Shining a light on Portland’s salad scene has been a true pleasure—and at times, even a revelation. Now, we’re putting that discovery to the test by turning to some of our favorite Portland food influencers and top content creators.
We asked them to share their favorite salad spots and what makes those picks stand out. Some confirmed the classics we all know and love, while others introduced us to new and unexpected salads. Read on for all crunchy details.
Jordan, Hot Eats Cool Feets
I strongly believe the very best salad in Portland is the Nostrana Salad at Nostrana. Nothing touches it and nothing ever will, but the second favorite is a salad everyone needs to know about: The Cobb at Red Hills Market in Dundee is crazy delicious. I love how they serve it in a metal mixing bowl and how the serving size could legitimately fill up one person. Mama Lil’s Peppers pretty much make everything better, and the rest of the ingredients in the salad just straight up shine.
The immaculate vibe of Red Hills Market almost certainly helps as well—this place is just so much fun. Cobb Salad lovers, this one was built for you!
155 SW 7th Street, Dundee. Red Hills Market website
Find Hot Eats Cool Feets on Instagram
Kerry Newberry, Cookbook Co-Author, 1859 Oregon’s Magazine, Sip Magazine Contributor
Whenever I get FOMO from seeing pictures of summer vacations in Europe, I remind myself that we live a short drive from an internationally-renowned and stunningly beautiful wine region. Even better, so many wineries have impressive culinary programs now, and offer everything from snacky bites and oyster pop-ups to elegant tasting menus. Summer is prime time to visit for sensational salads and other veg-forward dishes.
I’m currently obsessed with the food program at Ambar Estate in Dundee, led by chef Heidi Whitney-Schile (formerly the chef/owner of the comfort food destination, Grain & Gristle). In a gorgeous Japanese-inspired tasting room that overlooks vineyards, you can order à la carte or reserve a four-course tasting experience (highly recommend)! Expect sunny flavors in dishes like chilled melon gazpacho that pops with fresh serrano and a classic caprese salad sprinkled with vanilla bean salt. The star salad on the menu right now is this berry burrata salad—a mound of ripe blackberries, raspberries, and juicy tomatoes that tastes like the essence of summer.
12550 NE Worden Hill Road, Newberg. Ambar Estate website
Find Kerry Newberry on Instagram
Krista Garcia, The Infatuation
When I first moved back to Portland, I was a little sad I couldn’t find what I’d been calling Crispy Chinese Watercress Salad AKA yum pak boong grob. It’s a Thai salad that features battered, fried Chinese watercress/kang kong/water spinach/whatever you call skinny tubular greens, in a fiery fish sauce-based dressing along with shrimp (and often another protein), garnished with herbs, sliced shallots, and cashews. Perfection!
Then, I found the Tempura Delicata Squash Salad, a Pacific Northwest take on my favorite dish, hiding in plain sight on Paadee’s menu. This version is a fun, seasonal take that sometimes uses vegetables like asparagus or the aforementioned squash as stand-ins for the classic water spinach, turning it into a more substantial, vegetable forward presentation. It also contains ground pork, grilled prawns, and crushed peanuts.
I don’t always love tweaks on tradition, but this salad works brilliantly and doesn’t skimp on spice. It comes in two containers if you get it delivered, so the dressing doesn’t make the tempura soggy. Much appreciated, and I’ll also add my own touch—a sprinkle of cashews—though that’s just gilding the lily!
6 SE 28th Avenue, Portland. Paadee website
Find Krista on Instagram
Lauren, eatinginpdx
I really think that the best salads don’t come from salad places, instead they’re the unassuming starters you order at dinner that you don’t expect to be a star dish. There’s a lot of salads like this in Portland, but one of my faves I’ve had this year was the Citrus & Fennel salad from Grana. Juicy, fresh citrus pairs with crunchy fennel over arugula, with fresh herbs and chèvre to make a refreshing and light but complex salad. It’s the perfect starter for some stellar Neopolitan pizza.
2811 E Burnside Street, Portland. Grana website
Find Lauren on Instagram
Marlynn Schotland, Urban Bliss Life
My favorite salad in Portland is the Salade du Chef at St. Honoré Boulangerie. I love it because it’s a simple, classic salad done right. Nothing fancy, kitschy, or trendy—but also not too simple. There is just the right ratio of greens to meats and protein to other toppings, and there’s no fluff or filler. Plus, it comes with some crispy crostini, which I love more than trying to bite into thick square croutons.
Finally, I love that it’s always available on their regular menu so I know I can count on ordering this when I crave a satisfying, nourishing, delicious meal. And while you’re at St. Honoré, you can also grab some divine French pastries to round out the meal. What’s not to love?
Various locations around the Portland Metro. St. Honoré Boulangerie website
Find Urban Bliss Life on Instagram
Nhi Thuy, eatlikenhi
My salad recommendation is the Caesar Salad from Apizza Scholls!
Another outstanding salad that comes to mind is the Raita Salad that changes, I believe, seasonally from Oma’s Hideaway.
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland. Apizza Scholls website
3131 SE Division Street, Portland. Oma’s Hideaway website
Find Nhi on Instagram
Paul Wagtouicz, Food & Beverage photographer serving Portland bars and restaurants
The Market Salad at Pizza Thief. Seasonal ingredient changes keep this salad exciting, while mainstay green goddess dressing keeps it comfortingly familiar. Recently, asparagus made way for carrot ribbons, tossed with radishes, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, feta and chives. There’s a full bar attached to Pizza Thief, so you needn’t go thirsty.
And besides having my favorite pizza in town, they’ve introduced a developing assortment of amazing ice cream flavors. But sometimes it’s just about the goddess (dressing, that is).
2610 NW Vaughn Street and 2444 NW 28th Avenue, Portland. Inside Great Notion Brewing. Pizza Thief website
Find Paul on Instagram
Vanessa and Vicki, foodbellypdx
We love going to the Celery on North Williams for salads. Our fave is the Zig Zag Salad because it’s more savory than your average salad. This salad contains a mix of radicchio and romaine in a garlic tahini sauce, pecans and heirloom farro for a nutty bite, cherry tomatoes and frizzled onions.
We love that everything is 100% organic and we also like to add Mary’s organic chicken to the salad (as pictured above). Sometimes we add both pickled onions and the frizzled onions to it. They are fast, casual, and chill about customizations.
4008 North Williams Avenue, Portland. the celery website
Find foodbellypdx on Instagram
A huge thanks to Portland’s content creator community for sharing their go-to salad spots with us. We hope you’re inspired to get out there, give them a try, and let us know which local content creators you follow for delicious food.
Judith Rich
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