Patisserie de Paris

The owner, Paul, studied classic French cuisine in the south of France. Fancy. He’s big on sourcing top-quality ingredients and crafting artisan breads. I am such a push-over when it comes to homemade bread, so I decided to try a filled baguette - I’m sensible like that. It’s been rated the best baguette in Johannesburg, so I was curious to see if it lived up to all the hype.

While I waited, I sipped on strawberry juice and pinched some lavender from a little wooden crate. Cheesy French music put a smile on my face, as did snippets of the conversation taking place two tables away from me. Blairgowrie moms can gossip like nobody’s business. My baguette arrived in good time, laden with smoked Norwegian salmon, cream cheese, capers, cucumber, and dill. The baguette itself was delicious and incredibly chewy (I’m assuming the French like it this way – no complaints from my side either). The ingredients, the salmon especially, were fresh.

The menu also boasts a French-bistro-style croque monsieur (basically a posh cheese toastie), as well as a burger topped with camembert and preserved fig. Once you’ve filled up on proper food, you’ll have the strength to go inside and eyeball the cake selection.

Was I charmed? Quite. Was I happy with my meal? Certainly. Am I going to return to Patisserie de Paris at some point with a little wheelbarrow to relieve Paul of his pastries and cheeses? Oui.

Have you been here before? Rate and review your experience below!

Life Grand Café

Life’s Grand Café’s salad bar is amazing enough to turn any die-hard carnivore into a veg lover (for one meal, at least). Here’s how it works: you get a base of lettuce, tomato and cucumber and can then pick four toppings. It’s always a tough choice deciding what to fill your bowl with. From beetroot and olives to veggie chips and Danish feta, there’s plenty to choose from. You can also add a protein to your salad if you like (for a bit extra).

Where: Waterfall Corner Mall, Corner of Maxwell and Woodmead Drives, Woodmead, Johannesburg.

Hyde Park Corner, Corner Jan Smuts Avenue and William Nicol Drive, Hyde Park, Johannesburg.

Mall of the South, Corner Swartkoppies Road and Klipriver Drive, Aspen Hills Near South, Mulbarton, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

Rockets Express

Rockets Express is also a build-your-own salad bar. You choose everything – base, toppings and dressing, but if you don’t want to make your own, they’ve got some options on the menu that have been thought out on your behalf. The Veg Loco, with grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, olives, feta, red onion and mixed peppers, dressed with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar sounds like the perfect pick if you ask us.

Where: 24 Central, Corner of Gwen Lane & Fredman Drive, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg.

Melrose Arch, Corner Corlett Drive and M1 Highway, Melrose, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

La Vie En Rose

La Vie En Rose is great for two reasons (okay, more, but we’re going with two for now): their lush, outdoorsy setting… and their salads. They’ve got a range of options, but the one that sticks out most (for us, anyway) would have to be the Bunny Hop, which is sweet oven-roasted butternut with Danish feta, avo, couscous, walnuts and honey mustard dressing. Yum!

Where: 60 5th Street (Killarney Country Club) Johannesburg , 2196

For more information, click here.

JB’s Corner

The menu at JB’s Corner really has something for everyone – and that goes for their salad department, too. From grain-free options to meaty delights and even a calamari salad, you’re certainly spoilt for choice here.We love Shoot The Breeze, which is your grain of choice (quinoa, please) with balsamic roasted butternut, feta, Parmesan shavings and avo. Just a warning: their salads are huge!

Where: 3 High Street, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

Krunch

You don’t normally think of healthy foods when you think of a food court, but Krunch is an exception. This place screams health and their salads are nothing short of fab. You can design your own salad if you like… they have a fantastic range of options, including seared tuna, cottage cheese, sundried tomatoes and rare roast beef. Our top pick would have to be one of their pre-made salads – the Seared Salmon and Almond one, to be exact. It comes with baby spinach, cucumber, red onion, Danish feta, sundried tomatoes, seared salmon and roasted almonds.

Where: Food Court, Sandton City, Corner 5th and Maude Streets, Sandton, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

Tashas

Tashas is one of those something-for-everyone places… and their salads definitely don’t fall short in this regard. From Thai beef options to Nicoise creations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing! May we suggest a salad? Okay, great! Have the Heirloom Halloumi – heirloom tomatoes, Middle Eastern spiced halloumi, fennel, cucumber, red onion, pomegranate, mint and pomegranate dressing.

Where: There are many Tashas branches, follow the link below for more info.

For more information, click here.

Thyme On Nicol

Thyme on Nicol is a great place to pop past when you’re in need of a healthy on-the-go lunch or want to sit down and eat a nourishing salad. They offer a wide range, including sashimi salads if you feel like sushi without the carbs. Our pick at this place has got to be the Salmon and Avo salad, which is smoked salmon and avo on Asian lettuce with red onion, sweet potato strings, capers and a lemon mustard dressing.

Where: Corner William Nicol and Republic Roads, Bryanston, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

Salvationcafe

Situated in a stunning courtyard, Salvationcafe’s food offerings are drool-worthy. Pull up a chair and get ready for some tough choices. Do you pick the Tuna and Chickpea Salad or the Classic Ceasar? We'd go for the Citrus and Almond Salad, with peppers, cherry tomato, cucumber, fresh beans, spring onion and avo… with added free-range chicken.

Where: 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

Kauai

Ever since Kauai revamped their look, feel and food offering, we just can’t seem to stay away from them! We love that you can customise your salads to suit your personal taste – pick a base, four fillings, crunchy topping, dressing and add a protein if you like. We like to make my own creation up, with house greens, rosa tomatoes, carrots, radishes, broccoli, seed mix, olive oil and a free-range boiled egg.

Where: There are plenty of Kauai branches, follow the link below for more information.

For more information, click here.

Doppio Zero

Doppio Zero has got plenty of options, from classic capreses to rump and rocket options… chances are whatever you’re in the mood for is already on the menu. The Prawn, Avo and Pawpaw salad is simply divine – served with grilled prawns, pawpaw, baby greens, avo, red onion and a red wine vinaigrette.

Where: There are plenty of Doppio Zero branches, follow the link below for more information.

For more information, click here.

Greenside Café

Greenside Café is a haven for salad lovers. This vegan restaurants serves up super-filling and well thought out healthy options. Check out their salad offerings – you won’t be sorry. The Wakame Seaweed Salad is a must-try… with rice noodles, tomatoes, carrot, beetroot, cucumber, gamasio and sesame oil, the gluten-free goodness is as tasty as it is nourishing.

Where: 34 Gleneagles Road, Greenside, Johannesburg.

For more information, click here.

By Nikki Samakosky