Open Kitchen
The People’s History Museum’s Open Kitchen is a sustainable, ethical and delightful food experience that serves breakfast, lunch and drinks throughout the day. Alongside working with a range of food businesses to source perfectly edible food that would otherwise go to waste, the cafe purchases ingredients from a sustainable food chain – local, seasonal, organic, independent, short supply chains and Fairtrade – supporting other ethical businesses and social enterprises, making it the first of its kind in the UK to take this combined approach.
The People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER
www.openkitchenmcr.co.uk
Where The Light Gets In
A little bit out of Manchester, I know, but I couldn’t leave Where The Light Gets In out of this. The restaurant works with fisherman and farmers from all over the isles to source the best, sustainably sourced produce that they then give their own creative touch. It’s an intimate, personal dining spot that really immerses you in the journey of your meal and makes sure that it’s both nourishing to the body and the ecosystem.
Where The Light Gets In, 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport SK1 1JY
www.wtlgi.co
The Walled Gardens
Eddie Shephard’s vegetarian retreat, aka the restaurant that’s literally in his living room, is an incredibly environmentally friendly space. Using fresh produce that’s grown in a garden only a few metres from the kitchen, he creates a 12 course interactive tasting menu that’s enjoyed by a mere 8 guests per night making it a unique, relaxed fine dining experience.
Campagna at The Creameries
Campagna at The Creameries is a restaurant committed to using seasonal, local ingredients and wasting as little food as possible. Its Southern European menu is hyper seasonal and changes due to the availability of certain produce, but you can expect dishes such as home baked Focaccia, Fazzoletti pasta, and fresh salads using a mix of local vegetables and herbs.
Campagna at The Creameries, 406 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M21 0SD
www.thecreameries.co.uk
Bundobust
Indian, Vegetarian fusion street food restaurant, Bundobust serves an array of plant powered small plates that explore traditional Indian cooking methods and flavours. The restaurant uses only recycled cutlery and plates, which are then recycled again after every meal. Its focus on vegetarian cuisine also means that the restaurant naturally reduces its carbon footprint through each of its dishes! They also brew their own beer at their site on Oxford Road.
Bundobust, 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AG
Bundobust Brewery, 61-69 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6EQ
www.bundobust.com
Eighth Day Cafe
Part of vegetarian health food store, Eighth Day, Eighth Day cafe is a lunchtime spot sitting in the basement below the shop. The cafe works to follow sustainable practices by serving a strictly vegetarian and vegan menu and using eco-friendly packaging made from Begasse, a compostable material that breaks down fast, recyclable foil and other compostable materials. They also encourage customers to bring their own reusable containers and will knock 20p if you bring your own coffee cup.
Eighth Day Cafe, 111 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7DU
www.8thday.coop
Hawksmoor
A meat-based restaurant might not be the first thing that springs to mind when we think of sustainability, but Hawksmoor was awarded the maximum rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association. From giving staff recipe ideas for leftover produce, to 100% of its food waste being sent to anaerobic digestion where it’s turned into bio gas and its chip fryer oil used to power vehicles – Hawksmoor are truly leading the way in sustainable restaurant practices.
Hawksmoor, 184 -186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
www.thehawksmoor.com
Wholesome Junkies
Recently announcing a new permanent site next to Victoria Station, Wholesome Junkies serves a selection of unique vegan dishes, putting their own spin on some famous carnivore fast food options. Their focus on sustainability is evident through their plant-based menu, as well as their use of cutlery and containers made from vegetables. The restaurant is currently based in the Arndale and Warrington markets, and the new sit-in restaurant on Mirabel Street is set to open later in the year.
Wholesome Junkies, Arndale Market, 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH
Wholesome Junkies, 2 Time Square, Warrington WA1 2NT
www.wholesomejunkies.co.uk
Potion
From the brains behind ‘Earth Friendly Rocker’, Potion is Afflecks’ friendly zero-waste and sustainable cafe. At its heart, Potion is local, sustainable, vegan friendly and affordable – sourcing ingredients from local suppliers and using recyclable materials in their packaging. They serve a hearty selection of vegetarian, vegan dishes, alongside the odd non-vegan dish, coffees, teas and juices – a great space for a green lunch or brunch in the city centre.
Potion, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW
www.afflecks.com/shops/potion-at-afflecks-cafe/
V Rev
Northern Quarter’s famous vegan junk food restaurant, V Rev is known for its plant-based sustainable approach to junk food. It sells burgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, loaded fries, doner kebabs and pretty much everything you’ll find in your local greasy spoons, but drastically reduces its carbon footprint by cutting out all meat, dairy eggs and honey from its dishes and practising sustainable recycling processes.
V Rev, 20-26 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HN
www.vrevmcr.co.uk
