What To Know
- The Caesar alla ZZ is prepared tableside, bringing a little drama to the dining room — and yes, a salad can absolutely deserve it.
- A generous mix of crisp greens is paired with grilled chicken, creamy avocado and juicy cherry tomatoes, all brought together with a tangy vinaigrette that does the heavy lifting.
- With thoughtful ingredients, smart textures and confident seasoning, each dish earns its place on the menu — not as a compromise, but as a highlight.
Salads have long suffered from an image problem. Too often, they’re seen as a dull obligation rather than something you genuinely crave. But across Dubai’s dining scene, a growing number of restaurants are rewriting that narrative — treating salads with intention, confidence and serious flavour.
Here, salads aren’t side dishes. They’re thoughtfully composed, generously portioned, and layered with texture, acidity, richness and crunch. Whether you’re eating light by choice or simply want something fresh that still delivers, these Dubai restaurants prove salads can be exciting, indulgent and absolutely worth ordering.
Carbone
The salad to order: Caesar alla ZZ
At Carbone, even a Caesar salad comes with theatre. The Caesar alla ZZ is prepared tableside, bringing a little drama to the dining room — and yes, a salad can absolutely deserve it.
Crisp romaine leaves are coated in a rich, punchy dressing and topped with thick, buttery croutons that add serious crunch. Fresh anchovies deliver just the right amount of salt, while generous portions make this salad feel like more than a starter. It’s bold, indulgent and unforgettable.
The Cheesecake Factory
Image: thecheesecakefactory/Website
The salad to order: Sheila Salad
The Sheila Salad is proof that a salad can be both hearty and satisfying. A generous mix of crisp greens is paired with grilled chicken, creamy avocado and juicy cherry tomatoes, all brought together with a tangy vinaigrette that does the heavy lifting.
Crunchy almonds add texture, feta delivers a salty bite, and every forkful feels balanced rather than overloaded. This is a salad that eats like a meal — and leaves no one feeling short-changed.
Cipriani Dolci
Image: Cipriani Dubai/Facebook
The salad to order: Fennel and Avocado Salad
Elegant in its simplicity, Cipriani Dolci’s fennel and avocado salad is all about balance. Crisp, lightly aniseed fennel contrasts beautifully with buttery avocado, while shaved Parmesan adds a savoury depth that ties everything together.
A subtle citrus dressing lifts the flavours without overpowering them, making this salad feel clean, refined and effortlessly satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that quietly impresses with every bite.
CQ Brasserie
The salad to order: Warm Goat Cheese Salad
Warm elements can transform a salad, and CQ Brasserie understands this perfectly. Golden goat cheese croquettes sit atop fresh greens, joined by confit cherry tomatoes, caramelised figs and crisp green apple.
Finished with truffle honey, toasted pine nuts and a balsamic vinaigrette, this salad balances sweet, savoury and acidic notes beautifully. It’s comforting, indulgent and far from ordinary.
Kasigumaseki
The salad to order: Seafood Salad
This is not a delicate side salad — it’s a full-blown statement. Kasigumaseki’s seafood salad features an abundant mix of clams, mussels, raw salmon and a perfectly grilled prawn, all brought together with shiso soy sauce and sancho pepper.
Subtle pops of dried fruit add contrast, while the portion size makes it feel more like a main than a starter. Luxe, bold and meticulously crafted, this salad proves greens can absolutely go big.
Nobu
The salad to order: Crispy Shiitake Salad
Nobu’s Crispy Shiitake Salad delivers texture in every bite. A base of tender greens is crowned with heaps of golden, crunchy shiitake mushrooms, fried to perfection and packed with umami.
A light, creamy dressing binds everything together, while hints of sesame and herbs add depth without heaviness. It’s addictive, satisfying and a reminder that Nobu’s salad game is just as strong as its sushi.
Tashas
The salad to order: Texas Salad
Bold flavours define the Texas Salad at Tashas. Sweet corn, tangy feta, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives and peppery rocket are tossed in a vibrant basil, pesto and lemon dressing that keeps things fresh and lively.
Add chicken and it becomes a full meal, generous in both portion and flavour. Every bite delivers contrast — salty, sweet, herbaceous and bright — making it one of the most dependable salads in the city.
Why These Salads Stand Out in Dubai
These restaurants prove that salads don’t need to be boring, restrictive or forgettable. With thoughtful ingredients, smart textures and confident seasoning, each dish earns its place on the menu — not as a compromise, but as a highlight.
If you think salads can’t be exciting, Dubai’s dining scene is ready to prove you wrong.
