Atly Logo
New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of Downtown San Jose

Salad spots

A proper salad is a meal in itself, and you expect yours to be substantial enough to count.

Based on 616 Opinions
+613
User
User
User
Updated May 2026
01
Meimei Dumpling image 1
Meimei Dumpling image 2
Meimei Dumpling image 3
View all
Dumpling restaurant

Cozy spot offers handmade dumplings known for flavor and value. Big chunks of cucumber in salad provide a refreshing crunch that balances the meal. Affordable prices and large portions make it perfect for quick, family-style dining.

Big chunks of cucumber make the salad delightfully refreshing. It helps refresh the palate between bites and pairs well with other dishes like noodles.

People are saying

"I found the dumplings to be juicy and flavorful."

"The cucumber salad is delightfully refreshing."

"It's a cozy small place for sharing dumplings with friends."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers affordable dishes with large portion sizes.

2

Parking can be tricky, so plan accordingly.

3

The menu is easy to understand and quick to order from.

02
Saba Grill image 1
Restaurant

Rustic interior offers a cozy vibe despite the cold space. Persian cuisine shines with juicy kabobs and hearty dishes. Fresh, crisp Shirazi salad and creamy Mast-o-Musir sides add vibrant flavors to the meal.

Fresh and vibrant Shirazi salad stands out with crisp flavors. Traditional sides like Mast-o-Musir add a creamy, tangy touch that complements the meal well.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and full of authentic flavor."

"The kebabs here are so juicy and flavorful."

"The Shirazi salad here is fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers generous portions, ideal for sharing.

2

Prices are considered reasonable for the quality of food.

3

The restaurant maintains a high standard of cleanliness.

03
Goodtime Bar image 1
Wine bar

Small wine bar shines with fennel salad that's fresh and crisp, perfect for light bites. Cozy patio and rattan decor create a warm, inviting vibe. Live DJ spins Bay Area classics, adding chill energy to intimate, casual evenings.

Fennel salad stands out with its fresh, crisp flavor and excellent preparation. Other salads like pea sprout salad add variety with their light, vibrant ingredients.

People are saying

"The wine selection here is outstanding and thoughtfully curated."

"The food here was top-notch, truly the best I've had in ages."

"I found the fennel salad to be heavenly."

Good to know

1

Seating is limited, so arrive early to secure a spot.

2

Prices are around $14 per glass of wine and over $25 for food.

3

It can get crowded during peak hours, especially on weekends.

04
Island Taste Caribbean Grill image 1
Caribbean restaurant

Small, intimate space with Caribbean-themed decor and lively island music sets a vibrant mood. Outdoor tables welcome pets, and the open floor plan ensures wheelchair accessibility. Salads like Macaroni Salad and fresh cucumber mixes offer authentic, rich flavors in a cozy setting.

Macaroni Salad stands out with its rich flavor. Island Salad mixes sweet cucumbers, onions, and carrots. Cucumber Salad and rice and peas have new recipes that make them absolutely amazing.

People are saying

"The food here is authentic, packed with flavor, and tastes homemade."

"You have to try the oxtail; it's cooked to perfection."

"The Macaroni Salad was the star of the show."

Good to know

1

Ordering is at a counter at the front.

2

Expect to pay around $30 for a plate.

3

They host a great comedy show every 4th Friday of the month.

05
Elyse Restaurant image 1
French restaurant

Spacious dining room with high ceilings offers a relaxed vibe blending French and Vietnamese styles. Enjoy a free jackfruit salad that starts the meal with a fresh twist. Portions like the salad nicoise are generous and flavorful, perfect for casual yet elegant dining.

A free jackfruit salad starts the meal with a tasty touch. Both the salad nicoise and ceviche come in good-sized portions and taste quite good.

People are saying

"The Vietnamese-French fusion here makes for perfect Date Spots."

"The sea bass here is perfectly cooked and delicious."

"I found the simple, fine details of the salad really good."

Good to know

1

Parking is available across the street for $16 flat.

