A staggering third of global food production, equivalent to around 1.3 billion tonnes, is wasted or lost annually. Crazy number, right? Thus, we have prepared a list of most sustainable restaurants, cafes and bars in Dubai.
CAFE´S
KAVE
Warehouse 20, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Going by the slogan “This space is a space of Patience. Of soul. Of love made visible”, Kave is not a cafe but a multi-functional space aiming to create a cozy atmosphere and build a cool community in the heart of Alserkal Avenue.
The menu at this cafe is healthy and hearty, with locally sourced and organic ingredients. Being a follower of all the healthy food trends, Kave promotes slow eating for both better digestion and the hedonistic experience.
The cafe welcomes customers’ furry friends along, knowing how much people enjoy spending quality time with their pets. Kave’s personnel are more than happy to create a comfy space for everyone.
At Kave, you can also purchase upcycled glassware (and for the record: bringing a reusable cup with you is very much encouraged).
WILD & THE MOON
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Blvd, Palace Hotel Cafe n5, Downtown
Gate Avenue, U-149, Level POB
Wild & The Moon is a French-origin plant-based cafe and juice bar that focuses on sustainability and makes food and drinks of locally sourced, organic ingredients.
Cafe offers a range of healthy and delicious cold-pressed juices, nutmylks (yes, it’s the word they created, not Sparklo) and smoothies. As well, their chefs prepare a wide range of vegetable-based dishes: from salads and soups to desserts and snacks. The main thing is that everything here is made from wild, organic, local, ethically sourced, and pure ingredients. So you basically consume a forest here (in the best meaning, of course).
Wild & The Moon uses various preparation methods to maintain the food’s natural healing properties. Their recipes are inspired by seasonality, travel, and shared meals.
The other sign of commitment to the creation of sustainable and healthy agriculture is a zero-waste policy, using biodegradable packaging, and repurposing pulp into raw crackers.
Wild & The Moon also work with organizations like Food Karma to reduce food waste. Their products are 100% plant-based, gluten-free and homemade. Сontain no additives or refined sugars and offer a range of benefits (from clear skin to enhanced energy levels).
SEVA TABLE
Villa 5/1b, 27b Street, Jumeirah Beach Road
This place is more than just a cafe. It’s a small world located in JBR. It’s the first entirely plant-based, gluten-free, cane sugar-free café in the Middle East. SEVA provides its clients with both a wellness and eco-friendly experience.
According to the brand, SEVA is Sanskrit for “the act of selfless service for the betterment of the community,” and this was their main focus when building the space.
There are three SEVA projects in Dubai:
- SEVA Table is a fully plant-based restaurant, with a nature-inspired menu (delish mango lassi is a must try).
- SEVA Experience Wellness offers yoga, meditation, sound healing and other experiences to promote emotional and physical wellness.
- SEVA Stories is an ethical concept store that encourages to be present and to live in harmony with Mother Earth.
Here you can enjoy fulfillment in all its forms.
SOUL SANTE CAFÉ
Shop #6, Jannah Place Nasaq Street, Dubai Marina
Soul Sante Cafe is an Indian-origin, health-driven cafe. The cafe provides an extensive range of organic, vegan, and gluten-free meals, as well as snacks, beverages, and desserts that cater to the needs of conscious eaters.
The menu is crafted intelligently to ensure the use of only fresh and natural ingredients, and every dish is prepared with love and care. The cafe’s ideology is to serve food that not only caters to health requirements but also soothes the soul (so you kinda see where the name came from).
Not only does the brand offer great dishes on the site, but they also have an extensive meal and juice plan you can benefit from during your busy Dubai days. Ah, by the way, their matcha latte is the best.
RESTAURANTS
TEIBLE
Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront
Teible is all about seasonal farm-to-table meals. Instead of importing ingredients the restaurant now sources 95% of its food from local UAE markets. This has resulted in a significant reduction of the restaurant’s carbon footprint, making it one of sustainable food leaders in Dubai. They often update their seasonal menu, and you can easily access information about where groceries for dishes come from through their “Seasonal Menu” highlights. There are such places as Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, and other Emirati farms that prove Teible’s conscious approach to food.
