Top 7 Organic and Ethical Restaurants in London
As many of you will know by now I’m very conscientious of the environment and eating healthy food that has been produced in the most natural and ethical way is high on my list. I have found that eating organic is a good way to ensure that my boxes have been ticked whilst out and about without having to ask too many questions of the serving staff. I know I shouldn’t be bothered by this and it’s good to ask, but it’s just such a delight to be able to walk into a restaurant/cafe and be completely relaxed about being able to choose from the whole menu without worry.
I have compiled a short list of recommended organic restaurants in London. I will endeavour to bring you lists for other major cities throughout the UK in the coming months. I will start with London since it’s the capital and this is where I currently live.
1. Amico Bio
This award winning restaurant that is vegetarian serving many seasonal foods in an intimate rustic dining area. They get an extra tick from me for being seasonal with their produce. Serving Italian dishes such as handmade pasta with Rucola, Ravioli filled with smoked cheese and sun dried tomatoes, cherry tomato and basil sauce, and cake babà from a menu which is regularly refreshed. There is gluten free pasta available on request and vegan options too.
Branches in Barbican and Holborn
2. Franco Manca
Recommended as the best pizza place in town! This lovely popular little pizzeria serves carefully selected ingredients from it’s simple and restricted menu. Although the selection may not be vast what they do serve as been given high praise indeed, with regular specials to choose from. The pizzas are made with sourdough and baked in an on site wood burning oven. They also serve homemade lemonade which in this summer heat I bet is going down a storm. If you are looking for a great quick bite to eat in the daytime this is a great choice, though be warned you may have to wait on Saturdays to get a seat.
Branches in Chiswick, Brixton, Balham, Southfields, Northcote, Tottenham Court Road, Broadway Market, Westfield, and East Dulwich.
3. Petersham Nurseries
A gardeners paradise with a choice of lunch time or afternoon tea options. Take lunch in the cafe which is surrounded in nature fitted with gorgeous heavy set wooden furniture. Choose a delicious lunch made from seasonal produce, home grown vegetables and pretty edible flowers. Or dine in the glass house on a lighter Italian inspired lunch, munch on homemade cakes while sipping ethically sourced whole leaf teas and coffee. This idyllic and relaxing establishment has been winning awards since 2006.
Branch in Richmond
4. Smiths Of Smithfield Top Floor
This four floored Grade II listed building is steeped in history and is found in the heart of Smithfield Market – London’s only working meat market. There are a choice of restaurants to choose from depending on your budget and time but in particular Masterchef’s John Torode restaurant who holds the top floor. The restaurant hosts magnificent views of London and serves the likes of Dorset cock crab and rare breed beef such as Belted Galloway Rump and inspiring desserts such as Chocolate Ganache with Avocado. It’s a bit more on the pricy side as you might expect for a central London location but a great place to go for a special treat. While many folks have given the place high praise, I do note that there are a number of low ratings on tripadvisor for poor service and few thought the food was not up to par. I would still be willing to give it a go myself but of course do make your own minds up and do leave comments on your feedback.
Branch in Farringdon
5. Titbits
Brought to you by Swiss brothers who wanted the change the sorry state of vegetarian fare. With many successful branches throughout Switzerland, Londoners can now too enjoy their culinary delights. They use seasonal produce which is sourced as close to home as possible to reduce transport miles and ensure freshness of ingredients. Quoted as the best vegetarian restaurant in London and a hit even with non vegetarian folks. Sit in or take away, you pay by weight so you can have as much or as little as you like. You may even spot celebrity or two in there. It’s a great place for a quick bite that’s not too expensive and if you decide to sit in you can chow down in a chic stylish atmosphere.
Branch in Oxford/Piccadilly Circus
6. Whole Foods Cafe
A great healthy stop for lighter bites with lots of delicious freshly prepared homemade food as well as juices and smoothies. They also stock a grab and go fridge so if you are too busy to stop you can still refuel on some great nutritional food. If you’re looking for a refreshing inexpensive change from the usual supermarket meal deal this little place could be right up your street and you can grab some fresh ingredients to take home from their Market too.
Branches in Clapham Junction and South Kensington
7. Salon by Cannon & Cannon
I’m not sure if this one is strictly organic or not but I do know that all of their produce is ethically produced and British. They specialise in high quality artisan cured meats that can compete with the continent. The restaurant on whom I have already written a personal review for, is a little shabby chic in style but serving the most delectable food accompanied by organic British wine. The restaurant is found in Brixton market upstairs from their delightful deli which along side their cured meats sells some of the best cheeses I have ever eaten. Definitely worth a visit for a sit down lunch or dinner if you happen to be in South London.
Branch in Brixton
I hope you will find my list of top organic restaurants in London useful. Do let me know if you try any of them and leave your feedback.
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I missed one! Daylesford Farm |
The multi award winning farm in Cotswolds provides it’s shops and cafes in London with fresh seasonal organic sustainable ethical products. All their food comes straight from the farm to your fork: meat and poultry, fruit and vegetables from their market garden, bread from their bakery, and cheese, milk and yoghurt from their creamery. Anything they don’t make on the farm is sourced from ethical artisan producers. Their food is certainly worthy of the awards they have won and their coffee has been quoted as “the best coffee in Nottinghill”. Pop along for breakfast, lunch or dinner and treat yourself to some delicious home baked goodies and you must try their delicious almond milk. If you are looking for some fresh ingredients to take home, you can also buy Daylesford Farm products in Ocado and Selfridges. And if you happen to be in Tokyo Japan, you can even find them there too!
Branches in Pimlico and Nottinghill