2

The restaurant has rooms for corporate events and weddings.

3

Guests can bring their own wine due to a temporary lack of liquor license.

06
Angkor Chef image 1
Cambodian restaurant

Small, modern Cambodian spot offers a cozy vibe with stylish decor. Salads shine with bold flavors like papaya salad and vegan options such as the Angkor salad. Fresh, unique tastes blend well with the intimate setting.

Salads feature bold flavors like papaya salad and beef salad with skewers. Vegan options include a complex Angkor salad with noodles and vegetables in a yummy dressing and a vegan papaya salad (bok lahong).

People are saying

"The Cambodian food here is delicious and authentic."

"The vegetarian curry with tofu was excellent."

"The mango salad here is superb and a favorite dish."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for larger parties, especially on weekends.

2

A major public parking garage is right across the street for easy access.

3

The metro system runs down First Street, making it convenient to reach.

07
Eos & Nyx image 1
Californian restaurant

Two-story space buzzes with lively energy and a liquor carousel that adds flair. Salads shine with a fresh tomato salad and a hearty Chicken Caesar loaded with anchovies. Outdoor patio welcomes dogs, blending nature with fun.

Tomato salad stands out with its fresh, surprising flavor. Chicken Caesar Salad features anchovies and more chicken than greens, making it hearty. Potato salad tastes fresh and well-balanced.

People are saying

"The food here is creative and unique, with perfectly cooked dishes."

"The service here makes for an amazing date night."

"The Chicken Caesar Salad had more chicken than salad."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially for larger groups.

2

A $5 cake fee applies for each person if you bring your own cake.

3

Brunch costs around $50 per person, including food and drinks.

08
Whispers Cafe and Creperie image 1

Cafe offers airy indoors and a dog-friendly patio with glass panels that block wind. Fresh salads serve as a low carb side to dishes like fish and chips or crepes. Atmosphere stays quiet and cozy, perfect for relaxed hangouts or quick bites.

Fresh salads come with several dishes like fish and chips and crepes. The salads often serve as a perfect compliment or a low carb side, paired with items like the Alcatraz or Kari crepe.

People are saying

"You have to try the house potatoes; they're fantastic."

"The French food, especially the crepes, is really good."

"I found the salad to be a perfect low carb savory crepe."

Good to know

1

You have to wait in a line to order and then sit.

2

Expect a 20-minute wait during Sunday lunch hours.

3

There is a free public parking garage nearby.

09
The Pasta Market image 1
Italian restaurant

Large space with festive theming offers a warm, quiet spot for friends and family. Salads shine with thousand island sauce and fresh cob salad. Generous portions and affordable prices make casual dining feel special with unique presentation.

Salads come with a thousand island sauce that stands out. The cob salad tastes good and looks fresh. Lunch specials include a side salad with bread and cheese spread for under $20.

People are saying

"The Italian food, especially the pasta, was really good."

"Their house-made bread with cheese spread is legendary."

"The salads here are fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

Expect to pay around $22 for a sandwich with tip and tax.

2

Kids are welcome, making it a family-friendly dining spot.

3

The restaurant has been locally owned since the 1980s.

10
San Jose's Downtown Food Hall image 1

Food hall offers varied dining options in a well-lit, clean space with simple seating. Salads appear as side dishes or in combos like the Mexican salad with nachos. Atmosphere stays lively yet chill, drawing a diverse crowd all day.

Salads come as a side dish with meals and appear as part of combos like the Mexican salad served alongside nachos. They are simple and often paired with other items like miso soup or yogurt.

People are saying

"It's a nice place with plenty of food options to eat."

"I found the food hall's concept to be really cool."

"I was confused where to get my salad and ask questions."

Good to know

1

The food hall offers diverse cuisines from various local vendors.

2

More than 50% of eateries were closed on a Saturday.

3

There were many vegan and vegetarian options available from various cloud kitchens.

Discover more

Downtown San Jose, San Jose

Area guide
Loading Map...