Sustainable Eating: Top 5 Eco Friendly Restaurants in Tampa
- Maddi Dolan
- Dec 1, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 2, 2022
A new trend is emerging in the age of the climate crisis. That trend is called sustainability, and it’s built on the idea of protecting our planet and all of its resources. A big part of
sustainability is “sustainable eating.”
Sustainable eating is about choosing healthy foods that do not damage the environment for future generations. According to the 2019 EAT-Lancet Commission, shifting toward a
plant-based diet is more sustainable. This means eating foods like legumes (beans, peas, lentils, peanuts), whole grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables, and straying away from animal-based foods like red meat and dairy. Eating plant-based will feed the growing population without depleting Earth of its natural resources.
“Is this sustainable?” is an important question to ask when it comes to how we eat, so here are 5 of my favorite restaurants in Tampa that are both sustainable and delicious!
512 N Franklin St // 533 S Howard Ave // 2774 E Fowler Ave // 126 S West Shore Blvd
So Fresh has one mission: "to fuel life through fresh food and real ingredients."
Their versatile menu includes hot bowls, salads, wraps, broth bowls, smoothies and juices that accommodate diets including vegan, vegetarian, keto, paleo and gluten-free. Everything on the menu is customizable, giving you unlimited options!
SoFresh is perfect for every occasion; from a sit-down experience, to a quick and convenient takeout. Although SoFresh is a bit pricey, it's worth the money in my opinion. I'd rather spend a few extra dollars on food I know is fresh, healthy and sustainable.
I am pescatarian, so my go to meal is the superfood bowl with salmon or the signature salad with wild caught ahi tuna. SoFresh uses only sustainable seafood which is great for the environment!
500 S Howard Ave
Soho Juice Co. is a vegan marketplace that serves plant based products made with all natural ingredients. Their menu includes smoothies, Aćai bowls, cold pressed juices and other tasty treats that are vegan and gluten free.
Everything sold at Soho Juice Co. is vegan with the exception of bee products (items containing bee products are noted in the menu description.)
Soho’s menu is also 100% gluten free and dairy free.
Alongside their sustainable menu, Soho Juice Co. also uses bowls and cups that are made from post recycled materials. Their straws and utensils are corn based and fully compostable, and their bags are paper based.
If I had to pick my favorite item off of the menu it would be the Tropical Pitaya Bowl or the Summer Glow Plant Based Smoothie!
1910 N Ola Ave Suite 113
Located at the Heights Public Market inside Armature Works, Dixie Dharma's menu is 100% plant-based. Dixie Dharma is famous for its vegan BBQ and mac n’ cheese. They specialize in “quality comfort food that uses wholesome, sustainable, and delicious ingredients.”
The first time I visited Dixie Dharma I was shocked to learn that everything on their menu was plant based. I had never heard of vegan BBQ before, but now I am hooked!
I have tried almost everything on the menu and I have come up with a list of my three favorites: the Carolina BBQ Pulled Jackfruit, the Heirloom T.L.T and the Florida Fried Green Tomato. I also recommend trying the Buffalo Mac n' Cheese because it is to die for!
Overall Dixie Dharma is great for anyone who wants to live sustainably, especially those who are vegan or dairy free!
516 N Tampa St // 109 N 12th St
Bamboozle Cafe specializes in healthy Vietnamese dishes with both vegan and gluten free options.
Their full menu consists of fresh rolls, pho, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), rice dishes, saigon salad, Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad, noodle salad, teas, smoothies and coffee.
Although not all of their menu is vegan, they strive to use ingredients that are wholesome and sustainable. Bamboozle Cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a quick and easy takeout.
My go to meal at Bamboozle Cafe is the vegan pho! Be sure to ask for hoisin and sriracha sauce if you like a little kick!
408 N. Howard Ave // 6102 S. Macdill Ave
You can expect great tasting, 100% organic green smoothies and smoothie bowls at Raw Smoothies Co.
All RSC smoothies and bowls are made with "the highest quality organic ingredients." The smoothies and bowls are also vegan, paleo and gluten-free.
Raw Smoothies Co. strives to be environmentally sustainable not only through their plant-based menu. RSC uses recycled, eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging, napkins and straws.
RSC said that "leaving the earth better than how we found it is extremely important to us."
My favorite item off the menu is the Private Island smoothie!
I hope you enjoyed this list of my 5 favorite eco-friendly restaurants in Tampa; I can't wait for you to try some of them out! Be sure to comment if you're a fan of any of these restaurants too!
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