Lunch at Bandera: My Favorite Kale Salad in Corona del Mar

6 days ago

3 min read

Here’s a local tip worth sharing: Bandera in Corona del Mar is open for lunch. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. every day, giving you a delicious reason to make it part of your midday plans.

I’ve been ordering their kale salad for about a decade, and it has become one of those familiar pleasures I associate with living in Newport Beach. There are days when I’m happy to consider something new. Then there are days when I know exactly what I want: that mound of emerald greens, those fresh herbs, and the dressing that makes the whole plate come alive.

Bandera’s emerald kale salad with herbs, with roasted chicken served separately in the background.

A light lunch with plenty of flavor

For lunch, the kale salad hits just the right note for me: fresh, full of flavor, and satisfying without leaving me feeling weighed down. The greens, lively herbs, and roasted chicken make it a meal I can enjoy when I still have an afternoon ahead of me. Whether you’re meeting a friend or taking a break from a day in Newport Beach, this is a lunch worth sitting down for.

The herbs and dressing steal the show

The menu calls it the Emerald Kale & Roasted Chicken Salad, with fresh herbs, roasted peanut vinaigrette, and Reggiano. For me, the herbs and dressing are the stars. The herbs bring that fresh, lively flavor, while the vinaigrette gives the salad the richness that keeps me coming back for another forkful.

This is a salad I order because I crave it. It has enough personality to be the reason for choosing the restaurant.

Fresh from Bandera’s own rotisserie

The chicken deserves its own attention. Bandera roasts it onsite, slowly cooking it over a hardwood fire in a custom stone oven. Their own rotisserie is an important part of what makes the meal special to me; the chicken consistently tastes so fresh.

My personal ordering tip is simple: ask for the chicken on the side. The salad normally comes with a mixture of white and dark meat. When I request it separately, they typically bring me white meat only.

I like adding the chicken a little at a time as I work my way through the meal. A few bites of greens and herbs, a little chicken, then back to the salad. It lets me enjoy each part of the dish at my own pace. Such a small request, but it’s become part of my Bandera routine.

Low lighting, a cocktail, and room to settle in

Bandera’s darker setting is part of its appeal. Warm wood, softly glowing lamps, and the long bar give the room an inviting evening mood. It’s a place where I want to settle in and enjoy dinner.

Bandera’s warmly lit wood bar, with lamps and booth seating around the dining room.

If there’s a wait for a table, the standing-room area and bar space give you somewhere to enjoy a cocktail while you wait. I like having that easy transition into the evening: arrive, have a drink, and let dinner unfold.

There is also a side patio with seating and a stone fireplace. On one of our lovely mild Newport Beach evenings, a seat outside with a fire nearby is an appealing way to spend a little more time there.

Bandera’s covered side patio with a stone fireplace, cushioned seating, and small cocktail tables.

After dinner: The Quiet Woman

When I’m in the mood to keep the evening going, The Quiet Woman is a fun next stop. It has a local crowd, live music, and plenty of people watching. That combination makes it a lively way to experience another side of Corona del Mar after dinner.

Despite the name, this is not where I’d plan a long, quiet conversation when the music is going. It gets loud—very loud. Go for the music, the crowd, and the people watching. Have your catch-up conversation over dinner, then enjoy the scene.

A favorite meal at Bandera followed by some time at The Quiet Woman makes a memorable local evening. These are the kinds of details I love sharing: what I actually order, how I like to order it, and where I might go next.

Plan your visit

The red Bandera restaurant sign beneath palm trees and a clear blue sky in Corona del Mar.

Bandera — 3201 East Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Open for lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. Visit the restaurant’s website for its menu and reservations.

The Quiet Woman — 3224 East Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. See the live music lineup when planning your evening.

About Amanda

I’m Amanda Jones, a real estate agent and Newport Beach resident for 20 years. Through Living Coastal, I share local insight on homes, neighborhoods, dining, and the places that make Newport Beach feel like home.

Amanda Jones

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