According to a recent survey by Pan American Life, around 83% of Americans consciously opt for organic food at least some of the time. If you’re one of the growing numbers of people for whom organic eating equals a healthier, more sustainable choice, then you’re going to want to know about the following five restaurants.
Each of these West Coast eateries emphasizes organic, fresh, seasonal food – meaning incredible flavors that are kinder to your body and the environment. If you find yourself on the West Coast, we highly recommend checking out as many of these restaurants as possible – from garden terraces to vintage vaudeville theaters; the establishments below all share an ambiance as vibrant as their menus!
Akasha, Culver City, Los Angeles
Akasha Richmond has previously cooked for the stars and now brings her cheffing magic to Los Angeles, a county well-known for its love of organic food. Given the prevalence of organic restaurants in the area, it’s challenging to stand out from the crowd, but Akasha not only does so but has been one of LA’s most popular organic eateries since it opened in 2008.
The establishment’s commitment to organic cooking isn’t just skin deep: Akasha uses organic flour and sweetener as well as main ingredients, and all the signature cocktails are blended with a mix of organic spirits.
And the food itself? The menu is a gorgeous and riotous combination of Californian and Mediterranean influences – think turkey burgers spiked with fiery jalapenos and flatbread pizza topped with figs, blue cheese, and prosciutto. If you fancy a lighter bite, there’s an on-site cafe, too, serving mouth-watering brownies, cupcakes, and tarts to eat in or take away.
Mohawk Bend, West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Sticking around in the City of Angels, for now, Mohawk Bend is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. This organic restaurant is housed in a former vaudeville theater, which offers a fabulously dramatic backdrop against which to enjoy your meal. Everything from the sleek restaurant chairs to the chunky wood tables and intriguing decor supports this vintage yet contemporary-edged vibe.
As well as being gloriously organic, the restaurant is also committed to serving a range of vegan choices alongside its ‘regular’ offerings; these include vegan banh mi pizzas and BBQ tofu steaks. Mohawk Bend’s pies are particularly loved by locals and visitors to the city alike.
Beer-appreciating diners are exceptionally well-catered for: there are a whopping seventy different types on tap – enjoying one of the establishment’s signature pies is highly recommended!
Noble Rot, Portland, Oregon
Launched in 2002, within twelve months, this exquisite little restaurant had been named Restaurant of the Year by Willamette Week. Now, Noble Rot occupies the fourth floor of an eco-friendly LEED Platinum building in downtown Portland and offers both an indoor dining space and a beautiful rooftop garden in which its patrons can savor their meals while enjoying a panoramic view of the city below. And for something extra special? The restaurant also offers private dining for up to twelve guests.
In 2018 Noble Rot was named a semi-finalist by the James Beard Foundation for its impressive wine list.
Organic, farm-fresh, locally-sourced food is what this establishment is all about; expect intense flavors, fascinating taste combinations, beautiful presentation, and a tantalizing wine list. And the name? Noble Rot is the tag of a unique wine made using fuzzy raisins.
The Pink Door, Belltown, Seattle
This independently owned organic restaurant opened back in 1981 and has a focus on locally-sourced, fresh Italian cuisine. The Pink Door is one of the most popular restaurants in Seattle, well-known for its unmatched seafood offerings, such as the platter of fresh northwest oysters served on pink balsamico ice and the clams and mussels with white vermouth, garlic, parsley, and cream.
It’s not just the first-class food that brings droves of diners through the doors. The Pink Door is famous for its eclectic nightly entertainment roster, including trapeze artists (really!), jazz ensembles, cabaret acts, and tarot readers, who have been entertaining guests here for decades. Diners never know what will greet them when they walk through the Pink Door.
True Food Kitchen, Friars Road Valley Mall, San Diego
Real food and serious flavor are the taglines of this organic eatery, which is committed to the philosophy that better eating equals better living. Each dish is designed to both promote good health and be planet-kind.
True Food has a chef-based culinary team who focuses on reimagining old favorites and giving comfort foods a new twist using seasonal, peak-fresh ingredients and unusual elements. Roasted Acorn Squash Flatbread, Vegan Double Cheeseburger, Chicken Sausage Pizza, and Garden Scramble are just a taster of the delights on offer here.
The craft cocktails are of note, too, with well-known options like espresso martinis sitting alongside innovative, quirky beverages such as Tee Time (made with tomatin dualchas whiskey, ginger, chamomile, and lemon), and Juniper Rose (a blend of gin, Giffard Pamplemousse, and thyme).
And if you can’t make dinner? True Food Kitchen has a reputation for serving some of the best organic brunches in the area!
