London has one of the most exciting restaurant scenes worldwide. Culinary innovations reflect the city’s multiculturalism, delivering vibrant tastes and unique dining experiences. From street food markets to trendy, upscale eateries, there’s something to appease everyone’s tastes.
Like most sectors, the restaurant industry is increasingly catering to sustainability. Fresh, locally grown ingredients, energy efficiency, and zero-waste practices are reshaping London’s restaurant scene, appealing to a more eco-centric patron.
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Reshaping the London Dining Experience With Sustainability
Rising public awareness of the environment and growing demand for green practices have forced the food service industry to reevaluate its ecological footprint.
In the United Kingdom, consumers are more deliberately consuming goods based on personal beliefs and values — this is especially true for ethical or green buying decisions and behaviours.
Recognising the impact of the food and hospitality sectors’ waste accumulation and excessive use of water and energy, eateries must adjust their business strategies. One such business strategy can be to go for Business Energy Comparison which ultimately reduces energy bill with a better choice.
For instance, Chantelle Nicholson’s Apricity in Mayfair has decreased its emissions by 40% thanks to recycled materials and a low-waste ethos. Meanwhile, ASK Italian expects to see a 50% decrease in carbon impact with its use of regenerative pizza dough.
Patrons have shown enthusiasm for these sustainable changes. According to one survey, 63% of U.K. diners were likely or very likely to try a sustainable dish over their usual favourite when eating out.
5 London Restaurants Prioritising Green Practices
Sustainable restaurants continue popping up across London, with innovative adoptions of green operations. However, these five eateries stand out the most across the city’s sustainable dining scene.
1. Silo
Silo was the world’s first zero-waste restaurant and has set an example for others to follow suit. About 95% of Silo’s waste is diverted through the menu and materials, surpassing the standard 90% for other zero-waste eateries.
Converted from a sweet factory, Silo boasts natural cork flooring, biodegradable wool seats and lights made from granulated wine bottles. The restaurant also features upcycled tables with sustainable English ash.
Aside from the environmentally friendly design, Silo sources local grain and mills flour on-site to make its popular sourdough bread. It then adds every crumb to the house tamari sauce, which is all part of the restaurant’s no-choice tasting menu.
Silo’s chefs also use the remaining ingredients in other dishes — the tamari sauce over red artichokes and the artichoke skins in a pumpkin tart.
2. Jikoni
Jikoni’s self-named “mixed heritage” cuisine draws inspiration from South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and Britain. However, this restaurant is noteworthy because of its commitment to carbon neutrality.
In 2021, Jikoni became the first independent eatery to attain a carbon-neutral status in the U.K. Founder Ravinder Bhogal said her rural Kenyan upbringing influenced her sense of responsibility to the planet’s resources. Jikoni has partnered with small-scale suppliers to source ingredients from local farms.
It also uses its non-recyclable kitchen and restaurant waste to create clean energy as part of its waste management strategy. The restaurant has even operated on solar and wind power since 2019.
Reducing a restaurant’s energy consumption accrues ample savings. For instance, refrigeration accounts for 10% to 20% of an eatery’s energy use. Therefore, upgrading to energy-efficient models and seeking ways to lower consumption benefits the environment and a restaurant’s bottom line.
3. Farmacy London
Afternoon tea — an English social tradition — involves a light snack or a lavish ceremony, and Farmacy London is the place to go for the quintessential mid-afternoon ritual. This upscale restaurant is affordable, with plenty of accommodations for small and large parties, and has an entirely vegan menu.
Farmacy grows its fruits, vegetables and herbs on its farm in the Kent countryside. It then delivers the food to the Notting Hill location by electric van weekly.
Biodynamic farming is the backbone of Farmacy’s holistic approach to agriculture, ensuring respect for nature and bridging soil and human health. The method includes restoring the land and synergistic connections, including plants, birds and insects.
The Farmacy Foundation also gives back to the community by donating surplus food to City Harvest London. It also offers plant-based training to adults and young children so they can learn about nutrition and growing food at home.
4. CORE by Clare Smyth
Sustainability is a priority at the three-Michelin-star restaurant CORE by the renowned Chef Clare Smyth. The menu constantly changes to celebrate in-season produce in a fine-dining, airy environment.
In a 2021 interview, Smyth said CORE sources ingredients primarily from small British farmers. For instance, the restaurant’s lamb hogget and mutton dish uses the whole flock, improving the farmer’s environmentalism.
Additionally, scallops come from the Isle of Harris, spelt from Sharpham Park and the oysters from Porthilly, ensuring patrons get a full English dining experience from seasonal, sustainable producers.
5. Petersham Nurseries Restaurant
Petersham Nurseries Restaurant allows customers to dine in a greenhouse atmosphere. Petersham leans into nurturing and visionary operations, from organic gardening to sustainable sourcing and proper waste management.
Among its food waste strategies is utilising the entire meat product and every bit of produce throughout cooking, while turning food waste into water using an aerobic food digester. The restaurant also sends coffee waste to Bio-Bean, which converts it into biofuel.
Likewise, Petersham kitchens have swapped out conventional packaging for 100% compostable and recyclable alternatives. The restaurant also donates natural wine corks to charities and schools for craft projects.
The restaurant is only one part of the larger Petersham Nurseries complex. Once they’ve enjoyed a good meal, patrons can peruse the grounds and shop for plants and homewares.
Enjoy a Meal at One of London’s Greenest Restaurants
There are several sustainable eateries across London, but few have reached these restaurants’ level of environmental achievement.
For patrons eager to help the planet while enjoying luxurious dining experiences, opting for food service committed to reducing waste and energy consumption in favour of ecological stewardship is possible.