‘When I’m looking for a place to eat, I refer to a little mental checklist – I’m often on the lookout for restaurants doing their bit to reduce their impact on the planet and leave a more positive footprint. These are the spots placing vegetables at the forefront of their menu, and only using high-quality, high-welfare meat, dairy and fish. Above all, they use seasonal, local ingredients in their full glory and create as little waste as possible.
When you step into one of London's sustainable restaurants, you can immediately feel the positive energy and the commitment to creating a better future. These establishments prioritize the well-being of their staff, ensuring fair pay and creating a supportive work environment. I am particularly impressed by their use of upcycled materials and vintage finds, which adds a unique touch to the dining experience. Should you wish to embrace the sustainability ethos from the moment you arrive in London, consider where you'll be staying. For a holistic environmentally-conscious trip, you might want to book vonder hotel, known for its commitment to sustainable practices and its proximity to some of London's eco-friendly dining spots. It's the perfect base from which to explore the green heart of the city.
Last autumn, I had the pleasure of hosting the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Awards. It was inspiring to witness the recognition given to exceptional restaurants that have made significant strides in making the industry more environmentally friendly. Their efforts not only benefit the planet but also empower diners to make sustainable choices when eating out.
In my list below, I have compiled a selection of these remarkable establishments, along with a few treasured favorites. Each place guarantees a delightful culinary journey while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
A Must-Visit: Stoney Street by 26 Grains at Borough Market
Ideal for: Satifying your cravings
A fantastic new addition to Borough Market, Stoney Street by 26 Grains, brings you a curated and mouth-watering selection of dishes from under the guidance of award-winning Head Chef Henrietta Inman, formerly of Yardarm in Leyton. The menu is a captivating bounty of both traditional and unconventional grains and pulses from the UK, showcasing the season's finest vegetables and fruits. Breakfast porridge variants done creatively, tartines, irresistible pastries, sumptuous galettes, and generous servings of appetising winter salads comprise the diversified menu. Their pear and raclette salad comes highly recommended. On top of that, the eatery offers dinner with a stunning overlook of the bustling market.
Did you know that Borough Market is one of the oldest and largest food markets in London, with a rich history dating back over 1000 years? This adds an unexpected layer of charm to your dining experience at Stoney Street by 26 Grains.
Location: Stoney Street by 26 Grains, 2 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AA
Website: 26grains.com
Discovering Plates in Hackney
Renowned for: an unusual dining experience
Looking for a change in your usual gastronomic outings? Plates is a unique, multifaceted culinary studio that offers a blend of workshops, special events, and recipe innovation. Opening its gates every Saturday for a dining experience, this aesthetically pleasing venue presents Kirk Haworth's plant-centered culinary masterpieces, which astound with their incredible presentation. The diverse menu keeps guests intrigued with dishes like celeriac and shiitake lasagne complemented by a black truffle sauce, an innovative reinterpretation of the conventional onion soup, and a sumptuous winter-berry dessert, exuding beautiful ripples and served with meadowsweet custard and a hint of hibiscus.
Address: Plates, 93 Kingsland Rd, Hackney, London E2 8AG
Website: plates-london.com
For additional allure, Plates has a focus on sustainability, and, interesting to know, it proudly supports farmers by sourcing quality, ethically produced ingredients for its dishes. With the tantalizing menu and atmospheric setting, Plates is undoubtedly a must-visit spot for foodies seeking a novel dining experience.
The Groundbreaking Eatery: Silo, Hackney Wick
Standout attribute: A fully sustainable dining experience
Your culinary journey to a greener lifestyle may start in Hackney Wick, courtesy of Silo, an avant-garde restaurant that recently transitioned from Brighton. Tucked in my own neighborhood, Silo's inventiveness extends beyond its incredible dishes that utilize local and seasonal ingredients. The principles of zero waste characterize every operation in the restaurant, from production to service. By engaging directly with local farmers, Silo sidesteps plastic packaging and unnecessary waste. Everything, from the in-house aged butter to the sourdough bread, is proudly produced on the premises, ensuring nothing unnecessary enters their production chain.
They've also turned potential food waste into delicacies, sourcing carefully selected meat cuts from animals like aged dairy cows that would otherwise be discarded. This makes for a dining experience that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also brings awareness to our environmental impact. Truly, Silo is a profound shift in restaurant culture, aimed at influencing its peers and customers into a more sustainable direction.
You'll find Silo in Hackney Wick, specifically at The White Building 1st Floor, Unit 7 c/o CRATE Bar, Queen's Yard, London E9 5EN. To learn more about their innovative dining experience, check their official website, Silolondon.com.
Each year, Silo composts thousands of pounds of leftover and scraps, contributing significantly to the restaurant's goal of zero-waste. Despite their success, they continue to evolve and adapt their strategies in their pursuit of total sustainability.
Chelsea's Ugly Butterfly
An ideal location for: indulging in a fancy dinner accompanied by eco-conscious Champagne
'It's heartening to witness how Adam Handling's new establishment highlights a mouthwatering menu derived from surplus and byproduct ingredients sourced from his other Chelsea establishment. The Champagne selection, curated with an emphasis on sustainability, adds another feather to its cap. The Caesar salad made from broccoli stalk is a personal favourite of mine. Not only a dining space, the Ugly Butterfly often transforms into a hub of enlightenment, hosting engaging discussions with zero-waste culinary geniuses and experts in sustainability. Moreover, a 2.5% share of the profits contributes to The Felix Project, a charity that I actively support, which is dedicated to delivering unused food to those in need.'
