World Food Day, celebrated on October 16 each year, is a global reminder of the urgent need to address food-related challenges such as hunger, food security, and sustainability. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of our food choices. As a result, cafes around the world are taking the initiative to promote sustainable eating practices, not only to ensure a healthier planet but also to offer their customers more eco-friendly and ethical dining experiences. Here's a look at some cafes leading the charge in sustainable eating.
A green oasis amid the pulsating capital, Elina Vara is a boutique restaurant tucked away in New Delhi's Chhattarpur area. The brainchild of designer Simran Kocchar Pal, it encompasses the idea of organic eating, which stemmed from her need to source chemical-free foods for her daughter, who was allergic to most packaged produce. Her quest resulted in Elina Vara's birth, a Sanskrit term for pure blessings. The lush space, which offers an al fresco experience even while being indoors, serves artisan' farm to fork' dishes with ingredients grown primarily on the restaurant's private farmland. The showstopper is Skinny Witch, a sugar-free prosecco from the historic Strada del Prosecco with which the meals are paired.
Address: 16 Vatika Green Mandi Road , Chattarpur Farms, New Delhi -110030
Cost For Two: INR 2,500 for two.
Timings: 10:30 am to 10:30 pm.
All the rage in Mumbai's culinary world, Masque may be the perfect fine dining space for an evening out, but behind all the glitz is a painstakingly curated ten-course chef's tasting menu, among other dishes, with each ingredient sourced from handpicked farms. More than that, much of the food and sourcing came from extensive foraging trips founder Aditi Dugar made herself, be it up north for fiddlehead ferns or down south to coastal regions for seaweed. It was an enlightening journey for her that led to a deep dive into local communities and culinary artists and their ways with food, all of which are reflected in the tastes and finesse of Masque.
Address: Unit G3, Laxmi Woolen Mills, Shakti Mills Lane, Off Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 400011
Cost For Two: INR 6,000 for two.
Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm for lunch and 7:30 pm onwards for dinner.
Started by Bangalore-based bankers turned entrepreneurs Bobby Antony and Dominic Mascarenhas, passionate brewers and restaurateurs at heart, We: Neighborhood is the city's largest sustainable brewery. The two launched several popular food and drink outlets across the city they call home before launching the sum of their learning, We. It is completely solar-powered and aims to revolutionise the local bar experience with a range of craft beers paired with delectable, seasonal dining. To minimise food and tissue wastage, the place sources its greens locally and then collects the brewery waste to be fed to cattle on those farms. Circularly, it recycles everything and places a special emphasis on educating patrons on the environmental friendliness of its business.
Address: 67 & 67/1, Brigade Solitaire, Residency Road, Opposite Advaith Hyunda, Brigade Road, Bangalore
Cost For Two: INR 1,800 for two.
Timings: 11:30 am to 12 am.
When it comes to sustainable foods, Okapi Vegan Kitchen walks the talk. Other than the fact that plant-based food has a much lower carbon footprint than meat or dairy-based food, small, simple steps make this a cutting example of what can be done differently. Best known for its desserts and run by the dynamic duo Aarti Sinha and Mahi Baid, Okapi pays attention to what's going into the food they serve and what's going out of their kitchen.
They'd rather take limited orders or run out than throw away extra food! They have deliberately made a large part of their subscription-based operations to tackle food wastage. Only reusable packaging is used for the same: good old steel tiffins for lunch deliveries or bagasse (crop waste) and paper packaging for takeaways. Their seasonal farmers' markets, as are their community dinners, are a huge hit, which brings people together to cook and share meals.
Address: House 372, Pequeno, Coimawaddo, Moira, Goa
Cost For Two: INR 550 for two.
Timings: 12 pm to 3:30 pm on weekdays, and 5 pm to 10 pm on weekends. Closed Tuesdays.
Named after a local comfort dish, Cafe Khoblu sits far from the buzz of cities in the hills of Shimla. It is an ode to all things Himachal and fresh and bountiful from a dedicated farm. The warm and welcoming cafe uses local art and architecture for its ambience, quirky quotes, and design for a playful balance. Set up by journalist-turned-permaculturist Sanjay Austa, who experiments with growing food at his farm Meenabagh orchards in Ratnari, this cafe is where you can taste seasonal goodness in an ever-evolving menu. From thick blueberry shakes to apple kheer, all major ingredients in its dishes are plucked and ferried from Meenabagh, two hours away, which one can visit and stay at. Long-term stays are open to volunteers who want to learn the nuances of permaculture and farming from the man himself.
Address: 452R+XHF, Engine Ghar, Sanjauli, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171006
Cost For Two: INR 800 for two.
Timings: 10 am to 9:30 pm.