5 Sustainable Restaurants in London
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could enjoy high end quality food while having a positive impact on the environment? Unfortunately, food waste has been a growing issue over the last few decades and has been a contributing factor to greenhouse gas emissions. Luckily, restaurant owners are tackling this by using local ingredients and reducing their carbon footprint. That being said, here is our list of London restaurants that combine culinary arts with an eco-friendly approach.
Silo
Silo originally launched in 2011 in Australia solely based on the idea of “not having a bin”. This kickstarted the mission of becoming the first zero waste restaurant on the planet. Through eliminating “food miles” and over-processing Silo began progressing towards this end goal. Using a home-owned flour mill, Silo makes its own flour, butter, and oat milk, avoiding processed ingredients. All products are delivered in reusable crates and containers, cutting out waste. Silo’s eco-friendly approach extends to fittings and furniture made from recycled materials like plastic, containers, and wine bottles
Honest Burgers
The chain is known for providing great burgers and homemade rosemary fries. It has built a strong reputation in the food sector for front-lining the battle against greenwashing. It has also actively cut down carbon emissions linked to meat production. To do this, co-owners Tom Barton and Phillip Eeles set in place a green farming scheme. The scheme focuses on regenerative farming which reduces the use of pesticide and transitions from grain to grass-fed livestock improving soil fertility. As a chain, Honest Burgers has multiple restaurants across London. Locations include Greenwich, London Bridge, Liverpool Street, Covent Garden, and Brixton.
Pizza Pilgrims in Selfridges
Pizza Pilgrims is a recent eco-friendly addition to Selfridges. It is located on the fourth floor of the world-renowned department store. Sustainable décor surrounds you before you even tuck into any food, including reclaimed plastic waste and vegan leather alternatives. Pizza Pilgrims states that it imports its tomatoes and parmesan from southern Italy. It now sources cured meats and flour locally, growing its own wheat to reduce its carbon footprint, blending authenticity with sustainability. Exclusive pizzas that can only be found at Selfridges include mushroom and truffle, smoked salmon and a UK wagyu beef and buffalo mozzarella.
Native
Ivan Tisdall-Downes and Imogen Davis pioneered Native in Browns boutique in Mayfair, where it is now one of London’s most sustainable restaurants. So, what makes Native such a sustainable restaurant? Native remain an eco-friendly dinery by creating new and exciting meals through foraging wild ingredients and gathering hyper-seasonal vegetables. By supporting local farmers and cooking with seasonal produce Native have drastically chopped down their carbon footprint.
Warehouse the Conduit
Headed by ex-Silo chef Brendan Eades, Warehouse is a public and welcoming restaurant that sits in the middle of an exclusive members club. The restaurant itself focusses on producing environmentally friendly dishes through using seasonal and sustainable ingredients. This includes things like local fish suppliers, organic dairy farmers and an ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu. Both chefs and mixologists are very passionate about a low waste approach and are frequently experimenting new ways to use every ingredient in their dishes to reduce waste. Even the décor is sustainable being designed with handmade baskets and restored furniture.
As you can see, if you are either living in London or simply paying a visit there are plenty of sustainable restaurant options that offer a tasty meal with an eco-friendly approach so you can enjoy your day out and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Don’t forget if you are planning a trip to the big city for a few days, our UK travel insurance will cover you for cancellations and loss of possessions, plus more, so you can hit all of the tourists’ spots with the ease of knowing that we have got your back.
