Ethical business travel: 5 sustainable-minded restaurants in Singapore

Krizia Mojado
Krizia Mojado
Share post on

Business travel in Asia is booming and recently it became the largest business travel region in the world and the epicentre of world business. Singapore is one of the five Asian regions (China, India, Indonesia and Japan being the others) and the Singapore dollar is proving the most resilient Asian currency against the US dollar. Many local businesses are rising to the challenge of providing excellent customer-centric service to both the local and international business communities. 

Many corporate travellers like to enjoy meals in different local restaurants where regional cuisine is showcased – which is always important to sample during a business trip! An important consideration is whether their chosen restaurant is run sustainably.

An increasing number of business travellers are becoming aware of the negative impact on the environment and are seeking more ethical travel options. They are keen to find sustainable and ethically-run restaurants and cafés that they can use both for themselves and also for entertaining their guests. 

At TruTrip we often help our customers to help them find cafés and restaurants that are really trying to be sustainable. 

Here we bring you five of the best sustainable restaurants that we have discovered in Singapore:

1. The Drunken Farmer

This trio of restaurants have a relaxed, creative concept that is high on sustainability and low on food waste. The first Drunken Farmer started life as a pop-up selling natural wines and proved so popular that there are now three restaurants and occasional pop-ups. The restaurant is creative in concept, has a relaxed atmosphere and has a great reputation for its amazing sourdough pizzas that are presented on a large turning display turntable. Other slowly-fermented snacks are also available. There are 80 natural wines to choose from too. 

● The Drunken Farmer Restaurants can be found on Stanley Street, Joo Chiat Road, or Martin Road. The restaurants are open Tuesday – Sunday 18.00 – 23.00. All bookings are for a two-hour dining time.

● Reservations and wine orders can be made online

2. Naked Finn

You will not find this seafood restaurant advertised as ‘sustainable’, because its owner feels that its special concept is very apparent. This restaurant is located in Gillman Barracks which is a location n known for fine dining and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. The restaurant’s ethos is – “introducing non-mainstream species to our customers so that those under threat will have a chance of recovery”. 

Ken Loon is the restaurant’s owner and he has experimented with more than 250 different species of fish and seafood. Diners can enjoy Atlantic mackerel, wild white trevally, the same area from Hokkaido, and Mozambique lobster but will not find tuna or Atlantic halibut on the menu as both are in danger of being over-fished. Loon also believes that the natural flavour of the fish should be enjoyed so cooks them simply and accompanies them with an array of different dips.

● Naked Finn is situated at Block 39 Malan Road #01-08, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109442 Telephone 66940807

● Open Tuesdays- Saturdays: Lunch 12.00-15.00 (last order 14.00) and dinner 18.00 – 22.30 (last order 21.30). All bookings are for a two-hour dining time

3. Kausmo

The chefs at Kausmo are changing people’s perception of food waste with their incredible cooking. They use over-rope and oddly shaped fruit and vegetables, locally grown plants, second cuts of meat and sustainably sourced seafood for their excellent European menu. The dishes are beautifully presented and garnished using flowers and leaves.

● Kausmo is located at 1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre, #0307 Singapore

● The restaurant is open Tuesday – Saturday for two seatings for dinner at 18.30 and  “0.30. on Sundays, there is a self- collection of artisanal bakery products between 14.00 – 17.00

● To reserve a table at Kausmo telephone -+65 8126 8538 or email [email protected]

4. Labyrinth

The concept of ‘sustainable’ for Chef and owner,  LG Han, means fish that is locally sourced to reduce its carbon footprint as no transportation is required. Han wanted to recreate the wonderful dishes that were made for him as a child by his grandmother. This new concept plus the excellent food produced by LG Han and his team has won the restaurant Singapore’s first Michelin star. 

90% of the ingredients used in Labyrinth are produced by local fishermen and farmers and the local flavour of ‘rojak’ is show-cased in some of the dishes. Others feature locally grown mushrooms and home-milled rice flour. The restaurant itself is elegantly decorated with cocoa coloured walls and carpet and tables with perfectly ironed cloths. 

● Labyrinth can be found at, 8 Raffles Avenue 02-23 Esplanade Mall, Singapore

● The restaurant is open Wednesday 18.30 – 23.00 ( last seating at 20.00) and                        Thursday – Sunday 12.00- 14.30 for lunch (last seating at 13.00) and 18.30 – 23.00 for dinner (last seating at 20.00). Telephone 6223-4098 or email [email protected] 

5. The Open Farm Community

 This was one of the first enterprises to embrace the concept of  fresh, farm to table ingredients. The emphasis is on sustainability and local farming and as well as enjoying a good meal, there is the chance to enjoy a stroll in the orchards or take home a box of vegetables from the Cummunity Supported Agriculture programme. The restaurant is situated in a small urban garden and has an open kitchen and relaxed ambiance. It supports a number of local farmers, herders and organic growers.   

The menu includes some tasty and innovative dishes such as spicy beef brisket which is made with carbon neutral beef. The restaurant has a good natural wines list and limits its use of plastics. While you are dining at the restaurant, you are able to learn all about the increasing importance of the grow-your-own-food movement.  There is also a take-away service available.

● The Open Farm Community is at 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819

● Tel. +65 6471 0306

● The restaurant is opening Monday- Friday 12.00- 15.00 for lunch ( last order 14.30) and 18.00-23.00 for dinner. Saturday lunch only, 11.00-16.00 and Sunday, lunch 11.00-16.00 and dinner 18.00-23.00 (last order 21.30). Reservations can be made online.


Make all aspects of your travel arrangements easy for you

We can provide a tailor-fit business travel management service for you! Why not contact us today to book a demo or sign up for free trial? See how we can make all aspects of your travel arrangements easy for you.