The Green Cafe

Good for You and Good for Wildlife

Every Oakland Zoo dining option is eco-friendly in many ways, so your snack is good for your family and wildlife. Food is served on biodegradable plates. Utensils, cups, and food containers are also biodegradable, meaning they will completely go back to nature when deposited in the composting bins outside of the cafes.

We refrain from using excess plastic by avoiding straws, and avoid excess waste by offering condiments in large containers. Recycling and composting are available for zoo visitors at all the food stands, so most of what comes out of the cafes doesn't end up in the landfill. Our used cooking grease as well as the grease from our underground grease traps is collected by a state-certified grease recycler. This grease is then turned into biofuels. The cafes offer a variety of healthy, vegetarian options. Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch cards are also available for our guests when they visit these very green cafes.