Restaurants and cafes play a critical role in shaping food consumption patterns, yet evidence on how sustainability-oriented interventions operate in these settings remains fragmented. This scoping review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025 examining sustainability-oriented interventions implemented in restaurant and cafe contexts. Following PRISMA-guided scoping review methods, 57 studies were identified and systematically mapped to a framework developed as a result of the review. Findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in how sustainability and intervention success are defined and assessed, with most studies emphasizing short-term consumer behavior and relying on indirect proxy measures. Environmental choice architecture approaches emerged as among the most consistently effective strategies, while transparency and sustainability communication produced mixed outcomes depending on context and audience characteristics. The findings highlight the need for theory-informed, context-sensitive, and operationally viable approaches to advancing sustainable food practices in restaurant settings.
Sadaf Mollaei (Wed,) studied this question.