In addition to a sustainable menu, Teible has implemented earth-friendly upgrades to its interior. It features an eco-friendly ceiling made from superfine wood wool that comes from an FSC-certified forest (w o w), countertops made from date seed-based material (w o w 2), and new walls built using discarded palm trees from Abu Dhabi (w o w 3).
LOWE
Koa Canvas, Wadi Al Safa 3
Lowe is a fancy restaurant for enjoyable and sustainable mealtime. The place uses vegetables from its own vegetable garden onsite. As a crucial part of a revolutionary movement of restaurants committed to making the industry more eco-friendly without sacrificing taste, Lowe has earned the distinction of being the only place in Dubai with a Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy. This honor is due to all the Lowe’s achievements in reducing waste, supporting local sources and giving back to the community.
The restaurant’s Waste Not dinners and initiatives — the first indication of the philosophy, which has now been implemented throughout the establishment — transform food scraps into delicious meals. This place is famous for ‘nose-to-tail’ dining — this term implies that Lowe is utilizing every part of the animal and incorporates discarded peels into recipes and fermentation.
Plus, @lovedxb has ongoing Instagram stories on sustainable home tips that uncover many topics: from smart shopping and single-use plastic reduction to zero-waste recipes. Enjoy!
BOCA
Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront
BOCA is a self-described home-grown concept, born in the desert, that has consistently showcased the UAE as being far from a barren land.
This modern Spanish-influenced European restaurant sources ingredients locally and supports local farmers and fishermen. BOCA surely stands out from the crowd: the restaurant even has a Waste Officer (fans of himym, put your hand down) who audits kitchen operations and refuses single-use plastic from suppliers and customers. BOCA also operates a demand-driven inventory, hosts zero-waste dinners and shares publicly its updated Sustainability Manifesto, where you can find up-to-date principles and the vision of this place.
In this manifesto, BOCA claims to use 100% renewable energy only. Besides, up to 80% of their ingredients are sourced locally from pioneering companies. Sustainability is a fundamental pillar of the restaurant, led by its commitment to sourcing local and seasonal produce in order to reduce carbon footprint. Have a bite — and feel good about helping the planet.
DIBBA BAY OYSTERS
Fishing Harbour 2, Umm Suqeim 1
Hotel Sheraton, JBR
Dibba Bay Oysters is a What’s On award-winning sustainable restaurant that has put the UAE on the food-producing map and highlighted the Emirati mariculture business by building the first and only gourmet oysters in the Middle East.
Dibba Bay Oysters’ sustainable approach has been recognized by the World Sustainability Organization which granted an official “Friend of the Sea“. The restaurant uses eco-friendly and energy-efficient practices, recycles waste and implements water conservation measures.
The oysters are transported straight from the farm off the Fujairah coast to the local market and their two restaurants, reducing carbon emissions and ensuring freshness so you could enjoy your fancy oyster date for as cheap as 8 aed.
BARS
Dubai’s bar scene needs some Sparklification but we’ve assembled some green spots for your weekend. And remember, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere!
LONDON PROJECT
Bluewaters Island
The only place in the city with a whole Gin Garden and complimentary Greenery. The London project with the atmosphere of a green escape created a true English country garden, where you can get all these Preston and Greenwich tree colors, but in a more juicy tone. Located under the Ain Dubai wheel, the place offers you a nice view of the city’s landscape that goes well with an extensive cocktail menu.
MONKEY BAR
25Hours One Central, Trade Center Street
Another rooftop in the list, now at the top of the 25Hours hotel. A vibrant and fun atmosphere plus an urban jungle view plus the actual jungle inside make this bar an absolute must-visit. Enjoy your time dancing till sunrise in this photogenic scenery any day throughout the week!
FLAIR 5
The Ritz Carlton Hotel, DIFC
At Flair 5, the main thing is their botanical cocktails and herbal-inspired spirits. Hidden on the terrace of the Ritz Carlton DIFC, Flair 5 has been serving their customers unique dishes and drinks with edible flowers since 2018.
