There is still the unfortunate stereotype out there that the only thing vegans eat are vegetables and bland tofu. While that obviously is not true and there are so many fantastic alternatives and super yummy foods, there are some restaurants around the world who truly show how amazing vegan cuisine is. Getting a Michelin star is not an easy task, but the following vegan restaurants have accomplished it and are definitely worth a visit, if you want to try some of the best plant-based dishes.
Seven Swans (Frankfurt, Germany)
This vegan restaurant in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany was the first vegan restaurant to be awarded a Michelin Star and to this day is the only fully vegan restaurant in Europe to have been awarded this honor. Most of the ingredients are grown organically and locally in their own permaculture garden, guaranteeing the most fresh and delicious dishes. Getting a table at Seven Swans is very difficult, so reserving months in advance is not unusual.
Eleven Madison Park (NYC, USA)
In the heart of New York City the famous restaurant made a switch to a 100% plant-based menu, a “risk worth taking” according to Chef Daniel Humm. Eleven Madison Park has a total of three Michelin stars, the first vegan restaurant to in the world to do so. Making the switch to fully plant-based clearly hasn’t done the fine dining restaurant any harm.
Gauthier Soho (London, UK)
French fine dining in London, but make it vegan. That is what Alexis Gauthier decided in 2021 when the Chef transformed the UK-based restaurant Gauthier Soho into a fully vegan restaurant. The french cuisine is delicious and here you can enjoy it guilt-free. Even dishes such as foie gras, a usually extremely brutal food has been re-invented and you can indulge in in as much as you want. The restaurant currenly holds one Michelin star.
King’s Joy (Beijing, China)
This three Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant is often considered as the gold standard of plant-based dining. While not 100% vegan as it does serve some items with butter and other dairy products, it nonetheless has been at the forefront of promoting a healthy vegan diet in China. Seasonal produce from local organic farms and policies to reduce enegery and resource consumption make this a perfect spot to dine.
Tian (Vienna, Austria)
Another vegetarian restaurant with one Michelin star is Tian in the heart of Vienna. The fine-dining restaurant offers all-vegetarian/vegan tasting menus made from locally sourced ingredients including the restaurants private garden. the dishes are perfectly paired with organic and home-made juices or vegan and organic wines to make the dinner complete.
Joia (Milan, Italy)
The first fully vegetarian restaurant in Italy to be awarded a Michelin star all the way back in 1996, Joia has been serving delicious plant-based food for more than 30 years as it opened in 1989. 80 percent of the menu today is vegan and gluten free so everyone can enjoy the elegant and extraordinary dishes that are all beautifully presented and of course, made from natural ingredients.
Fu He Hui (Shanghai, China)
Enjoy a seasonally set-menu full of plant-based deliciousness in one of the Zen-inspired private rooms of this Shanghai-based restaurant. Discover amazing Chinese dishes and exotic flavors and old Chinese recipes transformed into plant-based versions. An extensive tea menu compliments the menu.
Rice paper rolls with flowers at Eleven Madison Park
These are just a few examples of Michelin-starred vegan and vegetarian restaurants around the world. There are plenty more. While they are fully vegetarian, not all a 100% vegan yet, but more and more restaurants are making the complete switch or are already around 80% vegan. So, keep your eyes open for future Michelin-starred vegan restaurants and enjoy the delicious food they offer. There is something for every taste.
Seven Swans
Get more like this—Sign up for our daily inspirational newsletter for exclusive content!
___
Photo: Eleven Madison, Seven Swans
