, red onion, and provolone, then drizzled with cilantro vinaigrette. Alternatively, go for the Brussels sprouts salad with walnuts, dill, and black garlic vinaigrette. Add salmon, chicken, or shrimp for a heartier option.
Raw Girls
Neighborhood: Downtown and East Memphis
More info: raw-girls-memphis.myshopify.com
Boasting flavor and health benefits, Raw Girls salads are filled with nutrients. Try the sweet potato salad with roasted maple-glazed potatoes, pomegranate, maple Dijon vinaigrette, and pecans. And while you’re there, grab a fresh, cold-pressed juice! Our favorites are the Green Love Bomb and Superfood Smoothie!
Wild Beet Salad Company
Neighborhood: Cordova (Temporarily)
More info: wildbeetsalads.com
Wild Beet Salad Company is moving from its space in Carrefour to a temporary spot in Cordova, so you can still enjoy a tasty treat! Build your own salads or choose from one of the menu options. (Any of the salads can be made into wraps!) To get your protein, grab the Steakhouse Salad with romaine lettuce, steak, tomato, crumbled blue cheese, and fried onion.
To wake up your taste buds, the Thai salad has romaine lettuce, carrots, oranges, cabbage, avocado, edamame, Chinese noodles, and Mandarin oranges.
Happy dining, Memphis!
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For more must-try dining spots in Memphis, visit our restaurant archives!
