Not all salads are created equal. While some restaurants don’t put much thought into their salad offerings, others are going beyond your standard greens and making sure they get the attention they deserve. Here are a few spots that fall into that latter category.
CJ’s Crab Shack
Let’s be up front: You’re not coming to CJ’s Crab Shack just for a salad. You’re coming here for some darn good crab. That said, the Ocean Drive eatery gives you the best of both worlds. CJ’s Crab Shack offers your typical—and tasty—Caesar and garden salads but it’s the shrimp and crab salad that truly stands out. You can get some delicious fresh lump crab meat and still have room for other impressive entrees like the grouper sandwich, fish and chips, and seafood pasta.
CJ’s Crab Shack is located at 600 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Costa Med
What we love the most about Key Biscayne’s Costa Med is its variety; the Mediterranean-inspired menu is so big and has something for everyone. That variety extends to the salad section, which boasts items like traditional Greek and Mediterranean salads alongside more uncommon bites like caprese avocado, the rainbow salad, and the Eiffel Tower. That last one with its stacked assortment of veggies tastes as good as it looks—and it looks great.
Costa Med is located at 260 Crandon Boulevard, #46, Key Biscayne, FL 33149. For more information, visit their official website.
Doya
At Doya in Wynwood, these should be the first words to come out of your mouth: “I’ll have the Greens & Fig.” This unassuming salad with feta, watermelon-radish and hazelnut-pomegranate dressing sounds simple on paper, but it will make your taste buds sing. The same goes for the octopus salad with its garlic, virgin olive oil, and green pepper: simple yet oh-so-delightful. The best part of Doya is that it’s a sharing plate concept, so order away—just make sure these two dishes are on your list.
Doya is located at 347 NW 24th Street, Miami, FL 33127. For more information, visit their official website.
La Placita
When you think of Puerto Rican food, you don’t normally think about salads—you think about mofongo, beef stew, and other traditional fare. At La Placita, there’s no shortage of these dishes and so much more. Amidst all the hefty fare, there’s a light bite that’s a must for any occasion: the watermelon and Florida tomato salad. It’s not large enough to be an entrée, but it’s a nice appetizer that will get your palate ready for the amazing meal to come.
La Placita is located at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33138. For more information, visit their official website.
Miami Diner
Diners aren’t typically associated with salads. Diners are usually the place for burgers, shakes, and other comfort fare. The salads at Miami Diner, however, are some of the best-kept secrets in town. The Miami Beach and Downtown Miami locations feature some sizeable salads that will surprise you. You’ll find Caesar and Chef’s salads among the offerings, along with avocado salad, goat cheese salad, and the halloumi green salad; no matter which you choose, you can expect to leave stuffed and satisfied.
Miami Diner has multiple locations across Miami. For more information, visit their official website.
SpecialTEA
Beloved by college students and locals alike, SpecialTEA next to Florida International University is the neighborhood spot for—wait for it—tea and healthy, savory fare. They offer proteins like chicken and brisket that can be made into a sandwich, wrap, bowl or salad. Pro tip: The Farmer’s harvest with its chicken breast, mandarin oranges, walnuts, goat cheese, and honey mustard balsamic vinaigrette is perfect for a hearty salad option. We also love that all these food options are under 10 bucks.
SpecialTEA is located at 10766 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33165. For more information, visit their official website.
Thatch
As you would expect, the (mostly) plant-based Thatch in Midtown Miami is home to some notable salad selections. Don’t expect anything too out of the ordinary—there’s a Caesar salad, a kale salad, and a Mediterranean salad. While you’ve seen these options on menus before—including on this list—the ones at Thatch have a few twists to keep you on your toes. Add avocado to their Caesar salad and watch fireworks happen; the same goes for the kale salad with its delicious yuzu-cashew dressing. At $13 or less, these amazing salads are a steal.
Thatch is located at 3255 NE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, visit their official website.
