(Photo: Heybo)
Cover These are the best salad joints in the Central Business District for a healthy lunch (Photo: Heybo)
(Photo: Heybo)

Quick, wholesome, and nourishing—these are the best salad spots in the buzzing CBD

The perfect salad is as elusive a concept as a healthy work-life balance. For first-world urban professionals with endless meetings to attend and fitness goals to meet, it is paramount that their go-to salad place is convenient and with generous portions. In the Central Business District, myriads of options await, but homogenous salad chains might seem unappealing. 

Tatler Dining, however, seeks out grailed finds that allow one to eat the rainbow and meet your fibre requirements. These are some of the best salad lunch pick-me-ups that don’t skimp on flavour and texture, so there’s no need to starve for a cinched waist.

Read more: 5 vegan traditional foods to spice up your plant-based diet

1. The Salad Shop

Tatler Asia
(Photo: The Salad Shop)
Above The signature beetroot hummus at The Salad Shop (Photo: The Salad Shop)
(Photo: The Salad Shop)

If there was a mothership of salads, this singular shop overlooking the Singapore River is it. Founded in 2009, The Salad Shop, which promises quality, sustainably sourced ingredients in a compact box, is a hot favourite patronised by the busy and health-conscious around Raffles Place. Wholesome, unpretentious and thoughtfully curated are the elements that elevate The Salad Shop to household name status. The beetroot hummus, served in generous dollops, is a standout. If building your own box is too much of a hassle, go for Box No.3. This midday protein load includes baked salmon, tomato salsa, feta greek salad, lime and Japanese sesame over a bed of scallion soy soba. Vegans are also in for a satisfying treat with the Veg box, consisting of baked tofu, sweet potato and quinoa balls, red cabbage salad and a tangy chipotle almond mayo. With window views to match, this is a place not to be missed.

The Salad Shop
Address: 80 Raffles Place, #01-20, S(048624), +65 6536 3686

2. Grains & Co

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Grain Traders)
Above Despite the wallet-friendly prices, servings at Grains & Co don’t stint on its ingredients (Photo: Grains & Co)
(Photo: Grain Traders)

Located in the bustling financial hub, Grains & Co is big on superfood grains and nutritional gains. Despite the wallet-friendly prices, portions here don’t stint on its ingredients. Clean-eaters can opt for the Seoulful Tofu Bowl with spicy Korean tofu, marinated brown rice, bean sprouts, boiled egg, edamame, and a splash of creamy sesame. If in need of wholesome, carby goodness, go for the Spice-Sea Tango bowl with cold pesto pasta, romaine lettuce, cajun white fish, charred cauliflower, roasted carrot, corn, beetroot hummus, broccoli drenched in spicy mango vinaigrette. For something meatier, opt for the Beef-tastic bowl with herb-roasted Angus beef, Mexican millet, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, Korean bean sprouts, corn, edamame, boiled egg and drizzled in chipotle.

Grains & Co
Address: 30 Raffles Place, #B1-13 CIMB Plaza, S(048622), +65 8065 5277

3. The Daily Cut 

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Daily cut
Above The Daily Cut bowls are completely customisable and features a rotating series of quality meats (Photo: The Daily Cut)
Daily cut

The Daily Cut’s outlets at Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar just might be a testament to its success as a wholefoods staple. With its simple, minimalist concept, the menu is completely customisable—perfect for picky eaters. Carnivores are in for a treat as customers can choose between a rotating series of quality meats; think sirloin steak, rosemary lamb sausage, and even sweet and sour shrimp. For fitness enthusiasts, The Daily Cut even offers a ‘macro calculator’ on its site so no nutritional value goes under the radar. There are also seasonal specials from time to time. In theme with the fall season, the chain will be serving up earthy falafel, savoury bulgogi-style eggplant, and spiced okra paired best with homemade harissa aioli or brown butter vinaigrette.

