Eco-Friendly Dining in London: Top Sustainable Restaurants for Special Occasions

Special Occasions Done The "Eco" Way

In Partnership With In Good Company

We are definitely trying to do more to get us outside this summer and that includes food. We love a home-cooked meal – and let’s face it, with the current cost of, well, everything, we’re all eating at home more than we used to. However, those special occasions – be it a birthday, anniversary or simply a long overdue date night, mean putting on your very best (possibly secondhand) outfit and hitting the town.

In recent years, some of the best chefs in London have combined their passion for excellent food and ingredients with a commitment to sustainability. The Michelin Guide has even introduced a Green Star award to recognise the outstanding restaurants who are going above and beyond to be eco-friendly.

The result is a whole host of elegant and exceptional restaurants who are using ethically sourced, seasonal and local produce, and coming up with inventive ways to keep their carbon footprint down and food waste to the minimum.

So if you’re looking for a special dinner location in London but still care about being sustainable, then you’ve come to the right place. Our pals at In Good Company have shared their top recommendations for an unforgettable evening out to book now.

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For An "Ethical, Sexy & Downright Cool" Dinner For Two

Fallow Restaurant

Described as “ethical, sexy and downright cool”. Since 2021, Fallow has earned both the Marie Claire and GQ ‘sustainable restaurant of the year’ and the Caterer award for ‘best new restaurant’. Much of the produce is sourced from Fallow’s own vegetable plots, which are less than 20 miles away, and mushrooms are even grown in a dedicated space beneath the restaurant.

For Elegant Dining At An Iconic London Cultural Institution

Spring

A warm and elegant restaurant set within a beautiful dining space set in the New Wing of the iconic Somerset House, in the arts and cultural heart of London. Spring was the first single-use plastic free restaurant in London from acclaimed Australian chef Skye Gyngell. In addition to their a la carte menu, Spring serves their Scratch menu Tuesday to Saturday between 5.30pm and 6.30pm. The dishes are created using ‘waste’ produce which using a little love and innovation, are turned into something new and delicious.

For Zero-Waste Dining In London's Coolest Neighbourhood

Silo London

Absolute commitment to a zero-waste waste, which means that zero-waste ethos, meaning everything from the furniture to the plates is made with recycled materials, but don’t think this means any compromise on style or quality.

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For Tasteful Pre-Theatre Dining:

Sussex Bar and Restaurant

Sussex bar and restaurant is one in a series of farm-led restaurants owned by the Gladwin Brothers, three brothers who share a love for delicious food, foraging, and farming.

Their food aims to be seasonal and their menu prioritises British produce sourced from local British farmers. They have a no-wastage policy by ensuring that every part of the animal is used. Alongside the food, the drinks served at the Sussex bar are also locally sourced – the wine is collected from their vineyard in West Sussex which aims to be sustainable by protecting the natural habitat. And better yet, it is only a ten minute walk from your favourite West End theatres.

For Fresh Mediterranean Fine Dining That Celebrates Nature

Petersham Nurseries Cafe

Located in the heart of West London, a 10 minute drive from Richmond Tube Station, this restaurant offers an immersive experience for customers looking to enjoy a fresh fine dining experience with no green guilt – their pumpkin gnocchi is apparently a must try! Petersham Nurseries Cafe is dedicated to championing sustainability, having received a Green Michelin Star, and working with multiple partners, including the Friendship Estate and Marine Conservation Society, to promote ethical restaurant standards.

For A Big Night Out:

Frog by Adam Handling

Frog by Adam Handling is his flagship fine dining restaurant, serving modern and seasonal British cuisine. Having received its first Michelin Star in 2022, Frog by Adam Handling offers a tasting menu that showcases the best of British ingredients. They are committed to supporting local producers and reducing food waste, having previously instituted an outdoor dining terrace named Toad on the Road, which uses only food waste to create outrageously creative dishes – making Frog a pioneer in the move towards zero waste in the restaurant industry.

Rough-Luxe Warmth At A Michelin Green Star Award-Winner:

Apricity

Symbolising regeneration, rejuvenation, generosity, and light, Apricity, the latest restaurant from multi-award-winning chef and owner Chantelle Nicholson and her team is a sustainable restaurant, in Mayfair, with a purpose – to create a sustainable community. Their mission is to not only meet acceptable levels of responsibility towards sustainability but to work hard to find best practices and to share these learnings. They have a range of menus available, including a dedicated tasting menu celebrating British vegetables and a tasting menu featuring regeneratively farmed meat and sustainably caught fish from the British Isles.

On A Tighter Budget?

For those looking for the best vegan restaurants in town, or just seeking more traditional dishes made from scratch with no food waste – on a stricter budget, check out the below with a selection of delicious mains under £15 per plate.

215 Hackney

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

For more recommendations of the best positive-impact businesses that London has to offer, head to https://ingood.app/