In China, innovation in the fields of dining and urban agriculture merges into a unique experience: a restaurant where hydroponic strawberries grow directly above the customers' tables. This revolutionary concept transforms a simple meal into a multisensory journey through taste, sustainability, and technology.
Indeed, a restaurant in China called "Strawberry Sky Waterfall" offers a unique dining experience where guests can pick fresh strawberries directly from a height-adjustable system while enjoying a hot dish, according to Newsflare.
The restaurant, part of a larger farm that grows hydroponic strawberries, uses smart technology to monitor and manage the growing environment. The height-adjustable system makes it accessible for all visitors, including those with mobility issues.
This innovative facility in the village of Tangqi, near Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province, combines the hotpot experience with an unusual strawberry-picking activity.
The Strawberry Picking Sky Garden has quickly become a highly appreciated attraction, drawing tourists eager to enjoy hotpot while red berries descend from the ceiling above their tables.
Footage taken on Monday shows rows of strawberries hanging above customers’ heads, creating a visually stunning environment. Visitors can conveniently pick fresh strawberries right at their table or stroll through the charming garden and soak up its captivating atmosphere.
"The concept of a Heavenly Strawberry Waterfall has existed for about five or six years. What we did was localize and enhance it. By combining nearly 20 years of practical experience in growing systems and application scenarios, we implemented numerous optimizations and improvements," explained Cao Mei Jun, the founder of this unique facility.
This distinctive venue not only enriches the visitor experience but also helps boost local growers’ sales, with a 40% increase in berry yield, according to the founder. Guests can enjoy ultra-fresh strawberries grown “in the sky” thanks to advanced soilless cultivation technology.
"Every element is designed to create a truly multidimensional experience – far from the classic farm visit," commented Jiang, a visitor.
"The scale and sophistication of this facility are unmatched – this is not just agriculture; it’s a tourist attraction," added Guo, another tourist.
For those who prefer to focus on the hotpot, the venue allows guests to enjoy their meal without necessarily picking strawberries, making it the ideal place both for those seeking a relaxed culinary experience and for berry lovers.
The venue welcomes on average over 500 visitors a day, most of whom are women and children. After their meal, guests can relax on the large lawn or visit the onsite bakery and café.
An immersive and sustainable dining experience
Hydroponic cultivation is a technique that allows plants to grow without soil, using a water-based nutrient solution. In this restaurant, strawberries are grown in suspended structures above the tables, inside small vertical hydroponic gardens. Customers can watch the strawberries ripen right above them and, in some cases, pick them directly to enjoy during their meal[1][2].
This approach not only ensures extremely fresh, locally grown fruit but also drastically reduces water usage (by up to 80% compared to traditional farming) and eliminates the need for pesticides and chemical fertilizers[2]. The result is a healthy, genuine, and environmentally friendly product.
A global trend starting from China
China is among the pioneering countries in adopting hydroponic farming techniques in urban and commercial settings. For some time now, supermarkets and restaurants have been experimenting with indoor hydroponic gardens to grow lettuce, herbs, and more recently, strawberries and other berries[1][3][4]. This model shortens the supply chain, reduces transport-related emissions, and offers customers fresh, seasonal produce.
Benefits for customers and the planet
- Ultra-fresh fruit picked on the spot, directly above the table
- An interactive and engaging experience, ideal for families and children
- No use of pesticides or harmful chemicals
- Water savings and reduced food waste: you pick only what you consume[2]
- A greener and more pleasant environment, thanks to live plants in the dining area
A greener future for the restaurant industry
The example of the Chinese restaurant with hydroponic strawberries above the tables is just the beginning of a new era for sustainable dining. The integration of hydroponic gardens into public spaces – from supermarkets to restaurants, from hotels to universities – is already revolutionizing how we think about food, its production, and its consumption[1][3].
Source: Viory - Perplexity
