Ocean Friendly Restaurants

Ocean Friendly Restaurants first launched in 2013 with Surfrider’s Huntington Beach chapter. The program quickly expanded throughout Southern California and Hawaii, becoming a nationally recognized program in 2018. We’re building an inclusive community of eco-conscious restaurants, activists, and patrons that support a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and our planet in order to find more joy and peace in our everyday lives. We hope you will join us! 

Why Get Involved?

In response to increased pollution in the coastal zone and the ocean gyres, the Surfrider Foundation created the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program. This program aims to educate consumers and promote restaurants that are making a difference in protecting our ocean, waves and beaches.

The goals of the program are to help reduce plastic waste, eliminate the use of expanded polystyrene
(EPS) foam, a type of plastic that is typically used for inexpensive, disposable products (cups, plates,
‘clamshells’, etc.) and to encourage more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices at restaurants throughout the country.

Additionally, there are other types of pollution and environmental issues these restaurants face that, with minimal change in their daily practices, can greatly reduce their impact on the planet.

Help protect the ocean and your local beach by supporting Ocean Friendly Restaurants near you.

Mandatory Criteria to be an OFR (Follow all 7!)

• Only reusable foodware is used for onsite dining.
• Paper straws are provided only upon request.
• No expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is used.
• No plastic bags are used for takeout or to-go orders.
• Single-use utensils, straws, condiments, and other accessory items are provided only upon request.
• Beverages are not sold in plastic bottles.
• Proper recycling practices are followed.

Optional Criteria (Choose at least 3!):

• A discount is offered for customers with a reusable item (e.g. cup, container, bag).
• Vegetarian/vegan food options are offered on a regular basis.
• All seafood is ‘Best Choice’ or ‘Good Alternative’ as defined by Seafood Watch, or certified as sustainable.
• Energy efficiency efforts are in place.
• Water conservation and pollution mitigation efforts are implemented.
• Concessions and pre-packaged food items are not sold in plastic packaging.
• Composting efforts are in place for food waste.
• Neither single-use plastic nor bio-based plastic containers are used for takeout or to-go orders, reusable containers are preferred.

Make your restaurant Ocean Friendly!

Check out this Quick Guide for Restaurants for specific ways to meet each of the criteria. For more information, please email Kaitlin McGee at ofr@longbeach.surfrider.org.