When it’s time to dine out, most of us don’t choose a restaurant based on the menu’s carbon footprint—but shouldn’t we? If we’re concerned about the future of the planet, then why not put our money where our mouth is, literally! When we support restaurants, fast food establishments, and bakeries that have conscious commitments to sustainable practices such as prioritizing local, seasonal, organic cuisine, composting and waste management, and energy efficiency, we can have our eco-conscious cake and eat it too!

Here are some of the top eateries leading the way in setting high environmental standards and providing delicious results. If you don’t fine a choice in your area from this list, visit eatwellguide.org, a website devoted to providing information on local, sustainable, and organic foods throughout the U.S.

1. Akasha Restaurant, Los Angeles
When Akasha Richmond decided to stop catering to A-list Hollywood celebrities and open her first restaurant, she resolved to meet the demands of everyday people who were looking for good-tasting food that was good for you, too. And she knew that if she built it properly, the diners would come. “I always conceived of it as a sustainable restaurant,” says Chef Akasha. "Our kitchen sources from farms, ranches and fisheries that are guided by the principals of sustainability," Chef Akasha says. Keeping the principles of sustainability in mind, the building’s original steel, wood, concrete, and brick arches were all restored.

Dishes not to be missed: Organic Mac and Cheese (kids love the restaurant too), Turkey Bolognese Pasta, Asparagus and White Bean Pizza With Roasted Tomatoes, and Grilled Open-Face Tempeh Sandwich. Visit Akasharestaurant.com, telephone: (310) 845-1700, 9543 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA.

2. Bleeding Heart Bakery, Chicago
Bleeding Heart Bakery owners Vinnie and Michelle started selling their baked goods at Farmers Markets around Chicago, years ago. Realizing that Chicago had few organic bakeries, they decided to open their shop. The goal at Bleeding Heart Bakery is to make every creation pleasing to the eyes and the tastebuds while remaining 100% organic.

The bakery has a menu of wonderful pastries, breads, chocolates, and incredible cupcakes with innovative flavors such as Tandoori (curry cake with fresh mango, pineapple, golden raisins soaked in cardamon syrup and topped with turmeric frosting) and Bacon (chocolate cake with banana, peanut butter, and, yes, bacon!). Visit thebleedingheartbakery.com, telephone: (773) 278-3638, 1955 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL.

3. Spiritland Bistro, Santa Barbara
Spiritland Bistro specializes in what they call, “Global Organic Cuisine,” embracing the authentic flavors of foods from around the globe. They use only the freshest, organic, whole food ingredients free from hormones, nitrates, genetically-modified organisms, irradiation, and artificial colors or flavors. Spiritland’s menu changes monthly to highlight seasonal produce.

Open for dinner only, Spiritland offers a couple of special options to health-conscious, gourmands. On Tuesday nights, the restaurant is closed to regular service for “Tuesday Night for Healing,” where owner Gary Grenus invites local health practitioners to discuss their particular area of expertise.Past topics include Aryuvedic Cuisine, The Gift of Negative Emotions? and Awakening the Healer in You. And on the last Wednesday of the month, it’s “Wine & Dine,” where customers bring wine for everyone to sample (no corkage fee) and Spiritland prepares a gourmet four-course meal to match the wine theme. Their family-style seating encourages interaction and promotes a community feeling of fun.  

Menu must-haves include: Arabic Artichoke Puree (pureed artichokes, garlic, shallots, spinach, rice, and sour cream) served with flat bread, Caribbean Curried Sweet Potato Soup (pureed sweet potato, red onion, garlic, and curried coconut milk), and Vegan Greek Moussaka (layered with eggplant, potato, vegetable protein, and tomatoes topped with a non-dairy mushroom cream sauce. Visit Spiritlandbistro.com, telephone: (805) 966-7759, 230 E Victoria Santa Barbara, CA.

4. O! Burger, Los Angeles
Think you can’t have a burger and fries when you’re concerned about going green? Then you haven’t been to O! Burger, the nation’s first completely organic burger house. From the buns to the veggies and the meat to the salad dressing if it’s here and it’s edible, it’s organic. O! Burger’s strives is to be as eco-friendly as possible using packaging that is recyclable, compostable, and/or biodegradable and their cleaning products are green and non-toxic.

If you want to taste the yummiest veggie burger in the world (made with spinach and corn), this is the best stop on the planet. Visit oburger.net, telephone: (310) 854-0234, 8593 Santa Monica Blvd.,West Hollywood, CA.

5. True Food Kitchen, Phoenix
This visionary restaurant is the brainchild of best-selling author Dr. Andrew Weil and renowned Arizona restaurateur Sam Fox. True Food Kitchen features dishes that closely adhere to the principles of Dr. Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, with an emphasis on whole grains, omega-3 rich fish, organic fruits and vegetables, whole soy products, and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices such as ginger and turmeric. The dishes are inspired by traditions of the Mediterranean and Asia, as well as the American west coast and southwest, and all feature fresh, organic, and, when possible, locally-obtained foods.

The restaurant also has a number of environmentally-friendly accoutrements including: high efficiency kitchen equipment, low voltage LED lighting, low VOC paint, and a Natural Water Purification Unit, which creates both still and carbonated water in-house.

Menu favorites include: Harvest Chopped Salad (Butternut Squash, Apples, Walnuts, Goat Cheese, and Pomegranate Vinaigrette) and Roasted Garlic, Wild Mushroom, and Tuscan Kale Pizza. Visit foxrestaurantconcepts.com/true_food_kitchen, telephone: (602) 774-3488, 2502 E Camelback Rd, #135, Phoenix, AZ.

~Jill Daniel

Photo Credits: iStockphoto.com and O! Burger