I’m a salad lover. Like, salad-is-my-main-food-group level of salad lover. And as a South Tampa native who has been eating at some of these spots for more than two decades, I have strong opinions on the subject of what constitutes the best salads in Tampa.
There is no shortage of great spots for salads in the city, and so many places have their own specialties. In the middle of summer, few things hit better than a flavorful and refreshing bowl of greens with creative toppings. If you’re looking for the ones that are truly worth it, these are my tried-and-true go-tos.
Lettuce be honest: these are the top salads in tampa
My all-time favorite? The Chopped Greek Salad at Louis Pappas (3409 W Bay to Bay Blvd). There is simply no competition for me. The salad is micro-chopped to perfection, but the real prize is the giant mound of potato salad underneath, arguably the best in the world. I have told every person I know about this gem and am their unofficial salad fan club.
That said, I know this is a controversial Tampa opinion because Woody’s (1722 S Dale Mabry Hwy) Chopped Greek Salad has an equally devoted following. It’s another South Tampa institution and one I grew up eating, so I fully respect the rivalry. And while we’re talking about Greek salads, Psomi’s (701 N Howard Ave) Tarpon Greek Salad absolutely belongs in the conversation as a newer staple.
For a completely different salad mood, Bazille at Nordstrom (2223 N Westshore Blvd) is one of my forever favorites. I could order almost any salad there, but I love the Caesar with the Parmesan crisp and swap in the balsamic Dijon dressing. Trust me on this one and once again, fries with the olive aioli is a must…