Lick’s picks of London’s 8 best eco-friendly bars and restaurants
The stats are in and according to official figures, last year the UK food service industry produced enough food waste to fill The Shard almost 11 times over. But there are some restaurants out there trying to combat this. From food donation services to zero-waste menus (not to mention some ingenious eco-friendly initiatives), we’re sharing our picks of London’s best eco-friendly bars and restaurants for a greener dining experience.
Spring
Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, WC2R 1LA
Everyone should visit Skye Gyngell's, Spring at Somerset House at least once. One of London’s first single-use plastic-free restaurants, it doesn't rest on its environmental laurels: the food is sublime. The ‘Scratch Tea’ menu—a term used to describe a meal made up of leftovers—pays homage to Skye’s Australian roots and is designed using ingredients that would usually be discarded. And it’s not just the menu that’s seasonal, year-round it’s filled with the most elaborate floral displays.
Silo
The White Building, 1st Floor, Queen's Yard, E9 5EN
A Brighton import, Douglas McMaster, the mastermind behind Silo has received a warm welcome in Hackney. Housed in The White Building, a creative hub of studios, artists, and craft brewery, it wasn’t long until the word got out. The approach to food is nose-to-tail, whilst ‘wonky’ fruits and vegetables are used for smoothies, soups, and sauces. Everything that isn’t used is composted. What’s more, Silo’s decor is reflective of its ethos towards food: the dining tables, plates, and even the bar are made from recycled plastic bags.
Native
39 Brook St, W1K 4JE
From their award-winning taster menu to their cocktails, Native showcases the ‘Best Of’ foraged. Committed to sourcing produce from regenerative or low-impact methods, chef Ivan Tisdall-Downes is all about cutting waste, not corners. Try the ‘Chef’s Wasting Snacks’ made from food produce otherwise considered waste. A £1 donation from every bill goes to Farms for City Children.
Nightjar
129 City Road, EC1V 1JB
A sustainable speakeasy done right, Nightjar is the perfect spot for a nightcap. Tucked away behind an unassuming door just off bustling Old Street it boasts an eclectic, eco-conscious menu. Sip crafty cocktails through bamboo straws to the tune of live jazz and blues. Leftover fruits are dried and candied as garnishes whilst edible leaves that are past their best are dehydrated and mixed with icing sugar to make a tasty dusting.
Kiss the Hippo
51 Margaret Street, W1W 8SG
Less about the food or the cocktails, Kiss the Hippo is all about the magic beans. London’s first carbon-negative café, all of its blends are roasted in-house. So it’s one for the serious coffee connoisseurs. Offsetting all the carbon it produces with international reforestation initiatives, in addition to being fair trade and sustainably sourced, they’ve partnered with Too Good to Go, ensuring that any food leftover at the end of the day is delivered to local charities. Like what you tried? You can get their latest roasts delivered to your door—plus they’ll plant a tree on your behalf.
Nine Lives
8 Holyrood Street, SE1 2EL
According to the locals, you haven’t been to Bermondsey until you’ve been to Nine Lives. The name references its ethos of salvation—nothing is wasted here. Even the sound system is made from salvaged materials. A stalwart neighbourhood joint, known for its innovative cocktail list, this zero-waste bar is one of London’s Bridge’s best-kept secrets. The decor’s been described as ‘Tropicalifornication’ and whatever it is—wicker chairs, reclaimed woods—we love it.
The Culpepper
40 Commercial Street, E1 6LP
In the urban jungle of London’s East End, The Culpepper’s third-floor roof garden is a green oasis amongst glass skyscrapers. From salad leaves to tomatoes, you’ll be sitting amongst much of the food that you’ll be eating (how’s that for fresh?). A definite contender for one of London’s best roof terraces. Keep an eye out for their calendar of events, from seasonal gardening to transforming your balcony into a botanical cocktail garden.
The Spread Eagle
224 Homerton High Street, E9 6AS
Utter the words ‘Sunday’ and ‘roast’ and vegan isn’t automatically the next thing that pops to mind, but The Spread Eagle, London’s first vegan pub does just that. This popular neighbour boozer is committed to its seasonal, minimal-waste menu where all the food is sourced directly from foragers and local producers. Vegan pie and mash anyone?
Like the sound of these? Take a look at our picks of London’s best eco-friendly activities, eco-friendly homeware shops, zero-waste supermarkets, and eco-friendly hotels.