Restaurants

Eating clean in 2023? These 10 places have the best salads in the Columbus area.

Mabella’s Italian Steakhouse
Mabella’s Italian Steakhouse Ledger-Enquirer file

Maybe you like yours with leafy greens and fresh veggies or perhaps with sweet fruit and delicious chicken.

However you like yours, one thing’s for sure, the dressing has to be good.

That’s just a must.

If one of your new year’s resolutions was to eat healthier, salads are usually a go-to food choice.

So we’ve got just the list to help you stay on track this year.

Have you tried all these? They’ve ranked the best in Columbus by reviewers on Tripadvisor.

Let’s take a closer look:

11th and Bay Southern Table

Spotted at the Char-Broil Nights event at 11th and Bay Southern Table Restaurant, October 17, 2016
Spotted at the Char-Broil Nights event at 11th and Bay Southern Table Restaurant, October 17, 2016 photo@ledger-enquirer.com

Address: 1050 Bay Ave., Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “We shared a bay salad that was delicious. A fun mix of greens, apples and an awesome dressing,” said John.

Favorite salads on the menu: southern caprese and bibb salad

Plucked Up Chicken & Biscuits

Address: 1208 1st Ave, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “Plucked up is a consistently great place for lunch. The Asian salad is my fave,” said Ken.

Favorite salads on the menu: Korean BBQ salad and chicken salad

The Black Cow

The Black Cow on 12th Street has been open for nearly a decade.
The Black Cow on 12th Street has been open for nearly a decade. Chuck Williams chwilliams@ledger-enquirer.com

Address: 115 12th St, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “I had the steak salad and it was really good and it was HUGE. The homemade blue cheese dressing was really good,” said Penny.

Favorite salads on the menu: steak salad and grilled mandarin chicken salad

Epic

Epic Restaurant is located in the Eagle & Phenix riverfront complex in Columbus, formerly the home of a thriving textile mill. Epic is one of only 13 AAA four-diamond restaurants in Georgia. Columbus also landed 34 more restaurants (although two have closed) with 1 to 3 diamonds on AAA’s 2018 list of top places to dine. --
Epic Restaurant is located in the Eagle & Phenix riverfront complex in Columbus, formerly the home of a thriving textile mill. Epic is one of only 13 AAA four-diamond restaurants in Georgia. Columbus also landed 34 more restaurants (although two have closed) with 1 to 3 diamonds on AAA’s 2018 list of top places to dine. -- Robin Trimarchi rtrimarchi@ledger-enquirer.com

Address: 1201 Front Ave. suite e, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “The heirloom tomato salad was the best I’ve had anywhere,” said Jan.

Favorite salads on the menu: wine poached pear salad and tomato salad

Mabella’s

Mabella’s Italian Steakhouse
Mabella’s Italian Steakhouse Ledger-Enquirer file

Address: 14 W 11th St, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “The golden beet salad with goat cheese was amazing,” said James.

Favorite salads on the menu: wedge salad and house salad

Trevioli Italian Kitchen

Address: 1329 Front Ave Suite A, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “Started with the Mediterranean salad that was most unique and plentiful. Loved it,” said RJK.

Favorite salads on the menu: Italian salad and Caesar salad

Midtown Coffee House

The caramel apple cider at Midtown Coffee House.
The caramel apple cider at Midtown Coffee House. Nick Wooten nwooten@ledger-enquirer.com

Address: 1342 13th St, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: “The House Chicken Salad is a most delightful salad! So full of flavor and character,” said Mocks.

Favorite salads on the menu: fresh kale salad

Iron Bank Coffee Co.

Columbus residents seek shelter and hot coffee in Iron Bank Coffee Company on rainy Saturday, January 11, 2020.
Columbus residents seek shelter and hot coffee in Iron Bank Coffee Company on rainy Saturday, January 11, 2020. Darrell Roaden Special to the Ledger-Enquirer

Address: 6 11th St, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “I had the shrimp and avocado salad; it was perfection,” said Rose.

Favorite salads on the menu: any of the build your own salad choices with lemon vinaigrette or Italian dressing

The Loft

Address: 1032 Broadway, Columbus, GA 31901

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “I got the Italian salad with grilled shrimp and I was not disappointed. Very good,” said one reviewer.

Favorite salads on the menu: southwestern salad and chopped Asian salad

Your Pie

Address: 5592 Whitesville Rd, Columbus, GA 31904

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review: “Best salads ever,” said Emily.

Favorite salads on the menu: Greek salad and caprese salad

Don’t see your favorite place to snag a salad? Write us in the comments and let us know where you like to go and what your go-to salad order is.

Chelsea Madden
The Telegraph
Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.
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