7 Unique Australian Restaurants That Combine Fine Dining With Sustainability
Slowly but surely, we’re starting to realise how important it is to practice sustainability in every aspect of our lives — from the choices we make at home, to how we travel the world.
The thing is, we can actually apply the same principles to where we dine — and it’ll make the foodies very happy.
Sustainable restaurants are popping up all over the country, curating their menus to make the most of local seafood, meat and produce. Eating well and supporting local is literally the dream in 2021. Give these seven places a try on your next night out.
#1 Lake House, Daylesford VIC
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One and a half hours out of Melbourne is the luxury lodge with a two-hatted Lake House restaurant and associated cooking school. They’re also leaders in supporting local producers who use sustainable farming practices, really embodying paddock-to-plate dining, with a menu full of seasonal dishes.
#2 Nomad, Sydney NSW
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Nomad is something of a Sydney institution, known for their amazing food. However, while their menus might be inspired by “travels through Spain, Morocco and the Middle East” (so says their website descriptions), their produce is sourced from small growers in Australia.
#3 Fervor, WA
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Fervour is all about the pop-up, sustainable dining. They pick unique locations for their events, ensuring that they leave no trace behind when they’re done. Their menu is focused on locally sourced produce, of a very Australian nature, then prepare your food in front of your eyes. Plus they work in partnership with local communities, Traditional Owners and businesses to promote the region they’re popping up in.
#4 Saint Peter, Sydney NSW
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If you’re big into seafood, this fish eatery in Sydney’s Paddington is your dream. They’re on a mission to use only sustainably sourced seafood, working closely with fisherman around Australia to get the highest quality seafood, then process it in their own custom ‘fish butchery’ to make sure it’s done right.
#5 The Summertown Aristologist, Adelaide Hills SA
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With a wine selection so epic it earned a mention in 2020’s Wineslinger Awards for ‘Young Gun of Wine’, it only gets better from there. They tend and rear their own produce, with the aim of eventually being self-sufficient — supplementing with organic produce from local farmers until that day comes.
#6 Attica, Melbourne VIC
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Expect the unexpected on the Attica menu — think rare ingredients like bunya nuts, murnong or marron. They know they’re not cheap, only offering a tasting menu at $320pp, but for that price they make it an unforgettable experience. Plus they’ve been using sustainable cooking and produce practices for over 15 years.
#7 Pipit, Pottsville NSW
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Pipit focuses on seasonal set menus that showcase the best local produce from their location in the Northern Rivers. They’ve been recognised for a bunch of foodie awards, including Gourmet Traveller’s 2020 Restaurant Awards in the Best New Restaurant and Sustainability & Innovation categories.
(Lead Image: Instagram / @fervorfood)
