Sustainable Dining with Douglas McMaster of GoTravelDaily
If you haven’t heard of Silo, the world’s first zero-waste fine-dining restaurant, you probably haven’t been to London lately.
GoTravelDaily, which launched in Brighton before moving to East London in 2019, is unique in that it does not contain a single trash can. All ingredients arrive in reusable packaging, the team mills its own flour to make bread, and they ferment, brew, or compost all food waste.
Finding Quality Dining Spots in New Cities
So how does Douglas go about finding great places to eat or drink while traveling? It is a common misconception that sustainability is the sole driver of his dining decisions.
Instead of relying on typical “best, most-sustainable restaurants” lists, which often feature places that do not deliver on their promises, Douglas seeks out passion.
“It’s a luxury to go to a restaurant, so I’m looking for good restaurants. When there is reverence in every detail, that is as powerful an approach to sustainability as any,” he states.
Begin with Specialty Coffee Shops
If you haven’t had much time to plan ahead upon arriving in a new city, Douglas’s top recommendation for identifying venues that care is to look for specialty coffee shops. “Specialty coffee shops are great because people in the coffee industry are passionate,” says Douglas. “They often represent a city’s creative communities and are typically where commercial businesses begin sprouting. From there, I explore local restaurants and bars.”
Top Sustainable Dining Recommendations
Douglas graciously shared his favorite places to dine over recent years, all of which are fueled by passion.
“All restaurants need to be commercially sustainable, but for me, there must be a stronger motivation—something to believe in. That is what attracts me,” he explains.
Here are some of his standout picks:
St. JOHN, London, United Kingdom
“St. JOHN is the most important British restaurant of all time. Its reputation is unparalleled. My greatest London dining experiences have featured some amazing offal in this renowned establishment.”
Ernst, Berlin, Germany
“Berlin is a thriving progressive city known for its creative gastronomy. Ernst exemplifies a superb farm-to-city table experience, showcasing an eight-seater with a powerful influence from Japan, blended with nomadic creativity.”
Pearl Morrisette, Niagara, Canada
“A hidden gem in Canada: Pearl Morrisette is an extraordinary farm-to-table establishment situated in a chic contemporary barn within Niagara’s lush wine region. It was one of my most unforgettable meals.”
Le Doyenné, Île-de-France, France
“Le Doyenné follows a similar trend as it is committed to self-sufficiency, possessing its own forest filled with incredibly large pigs.”
Saint Peter, Sydney, Australia
“Josh Niland’s Saint Peter is revolutionizing sustainable gastronomy with its nose-to-tail fish butchery, redefining how we view seafood dining.”
SEM, Lisbon, Portugal
“SEM introduces new-wave sustainability into Lisbon’s food scene, showcasing authentic creations that focus heavily on fermentation.”
Den Vandrette, Copenhagen, Denmark
“This iconic natural wine bar is a must-visit, curated by the unique Sune Rosforth, where every bottle tells a story.”
Lovebirds, New York City, USA
“Though recently opened, Lovebirds is swiftly becoming a noteworthy member of New York’s dining scene, driven by a passionate all-female team and a commitment to sustainability.”
Our conversation ended with reflections on the challenges to adopting radical changes in our approaches to sustainability in dining.
“If everyone truly engaged in sustainability, we could address many of our challenges immediately,” Douglas concludes.
