Six places to get your spring salad fix

Posted on 5 September, 2019

Throw off that doona and put down that bowl of creamy pasta—it’s spring, and it’s time to fill your body with fresh, nutritious salads.

Spring has finally sprung, and here at HC HQ we’re craving something a little lighter for lunch.

Hearty, rich meals have their place, but every so often we find ourselves dreaming of some crisp healthy greens. Here are some of our fave places for a salad fix.

THE DISTRICT

Credit: 5foot Photography for HerCanberra.

A pub may not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to salad, but the District in Crace has got you covered. The menu strikes the perfect balance between light and satisfying, in a friendly space with plenty of outdoor dining.

Try the Warm Pumpkin Salad with pepper calamari, roquette, capsicum and feta, topped with white balsamic dressing, for a delicate mixture of naturally sweet and salty ingredients.

If your dining companions aren’t so keen on greens, they can choose from a wide range of pizzas, pastas, parmis and burgers. The wine list isn’t too shabby either, with local drops from Lake George and organic wine from Wild Vine Estate available, and six beers on tap.

56 Abena Ave, Crace | 9 am–10 pm Mon to Thurs, 9 am–11 pm Fri, 8 am–10 pm weekends | thedistrict.com.au

BITTEN GOODFOODS

Photography: Lean Timms. Styling: Alex Howes.

Since 2017, Bitten Goodfoods supermarket and café has been keeping Canberra fresh from their storefront on Lonsdale Street. We particularly love the wholesome, all-organic Bitten Bowl, with seasonal veg, avocado, macadamia feta, kraut, hemp dukkah, quinoa and your choice of protein, like delicious wild rice falafel. With options like cauliflower rice, the Bitten Bowl can be edited to suit nearly all dietary needs, including paleo or keto.

It’s easy to see that Bitten is a different kind of supermarket, stocking organic produce, snacks and other essential products for a healthy life. At the Bites Bar, you’ll find smoothies, salads, stacks, toasties and bowls to suit all diets and preferences.

The whole menu is free of refined sugar and incorporates local ingredients whenever possible.

G17/27 Lonsdale St, Braddon | 7 am–8 pm Mon to Fri, 8 am–6 pm Sat, 9 am–5 pm Sun | bittengoodfoods.com

CAPITOL BAR & GRILL

Capitol Bar & Grill, aka the restaurant at QT Canberra, serves up their salad with an Italian twist. This exquisite burrata will transport you straight to Puglia, with raw artichoke hearts, anchovies, preserved lemon and green olives to keep the dish fresh and light. (Yes, cheese is a salad ingredient and we will not be convinced otherwise.)

Contemporary Italian favourites dominate the menu at Capitol, alongside prime-cut steaks for the carnivores. The Treviso garden salad is another great option as a side. Plus, the luxurious atmosphere and excellent bar will have you feeling those European vacay vibes as soon as you walk through the door.

QT Hotel, 1 London Circuit, Canberra | Lunch  noon–3 pm, dinner from 6 pm daily | qthotelsandresorts.com/canberra

FENWAY PUBLIC HOUSE

For the roast veggie fans, Woden’s Fenway Public House has a colourful, crisp and mouth-watering option. The Roast Pumpkin and Baby Beet Salad, with quinoa, cranberries, walnut and snow pea tendrils is vegan and gluten-free, proving pub food can be sophisticated.

This elevated philosophy extends to sourcing local produce, with smallgoods from Balzanelli and Pialligo, free-range eggs from Hilltops, bread from Three Mills and dairy products from Country Valley on offer.

Fenway also has a selection of local and international beers on tap, or choose an Aperol Spritz or a Pimms Cup from the cocktail list to ring in the party season.

R01/9 Bradley St, Phillip | 11 am–11 pm Mon to Wed, 11 am–midnight Thurs/Fri, 8 am–midnight Sat,  8 am–11 pm Sun | fenwaypublichouse.com.au

MAPLE + CLOVE

Maple + Clove is a haven of handmade, nutritious wholefoods in the Realm Precinct in Barton. Salad devotees should try the Raw Green Salad, with baby kale, quinoa, avocado, baby spinach, broccoli, asparagus, maple soy almonds, crisp apple and lemon tahini dressing, topped with poached chicken breast or poached eggs.

The Maple + Clove space is stylish and welcoming, and the coffee’s pretty great too. The team prides themselves on providing lovingly- prepared food and drink full of antioxidants and immunity boosters, including smoothies, juices, brekky classics, seafood and burgers.

7 Burbury Cl, Barton | 7.30 am–3 pm Mon to Fri, 8 am–3 pm weekends | mapleandclove.com.au

THE DOCK

Take advantage of the sunshine at the Dock, a sports pub located right on the gorgeous Kingston Foreshore. Their Roast Cauliflower Soubise with blue cheese, watercress and crouton salad is one of our faves.

This salad can be made vegan or gluten-free on request but is far from boring, with bursts of rich, creamy flavour in every bite.

The Dock is the place to be for live sports and entertainment, with plenty of big screens and a fun vibe on game night. The menu also offers pizza, seafood, burgers and wings, as well as a creative cocktail selection.

7/81 Giles St, Kingston | 11.30 am–11.30 pm daily | thedockkingston.com.au

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