Best salads in London: 11 genuinely filling and delicious salad spots

We know, we know. Salads... yawn. Except, we actually kind of love them. Sure, salads can be sad, unexciting things devoid of life and energy, but they can also be flavour-packed, nourishing, multi-textured dishes that make you feel good from the inside out. We’re big fans of the latter, and London serves some pretty amazing ones. So, we've put together a pro-salad guide to show you exactly where to find the most delicious bowls and boxes in the capital. From dedicated salad bars to restaurants that show extra love to their leafier dishes, our round-up of the best places to eat salad in London is anything but boring.

At their very core, salads are veg-filled, generally nutritious dishes that come in all shapes and sizes. Part of their beauty is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all salad. They can be personalised and pepped up according to your tastes, whether you prefer a mostly-green concoction, or like your salad to feature heftier ingredients like grains, nuts or sweet potato.

Salads can be cold. They can also be hot. You can enjoy them quickly on-the-go between meetings, or as a nourishing dinner with a glass of wine. Salads can be light and fresh, or rich and filling. They are, in summary, absolutely brilliant.

London’s best salad bars know this. They understand what a salad should be (and what it shouldn’t) and offer a vibrant range of colourful, exciting dishes that prove just how delicious a salad can be. Many of London’s best salad bars allow you to build your own concoction too, so you can fine tune your salad to suit your mood.

Finally, we’ve also included a handful of restaurants that serve magnificent salads if you’d prefer to spend a little extra time enjoying one. Have a scroll to discover the most scrumptious salads in London.

Best salad bars in London

From build-your-own bowls to veg-packed creations, these super salad bars serve up some of the most delicious plant-powered dishes in the capital. They all offer takeaway so you can pick one up on the go, or stay a little longer and enjoy your salad in the calm surrounds of these cool cafes. 

Atis, Various locations

What: Now with seven sites across London, including a flagship cafe on Regent Street, Atis has taken the capital by storm with its plant-powered salads. These guys are on a mission to encourage people to eat more veg-focused food that’s good for both you and the planet. You can create your own if you like, or trust the team who really know their stuff when it comes to creating flavour-packed bowls. House bowls include the Azteca (romaine lettuce, spinach, corn, black eyed peas, pickled onions, feta, avocado and tortilla chards) and the Green Goodess which is packed with leafy green goodness. It also offers an ever-changing roster of seasonal salads and wholesome hot plates to keep you feeling satisfied.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Atis Regent Street, Atis Notting Hill, Atis Old Street

Urban Greens, Various locations

What: Trendy salad joint Urban Greens boasts sites in some of London’s busiest working districts, including St James’s Park, Kensington, Canary Wharf and St Paul’s. Pop in for a filling and nutritious lunch one day this week, and sample dishes like its Cheeky Hummus bowl (chicken, red rice, beet hummus, broccoli, pickled beets, hazelnuts) or the Veggie Caeser (red rice, spiced tempeh, kale, tomatoes, parmesan, pickled onions and hazelnuts). All ingredients are locally sourced, and there are plenty of options for veggie, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free eaters.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Urban Greens Kensington

The Salad Kitchen, Various locations

What: No surprises as to what The Salad Kitchen does best. These indulgent, build-your-own salad boxes are some of the best in the bizz, and allow you to customise your box from a selection of nutritious ingredients. Choose your base, then top with various proteins, dressings and ‘sprinkles’.
Where: Various locations
Book now: The Salad Kitchen Oxford Circus

Good Life Eatery, Chelsea, St John’s Wood and Marylebone

What: The Good Life Eatery strives to be a force for good across every element of the business, from supporting local producers and operating as sustainably as it can, to hiring within neighbouring communities and making everything from scratch. Alongside breakfast and brunch dishes, toasties and cold-press smoothies, it serves a cracking collection of superfood salads all day, from the Sunset Chopped featuring lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, edamame, bacon, egg, herbs and Dijon vinaigrette, to the Good Life Salad with kale, sweet potato, quinoa, lentils, walnuts, goji berries, vegan cheeze and lemon tahini dressing.
Where: Various locations
Book now: The Good Life Eatery Marylebone

