Earlier this year, Plates London made headlines as the first vegan restaurant in the UK to receive a Michelin star. At the time, the guide’s inspectors praised head chef Kirk Haworth for his skill in transforming simple, seasonal plant-based ingredients into an innovative and impressive seven-course tasting menu.
“It’s just about flavor—flavor, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness,” Haworth said after receiving the honor.
Haworth is no stranger to London’s fine-dining scene. He previously worked at the renowned St James restaurant, The Square, before it closed in 2020, and he maintains close ties with other top London chefs, including Adam Byatt, who runs the Michelin-starred Trinity in Clapham.
Plates London | Facebook
So, if you’re looking for the best plant-based fine-dining experiences in the city (or close by), Haworth is the person to ask—and that’s exactly what Michelin did. The celebrated chef recently spoke to the guide about his favorite places to eat in the UK capital. Unsurprisingly, his picks range from iconic spots like The Ritz to exciting new raw food destinations.
“I feel [London] is pretty up there [in terms of plant-based dining] for sure,” he said. “There are always new things opening – and hopefully what I am doing inspires the next generation of chefs.”
Kirk Haworth’s London food picks
Curious to know where a vegan Michelin-starred chef dines? Here are some of the top spots Haworth shared with the guide.
Adam Smith
1Woven by Adam Smith
“Woven by Adam Smith is incredible and the perfect countryside getaway for a romantic date with a loved one,” said Haworth. “It’s a place that makes you feel special from the moment you are greeted by the team, all the way to the bedrooms, which are the most beautiful rooms to stay in ever. To top all this off, the breakfasts are also amazing. Adam’s one of the most exciting chefs in the UK right now for me.” The restaurant, which also has a Michelin star and his housed inside a stunning 18th-century property in Ascot, just outside of London, offers a fully plant-based menu, featuring dishes like Thai Green Watermelon, Lancashire Kohlrabi, and White Asparagus.
Find it here
Perilla
2Perilla
According to Haworth, Perilla in North London’s Newington Green is a must-visit. “It’s super delicious,” he says. “Ben, the chef there, has such a unique style that you know when you eat a Perilla plate of food, it has its own identity.” The menu changes regularly, but if you inform them that you’re after a plant-based meal, the website for this upmarket spot confirms the team will always do their “utmost to accommodate.”
Find it here
The Ritz
3The Ritz
The Ritz’s reputation precedes it, widely known as one of the most elegant and sophisticated dining destinations in London. Unsurprisingly, Haworth is a fan of the iconic Mayfair hotel and its celebrated restaurant. “It is the most special restaurant in London; the energy in the room just feels world-class and special from the minute you walk in,” he says. “The attention to detail in every aspect of the experience, for me, is perfect—it just makes you feel a certain way. It’s the whole package when it comes to fine dining in my eyes.” The Ritz offers a vegan and vegetarian menu, offering dishes like Cornish Celeriac and Dark Chocolate Ganache for plant-based diners.
Find it here
Rawlala
4Rawlala
Haworth loves The Ritz, sure, but he also enjoys a good wellness bar. Rawlala in Shoreditch is one of his favorite “cool cafe concepts” in the city, noting that it is doing “amazing veggie [and] vegan things” right now. Stop by for an ultra-nourishing juice or smoothie made with a plethora of nutrient-dense plant-based ingredients, or maybe a raw sweet treat.
Find it here
Hide
5 Hide
If Haworth were showing a visitor around London, The Ritz would be on the list, of course, he told Michelin. But first, he’d start the day with breakfast at Hide. This Michelin-starred spot serves a variety of nourishing morning dishes, such as Seasonal Fruits in a Chilled Lemon Verbena Infusion and Warm Coconut Milk Porridge. Visiting later in the day? Be sure to explore its vegetarian à la carte and tasting menus.
Find it here
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
