Salads have evolved to include more creative ingredients than your typical greens. While a salad may not be a diner’s first choice, some Charlotte restaurants have placed their salads front and center by loading them with fresh vegetables, fruit, and protein. Whether you want to start your meal with a fresh salad or opt for a larger portion to serve as the main course, start with this list of underrated salads in Charlotte.

Angeline’s, Uptown
Most underrated salad: Peach burrata salad
What’s on it/in it: Grilled Harmony Ridge Farms yellow peaches, Siano burrata, peach vinaigrette, balsamic soaked blackberries, and Fairshare farms spring mix

Bulla Gastrobar, SouthPark
Most underrated salad: Kale Caesar salad
What’s on it/in it: Kale, croutons, manchego cheese, lemon, and Caesar dressing

Church & Union, Uptown
Most underrated salad: Strawberry watercress salad
What’s on it/in it: Smoked goat cheese, pistachio tuile, and strawberry vinaigrette

Fin & Fino, Uptown
Most underrated salad: Market salad
What’s on it/in it: Farm greens, thyme-toasted panko, drop peppers, pickled red onions, and white balsamic vinaigrette 

Haberdish, NoDa
Most underrated salad: Kale salad
What’s on it/in it: Kale, oranges, candied benne seeds, goat cheese, and pomegranate molasses dressing

La Belle Helene, Uptown
Most underrated salad: Duck salad
What’s on it/in it: Duck, bibb lettuce, marinated tomatoes, haricot verts, pecans, and chili lime vinaigrette

Leroy Fox Kitchen & Cocktails, multiple locations
Most underrated salad: Southwestern salad
What’s on it/in it: Grilled blackened shrimp, romaine, black bean corn salsa, red onion, cilantro, tortilla strips, and pineapple sriracha

Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market, Pineville
Most underrated salad: Watermelon feta salad
What’s on it/in it: Spring mix and arugula, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, feta, red onion and a drizzle of white balsamic vinaigrette

Mariposa, Uptown
Most underrated salad: 100 Gardens Salad
What’s on it/in it: 100 Gardens greens, radish, pan roasted crouton, and lemon-shallot vinaigrette

The 100 Gardens salad from Mariposa uses greens from the non-profit 100 Gardens. LunahZon Photography/The Plaid Penguin

Red Salt by David Burke, Uptown
Most underrated salad: Red Salt wedge salad
What’s on it/in it: Baby iceberg lettuce, bacon, blue cheese, and heirloom tomatoes

Salted Melon Market & Eatery, South End
Most underrated salad: Market chop
What’s on it/in it: Artisan greens, alfalfa sprouts, radicchio, spiced pecans, cranberries, cucumber, brûléed goat cheese, avocado, mint, and honey balsamic vinaigrette. Add grilled chicken, grass fed steak, grilled salmon, or tofu.