Heatwave Dining: London’s Elite Salad Spots

As the fourth heatwave of the year descends on the capital, hot lunches are out of the question. All we want to eat is cold, refreshing food – and thankfully, London has seriously upped its game when it comes to salad in recent years. Gone are the days of limp lettuce, a measly helping of chicken and soggy dressing: now the capital is home to a whole host of exciting salad bars mixing up delicious bowls of goodness that you’ll actually want to eat. Read on for the C&TH pick.

Best Salad Bars In London 2026

The Salad Project

In 2021, friends and hospitality graduates Florian de Chezelles and James Dare took a leap by quitting their jobs to build a new fast-casual salad spot in London. Frustrated with the boring, expensive lunch choices on offer across the city, they set out to create something more interesting and nutritious, focusing on customisable protein-packed salad bowls. They began with a single market stall in Spitalfields, and gradually grew the business – now there are 15 stores dotted across the capital. The menu includes signatures like The SP Caesar, a kale and cos lettuce base topped with honey mustard chicken and crumbled parmesan, and The Miso Salmon, which sees red rice paired with broccoli, roasted salmon, sesame slaw and a chilli cashew crunch. If none of those appeal, you can also build your own with a wide choice of bases, toppings and dressings. 

Locations include Battersea, Notting Hill and Victoria, saladproject.co.uk

Farmer J

Working long hours in the City at Deutsche Bank, Jonathan Recanati’s diet consisted of Pret, Leon and Itsu on rotation. But he soon realised the options were bland and limited – so what about if a new cafe could bring something new and exciting to the city’s on-the-go food market? He joined forces with his wife Ali to open Farmer J, with the first branch launching on Leadenhall Street in 2016 – and the rest is history. Now there are 18 locations across the city, famous for the signature ‘Fieldtrays’ where diners choose a base of rice, grains or salad plus protein and sides. You can also select from pre-created bowls: the menu includes the Salmon Bowl made with gochujang salmon, sesame cabbage and kale miso slaw, and the Harissa Bowl, a mix of harissa chicken, Greek salad, pickled cucumber and sesame cabbage. Pro in the kitchen? Have a go at recreating some of Farmer J’s signatures with these recipes.

Locations include London Bridge, Holborn, Hammersmith and Piccadilly, farmerj.com

Kaana

Indian food doesn’t have to be heavy, as shown by City hotspot Kaana. Founded by former Aesop strategist Symron Mean Bedi, the cafe focuses on Indian-inspired build-your-own lunch bowls and thalis: choose a base of either cauliflower biriyani, mixed quinoa or shredded lettuce and cabbage, then pick from a selection of protein choices like chickpea chaat, chilli paneer and tandoori chicken. Add sides of masala spiced sweet potato, charred tamarind broccoli, and cucumber salad, pick your sauce (think mango hot sauce, lime and chilli vinaigrette, and coriander chutney), top with chillies, lime wedges or crunchy spice mix and you’ve got your bowl. Flavoursome, nutritious and packed with spice, Kaana makes a nice change from the classic salads you’ll find in London.

2 New St Square, London EC4A 3BZ, kaanafood.com

Holy Greens

Soon to open in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square is the first London branch from beloved Swedish salad bar Holy Greens. The concept was founded by David Egonson and Nebo Pavicevic in 2013, born out of a simple idea: that fast food shouldn’t mean compromising on quality, flavour or sustainability (all ingredients are locally sourced and every dish on the menu is climate-labelled). After the first branch in the city of Helsingborg proved a hit, 30 restaurants were rolled out across Sweden – and now Londoners are getting a taste. Bases like black rice, quinoa and glass noodles are topped with protein and veggies to make staples like the Laxokado, smoked salmon with avocado, marinated kale, pickled carrot and sunflower seeds, and the Mexicali, made with slow-cooked beef, chipotle cream and mango. 

Opening soon in Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, holygreens.se

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The Acai Girls

Although (as the name suggests) acai bowls are a big part of The Acai Girls, the cafe also serves up stellar salads. It’s the brainchild of Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Georgia-May and her sister Megan Salamat, who launched the concept during the first lockdown of 2020 – initially dishing out their nutritious fare via Deliveroo. Now there are four branches across London, offering nourishing food that doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. The menu includes a selection of buddha bowls like the Green Detox, made with paprika sweet potato, garlic and soy broccoli, sliced avocado and sesame kale, and the Acai Girls take on a Caesar Salad mixed with honey mustard chicken, kale, parmesan and a healthier Caesar sauce made with Greek yoghurt, parmesan and nutritional yeast. You can choose your own dressing and add on extras like honey-glazed halloumi, falafels and soft-bodied eggs. While you’re there, be sure to try one of the specialty matcha drinks or a smoothie like the Kiss My Acai, made with acai, strawberries, vanilla, beetroot powder and coconut milk. 

Locations in Fulham, Belgravia, Notting Hill and Spitalfields, acaigirls.com

The Good Life Eatery

One of London’s earliest health food cafes was The Good Life Eatery, which went viral in the mid-2010s after being founded by childhood friends Yasmine Larizadeh and Shirin Kouros. The duo set out to bring LA-inspired cafe culture to London, swerving UPFs in favour of whole foods. Ultra-healthy diners will be in their element here: the menu includes a range of superfood salads packed with ingredients like kale, goji berries, quinoa and seeds. Our top pick? The signature Me Gusta Ensalada, made with jerk chicken, avocado and black beans, with a jalapeño and coriander dressing. 

Locations in Chelsea, St. John’s Wood and Marylebone, goodlifeeatery.com

atis

Former Noble Rot sommelier Eleanor Warder and her husband are the founders of health food hotspot atis, built around the mantra: ‘good for the body, the soul and the planet’. Think bright, colourful plant-powered bowls, with a choice of flavoursome salads or hot dishes – the former includes favourites like the Kalamata Queen, made with olives, crumbled feta, cucumber, rocket and focaccia croutons with a lemon oregano vinaigrette, and the Double Crunch Thai, a mix of shredded carrots, pickled red chilli, spring onion and chilli lime cashews with a satay dressing. If none of these take your fancy, there’s also the option to build your own bowl from the wide selection of ingredients and toppings on offer. Each bowl is labelled with the nutritional content too, useful for those tracking macros.

Locations across London including Borough Yards, Notting Hill and Moorgate, atis.life