The Daily Cut
Address: 7 Wallich St, #B2-16 Guoco Tower, S(078884), +65 6386 6160

4. Superfood Kitchen x The Green Bar

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Superfood
Above This salad joint also serves up a burrito version of the salad bowl (Photo: Superfood Kitchen x The Green Bar)
Superfood

Another option for nutritional information perusers presents itself at Superfood Kitchen x The Green Bar. Despite its limited menu, the collaboration between the two salad joints results in curated goodness. Try the Mediterranean Delight, featuring sous vide chicken breast with quinoa cooked in vegetable broth, tomato salsa, hummus peanut butter, pickled red onions, and roasted sea-salt pumpkin, drizzled with a garlic aioli dressing. For something with a bit of a kick, try the classic Cajun bowl featuring Cajun chicken with spiced couscous, tomato salsa, roasted rosemary potatoes, chickpeas, avocado guacamole, drizzled with a honey yoghurt dressing. If salads tire you, go for one wrapped in tortilla skin. The salad joint also serves up a burrito version of the salad bowl promising a satisfying bite.

Superfood Kitchen x The Green Bar
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, Raffles City, B1-78, S(179103), +65 6016 0048

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5. The Harvest

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(Photo: The Harvest)
Above The Harvest is a stop that does not compromise on portion size (Photo: The Harvest)
(Photo: The Harvest)

Another salad bowl that does not compromise on portion size is The Harvest, located along Shenton Way. Looking to cool off from that morning meeting? This salad joint also offers an array of teas and kombuchas to make that perfect salad pairing. Go for the All Protein Bowl, bringing a surf and turf combo of three sous vide animal proteins—a strip of ribeye steak, salmon fillet, and chicken breast finished with broccoli and brown rice or lettuce. For something lighter yet equally tasty, go for the Easy Greek Pasta Salad, a crowd favourite consisting of romaine, olives, feta cheese and pickled onions. Looking to carb load? The Harvest also offers hearty sandwiches such as a tuna melt and pesto chicken—perfect with sips of tomato soup.

The Harvest
Address: 6A Shenton Way, #03-30, Downtown Gallery, S(068815), +65 9648 7905

6. Grain Traders

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Grain Traders)
Above Grain Traders is known for dishing out aesthetic-pleasing supersized salad bowls since 2015 (Photo: Grain Traders)
(Photo: Grain Traders)

Eat the rainbow at Grain Traders, known for dishing out aesthetic-pleasing supersized salad bowls since 2015. Unlike most salad joints, Grain Traders has plenty of indoor seating and an al fresco section to defrost from the office air-conditioning and people-watch while you graze. For hearty yet nourishing vegan food, go for Tantrum which combines a flavourful pad kra pao, replacing traditional meats with young jackfruit, and stir-fried with barley risotto, grilled eggplant, tomato salad, cauliflower pickle, roasted chickpeas and coconut curry. For a spicy pick-me-up, go for Down Under which fuses steak parrillada, brown rice nasi lemak, roasted baby potato and grape, green papaya salad, beansprout salad, sambal ljo and salsa verde. If you’re a quiche fan like me, Grain Traders is one of the few places that serve up meaty salmon quiches with two vegetables of your choice.

Grain Traders
Address: 138 Market Street, #01 CapitaGreen, S(048946), +65 9776 8379

7. Supergreen

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Supergreen)
Above Supergreen which offers both salad bowls and sandwiches (Photo: Supergreen)
(Photo: Supergreen)

Convenience and quality are almost mutually exclusive, but at Supergreen which offers both salad bowls and sandwiches, this equation is made possible. With the option of bulk order deliveries to feed the whole office, the joint still has plenty of indoor dining space to accommodate those looking to escape extra office chatter. The Moo bowl, sporting yakiniku-style beef, sous-vide egg, cherry tomato, curried cauliflower, and sesame tofu drizzled with ginger soy dressing, is a hit. Skip the chicken breast and opt for Smokey Duckey, which contains oven-baked smoked duck, cherry tomato, roasted baby potato, roasted pumpkin, sweet corn and a lashing of spicy mayo dressing. The Sichuan mala prawn sandwich, stacked with prawns, vegetables and cheese, makes a good mid-day snack too.

