How many times have you checked out a newly opened restaurant or café online, before finally paying a visit? It always helps to know as much as you can about a place, after all. Or, if you’re someone who enjoys exploring new places, it always pays to know about what’s happening in the food and hospitality space. Now, if you’ve decided to make a shift towards living an eco-friendly lifestyle, it means being conscious about all your habits—including where you dine. Here are some cafes and restaurants in Delhi-NCR, which have adopted sustainable practices, which you can check out for the next time you plan to head out.
1. Greenr Café, multiple locations
With outlets in both Delhi and Gurgaon, Greenr Café has become a popular choice among the masses for its extensive vegan menu. The dishes, as claimed by the café, are experimental and a delight for the taste buds. They source their ingredients from local vendors, and their pasta is handmade, instead of using a machine. They encourage the use of metallic straws, and their packaging, show you choose takeaway or delivery, is made of biodegradable material.
Cost for two: INR 1200 (approximately); home delivery available.
2. Altogether Experimental, New Delhi
A fairly new addition in the quaint lanes near Champa Gali in Delhi, Altogether Experimental blends modern design with experimental cuisine. With a kitchen run by a team of girls, a co-working space, and a pet-friendly area, this one ticks all the boxes. They also specialise in packaging made from sugarcane leftovers, which is then used to pack your food. Earlier in the year, they also introduced a zero-waste menu, which they also constantly keep shuffling to keep your taste buds entertained.
Cost for two: INR 1400 (approximately); home delivery available.
3. For Earth’s Sake, Gurgaon
Located in the ever-busy Galleria Market in Gurgaon, For Earth’s Sake claims to be the country’s first zero-waste store-cum-café. Their mission is to reduce the consumption of plastic and find sustainable alternatives for our daily needs. The products at the store range from stationery items to skincare items, all of which are locally sourced. For the café, they have a selection of coffee sourced from various coffee estates in the country, and an assortment of healthy, and consciously-cooked food and bakery items.
Cost for two: INR 500 (approximately); home delivery available.
4. Fire, The Park, New Delhi
Located at The Park hotel, in the heart of Delhi, Fire was re-launched almost three years back as an “earth-friendly” restaurant. Almost 80 per cent of the items listed on their seasonal menu is sourced from local vendors. It is one of the only restaurants in a five-star hotel to have adopted the concept of sustainable dining. They aim to introduce more food items in their menu and pick up more eco-friendly measures when it comes to running the restaurant.
Cost for two: INR 3000 (approximately); home delivery unavailable.
5. AnnaMaya, Andaz Delhi, Aerocity
AnnaMaya is a blend of two elements: Annapurna, the goddess of food, and Maya, the goddess of magic. AnnaMaya was conceived as a European Foodhall that serves indigenous cuisine with a modern twist. It is located at Andaz Delhi, at Aerocity in New Delhi. They aim to inspire their guests to “Eat Mindful. Shop Artisanal. Raise Awareness”. AnnaMaya, like many European food halls, is a place where you can get food and buy interesting artisanal products. The food hall adheres to the ‘Made in India' philosophy, as all of the goods and ingredients used are indigenous to the area and have a socially inspiring backstory. The current business module of the Foodhall is socially important, as it uplifts local communities and their respective livelihoods. Their interiors, too, are designed with stones and slabs which are sourced locally. An extensive variety of organic food awaits you here.
Cost for two: INR 2500 (approximately); home delivery unavailable.