Bridgetown is a nickname for Portland because of all the bridges that span the Willamette River – 12 in all (of those, one is dedicated to rail and one prohibits private cars and trucks).
You’ve seen Part One of Salads We Like during Portland Salad Week—here’s Part Two!
Papaya Salad: Sivalai Thai
Photo credit: Yelp
What’s in it: Green papayas, carrots, tomatoes, peanuts, chili cooked in lime sauce.
We love a good ol’ papaya salad and this one definitely delivers. It’s high in flavor and texture and a little goes a long way. Sensitive palates may want to start slow, as the heat can quickly creep up on you. Those with more tolerance will find themselves reaching for seconds and thirds. –JR
A big salad from Garden Monsters—The Hercules with chicken
Over the years, I’ve heard people ask, “So where can I get a big salad in Portland?” If they are a New York transplant, they are probably thinking of those chopped salad and panini spots that were (are?) ubiquitous in Midtown Manhattan. Or the kind of “Big Salad” referred to by Elaine in Seinfeld. But really—sometimes you just want a big salad, no matter where you come from.
Here are some places where you can get the classic “Big Salad”—but instead of a bowl of “big lettuce, carrots, tomatoes like volleyballs,” a la Seinfeld, you can get a mix of diverse ingredients that will be delicious and satisfying—enough for a whole meal (sometimes two, if you play your lettuce cards right—romaine stands up better overnight compared to mesclun greens).
Note: We’ve updated this roundup of where to find a big salad in Portland for 2026’s Portland Salad Week.
When it comes to food opinions and expertise, there’s never a shortage of either in Portland. With so many talented people sharing their thoughts and insights about food, we asked some of the top Portland food influencers about their favorite salad recommendations in honor of Portland Salad Week. Here’s what they said:
My first strong salad memory was, of course, my mom’s iceberg lettuce with her family’s mayo-and-ketchup dressing, and much later the yet-to-be matched Caesar at Zefiro (sigh). I can’t resist any salad that Sarah Minnick has on the menu at Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, especially if it’s her mixed chicory salad with the most tender, colorful mix of organic greens, yellows and pinks from local sustainable farms. Right now she has spring garden lettuces with Point Reyes Blue Cheese, beets and toasted hazelnuts. (Watch her Instagram video about making salad, where she starts by mixing the dressing *in the salad bowl first* and only then adding the salad greens and giving them a toss).
One other I have to add is Mark Doxtader’s Kale Caesar at Tastebud in Multnomah Village, which is a meal in itself with breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic and anchovy aioli, also always sourced from local farms.
Summer is almost here, which means you’re more likely to visit your local farmers markets. Even though it’s tempting to leave the kids at home, we encourage you to reconsider and bring them to these kid friendly farmers markets in Portland. Not only does spring and summer provide the best opportunities for your entire family to sample fresh produce, farmers markets around Portland feature fun and engaging activities that get the whole family involved.
“Now that I’ve got said produce in hand, how do I prepare it at home so my kids actually eat it ,” you may ask? Our friends at PDX Parent have put together a few tips and activities that help you get those healthful veggies and fruits into your kiddos’ mouthes.
Here are our top picks for Kid Friendly Farmers Markets in Portland:
It’s no myth, but kids generally don’t (yet) love salad. And while some vegetable salads are an exception, it’s usually the fruit salads that get all the cheers. It’s great to see when restaurants in Portland offer a nice fruit salad to go with a kid entree instead of the usual suspects such as french fries, chips, or tater tots. But where do you find a great fruit salad? For starters, you can make one at home. Here’s my take on heartier fruit salad that features cantaloupe, pieces of prosciutto, fresh strawberries, and some basil. As you can see, it was a hit!
And now without further ado, here is a roundup of Portland restaurants that will surely attract those young palates with a fresh, delicious, and seasonal fruit salad.
Cubo de Cuba
I’m a big fan of Cubo and have been coming here with my family for years. It’s great that they can make any bowl, plate, or sandwich kid friendly (see above!) and while they don’t serve a traditional fruit salad, their Caribbean salad is one to try. If your kid likes mango (and both of mine do), they’ll appreciate this vibrant salad, which in addition to mango also boasts brined cucumbers, avocado and lime juice. So fresh and so yummy!
