Famous for their local produce, season ingredients and environmentally friendly cooking methods; here are ten of London’s best organic restaurants.
1. Acorn House - Located in busy King’s Cross is London’s first environmentally sustainable restaurant. Using bio diesel, eco-sensitive takeaway containers, and on-site water purifiers - this is green, guilt-free eating at its best. In the evening, Acorn House transforms from a bustling daytime venue to a mature dining experience with a simple menu offering simple yet creative dishes. The pan-fried salmon with cherry tomatoes is delectable, and ideally followed by their warm apple pie and ice-cream.
2. The Gate - Described by TimeOut as ‘London’s best vegetarian restaurant’, The Gate serves up an eclectic range of meat-free dishes in their unique converted church space in Hammersmith. Their butternut and cashew samosas are deliciously flaky and well-spiced, while the Caribbean curry - packed full of plantain, yam, sweet potato and pineapple - is hearty and exotic. The majority of their menu is suitable for vegans and a lot of the dishes are gluten-free, so there really should be something for everyone.
3. Pizza Organic - As the name suggests, Pizza Organic’s three London restaurants use only fresh, chemical-free produce for their ‘cool, fresh and funky’ menu. Enjoy a start of black tiger prawns in garlic and cracked pepper, followed by one of their huge stone-baked pizzas or calzones. They also offer a children’s menu, irresistible desserts and some gluten-free options.
4. Manna - Tucked away in Primrose Hill, Manna is a surprisingly unpretentious vegetarian restaurant with friendly staff and an inventive international menu. Dishes include aubergine tempura, sweet potato and chickpea burritos, and asparagus caesar salad. For a gluten-free, organic and tongue-tingling dessert; enjoy the lemon meringue tower with limoncello cream, lemon curd & lime crème anglais.
5. VitaOrganic - On busy Wardour Street; VitaOrganic is a great choice for organic, vegetarian cuisine - as well as their innovative ‘Vi-tapas’ and juice bar. Good value for money and you’ll leave feeling well-fed, rejuvenated and pleasantly smug at having consumed so many healthy options in one sitting.
6. Konstam at the Prince Albert - Made famous by the TV series ‘The Urban Chef’, Konstam is run by Oliver Rowe who sources all of the restaurant’s food locally. The dimly-lit restaurant is charming, the service is amiable and efficient, and the food is faultless. Don’t miss the grilled-to-perfection Amersham pork chops and the sweetly sinful tart tatin.
7. Bumpkin - Situated on Westbourne Park Road, Bumpkin is ideal for ‘city folk who like a little country living’ in the form of simple, rustic food and a laid-back atmosphere. Highlights of their menu include grilled leg of lamb, seared tuna carpaccio and the freshest Dorset crab. Head Chef, Oliver Prince, puts together the seasonal menus using only the best produce, including free-range meat from London butcher Frank Godfrey and organic fruit and vegetables from Secretts Farm.
8. Fresh & Wild - The Soho branch of London’s favourite organic supermarket also has a deli, juice bar and café. Their top quality chemical-free produce goes into every dish; so whatever you choose is guaranteed to be fresh, healthy and delicious.
9. Duke of Cambridge - This award-winning gastro pub features an ever-changing menu packed with fresh and inventive British and European dishes. The noise-free bar is ideal for a light snack and a drink, while the dining room is perfect for a sit-down meal. Everything on the menu is certified as organic by the Soil Association and their electricity is wind and solar-generated, so you can enjoy their organic beers and wines without worrying about your carbon footprint.
10. The River Café - Famous for using only seasonal ingredients; The River Café is sophisticated, stylish and understandably expensive. Past menu highlights include chargrilled Scottish scallops, wood-roasted wild sea bass, and slow-cooked veal shin.
