When is the right time for a salad: before, during, or after the main course? Different cultures have different customs and reasons for eating salad. If it’s a simple and light salad without additions like pasta, sauce, eggs, seeds, and the like, the French eat salad after the main course, before dessert, while Americans start their meals with salad. Italians serve salad, also known as “insalata,” with the main course or immediately after. Here with us, you can eat salad whenever you want, and it’s our job to provide you with seasonal and fresh ingredients.