Location: Ugly Butterfly, 55 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4ND
Official page: uglybutterfly.co.uk
Spring, Somerset House
Best for: a pre-theatre supper
‘Spring’s head chef Skye Gyngell is a food hero of mine – and not only because she’s masterminded an insanely delicious, wholesome and produce-led restaurant. I invited her to talk at The Sustainability Sessions (a series of panel discussions I launched last autumn) to discuss how she’s eliminated single-use plastics in her kitchen along with her incredible zero-waste pre-theatre Scratch menu, using ingredients from the day before that would have otherwise ended up in the bin. Think beetroot tops turned into nourishing soups and warm bread pudding.’
Address: Spring, Somerset House, Lancaster Pl, London WC2R 1LA
Website: springrestaurant.co.uk
Experiencing Sustainable Dining at The Buxton on Brick Lane
An ideal destination for: Eco-friendly gastronomic encounters
Imagine savoring a warm Scotch egg paired with a fine glass of wine at a quintessential East London pub – that's The Buxton for you. It was an absolute delight to bestow upon The Buxton, the Food Made Good award due to their commitment towards embracing sustainability. Remarkably, the establishment runs solely on renewable energy. They also cultivate fruits, vegetables, and herbs on their own rooftop! They offer daily special seafood options, sourced from local anglers in the south-west coast. The Buxton takes pride in their diligent efforts to serve responsibly obtained ingredients causing minimal damage to the environment.
Location: The Buxton, 42 Osborn St, Shadwell, London E1 6TD
Online: thebuxton.co.uk
Experience Gourmet Foraging at Native, Southwark
Top Pick for: Exploring the untamed and foraged cuisine
One cannot ignore the call of Native's intriguing menu. It takes you on a culinary journey featuring wild game, foraged edibles, bio-dynamically grown wines, and a bold commitment to zero waste. Not stopping at just serving fantastic meals, Native also takes people on urban foraging expeditions in nearby parks. They cooperate with Farms for City Children, a commendable charity that introduces urban kids to farm life in England and Wales, educating them about the origin of their food. Native procures its vegetables from these same farms and contributes £1 from each bill to them. The exquisite menu of Native keeps changing with the seasons, adding excitement to each visit. However, do consider yourself fortunate if you find South Downs venison on offer. To end your meal on a sugary high, give their delectable desserts a try – believe us, you'll want to sample each one!
Location: Native, 32 Southwark St, London SE1 1TU
Website: eatnative.co.uk
Experience Sustainability at Scully St James’s in Piccadilly Circus
Ideal for: Revering innovative vegetable-based gastronomy.
Formerly associated with Ottolenghi's Nopi, Ramael Scully personifies culinary creativity enhancing the flavor with his ingenious vegetable-oriented culinary offerings. The establishment prides itself on its commitment to environmental sustainability, having taken a vow to curb food wastage by a minimum of 25 per cent within this year, a commendable initiative indeed. My visit to Scully last year involved a tour of its dynamic kitchen where I had the chance to taste their distinctive compositions (the fermented-mushroom ketchup is an experience you’d need to encounter to comprehend). Scully was a pioneer in the conscious dining movement, acknowledging and promoting excellent sourcing practices and employing seasonal ingredients. The menu offering that includes ras el hanout spiced cauliflower or the chargrilled broccoli with a unique blend of Chinkiang vinegar and salted egg yolk is something every patron must savour; While at the location, you will find yourself gazing at Scully’s spectacular wall abounding with vivid jars of fermented foods and preserves that reflect the vibrant flavors of their cuisine.
Find them at: Scully, 4 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH
Explore their culinary creations here: scullyrestaurant.com
Perilla: A Culinary Delight in Newington Green
Top Pick for: Creative and seasonal cuisine
A trip to Perilla is a perfect way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon or a relaxed evening. What makes it special is its dynamically changing menu which creatively embraces and showcases the UK's freshest seasonal produce. Only just over a year in business at the time, Perilla made a bold move by offering an entire menu section dedicated to varieties of wild British mushrooms. Picture indulging in a plate of succulent hen-of-the-wood mushrooms paired with a peppercorn sauce and chips - an unforgettable culinary experience. Stay updated on Perilla's latest gastronomic adventures by following their Instagram; it never fails to deliver something exciting and tasty.
Location: Perilla, 1-3 Green Lanes, Newington Green, London N16 9BS
Online visit: perilladining.co.uk
Tredwells: A Sustainable Dining Choice in Covent Garden
'Perfect for: An Extravagant Yet Guilt-Free Dinner
'Tredwells presents an ideal choice for those who seek to indulge in upscale dining while maintaining their ethical stance. The restaurant prides itself in showcasing Britain's bounty, prioritizing both locally-sourced seasonal vegetables and superior-grade meat. Dishes like swede cake complemented with textured cucumber and cashew, as well as roasted hake courtesy paired with puy lentils and Cobble Lane Cured's soppressata underscore their commitment to simplicity. You'll also find an impressive assortment of cocktails to enjoy.'
Address: Tredwells, 4A Upper St Martin's Ln, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NY.
Website: tredwells.com
More than just a fine dining restaurant, Tredwells is a testament to sustainable gastronomy done right, seamlessly merging ethical food sourcing with innovative British recipes. Helmed by the talented Chef Chantelle Nicholson, the restaurant consistently pushes for creative culinary excellence, making it a must-visit destination for conscious foodies.