CBD is the hip new ingredient infiltrating everything from beauty products to menus around the world. We have seen the rise of the global ‘superfoods’ market in recent years but health food has become even more radical – the latest trend is all about cannabis.
Cannabidiol – or CBD – is a non-psychoactive and legal component of the cannabis plant, it’s widely reported benefits help to treat symptoms of a range of illnesses from depression to Alzheimer’s disease.
The latest craze around CBD is the alternative food scene: the new dining-out trend revolves around food and drinks infused with cannabidiol. Restaurants have caught on to the hankering of increasing numbers of CBD users, catering to this growing market and getting creative in the process.
There’s a range of restaurants in England, especially London, where you can buy or try CBD food and drinks that promise to provide you with a relaxing experience alongside a range of therapeutic benefits.
So, if you fancy giving CBD-infused food and drinks a try, head to one of these restaurants or bars.
Farmacy Kitchen
Farmacy in Notting Hill is one of the trailblazers of London’s CBD food and drink scene, being the first restaurant to add CBD to its menu back in 2016. Farmacy promotes plant-based organic eating and a chemical-free approach and is a true champion of local farming.
The restaurant is a purveyor of all things green – from the aesthetic to the products – and includes a three-tier stand offering up an abundance of CBD infused delicacies like CBD home made chocolates and a hemp leaf tea.
Although the restaurant is now open for bookings, high-tea at Farmacy won’t be available until Autumn 2020, but there are plenty of other options to choose from to get your CBD fix from wildcrafted CBD, flaxseed oil & grapefruit ‘Farmaceutical Shots’ to their CBD special cocktail ‘There’s Something About Mary’.
Address: 74 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Website here
Planet Organic
Health food chain Planet Organic, the UK’s largest fully certified organic supermarket, doesn’t just provide customers with delicious groceries to take home with them, but also a wide range of in-store treats and products, plus their in-house coffee.
Planet Organic has been experimenting with their hot drinks for a while, serving matcha and turmeric lattes and ‘superfood coffee’ before they became a trendy go-to staple. In January 2018, they introduced their best drink yet, CBD coffee, which blends espresso, MCT oil and CBD oil & butter. Head to one of their eight shops across London to take the anxious edge off your morning latte.
Address: Any of the eight Planet Organic shops across London.
Website here
Bill’s, Manchester
Chain restaurant Bill’s, founded by Sussex greengrocer Bill Collison, has always stayed true to its roots. Open all day and into the night, they’re known for their hearty yet healthy breakfasts, an array of delicious veggie lunches and a la carte dinners.
One of their restaurants, situated in the heart of Spinningfields Manchester, has just announced the launch of a ‘Mindful Drinking’ section to their new menu, featuring CBD non-alcoholic cocktails, coffees and soft drinks.
Bill’s are working with Naturally Pure Lab who have created the UK’s first dissolvable CBD capsules, which they say mix perfectly with milk when making lattes, and CBD canned drinks company TRIP for their soft drinks.
Dan Whiteside, the group’s Bar Development Manager said: “The CBD market is a growing market that Bill’s are proud to be involved with. More people are wanting drinks that can have health benefits and the big talking points at the moment are mental health, wellbeing, and health in general. We have created a range of CBD infused drinks which are not only delicious and non-alcoholic but have health benefits too.”
Bill’s Manchester is reopening their doors on July 31st.
Address: 3 Hardman Square, Manchester M3 3EB
Website here
Mortimer House Kitchen
Located right in the heart of central London, Mortimer House Kitchen is a must-visit for health-food enthusiasts. A typical Art Deco building in central Fitzrovia, it’s a restaurant with a superfood-theme, that also contains it’s very own wellness centre and gym.
Their restaurant is now open with a number of new measures introduced and for those who are still nervous about dining out, Mortimer House Kitchen is now available for home delivery or collection from the restaurant.
The vibe at Mortimer House is very much focused on unwinding and nourishing both the mind and body, founded upon a philosophy of providing holistic balance in work and life, and their menu certainly reflects this doctrine. Head here for a CBD coffee to go with an invigorating breakfast or to have after a Mediterranean lunch.
Francesco del Prete, the food and beverage manager explained their adoption of CBD in their menu: “It’s all part of offering guests a holistic sense of balance and wellbeing.”
Address: 37-41 Mortimer St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3JH
Website here
Glow Bar
Glow Bar is a ‘wellness company for women’ with it’s UK store based in Fitzrovia, conveniently near Oxford Circus and Soho yet tucked away enough to feel tranquil in this bustling area.
The general ethos of Glow Bar is being all about natural and holistic healing products for the body, mind and soul. Their CBD range perfectly reflects this. The cafe sells the very popular Golden Moon Milk which is a turmeric and CBD-based drink, which has its origins in the ancient ‘Ayurveda’ medicine.
They also sell CBD snacks such as truffles, croissants and macaroons which are available in the café and are prepared by London’s vegan French bakery, Organic Livity and healthy dessert company Mr Prempy’s.
Address: 70 Mortimer St, Marylebone, London W1W 7RY
Website here
