Delicious salads to savour in Montréal

With farmer’s markets in Montréal such as the Jean Talon and Atwater, there’s no excuse for not filling our plates and packing our summer meals with local and seasonal good-for-you veggies that are bright and vibrant at the peak of the season. I was challenged to find some of the city’s tastiest salads and, when the mercury topped 33 degrees and I dared not fire up the BBQ, I gladly accepted.

Mandy’s
Mandy’s Salads first started as a modest lunch counter and has now expanded to three locations across the island.  Owned and operated by two sisters with a certain passion for salads, this spot satisfies the salad cravings and guilty consciences of everyone.  They have 15 signature salads like the “Smoked Meat Salad”, the “Man Salad” and the “Wolfe Bol” – aptly named after the sisters – of mixed greens, arugula, brown rice, kale, cherry tomatoes, toasted walnuts, avocado, shaved parmesan, carrots and sesame seeds in their own tamari dressing.  Mandy’s also offers a “create your own salad” where you can pick and choose from a list of ingredients to order a personalize creation.

Mandy’s 5033 Sherbrooke West, 2067 Crescent Street, 201 Laurier Avenue West

Deville Dinerbar
The “Neptune Ahi Tuna Salad” is a salad of mixed greens, hearts of palm, red onions, julienned mango, grape tomatoes, edamame beans, and hard-boiled eggs tossed in a shallot vinaigrette topped with pan seared sesame crusted sushi grade tuna is what made me a believer in salad as a meal. Packed tight and stacked high, this salad was the one that changed my mind about not having to be a Yogi to order salad in a restaurant.

Deville Dinerbar 1425 Stanley Street

Aux Vivres
Opened in 1997, Aux Vivres was the first vegan restaurant in Montréal. With their growing popularity, they have recently expanded their business into the retail market, selling their brand of sauces and fresh sandwiches and wraps at a host of retailers around Montréal. Visit them at their restaurant location and try their famous “Dragon Bowl”. This dish consists of shredded beets, carrots, red cabbage, daikon, lettuce, sprouts, dulse (a sea vegetable), toasted sesame seeds and grilled tofu served over organic brown rice. This bowl is dressed with their “Dragon Sauce” – a signature sweet and tangy tamari-based dressing.

Aux Vivres 4631 Saint-Laurent Boulevard

Omnivore
This spot satiates the palates of both vegetarians and carnivores with offerings of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Check this place out for some of the freshest fattouch salad for only $4! Mixed greens, fresh garden vegetables and pita crisps will keep you energized and refreshed while walking along The Main.

Omnivore 4351 Saint-Laurent Boulevard

Tejano
Located in the heart of St-Henri, your favourite Tex-Mex burrito shop also serves one of the best salads in the city. Pick from the regular or XL salad, and load that baby up with everything that would normally go into a burrito without the tortilla.  Chose from a choice of meats from chef and owner (as well as Champion Pitmaster of Blackstrap BBQ) Dylan Kier, such as ancho-cumin BBQ beef, chorizo-spiced pulled pork, the smoked chicken tinga and a myriad of fresh typical burrito fixins.

Tejano 511 De Courcelle Street