Get your greens: Where to find Vancouver’s tastiest salads
It’s nice to indulge in a burger and fries every once in a while, but salads will help you look and feel better in the long run. In health-conscious Vancouver, scrumptious plant-based meals packed with leafy greens, colourful veggies, crunchy toppings and nourishing proteins have become an art form. It’s easy being green at these self-serve salad bars and local eateries. [Photo courtesy of Field & Social]
Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods
1903 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M7Getting your veggies is total treat at Tractor. The Kitsilano location’s cafeteria-style concept keeps things casual and makes it an ideal spot to grab a meal to go or tuck in at one of the communal tables. Salads, sandwiches and stews are bursting with fresh, locally sourced produce, lean meats, grains and nuts. The veggie-forward menu features two entrée-sized salads – you really can’t go wrong with either the kale chicken Caesar or the flank steak. Alternatively, mix and match a couple of seasonal veggie salads for a bit of variety and add a side of protein or grilled avocado.
Culver City Salads
Hastings & Thurlow Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V6E 4M1Sisters Christina and Sarah Culver are the talented entrepreneurial team behind Vancouver’s healthiest food truck. The bright green Culver City Salads truck (nicknamed Granny Smith) has become a favourite fixture at farmer’s markets and food festivals around the city. The menu board changes with the seasons but you can be sure the nourishing vegan salads on offer are stuffed with fresh, colourful vegetables, filling proteins and tossed with gluten free, vegan hand-made dressings. Take-away dishes are served in compostable and biodegradable containers to ensure these salads are green in almost every way.
Field & Social
415 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1X4Downtown office workers can skip the sad desk salad and elevate their lunch hour at this new(ish) spot on Dunsmuir. If you haven’t seen this specialty salad bar in person, you’ve probably spotted it on Instagram. Polished white marble countertops and shiny copper light fixtures make this light-filled café a stylish backdrop for amateur food photographers. But it’s not all about the decor of course; the curated menu features eight gourmet salads and two seasonal soups, with plenty of options for gluten-free and vegetarian diners. Our fave? The black kale Caesar topped with applewood smoked chicken thigh.
Leafy Box
1155 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R8Known for their veggie-packed cold-pressed juices, this Yaletown favourite also offers take-out salads for those who don’t want to get their greens in liquid form. The family-owned eatery has a comprehensive self-serve salad bar where visitors can portion out their own selections in a convenient takeaway container. Diced veggies, beans, nuts, pasta, fresh fruit, crunchy croutons and cheeses are neatly organized to make it easy to create your own DIY salad masterpiece.
Railtown Cafe
397 Railway St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4Railtown’s best-kept secret is a secret no more. The award-winning catering company’s on-site café has a seriously delicious weekday menu of handmade salads, soups and sandwiches that have earned it a bit of a cult following among Vancouver foodies. There are six signature salads on the menu and of course there’s the option to build your own artisanal creation. Gourmet toppings include broccolini, radishes, pickled cauliflower and pesto bocconcini. The protein selection here is a step above the usual lunchtime salad bar: the meaty options include braised beef brisket, pulled pork shoulder, poached salmon and juicy jumbo shrimp.
Whole Foods Market
510 8th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C5A grocery store might not be the first place you think of when deciding where to sit down for a healthy lunch, but you’ll be hooked after your first visit to Whole Foods. The market’s tasty do-it-yourself salad bar lets you scoop up diced veggies, leafy greens, nuts and proteins as well as premade salad mixes. If you’re really hungry, throw in a few choice items from the hot bar to round out your salad. Just don’t get too carried away; takeaway salads are priced by weight and can get expensive if you load up on heavy toppings.
Green Leaf Salad Bar
560 Bute St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3M1This family-owned salad spot on Bute Street in Coal Harbour specializes in fresh and authentic Mediterranean fare. Grab the tongs and go to town creating a custom salad mix from a choice of colourful veggies, proteins and legumes. The salad bar features tomatoes, celery, artichoke, corn, chickpeas, beets, cabbage, cubed tofu, feta cheese, crispy falafels, tabbouleh and much more. We suggest adding a side of fresh pita bread with homemade tzatziki and hummus. Friendly staff make the experience extra special and have kept loyal customers coming back for years.
Heirloom Restaurant
1509 12th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 2E2This South Granville restaurant is a little more sophisticated than your average grab-and-go salad bar. The dining room is both cozy and elegant with whitewashed brick walls and a fireplace and the kitchen serves up a seasonally inspired menu of contemporary vegan and vegetarian dishes. The kale Caesar salad is a bestseller: the classic Caesar is reimagined as a vegan-friendly dish piled high with kale, romaine, house-made cornbread croutons, cashew Parmesan and beet bacon laced with tangy dressing. Alternatively, try the Asian-inspired Heirloom Gomae with spinach, daikon, braised Shitake mushroom, toasted sesame seeds and umami dressing.
Nosh
101-510 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 0M3This recently opened café in the TELUS Garden boasts a comprehensive menu of hot and cold fare that caters to the downtown crowd. When it comes to salads, you’ll find more than 10 different options. Signature salads include a chicken Cobb, quinoa and candied salmon, and a classic tuna niçoise. If you don’t like the sound of any of those, opt for a customized salad with your choice of meat, veggies, cheeses, crunchy toppings and other fresh ingredients. The café is also fully licenced with happy hour specials running from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.
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