Supergreen
Address: 10 Anson Road, #01-39, International Plaza, S(079903), +65 8899 6480

8. Urban Mix

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(Photo: Urban Mix)
Above Urban Mix’s accessible location and generous portion sizes make it extra attractive for lunch on crunch time (Photo: Urban Mix)
(Photo: Urban Mix)

A niche favourite among the CBD crowd, Urban Mix, adjacent to the MRT station, offers customisable bowls and overall fuss-free bites. The accessible location and generous portion sizes make it extra attractive for lunch on crunch time. Go for the meaty Gangnam Style which contains thinly sliced pork belly, char-grilled chicken thigh, and sauteed vegetables. If you still subscribe to a diet, the signature bowl of Guilt Free Gluten Free includes lean chicken breast, avocado, mushrooms, broccoli, hard-boiled egg, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, sweet corn over baby spinach with a touch of honey mustard sauce.

Urban Mix
Address: 1 Raffles Place, #B1-01, Singapore S(048616), +65 6532 0966

9. Salmon Samurai

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(Photo: Salmon Samurai)
Above The signature bowl at Salmon Samurai (Photo: Salmon Samurai)
(Photo: Salmon Samurai)

True to its name, believers in the nutritional values of the mighty salmon will be delighted to find a salad place wholly dedicated to the fish. Besides customising your bowl, the joint also offers corporate catering and sushi platters. Freshness is key here and is properly demonstrated with the Mentai Samurai which brandishes indulgent salmon mentaiko and poke, alongside furikake rice, mixed greens salad, salmon roe, cashew almond mix, and an onsen egg. For something leaner, have the Keto Bowl, where salmon sashimi pairs with shirataki noodles, mixed greens salad, and accompaniments of half avocado, cashew almond mix, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes. Ask for a warm serve of salmon miso soup to wash it all down.

Salmon Samurai
Address: 10 Collyer Quay #B1-08, Ocean Financial Centre, S(049315), +65 6634 8593

10. Bamboo Bowls

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Bamboo bowls)
Above The Asian-inspired nosh at Bamboo Bowls is made possible by winning combinations curated by top chefs (Photo: Bamboo Bowls)
(Photo: Bamboo bowls)

Salad bowls never tasted better. The Asian-inspired nosh at Bamboo Bowls is made possible by winning combinations curated by top chefs such as Damien D’ Silva, Mano Thevar, and Bjorn Shen, assuring a wholesome yet high-quality lunch without bleeding your wallet. Try Osaka, which includes savoury Japanese curry over onions, carrots, potatoes, plant-based meat, roasted sesame and nori flakes on a bed of Japanese brown rice and pickled vegetables. Craving Indian? The Bombay, containing basmati brown rice, corn and chana dahl khichdi, pumpkin vada, kachumber raita, curry leaf crumb and crispy onions, will not disappoint. If you’re looking to try a deconstructed ssambap, the Seoul bowl promises slurp-worthy japchae noodles tossed with bell peppers, gochujang tofu, and vegan kimchi.

Bamboo Bowls
Address: 30 Raffles Place, #01-02/05, S(048622) +65 8780 9459

11. Heybo

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Heybo)
Above Heybo’s colourful salad bowls make for a meaty lunch (Photo: Heybo)
(Photo: Heybo)

If you’re a protein-maximalist, Heybo’s colourful salad bowls make for a meaty lunch. With a nitty-gritty list of nutritional information available for each salad bowl on their webpage, this salad place, located at Republic Plaza and Capital Tower, keeps its consumer well informed of their diet. The Char-Grilled bowl is popular, starring char-grilled steak, tri-colour quinoa, roasted pumpkin wedge, charred corn, tomato salad, garlic breadcrumbs with red pepper dip and savoury balsamic butter. Packed with a whopping 50 grams of protein, the Kampong Table is liberal about nutrition. It sees a combination of roasted lemongrass chicken, mixed grains, basil tofu, onsen egg, oriental cabbage salad, purple sweet potato dip and a tangy green goddess dressing.

Heybo
Address: 168 Robinson Road, #01-09, Capital Tower, S(068912), +65 6993 5008

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