3 Sustainable Restaurants You Must Try in London

Who doesn’t love food? Even if you’re not someone who lives to eat, the idea of trying a new cuisine or getting a mouth-watering takeout is always one that lifts the spirits!

If you’re anything like me, you’re all about cozy restaurants where you can enjoy a warm, hearty meal that feeds the soul.

For me the experience becomes even more wholesome when the restaurant respects food for the divine gift it is, making sure they are sustainable, minimise waste, use seasonal produce and serve dishes with a lower carbon footprint.

If you’re in pursuit of sustainable restaurants in London the good news is that there are a fair few (on my list too!). However, in this post I’ll talk about the ones I’ve been to, and absolutely recommend you do too!

Bubala

Bubala means ‘darling’ or ‘sweetheart’ in Yiddish, and it certainly has become mine. Inspired by the bold and complex flavours of the Middle East, and the Levant region, Bubala serves all vegetarian small plates. Their burnt butter hummus and Laffa bread will linger in your memory long after you’ve left the restaurant, and if you’re looking for a vegan meal they don’t disappoint on that front either.

How’s Bubala a sustainable restaurant

• They focus on a vegetable forward menu significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with meat heavy dining
• They follow a no substitutes policy eliminating the use of processed and synthetic food, championing instead vegetables that are available.
• Their King’s Cross location is designed with sustainability at the forefront, using locally sourced and reclaimed materials intended to stand the test of time.

Visit:

• Bubala Spitalfields: 65 Commercial Street, London E1 6BD
• Bubala King’s Cross: Lewis Cubitt Park, Cadence Court, London N1C 4ED
• Bubala Spitalfields: 15 Poland Street, London W1F 8QE

Website:   https://www.bubala.co.uk

Jikoni

Certified as the first carbon neutral restaurant in the UK, this gem located in Marylebone celebrates ‘mixed heritage’ cooking or ‘cooking across borders’. You’ll find flavours from South Asia and the Far East, the Middle East, East Arica, and Britain featuring on the menu. They have a changing menu but one of their permanent features is Labneh with Sheermal, a fusion that is a treat for your tastebuds. Overall food that tastes right out of a mum’s kitchen and the restaurant’s cozy ambience are sure to make you feel at home.

How’s Jikoni a sustainable restaurant

• They source vegetables from an organic and Demeter biodynamic certified farm. Demeter stands for farmers who strive for health, and produce nutrient-dense foods, all while respecting the health of their soil, and the well-being of the environment and animals.
• They don’t use single use packaging. In fact they send back all delivery packaging to the farm to be re-used.
• They track their carbon footprint and have switched to renewable energy such as solar, wind and carbon neutral biogas. They were also awarded a place on Scottish Power’s COP26 Green Power list which honours those going above and beyond in the ongoing fight against climate change.
• Over 90% of their wine list is sourced from organic and biodynamic certified producers, including from countries such as Morocco and Lebanon.

Visit:

• Jikoni: 19-21 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London W1U 3DJ

Website:   https://www.jikonilondon.com

Mildreds

With a history dating back to 1988, Mildreds was started as a vegetarian restaurant in the heart of London to serve non-boring vegetarian food to what they called ‘Soho nighthawks’. Over the years Mildreds have not only opened their doors around numerous locations in London dotting Camden, Covent Garden, King’s Cross, Soho, Victoria and Canary Wharf, but have also transitioned to a completely vegan menu since 2021. Their changing menu promises flavourful dips, comforting bowls and a variety of burgers to satisfy carb cravings.

How’s Mildreds a sustainable restaurant

• They offer a plant-based menu and follow a ‘root to tip’ philosophy ensuring that as much of each plant based ingredient is used across their food and drinks menu.
• They source their ingredients responsibly, endeavouring to source organic and local wherever possible.
• They’re committed to using seasonal produce
• They support small business, and ensure that their supply chain promises quality and sustainability as well.

Visit:

• Mildreds Camden at 9 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BW
• Mildreds Covent Garden at 79 St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N  4AA
• Mildreds King’s Cross at 200 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JP 
• Mildreds Soho at 45 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AN
• Mildreds Victoria at 128 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, SW1V 1JZ
• Mildreds Canary Wharf at 12 Park Dr, London E14 9ZW

Website:   https://www.mildreds.com

And here’s for some light reading – 3 fun facts about restaurants!

1. The word ‘restaurant’ is French, derived from the French verb ‘restaurer’ (‘to restore’ or ‘refresh’), originally used to describe bouillon soups/broths believed to restore health and strength.
2. The world’s largest restaurant is in Damascus, Syria. It’s Bawabet Dimashq Restaurant and boasts of 6,014 available seats.
3. According to a survey in 1999 the most common reason for an argument at restaurants is when someone pinches another person’s chips 😬

And on the flix list today:

Ratatouille, an endearing tale about Remy, the rat who aspires to become a renowned French chef will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy and probably hungry for some French food!

Final verdict!

Food’s an expression of love, an extension of one’s soul, and in many cases the thread that weaves families and communities together. Why not include Mother Earth, and all its inhabitants in this community too?

Hopefully this post has given you a few tempting options of sustainable restaurants you can try in London.

Dining fine can be classy but dining with compassion is classier 🙂

Until the next time,

Geeta 💫