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The environmental impact of restaurants is often underestimated. While people tend to focus on factories, transportation systems, and mines, the role of any venue is important in the struggle for sustainability. Owners of restaurants across the U.S. are ready to lead by example by embracing the most progressive practices, such as organic food sourcing and zero-waste approaches. In this article, we will focus on environmentally friendly restaurants in specific locations across the United States. Here is the list of the best sustainable restaurants in the major U.S. cities.
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Sustainable Dining in New York City
As one of the most progressive cities in the country, New York can offer a great selection of sustainable restaurants. Among them, is one of the most notable green restaurants in the country.
ABC Kitchen
This restaurant leads by example providing its visitors with a solid list of seasonal dishes. ABC prioritizes local sourcing and focuses on organic and nutritious meals. In addition, the devotion to sustainability is displayed in its decor. No wonder that ABC Kitchen is one of the country’s most popular zero-waste restaurants. The establishment has been honored by many eco-activists and has some sustainable restaurant awards in its portfolio.
Sustainable Dining in Chicago
Let’s start with venues that provide a pleasant experience and adhere to the best sustainability practices and principles in Chicago, Illinois.
Uncommon Ground
This restaurant has its locations in the Lakeview and Edgewater neighborhoods. Uncommon Ground has a reputation as one of the sustainability pioneers in the state. The approach to sustainability is pretty solid here. In particular, Uncommon Ground has the first certified organic rooftop farm in the U.S. The establishment also takes pride in its place among restaurants reducing food waste. The owners of this place are also well-known for their active participation in various sustainability initiatives across Illinois. These factors contribute to the international popularity of Uncommon Ground. You can meet different kinds of people here, ranging from Czech tourists working as moderators at Bizzo Casino CZ to Australian rock musicians.
Big Jones
If you romanticize the Southern atmosphere and old-fashioned cuisine from the Southern states, Big Jones is a perfect place for you. This restaurant has a unique atmosphere and is known for its dense cooperation with regional farmers from across the country. By combining the atmosphere of the “old times of the South” and sustainability, Big Jones offers an excellent cultural experience. When it comes to the restaurant’s main sustainability initiatives, one can mention the owners’ strict adherence to a no-waste policy. All ingredients delivered to Big Jones are used for different purposes. In addition, the chef and the co-owner of the restaurant are open to cooperation with small farmers dedicated to sustainability principles.
Sustainable Dining in Austin
Sustainability trends have been embracing the food market of Texas for a while. In particular, you can find some very attractive sustainability-oriented restaurants in Austin, one of the state’s most populated cities.
Odd Duck
Here is a restaurant with a very interesting story deserving a cinematic adaptation. Odd Duck began as a food trailer growing into one of Austin’s top sustainable restaurants. The restaurant sources all of its ingredients locally and is known for its focus on cooperation with local farms. One of the most important aspects of Odd Duck’s operations is a closed-loop system. The proximity of most suppliers allows Odd Duck to cut down on transportation emissions, ensuring its reputation as one of the most responsible plant-based restaurants in the state. With such an approach, the restaurant confirms its adherence to sustainability.
Emmer & Rye
Here is another place for eco-friendly dining that relies on Texas farms. Despite the possible limitations of such a sustainability-centered approach, Emmer & Rye manages to offer its visitors a great diversity of dishes. In particular, the local menu changes daily based on seasonal trends. In addition, workers of Emmer & Rye mill their own grains in-house, providing the visitors with a warm and heartwarming atmosphere. Actually, this restaurant is known as a popular location for romantic dates in Austin.
Sustainable Dining in Phoenix
Arizona is known for its vast farmlands. No wonder that one of the state’s biggest cities, namely Phoenix, has something to offer in terms of sustainable dining. Among the abundance of such locations in the city, we can distinguish the two most attractive sustainable locations.
The Coronado
It is a very scenic location with a comfortable and family-like atmosphere. In addition, The Coronado is known as one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Phoenix dedicated to sustainability practices. Sustainability is embraced here at all operational levels. The Coronado offers compostable takeout containers to its visitors. The establishment also embraces practices making it one of the best energy-efficient restaurants in the state. Here you can also find a plant-based menu of a great diversity – ranging from simple snacks to some of the most nutritious burgers in the city.
FnB Restaurant
This eco-friendly restaurant is located in Old Town Scottsdale. As a perfect location for romantic dates, FnB Restaurant is known for its impressive selection of wines. All ingredients for local wine are sourced from local farmers. The owners of FnB focus on cooperation with Arizona-based farmers. By following sustainability practices and supporting the local communities, the staff of FnB contributes to the state’s prosperous development.
Sustainable Dining in Los Angeles
One of America’s cultural capitals also has something to offer to the enjoyers of organic restaurants. While there is a variety of such establishments in LA, here we will focus on a specific one.
Rustic Canyon
It is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in Santa Monica. This establishment shows a great example of waste reduction in restaurants. In addition, Rustic Canyon offers unmatched quality of service and a big diversity of meals. Focused on organic foods, Rustic Canyon is one of the farm-to-table restaurants with a dense network of cooperation with local farmers. The establishment provides a comfortable atmosphere fitting both family meetings and romantic dates. Visitors can also buy gift cards and host private events in this place.
Conclusions
Waste reduction in restaurants and other eco-friendly practices become increasingly popular. You can easily find such a location in almost all American major cities. Here we enumerated only a few notable examples. With their transformative impact as pioneers, restaurants mentioned on this list set trends that may bring the entire HoReCa industry in the U.S. to a better tomorrow.