Who said salad was boring? A bed of greens is just the foundation for a flavor adventure, and there are a multitude of culinary cultures that fit into this healthy and hearty menu standard.

Whether you’re looking for something completely plant-based or a protein-heavy bowl, these salad spots across the city are serving some seriously delicious and filling delights. Perfect for a refreshing lunch or feel-good dinner, before or after a trip to the gym or a hike, these are the best salad menus across the city.

See also: The 5 Best Brunches in Austin

Vinaigrette

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If you’re looking for salad, you’ve come to the right place, because salad is what’s its all about at Vinaigrette. The menu ranges from bright and zingy to savory, a little sweet to in balance, and you can always build your own, too. Classics like Greek, Cobb and tuna salad salad share space with The Omega, featuring nutritional heaps of greens, corn, peppers, avocado and more; the cherry tart with crumbled feta and chilled pecans; the all kale with superfood to the front; the arugula duck and more. There are too many perfect salads on this menu to list, so explore them all, and feel free to add your own seareed tuna steak, seared diver scallops, cilantro lime shrimp, fresh fish, chicken, steak, pork tenderloin and even duck confit to any configuration. 2201 College Ave.

Local Foods

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This Texas-grown eatery chain has locations in Austin and Houston, and it takes its name seriously, using only the freshest local ingredients to showcase the Lonestar State's edible offerings. From fresh sharables to sandwiches, sweets and more, the menu is bursting with healthy and hearty fare, but the salad menu is enviably robust. Marked favorites include the Bubby Salad with house-smoked Faroe Island salmon, house-prepared labneh, a jammy Swift Hill Farm egg, Slow Dough ciabatta croutons, Village Farms cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, SA sunflower sprouts, shredded kale, toasted onions and sesame seeds with a lemon vinaigrette. There are of course many other salad options to try, and any salad can include added tofu, chicken, salmon or shrimp. 454 W 2nd St.

Colleen’s Kitchen

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If you're looking for down-home cooking in a neighborly atmosphere, this family-owned and operated spot serves Southern food with a smile. Named for the owner's favorite aunt, the menu features supper, lunch, brunch, sweets and more. The salad entrees are enough to satisfy even the pickiest eaters, from the Crab Louie with lump crab and deviled eggs, to the namesake Colleen's Cobb which also includes deviled eggs and pederson's applewood-smoked bacon. All the salads can be beefed up with bacon, egg, avocado, pimento cheese, fried or grilled chicken, shrimp, redfish and even New York strip steak. 1911 Aldrich St., STE 100

The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen

If you’re going to pair your freshly brewed beer with a salad, you better make sure it’s a “big a– salad,” and that’s exactly what’s on the menu at The Brewtorium. You've never had a more decadent salad than this spot's Blues on the Greens. It features mixed greens, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, sliced apple, shaved red onion, pork lardons, candied pecans and pretzel croutons. The honey apple vinaigrette comes on the side, and you may add a protein option of sliced bratwurst, grilled chicken, fried chicken or fried hot chicken. 6015 Dillard Cir A

Salata

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Salata prides itself on all-natural ingredients that shine, chopped fresh every morning so you can have the brightest and most flavorful bite from start to finish. At Salata, it's all about the customizations. Pick your base greens, top it with all the fresh vegetables, pickles, nuts, proteins, cheeses and fruits that your heart desires, choose your favorite dressing, grab some bread and extras if you'd like, and have yourself a ball. There are also a variety of salata styles to choose from, including spicy shrimp salad, jalapeno avocado, Southwest salad, cobb, Greek, Caesar, Harvest, grilled proteins, wraps and more. These are great salads on the go, too. 10515 N Mopac Expy #165A

Flower Child

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Flower Child is all about serving healthy food worth smiling about with plates designed to make you feel good from the inside out. The owners choose their produce under the advisement of the Dirty Dozen Environmental Working Group's list of fruits and vegetables most likely to contain pesticides, so you know these organic ingredients come highly vetted. Get a fork-full of deli flavor with the Italian turkey salami salad complete with vegetables, romaine and giardiniera; or go full veg with the Brussels sprouts and organic kale salad with red grapes, apples, grapefruits and white cheddar. The ginger miso crunch is another tasty treat, and all the salads can come with Flower Child's own buttermilk yogurt ranch dressing or lemon avocado. 500 W 2nd St Suite 133

Want more foodie delights? Check our list of the best brunch spots in Austin.