With Earth Day coming this month (April 22), it’s a fantastic time to practice mindful eating for the sake of the planet (and your health)! Whether that means choosing a vegan menu from time to time or visiting restaurants that prioritize sustainability, there are lots of tasty ways to lower your footprint. We’re pretty lucky in the Lower Mainland to have a wealth of progressive chefs and restaurant owners who are transparent about their efforts to improve the world. So with that in mind, here are a few local spots where we can do our part—one delicious plate at a time!
The Acorn Restaurant – Vancouver
The Acorn Restaurant is so much more than just a plant-based restaurant! The Mount Pleasant eatery artistically reinvents vegetarian and vegan cuisine by adding a knack for presentation and exploring flavours you wouldn’t expect from the plant kingdom! What’s more, every plate is crafted from organic ingredients that are sourced locally. They also have an impressive wine selection too, with only organic and natural wines on the list.
NOMAD Nomad Espresso Bar Cafe and Bakery – Vancouver’s North Shore
Sometimes just focusing on one issue can make a WORLD of difference for sustainability! At Nomad Espresso Bar, the small business has pooled its efforts together with the North Shore community to drastically reduce waste from disposable cups. By serving coffee only in reusable cups, and cups brought in by customers, they’ve been able to save 140,000 cups from the landfill! Oh, and the coffee is very good too.
Pasta Polo – Coquitlam
Making their pasta in-house, sauces from scratch, and using fresh herbs grown in the area, Pasta Polo epitomizes what it means to keep it local. Each dish is packed with the natural flavour that comes from taking things slow and getting the most from every ingredient. Pasta Polo also supports a number of community-led initiatives, local events and nonprofit organizations, so your dining out is a good deed in more ways than one!
Hangry Health Bar – Surrey
Prepared with fresh, no-filler ingredients, Hangry Health Bar offers high-quality proteins, local produce, and health-conscious recipes. All dishes are made to order, and each ingredient is cooked, prepped, and chopped in-house, ensuring a high standard of quality for every order. The focus on healthy products naturally feeds into sustainability with no added preservatives or overly packaged foods.
BRUNO Restaurant and Bar – Richmond
Focused on connection, sustainable practices, and high-impact dishes, Bruno at Versante Hotel is anything but the status quo. Serving elevated menu items directly influenced by the local farmers and artisans that supply their ingredients, Bruno takes each guest on an always-evolving culinary journey, showcasing the best of British Columbia with each dish.
Green Leaf Sushi – Burnaby
With a robust menu full of vegetarian and vegan options, Green Leaf proves that you don’t need to include meat in every dish to have a hearty meal. From rolls to salads and tempura, consider this your next stop for outstanding Japanese food, with a healthy and sustainable edge!
Baci Ristorante – Burnaby
An intimate gem in North Burnaby, Baci Ristorante sources high-quality ingredients to craft their authentic Italian cuisine. As one of the best date spots in the area, an evening here sends the signal that you’re community-minded and appreciate the effort to keep things local. If that isn’t a green flag, we don’t know what is!
Ashoka Indian Cuisine – Langley City
Explore a fusion of traditional and contemporary Indian flavours made with local ingredients. The friendly staff will curate your visit with delicious staples of Eastern cuisine, and warm hospitality. Open for lunch, dinner, and special occasions, Ashoka celebrates India’s rich cultural tapestry, and you’ll be able to taste that authenticity in every bite.
Emilio Finatti Pizzeria – Langley City
As if you needed any more reason to enjoy incredible thin crust pizzas and calzones! Dedicated to using premium Canadian-sourced grains, meats, and cheeses with locally sourced produce, this Langley fave never fails to impress with the bold flavours they create from just a handful of ingredients.
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