10 World’s Greenest Restaurants

Are you interested in discovering some of the greenest restaurants in the world? Though listed in order, these restaurants, which are all doing their part to contribute to a more sustainable future, should not be considered as being in competition with one another. Each has their own unique charm, and each should be commended for the environmental efforts it has made.

1. Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio in Napa Valley, California

Ubuntu Restaurant not only offers fresh, healthy, and sustainable vegetarian dishes, but with an attached Yoga studio, it contributes to the mindset necessary to keep such efforts going. Its wine comes from the sustainable vineyards of the Napa Valley, and the interior boasts a beautiful design, offering an environmentally friendly and highly enjoyable dining experience.

2. Bloodwood Restaurant in Sydney, Australia

In constructing the Bloodwood Restaurant in Sydney, the owners focused on using recycled and reclaimed materials. Reclaimed lumber and salvaged doors were used to give this restaurant a warm and stylish interior proving that “new” does not always equal better. Bloodwood Restaurant’s menu reflects this commitment to sustainability offering fresh and seasonal choices.

3. The Duke of Cambridge in London, England

The Duke of Cambridge is a certified organic, upscale pub found in London.  This pub refuses to bring in any of their food by air, but rather gets all of their fruits and vegetables from local and mostly organic farms. Furthermore, their electricity comes from one of the UK’s renewable energy suppliers.

4. Doe Bay Cafe in Olga, Washington

When you eat at the Doe Bay Cafe, you are eating ingredients sourced from the land and the water that is right around you. All of the seafood comes from the water right behind the restaurant, and the vegetables from local farms nearby. All waste gets recycled and composted making for minimal environmental impact.

5. Plant Cafe Organic in San Francisco, California

Plant Cafe Organic’s two locations in San Francisco were both renovated from warehouses on the San Francisco Bay. They are consistently considered as the greenest and best vegetarian restaurants around, two titles that are rightfully earned through Plant Cafe Organic’s use of organic and local food.

6. Saqra in Lima, Peru

Saqra (a name which means “little devil”) offers a delicious mix of traditional cuisine with spices and sauces from around the world. This restaurant focuses on serving foods that are in season, meaning that ingredients are always fresh, and makes everything from its wine glasses to its chairs from recycled material.

7. Acorn House in London, England

Acorn House is another London’s restaurant that strives for sustainability in the way they do business. Acorn house uses seasonal, local foods, and only buys organic and fair trade. This restaurant recycles, composts, and uses a biodiesel car to pick up any supplies. Acorn House also provides a program which teaches such practices to local youths.

8. Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood, Thailand

The interesting Soneva Kiri restaurant in Thailand is not only eco-friendly, but provides a very interesting dining experience as well. In this unique eatery you are hoisted up into the trees and served by waiters on ziplines. The restaurant is located on a sustainable island resort, and gets its food from organic gardens.

9. The Grey Plume in Omaha, Nebraska

The Grey Plume is a delicious, four-star restaurant that also had the honors of becoming the first “Sustainabuild Certified Green Restaurant” in the United States. The restaurant focuses on sustainability in the food it offers by serving locally grown produce and meat from local farms. It also uses energy efficient and environmentally friendly appliances.

10. Narisawa in Tokyo, Japan

When Restaurant Magazine gave its very first Sustainable Restaurant Award, the honors went to the Narisawa Restaurant in Tokyo. This restaurant strives to nurture a respectful attitude towards the planet and the environment and uses only ethically sourced or local ingredients. Narisawa also focuses on promoting healthy eating in the entire community.

Have you ever been to one of these restaurants? What’s your favorite green restaurant?

10 Most Unusual Restaurants in the World

If you’re bored by the same old restaurants, you’re in luck. Unusual restaurants are becoming very popular around the world. Some of these restaurants are simply cute, some are quite disgusting, and some might just make you shudder. Take a look at the list of 10 unusual restaurants around the world that you might want to experience for yourself.

1. The Airplane Restaurant

This restaurant that is actually inside a 1953 Boeing KC-97 tanker is grounded in Colorado Springs, Colorado. If you are an aviation fan, you will enjoy this restaurant. The restaurant has photos and models of planes displayed to enjoy. The good news is they do not serve airplane food, so you’ll enjoy your meal much more.

2. Modern Toilet

Yes, you read that correctly. There is a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan called Modern Toilet. Not only do you sit on chairs that are actually toilets, but the food is served in bowls that are small toilets. The restaurant serves Asian food such as noodles and curry.

3. Opaque

At this unique restaurant in California (locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego) diners are taken into a dark room where they will enjoy a meal they cannot see. The lack of light allows diners to really taste their food. There are similar concepts being done at other restaurants around the world if this idea appeals to you.

4. Clydesdales Horse Drawn Restaurant

This traveling restaurant is located in Windsor, Australia. The restored 1890’s omnibus can seat up 8 guests. You will enjoy wine and food along the way as you take this historic ride through town. Enjoy the old buildings and stepping out of the carriage at points of interest to see them up close.

5. Pollsmoor Mess

This restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa is not simply a prison themed restaurant; it is located in an actual prison that is open to the public for dining. The restaurant is part of the rehab program for prisoners to help them gain skills that will help them with life after prison.

6. The SnowCastle

The SnowCastle can be found in Finland and is rebuilt and reopened each winter. The restaurant is always -5 degrees Celcius, so dress warmly! You’ll be served hot foods such as reindeer soup, bleu cheese soup, and cream of mushroom soup. There is also a SnowChapel where you can be married as well as the SnowHotel.

7. El Diablo

This restaurant on the island of Lanzarote in Spain actually grills your meat and fish meals over an active (but not lava-spewing) volcano, which gives each meal a lovely smoky flavor. The restaurant has been open since 1970 and offers tours of the volcano grill.

8. Tombs Restaurant

In India you can eat among tombs containing deceased bodies. While you enjoy your food and tea you can read the names and dates of the dead inside the tombs. One tomb even contains the body of a 16th century Sufi saint.

9. ‘s Baggers

‘s Baggers is a restaurant in Germany where you are not served by waiters. You order your food via a touché screen at your table and the food and drinks are brought to you through an elaborate system of spiral railings.

10. Cannibalistic Restaurant

This sushi restaurant in Japan will serve your food inside of a woman’s body that is also made out of food. When the woman’s body is cut into it looks like it’s bleeding. You can eat it all! If the idea doesn’t make you queasy, this might be a restaurant for you to try.

Traveling around the world is interesting all by itself, but sometimes you might want to see the unique and unusual things that other countries have to offer. You have to eat and sometimes it might get a little boring and a little routine. Shake things up now and then by visiting one of these unusual restaurants.