Sustainability is so important right now and Liverpool’s food scene is working hard to save the world, one delicious dish at a time. If you’re the kind of foodie who wants to eat more sustainably, you’re in luck! We’ve picked out a few places to help you eat greener in Liverpool City Region.
Maray, Bold Street and Albert Dock
Ropewalks and Waterfront
Founded in 2014 by James Bates, Tom White and Dom Jones, Maray was inspired by experiences in the Le Marais district of Paris, an area influenced by Middle Eastern food. You can choose between Bold Street, and the world-famous Albert Dock, to dine at Maray. They serve exciting, beautiful small plates inspired by Middle Eastern recipes, accompanied by zingy, joyous cocktails.
Best of all, you can enjoy their wonderful hospitality with a clear conscience: they have been certified Carbon Neutral since 2021, thanks to their support for reforestation and forest protection around the world.
Squash Café, Windsor Street
L8, Toxteth
In a quiet street just south of the city centre, two artists set up a little corner of sustainable paradise: gardens growing fresh food, a café that cooks it, and a shop that won the BBC’s Food and Farming Award for Best Shop, all housed in one of Liverpool’s most sustainable new buildings.
Squash café is part of the Squash project, which was founded in 2007 by Liverpool artists Becky Vipond and Clare Owens. Together they created a community space with strong values, great seasonal food, and stunning art. Eat well and do good.
Free State Kitchen, Maryland Street
Georgian Quarter
Not only does FSK come deservedly high in lists of Britain’s best burgers, it also uses its lovely courtyard garden to grow as much of its food as it can, fertilising the crops with grounds from their tasty coffee. Led by husband and wife team Gary and Kate, it serves a contemporary twist on American classics. The team regularly spices up their menu too, offering short-term specials like their yummy one celebrating the Lunar New Year (pictured). You simply must eat here.
Megafauna, Cambridge Arcade
Southport
Started by Chef Ben, who has been vegan for over 10 years, Megafauna is a lovely vegan café in Southport. Because Veganuary doesn’t just have to be just for January…
They aim to educate and inspire people and to demystify a plant-based lifestyle so that anyone can enjoy it. Their food is made fresh, using seasonal and local produce and is cruelty free. It’s also absolutely delicious. Located between Lord Street and Chapel Street, it's a perfect place to rest your legs after a spot of shopping or a day at the seaside.
The Vibe, Paradise Street
Ropewalks
This vegan café is right next to Liverpool One in the heart of the city, in a magnificent Victorian building. Serving breakfast and lunch, it’s a massive favourite with visitors and locals alike for exciting, ethical, plant-based eating.
Whilst their usual menu is lovely, they also regularly offer specials, like this (pictured) yummy cheese, mushroom, and broccoli omelette, all plant-powered of course.
Nettle Café, Hamilton Square
Birkenhead
Located next to Birkenhead’s beautiful Georgian Hamilton Square, Nettle Café is set in a community crafts centre. Julia Strelzuk, who set up Nettle, believes in the power of good natural foods to improve wellbeing as well as protecting the environment, and where possible use produce grown on-site.
Committed to sustainability, the café recently rescued the books that had been housed in a much-loved bookshop at Williamson Art Gallery, you can now find them safe and cosy in a corner of Nettle (as pictured), just ready to help you relax with a cuppa.