Farmer J, Various locations

What: Farmer J was founded in 2016 by a former Deutsche Bank employee who was tired of eating bland on-the-go food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fast forward eight years and you can now find Farmer J at 10 locations across London. It serves speedy, healthy, carefully sourced food that’s never boring and always tasty. Most of the menu is dedicated to salads, from its signature Fieldtrays which you can customise yourself, to hearty Fieldbowls and full-of-life salads.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Farmer J Canary Wharf, Farmer J Monument

Bibi’s, Soho, Covent Garden and Angel

What: Bibi’s is a chain of cafes serving fresh and filling salads made in-house every day. They only make what they need, which means they can sell out if you don’t get down there fast! Choose a small or large box, then fill it with a selection of your favourite salads that day – including hummus, grains, veg and dressings.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Bibi’s Soho

Daylesford Organic, Notting Hill, Pimlico, Marylebone and Chelsea

What: Daylesford Organic has many strings to its bow, from a deli and recipe boxes to a cookery school and wellness spa. You can also find a handful of its farm shops across London serving freshly baked goods, wholesome mains and nutritious salads. Some sites offer takeaway only, while others boast a cafe with a full sit-down menu, but you can always count on it to offer a daily salad or two if that’s what you’re craving.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Daylesford Organic Notting Hill, Daylesford Organic Marylebone, Daylesford Organic Kensington, Daylesford Organic Chelsea

Best restaurants serving salads in London

If you prefer to take your time over your salad, or are simply looking for restaurants serving healthier options in the capital, then these places have plenty of nutritious choices on their menus. 

Mildreds, Various locations

What: Vegetarian restaurant Mildreds doesn't necessarily offer a broad range of salads, but all its dishes are bright, balanced and loaded with veg, so a great bet if you're in need of some nutrients. On the menu, discover a grilled roman artichoke caesar salad with capers, tenderstem broccoli and crunchy hemp seeds for a vitamin-dense lunch or dinner. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Mildreds Soho, Mildreds Camden, Mildreds Covent Garden, Mildreds Victoria and more

Malibu Kitchen, City of London

What: Bringing a touch of Californian sunshine to The Ned, Malibu Kitchen is one of the hotel’s more casual ground-floor restaurants, offering counter seating, cosy booths and long communal tables. The menu is geared towards colourful Californian favourites, including a selection of veg-packed salads, from curly kale with chickpeas, apple, radish sprouts and miso, to prawns with pomegranate, mango and endive.
Where: 27 Poultry, EC2R 8AJ
Book now: Malibu Kitchen

Ottolenghi, Various locations

What: It would be impossible to write a guide to salads without mentioning the king of salad himself: Yotam Ottolenghi. Pop into any one of his eponymous delis to find bowls piled high with all manner of loaded veggies. From quick lunches and casual takeaways to a special dinners with friends, it’s perfect for all occasions. Salads vary site to site, but examples include chargrilled hispi cabbage with chilli and garlic chips, roasted aubergine with apricot chutney, nigella seeds and yoghurt, and kale with pearl barley, tahini, pickled shallots and pomegranate.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Ottolenghi Chelsea, Ottolenghi Notting Hill, Ottolenghi Marylebone, Ottolenghi Islington and more

Octagreen, Putney

What: Octagreen is an all-cafe cafe in south west London serving a huge range of breakfast and brunch dishes, hearty homemade mains and gorgeous salads, which passers-by can see piled high in bowls in the front window. Mix and match from the likes of sweet potato with red chilli and balsamic glaze, green beans with walnut and orange dressing, and tomato and jalapeno salad with lemon dressing. 
Where: 85 Putney High Street, SW15 1SR
Book now: Octagreen

Care about where your food comes from? Our round-up of the best sustainable restaurants in London includes eco-friendly spots that take sourcing and sustainability seriously.