Oliveira Kitchen

Our Sustainability Story: Rooted in the Amazon, Grown in London

Our sustainability journey began long before Oliveira Kitchen opened its doors in Shoreditch. It started in the Brazilian Amazon, where our founder Chef Emerson Amélio witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of industrial agriculture on the world’s largest carbon capture system. Growing up in Rondônia, he watched year after year as rainforest disappeared to serve global food production—an experience that would forever shape his culinary philosophy.

What Makes Us Different: Beyond Trends to True Tradition

While many restaurants chase the latest plant-based trends with ultra-processed substitutes and fake meats, we’re doing something fundamentally different. We’re reclaiming a way of eating that predates industrial agriculture—one rooted in nature, seasonality, and genuine sustainability. Our 95% unintentionally vegan menu isn’t about following trends; it’s about returning to what nature provides in its purest form.

We deliberately avoid soy and other ingredients that contribute to deforestation and ecological harm—a conscious choice born from our founder’s Amazon roots. Instead, we celebrate the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom, working with local farmers to source the finest organic produce and crafting dishes that prove vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes can be the stars of extraordinary cuisine.

Our Holistic Approach

Our commitment extends beyond ingredients. We operate without gas or coal for cooking, minimising our carbon footprint while maximising flavour. Our wine list is fully organic with biodynamic and natural selections that celebrate minimal intervention winemaking. We’ve even eliminated ultra-processed foods entirely, allowing pure, unadulterated flavours to shine.

But perhaps most meaningfully, we’re proving that sustainability doesn’t require sacrifice. Every dish is a celebration—not a compromise. We’re expanding culinary imagination, showing that the question isn’t “what do we eat instead?” but “what amazing things have we been missing?”

A Living Promise

This isn’t just about serving great food; it’s about creating a food system that makes sense for our planet and our future. Every plate represents our promise that dining can be exciting, ethical, and better for everyone—honouring both the Amazon rainforest that shaped our vision and the London community we now call home.

This story connects your personal foundation, differentiates your authentic approach from trendy alternatives, and demonstrates how your values translate into every aspect of the dining experience.