Sustainable Restaurants Around Australia on OpenTable
As we mature, we spend more and more time thinking about our impact on the planet, and the type of world we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. This extends to our food choices and eating ethically and sustainably. According to OpenTable’s Sustainable Dining Report:
- Four in five (81%) Australian say it is important to them that the food they eat when dining out is sourced ethically
- When asked about the meaning of ‘sustainable dining’, less than half of Australians (44%) provided a correct answer, while 14 per cent provided an incorrect answer and 42 per cent admitted they didn’t know what it meant
- Women are more likely than men to understand the meaning of the term ‘sustainable dining’ (49% vs. 39%)
- Women are more likely than men to say it is important to them that that the food they eat when dining out is sourced ethically (85% vs. 77%)
With this in mind, and knowing that as as females we are more concerned with eating sustainably, we’ve put together, in conjunction with OpenTable, a list of sustainable restaurants around Australia, to help you find a table easily next time you are eating out. Most capital cities (and a couple of holiday hot spots) are represented – if you live in one that’s not, why not book one next time you are on holidays?
Lake House Dayelsford, Vic
With its very own 38 acre farm, Lake House at Dayelsford has an abundance of locally grown produce, handpicked every morning before it’s served to guests for lunch or dinner. Lamb, rare-breed pork, grass-fed beef, fresh seafood and local cheeses are some of the popular items showcased on the menu, as is heirloom fruit from heritage orchards sourced from around Melbourne.
Zinc Port Douglas, Qld
Located in tropical North Queensland, Zinc offers a contemporary Australian menu inspired by the variety of quality products available on the coast. From the local reef fish, to the tropical fruit and tableland-grown vegetables, the restaurant maintains their focus on delivering simple and fresh high quality dishes.
Cape Lodge Restaurant Yallingup, WA
Located in the stunning Margaret River region in Western Australia, Cape Lodge Restaurant features seasonal, local and homegrown produce plucked from the nearby ocean, local farms and the kitchen garden to create fresh innovative French fare cuisine. Paired with beautiful lakeside views and the green landscape, Cape Lodge highlights the best of Margaret River’s produce.
CHISWICK Woollahra, NSW
CHISWICK runs its own kitchen garden, which is the source of much of its fresh, seasonal produce used in their elegant, vegetable-focused cuisine. Adding to their sustainable credentials, the restaurant also maintains a hive of native Australian bees that provide honey and help pollinate the garden.
Three Blue Ducks (The W) Brisbane, Qld
Mixing Queensland’s vibrant culture with their paddock to plate ethos, Three Blue Ducks restaurant is centred on providing fresh, local and delicious food. The owners work with local farmers, producers and brewers to create an ethical based menu that captures their strong focus on real food, great service and honest cooking.
Love.Fish Barangaroo, NSW
Since opening in 2010, Love.Fish has been offering sustainably sourced seafood in a scenic waterfront setting taking Australian seafood to the next level. Co-owners Michael and Michelle Milkovic have delighted locals and tourists with their ecological approach to food forging their reputation as ‘the fish bar with a green heart.’
Press* Food & Wine Adelaide, SA
With South Australia having a long heritage as a foodie area, at Press* Food & Wine in Adelaide, executive chef Andrew Davies and head chef Joshua Lansley create their elegant, contemporary dishes around the freshest seasonal bounty of South Australia – bringing the best products from their patch of the earth to the table.
Vue De Monde Melbourne CBD, Vic
Vue de Monde, an elegant fine-dining restaurant in Melbourne, has fitted its space with recycled furniture and low-emissions fixtures. Acclaimed chef Shannon Bennett has evolved the restaurant’s award-winning cuisine to feature predominantly heirloom, organic fruits and vegetables, including many grown in its own gardens, along with local and sustainable meats and seafood.
If you are interested in sustainable eating and ethically sourced food, we hope we’ve helped you find a sustainable restaurant for your next dining experience. Have you eaten at any of these restaurants? Are you tempted? We have enjoyed a few fine meals (and long lunches) at CHISWICK, and one very memorable meal at Vue De Monde. We’re now thinking of re-visiting these, and visiting a few others over Spring/Summer.
For more information, or to view the full list of sustainable restaurants, click here.
