Striving to be as sustainable as possible has never been more prominent. In the last few years, we’ve seen everyone ditch their plastic bottle for a reusable alternative, an influx of small eco-friendly brands pop-up and even sustainable restaurants and chefs getting on board.
Today we’re shedding light on some of London’s best and most sustainable restaurants that are helping do their bit for the environment, whilst still churning out delicious, flavour-forward dishes. From Skye Gyngell’s brainchild to the country’s first carbon-neutral independent restaurant, these are our favourites.
The most sustainable restaurants in London
Mallow
Mallow is a brand new concept from the team behind Mildreds. The restaurant opened up in November 2021, offering all-day dining focusing on sustainability, seasonality and provenance.
Fully plant-based, they strive to reduce their carbon footprint and waste wherever possible, using ingredients from small, sustainable businesses, many of which are located in Borough Market.
WHERE: 1 CATHEDRAL STREET, BOROUGH MARKET, SE1 9DE
WEBSITE: WWW.MALLOWLONDON.COM
Jikoni
Last summer saw Jikoni become the first independent restaurant in the country to achieve carbon-neutral status. The achievement came to the surface thanks to the restaurant’s ongoing partnership with the non-profit, Climate Neutral.
The restaurant, founded by Ravinder Bhogal, draws inspiration from immigrant cuisine and the intense, shared flavours and vibrant cultures from South Asia and the Far East, the Middle East, East Africa and Britain.
This is an undeniably huge achievement and will hopefully act as a catalyst for other restaurants to follow suit in 2023 and beyond.
WHERE: 19 – 21 BLANDFORD STREET, W1U 3DH
WEBSITE: WWW.JIKONILONDON.COM
Fallow
Following the success of their Heddon Street residency, the trio behind Fallow opened up a permanent restaurant late last year. The focus? Celebrating the most sustainable produce across the British Isles and from their small holding near Esher.
The 150-cover site is already a huge success, home to a 65-cover dining room with a bar, wraparound terrace, and seven-seater chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen. Their menu champions bold sharing-style dishes, with a strong focus on whole animal butchery. The kitchen downstairs even has a dry ageing room.
Their sustainable approach is also echoed through the interiors, designed by Christina Leung and Timothy Tan of Studio Gossamer. Expect reused and repurposed materials used throughout and a terrazzo-style bespoke shellfish panel made from leftover oyster and mussel shells.
WHERE: 2 ST. JAMES’S MARKET, SW1Y 4RP
WEBSITE: WWW.FALLOWRESTAURANT.COM
Spring
From Skye Gyngell, one of Britain’s most respected chefs and culinary whizz, Spring is a beautiful dining space located inside Somerset House. The restaurant celebrates wholesome, produce-driven food. The team is celebrated for its conviviality and use of seasonal produce that’s packed with flavour.
It’s not just the food that strives to be sustainable, Skye is an advocate for environmental issues. Spring is also part of the plastic waste movement. Back in 2019, the restaurant became the first single-use plastic-free restaurant in the capital.
WHERE: SOMERSET HOUSE, NEW WING, LANCASTER PLACE, WC2R 1LA
WEBSITE: WWW.SPRINGRESTAURANT.CO.UK
Pizza Pilgrims at Selfridges
Starting out in 2011 and now with close to 20 pizzeria chains across the UK, Pizza Pilgrims is the champion of sustainability with their new Selfridges chain. It’s pretty clear that they’ve made sure every single detail in their Selfridges restaurant is both sustainable and responsibly sourced.
Not only are their ingredients locally produced (their finger-licking Neapolitan pizzas are made out of regenerative dough), but the very furniture you sit on is made out of recycled material. From their hydroponic basil tunnel to cushions hewn from vegan Pinatex (pineapple-made leather substitute), Pizza Pilgrims is killing it with their sustainability efforts!
WHERE: FOURTH FLOOR, 400 OXFORD ST, LONDON W1A 1AB
WEBSITE: WWW.SELFRIDGES.COM
ROVI
From the kitchen to the dining area, Ottolenghi’s Rovi restaurant takes sustainability to new heights. A standout amongst Ottolenghi’s slew of chic restaurants, Rovi uses sustainable fermentation techniques in its cuisine for a fresh and refined flavour.
What’s more, they use homegrown greens in their cocktails! Truly an icon of sustainable dining.
WHERE: 59 WELLS STREET, LONDON, W1A 3AE
WEBSITE: WWW.OTTOLENGHI.CO.UK
By The Handbook
Mallow
Jikoni
Fallow
Spring
Pizza Pilgrims at Selfridges
ROVI
