14 Sep 2019

Got An Eco-Conscience? Head To These 5 Restaurants That Have Gotten Greener In 2019

‘Eco’ and ‘conscious’ are two of the hottest buzzwords of right now. Here, we take a look at 5 much-loved dining spots that have upped their earth-friendly efforts.

When it comes to takeaway coffee, plastic cup lids, straws and bottles used to be the norm. If you’re just starting out in reducing your environmental impact, one of the first things to do is get yourself a reusable coffee cup and find an eco-conscious spot for your morning caffeine. One suggestion? The Lokal.

For your reusable coffee wares, there are numerous brands you can turn to, but head to this Neil Road favourite to get your hands on chic glass coffee cups and rose gold stainless steel straws that make caring for the planet just a little more stylish. You’ll get a complimentary coffee as a reward too.

It’s tough not to be tempted by the aromas wafting out from the kitchen so if you’ve got time, indulge in The Lokal’s hearty Australian fare. More veggie-centric dishes have been added to the menu of late, including a small plate of herbed cauliflower with homemade ricotta, pomegranate and pistachio that forms an ideal precursor to their pumpkin-kale lasagne. They really pack in the flavour here, so much so that even the most recent vegetarians won’t miss the meaty additions.

Continuing their efforts to be a little greener, The Lokal also promotes their ban of single-use plastics by giving discounts to diners who bring their own takeaway containers and cups, so don’t forget to bring your own boxes when you visit!

Address: 136 Neil Road, Singapore, 0888865

Opening Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: 8am-4pm
Wednesday-Friday: 8am-10pm
Saturday: 9am-10pm
Sunday: 9am-4pm

Get 30% off your next meal at The Lokal with ChopeDeals!

2. Open Farm Community

Source: Facebook

Embracing the farm-to-table concept in a city is no easy feat, but it’s one that the Open Farm Community threw themselves into wholeheartedly.

One way they managed it is via their 35,000-square-foot urban garden. An almost impossibly rare find in Singapore, it’s complete with fruit and vegetable orchards and enables them to reduce the carbon footprint of many ingredients to almost nothing. While the chefs aim to create as many dishes as possible from their own produce, what they can’t grow themselves, they source from ethical suppliers. The majority comes from OFC’s large network of local and organic farmers and growers across southeast Asia.

Theirs is an open-concept restaurant with a menu that changes according to what’s in season. Main dishes of note include the rendang spiced aubergine and the barramundi smothered in smoked mussel butter and a black rice seaweed crumble. They’re designed to be shared between two and are served with a trio of homemade fiery sambals.

Providing further promotion of the communities they support, OFC curate and host local farmers to showcase their ingredients and experiences to interested guests. They also run gardening workshops for those looking to channel urban eco-efforts in their own homes.

Address: 130E Minden Rd, Singapore, 248819

Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 12pm-4pm, 6pm-11pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm, 6pm-12am
Sunday: 11am-5pm, 6pm-11pm

Set out to explore the eco-delights of the Open Farm Community today.

3. Artemis Grill

Source: Artemis Grill

With its sophisticated design and sky-high locale overlooking Marina Bay, you’d be forgiven for not predicting that Artemis Grill had taken such steps in the eco sphere.

This restaurant and bar sits atop the CapitaGreen building in Raffles Place, and features an outdoor terrace with a 100-year old olive tree in the centre. But there’s another piece of noteworthy decoration. The eye-catching white umbrellas do more than make the space look photo-worthy. Their simple yet innovative design catches rainwater and channels it into the ground, which is recycled and reused within the building.

As for the food, their Mediterranean-inspired cuisine uses fresh, organic ingredients and arrives at your table beautifully-presented and full of flavour. For the latter, Artemis could have their artisan suppliers to thank. The seafood is sustainably-sourced and the meat is grass-fed, ethically-farmed and free from hormones. The vegetarian dishes, too, come just as highly praised as the carnivorous alternatives. The beetroot tortellini is a prime example with its vibrant purple hue and creamy feta-ricotta filling, as is the gourmet piquillo pepper dish served with spiced zucchini and brown rice. All the flavour, none of the guilt.

Address: 138 Market St, #40-01, CapitaGreen, Singapore, 048946

Opening Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 11.30am-11pm
Thursday-Friday: 11.30am-12am
Saturday: 6pm-11pm

Head up to the roof for spectacular views and ethical food at Artemis Grill.

4. The Social Space

Source: The Social Space

When The Social Space first opened its doors in Chinatown in 2018, the conscious community buzzed with excitement, so it came as little surprise when the news of their second location this year was equally well received. Their expansion saw them move into a bright and airy space in the Marina One condo on the edge of the CBD. At first glance, it’s a humble café with a shop, but step inside and you’ll soon see the appeal of this multi-concept hub that truly wears its heart on its eco-sleeve.

Starting with the food and drinks, the menu is small but perfectly formed, with a selection of smoothie bowls and open-face toasts topped with more than just avocado and eggs. The Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Tahini Butter option is a firm favourite, closely followed by the Eggplant and Miso. If you’re popping in mid-afternoon, order the banana bread! This slice of soft and gooey goodness is the perfect accompaniment to an iced soy latte or golden turmeric latte, depending where you stand on the trendy coffee scale.

The Social Space has their own retail store of ethically-made accessories like sunglasses, jewellery and bags, as well as a self-service refillery. Here, people can bring their own containers to stock up on all-natural body care and household cleaning products. The second-floor plays host to sustainability workshops and retail pop-ups for local designers and eco companies promoting initiatives like fashion swaps and recycling old bed linen.

Address: 5 Straits View, #01-03 Garden Tower, Marina One Residences, Singapore, 018935

Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8am-7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9am-4pm

Dive into The Social Space banana bread with a matcha latte to go.