{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "How a Rishikesh restaurant turned old kadhais, tyres and bottles into decor and nearly erased plastic",
  "summary": "At Tulsi Restaurant near Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh, discarded woks, broken utensils, carts and glass bottles have been turned into decor, while plastic has been almost entirely removed from the space.",
  "content": "Rishikesh has long been known across the world as a hub of yoga and spiritual tourism, drawing thousands of visitors every year to the Ganga, its yoga schools and its natural beauty. But the town is now catching attention for another reason: its quirky cafes and restaurants. One of them, Tulsi Restaurant, has built a reputation not only for its food but also for its remarkably unusual interiors.\n\nLocated near the Laxman Jhula area, the restaurant grabs your attention at first glance. Visitors here do not get the feel of an ordinary cafe. Its biggest highlight is that the entire decor has been put together using waste material. That is exactly why tourists from across India and abroad make it a point to stop by, look around and spend time here.\n\nA journey that began in 2019\nSuraj, who runs the restaurant, says he started it in 2019. His goal was never just to open a cafe, but to show people how things usually dismissed as useless can be put to creative use again. With that thought in mind, he set out to turn waste into something worthwhile.\n\nJunk reborn as decor\nStep inside and you spot plenty of items most people would normally throw away as scrap. Instead of traditional wooden tables, old handcarts have been put to use. Old tyres have been shaped into benches, while worn-out utensils have been given a fresh identity as part of the decor.\n\nOld woks and pans have been transformed into eye-catching lights. Rusted kadhais have been painted and reshaped into sinks. Empty glass bottles, too, now serve as decorative pieces brightening up the walls and corners. The result is a space that feels distinctly different and creative.\n\nLess plastic, more care for the planet\nAnother standout feature is that the use of plastic has been almost entirely eliminated here. In fact, you will not even find plastic water bottles on the premises. Visitors deeply appreciate this effort to protect the environment and see it as a positive step.\n\nAt a time when conversations about environmental protection and sustainable living are growing around the world, efforts like these push people to think differently. Many tourists who visit share photos and videos of the place on social media, which has gradually turned it into a popular attraction. Every corner of the restaurant seems to carry one message: with a little creative thinking, any discarded object can be reused and given a new identity.\n\nNot just the look, the food matters too\nSuraj says the focus is not limited to the interiors; the quality of the food gets just as much attention. According to him, healthy food is given priority here over junk food. Items like peanut butter and several other spreads are prepared in-house rather than bought from outside, so that customers are served fresh and better food.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Across India: The story shows how everyday waste like old utensils, bottles and tyres can be reused as decor instead of being thrown away, cutting both cost and garbage at home.\n• In Rishikesh: Tourists visiting the Laxman Jhula area now have a fresh, offbeat and nearly plastic-free spot that also serves healthy food.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where is Tulsi Restaurant located?\nThe restaurant is located near the Laxman Jhula area in Rishikesh.\n\n2. When and by whom was the restaurant started?\nIt was started by Suraj in 2019.\n\n3. What is special about the cafe's decor?\nThe decor is made using waste material, including old handcarts, tyres, utensils, woks and glass bottles.\n\n4. How have old woks been reused here?\nOld woks and pans have been turned into lights, while rusted kadhais have been painted and reshaped into sinks.\n\n5. Is plastic used at the restaurant?\nNo, the use of plastic has been almost entirely eliminated, and even plastic water bottles are not found on the premises.\n\n6. Is only the interior special, or the food too?\nSuraj focuses on food quality as well; healthy food is prioritised over junk food, and spreads like peanut butter are prepared in-house.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\n• See opportunity in waste: Suraj saw decor in rusted woks, old utensils and handcarts, proving that a change of perspective can make junk valuable.\n• Start with a purpose, not just a business: His aim was not merely to open a cafe but to spread the message of turning waste into something worthwhile.\n• Stick to your values: By removing even plastic water bottles, he showed that a commitment to the environment can be followed fully.\n• Never compromise on quality: Prioritising healthy food over junk and making products like peanut butter in-house shows that real substance builds a lasting identity.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/travel/ganga-kinare-eka-restorenta-jahan-kabara-hi-bana-khubasurati-rishikesh-men-tikau-socha-ki-misala-bana-tulsi-restorenta-2908",
  "category": "Travel",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-25",
  "tags": [
    "Rishikesh",
    "Tulsi Restaurant",
    "Waste to Best",
    "Laxman Jhula",
    "Eco Friendly Cafe",
    "Sustainable Living",
    "Uttarakhand Tourism"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}