Summer and salads are a match made in heaven. The seasonal fruits and vegetables also help add a dash of flavours to these light and refreshing dishes. If you’re planning to avoid oily foods, when eating out, a summer salad is the perfect choice. So, before the temperatures rise again, here’s a list of salads from popular cafes and restaurants in Kolkata that you should bookmark for your next visit.

The Yellow Straw

Avocado Dill Ranch Salad and Italian Parmesans Salad

Get a double dose of freshness and seasonal produce in salads at this juice bar. Planning a hangout with your buddies? Chill, while you take a sip of fresh juices and indulge in a sumptuous summer salad. The restaurant offers a variety of wholesome salads, featuring Watermelon Feta Salad, Daily Mix Fruit Salad, Cut Kiwi Fruit Bowl, Fruit and Nut Mix Salad and more. If you love greens in your salads then go for Quinoa Salad, Sprouts Green Salad, Vegetable Green Salad, Protein Power Paneer Salad and more. And guess what? They also have a summer special menu, featuring delicious salads, smoothie bowls and healthy bun sliders.You can try their Avocado Dill Ranch Salad and Italian Parmesan Salad as well.

Co-founder of The Yellow Straw, Piyush Kankaria, said, “Our salads are a summer delight, crafted with the freshest ingredients to provide a refreshing and healthy option in the form of a complete meal.”

“Our artisanal dressings are also made in-house, ensuring quality and flavour in every bite,” added co-founder Vikram Khinwasara.

Pop picks: Avocado Dill Ranch Salad, Italian Parmesan Salad, Watermelon Feta Salad, Quinoa Salad

Pocket pinch: Rs 250 onwards

Address: Across all outlets

Roastery Coffee House

A variety of prawn and chicken salads are available at the cafe

Love meaty salads? Head straight to Roastery Coffee House. They have a tempting salad menu with four non-veg salads. Indulge in a classic Grilled Chicken Salad with exotic veggies dressed in Caesar dressing or get your protein from the Boiled Egg Salad dressed in garlic mayo. Looking for something different? Try their Chicken Salami Italian Salad and Grilled Prawn Salad. You will get vegetarian options too. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast or post-sunset meal at the cafe savouring these wholesome bowls of goodness.

Pop-Picks: Grilled Prawn Salad and Chicken Salami Italian Salad

Pocket pinch: Rs 250 onwards

Address: 70B, Inside South India club, Hindustan Park, Gariahat, Kolkata: 700029

Speak Burgers by chef Vicky Ratnani

Enjoy the Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad Bowl at this restaurant

Whoever said salads are boring clearly hasn’t tried Speak Burgers’ burger bowls yet. Ditch the bun and get to the best part of a burger — the things in between! Filled with protein and greens, no one can tell you to not eat burgers again if you are having it at Speak Burgers. Dig into a Cottage Cheese Caesar Salad Bowl that comes with Romaine leaves, parmesan cheese, brioche croutons, garlic mustard dressing, cottage cheese, charred broccoli and bell peppers. Or try the Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad Bowl. You will also get burger bowls with mushrooms and buff patties.

Pop picks: Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad Bowl, Cottage Cheese Caesar Salad

Pocket pinch: Rs 500 onwards

Address: Housed in Novotel: CF Block(Newtown), Action Area 1C, Rajarhat, New Town, Kolkata: 700156

Burma Burma 

(Clockwise) The Guava Salad, Lotus Root Salad and Tea Leaf Salad are a must-try at Burma Burma

Enjoy Burmese flavours in your salads at Burma Burma Park Street. With eight unique salads on the menu, enjoy the zest and freshness as the temperature soars high outside. The chef’s recommendation — the Tea Leaf Salad — has pickled tea leaves that add to the taste. Crunchy nuts, toasted sesame seeds, crispy lettuce leaves, fried garlic and sliced tomatoes make it a delish affair. Feel the crunch with Lotus Root Salad or get a sweet and spicy kick with Guava Salad. You may also go ahead and order an assortment of three different salads — tea leaf, sunflower leaf and raw mango — and enjoy it all together.

Pop picks: Tea Leaf Salad, Lotus Root Salad, Guava Salad

Pocket pinch: Rs 500 onwards

Address: 18 M, Ground Floor, Stephen Court, Mother Teresa Sarani, Kolkata: 700071

Blue Tokai 

(Clockwise) Kale and Baby Spinach Salad, Millet Tabbouleh and Smoked Chicken and Broccoli Salad

Out on a coffee date? While you pick up the cold brew over hot coffee, you can also try salads at Blue Tokai. Get a wholesome healthy bowl of Smoked Chicken and Broccoli Salad that comes loaded with broccoli, chicken pieces, toasted almonds dressed in maple balsamic reduction. The thinly sliced apples and cranberries add that extra sweetness. For a heavier meal, you can try their Millet Tabbouleh that is made with foxtail millet, cucumbers, bell peppers, parsley, walnuts and parsley dressed in lemon sumac. To top it off, there is goat cheese. For a greener salad bowl, Kale and Baby Spinach will be a great choice!

Pop-Picks: Smoked Chicken and Broccoli Salad, Millet Tabbouleh

Pocket pinch: Rs 350 onwards

Address: Across all outlets

Waypoint Cafe 

(Clockwise) Panzallea, Romanian Potato Salad and Salata Orientala

Planning to visit Waypoint Cafe? Do not miss their European-style salads. Go vegan with a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped Panzallea or enjoy a simple Romanian Potato Salad with Salata Orientala. You can also try their watermelon salads, like Spanish Compressed Watermelon Salad, Vegan Compressed Watermelon Salad, or Primavera assembled with seasonal greens and fruits.

Pop picks: Panzallea, Salata Orientala

Pocket pinch: Rs 350 onwards

Address: 32B, Sarat Bose Rd, Chakraberia, Ballygunge, Kolkata: 700019

Boo-Tang 

Aptly called Boo-rrata, this salad comes as a pleasant surprise with its soft and fresh Burrata

A comparatively new joint in the city, Boo-Tang offers a delish Burrata salad. Aptly called Boo-rrata, it comes as a pleasant surprise with its soft and fresh Burrata in a bowl of Thai basil, rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes. It is dressed in Basil oil and Balsamic glaze. Owner Muskan Sethi, informed, “It is a very light salad and is served absolutely cold and crisp! The dressing is also super refreshing!”

Pop-Picks: Boo-rrata

Pocket pinch: Rs 575

Address: 6, Camac Street, Elgin, Kolkata: 700071

Veneto Bar & Kitchen 

Don't miss the Jackson Pollock Burrata at Veneto Bar & Kitchen

Need more Burrata salad recommendations? There’s one at Veneto Bar and Kitchen too! The Jackson Pollock Burrata is a signature Burrata with Tuscan and Sicilian flavours, praline nuts and basil oil — just perfect for the summer. “Our summer salads are fresh and offer a burst of flavours and textures that perfectly complement the season’s vibe,” said Vanita Bajoria, owner of Veneto Bar & Kitchen.

Pop-Picks: Jackson Pollock Burrata

Pocket pinch: Rs 645

Address: 375, Prince Anwar Shah Road, South City Complex, Jadavpur, Kolkata: 700068