Salads shouldn’t be boring. Thankfully, Toronto has some delicious choices. Whether you’re looking for meaty options or full-on vegetarian and vegan, these are the best salad bars to hit up in the 6 – from hefty portions to unique and nutritionally packed ingredients. Warning: you’ll become a salad convert in no time. [Salad at Salus Fresh Foods. Photo by Parisima Baha]
Whether you’re a vegan or looking to ditch meat for the day, this is the place to go. The salads at this vegan takeout joint are also organic and free of gluten and nuts. They can accommodate for raw, paleo, low-glycemic and sugar-free diets, amongst other dietary restrictions. Packed with more than just the typical greens and veggies, like quinoa, brown and black rice, noodled zucchini and pumpkin seeds, these salads are sure to fill you up. They even have you covered in the AM with breakfast bars and green smoothies.
If you think vegetarian salads are unfulfilling, this place might change your mind. This is the perfect takeout spot for colourful salads – packed with things like pomegranate seeds, spiralized beets and watermelon radishes – hearty soups, smoothies, freshly made juices and guilt-free desserts (you gotta try the beet brownies!).
Don’t let the look of this place fool you. It’s definitely a gem. Enjoy Mediterranean-style custom-crafted salads here, packed (the portions are huge) with things like shawarma, hummus, falafel and eggplant. They also offer wraps and select soups. FYI: this is a cash-only spot.
With a total of six locations in busy areas in the 6, it’s no wonder this is a popular salad spot. The one inside the PwC tower is perhaps the best location thanks to its beautiful, modern, somewhat rustic yet cozy interior. They’ve got heaps of locally sourced ingredients like free run eggs and organic maple syrup. All their signature salad boxes are gluten-free. Grab a cup of joe, smoothie or something sweet, like the sweet potato brownie, from the bake shop.
Build your own salad at the self-serve station of this juice and salad bar in Leaside. Then fuel up with an organic cold-pressed juice or power shake. They even have you covered for breakfast with chia and acai bowls. P.S. There’s a Pilates studio (North Movement
Located inside Cumberland Terrace in the PATH, near the University of Toronto, this is the place to go for quality, generous portioned salads under $10. The salads are all made-to-order, and you can build your own or choose from the menu. Proteins include grilled chicken breast, tuna and smoked salmon. They also have wraps, including vegetarian options.
Call it a poke bowl or Hawaiian salad. Either way, this to-go bar will fulfill your protein and veggie nutritional needs. Build your own box or choose from the signature menu. For your daily dose of greens, go for the spring mix or zucchini base. You get to also choose side salads to go with your box, like seaweed and crab salad or tropical slaw.
The name says it all. This Kensington Market salad bar is best for takeout, but there are a few seats if you want to stay in. They have classic salads but also unique Asian-style options that have things like tofu, crunchy dry ramen noodles and a dressing made with wasabi. They also have smoothies, soups and wraps.