By: Sarah Finkel By: Sarah Finkel | August 22, 2024 | Food & Drink,
What’s so special about leaves, you may ask? Not a whole lot, aside from their nutritional value, detoxing abilities and overall refreshing taste when prepared right—which these eight Miami health-focused cafes and delis are tossing your way. Your coworkers will no longer roll your eyes at your boring lunch with these creative salads in view.
Ody and Kenny Lugo, the masterminds behind Giardino Gourmet Salads, have been serving South Florida communities since 2004 and pride themselves in quality and fresh ingredients. Customers can order from their list of specialty salads or make their own, starting with a base and topped with over 60 ingredients, which are then chopped and tossed directly behind the counter. Their handmade croutons are heavenly, found in Ody’s Toss—a mix of baby leaf and romaine greens, pears, walnuts, cucumbers, blue cheese, ginger dressing and pumpernickel croutons.
Pura Vida’s salads are as aesthetic as they are tasty, tossed with powerful combos that are bound to keep you full for the remainder of the work day. All five of their salads are perfection, but regardless of your mood of the day, you can’t go wrong with the Garden Greens. This super bowl consists of arugula, spinach, mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomato, carrot, pickled cabbage, radish, sprouts, scallion, chickpeas, micro cilantro and sunflower seeds, tossed with tahini and apple cider vinaigrette.
Mario Laufer’s Carrot Express has come a long way since its origin at the Alton Road gas station in South Beach, with over 15 locations offering its signature healthy (and delicious) lifestyle. Obviously, nothing screams “healthy” more than a salad, and the Oriental Crunch salad delivers with a unique flair. A combo of mixed greens, romaine, avocado, carrots, bean sprouts, roasted cashews, sesame seeds, crispy tortilla strips and honey-lime peanut vinaigrette, this salad is a popular one and can be served with an added hormone-free protein.
Calling all vegans: the fast-casual spot SoBe Vegan serves up yummy plant-based dishes that make you forget all about being vegan. The bright and colorful interior mirrors their plates, and you leave feeling both healthy and satisfied—especially after consuming one of their organic salads. We recommend the Taco Bowl, which is a romaine hearts base with a superfood patty, brown rice, microgreens, pico de gallo, avocado, crispy tortilla and sunflower lime crema.
Kosher-style Mediterranean restaurant Motek has garnered somewhat of a cult following, in large part due to their flavorful renditions on classic greens and proteins. While you can never go wrong with a classic Israeli salad, we recommend buckling up for an adventure that only the Fennel Pomegranate salad can deliver. Tossed with fennel, orange, pomegranate, feta, sumac and candied pecans, this one is pure delight for the palate.
Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood is home to a bucolic Israeli restaurant run by two fathers, the meaning behind the Hebrew word “Abba.” A collaboration between chef Samuel Gorenstein and founder of Pura Vida Miami Omer Horev, Abbalé has a stacked menu of refreshing Mediterrnean classics, one being the must-order Crispy Halloumi & Grapefruit salad. This toss is a combo of kale, shaved fennel, radishes, spiced walnuts, nigella seed and date-lemon dressing
Fast-casual, healthy establishment FlyFuel is a must for clean eaters and colorful salad worshippers. The Midtown café offers a wide range of salad additions, never skimping on the protein fix. Opt for the Lentil Veggie for a loaded meal: a mix of arugula, chopped remained, black lentils, shredded carrots, avocado, roasted sweet potato, roasted asparagus, toasted almonds and honey balsamic vinaigrette.
This adored all-day breakfast spot in Midtown also happens to master a health-conscious lunch. The best-of-both combo for those who mesh breakfast with lunch is undoubtedly the Patagonia salad, featuring smoked salmon, greens, poached egg, avocado, beets and dill dressing.
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