In New York, a vegan restaurant resumes serving meat products
After four years of serving exclusively vegan dishes, the world-renowned New York restaurant, Eleven Madison Park (EMP), has announced a change in its menu. Starting October 14, 2025, the restaurant will offer a predominantly plant-based menu, but with select animal products like fish, meat, and duck, to create an inclusive dining experience for a broader range of guests.
The decision to reintroduce meat and fish was announced on Instagram by chef-owner Daniel Humm, who cited the desire to not exclude guests as the primary reason for the change in menu direction. Humm explained that while the all-vegan approach aligned with his values, it excluded some potential customers, particularly for large private or corporate events, which impacted the restaurant's financial viability.
The revised menu will continue to consist of 7 to 9 courses for $365. Guests will have the option to choose between plant-based and animal components. While the focus remains on showcasing vegetables as the star of the plate, there will now be individual dishes featuring animal products, including fish, meat, and the signature duck with lavender honey glaze.
Eleven Madison Park, located in New York, is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its innovative and exquisite dining experience. The initial reopening of the restaurant in 2021 was as a purely vegan restaurant, which received some criticism. However, the restaurant managed to retain its prestigious Michelin stars.
Swiss chef Daniel Humm, who is known for his commitment to sustainability, emphasized that this shift does not mean a departure from the plant-based approach. Humm told the "New York Times" that it had become increasingly challenging to create both creative and economically viable menus without animal products. He believes that flexibility, rather than strict adherence to a fully plant-based menu, is key to making plant-focused dining more mainstream without losing sight of sustainability goals.
The pairing of certain wines with meat dishes is important to many guests at Eleven Madison Park. The final bill, including wine pairing, taxes, and generous tip, is likely to be around double the menu price.
With this change, Eleven Madison Park aims to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome around the table, embracing choice and broadening the restaurant's appeal.
[1] New York Times article about the change in menu at Eleven Madison Park [2] Instagram post announcing the change in menu at Eleven Madison Park [3] Article discussing the financial challenges of maintaining a purely vegan menu at high-end restaurants [4] Article discussing the inclusivity of vegan dining in high-end restaurants [5] Article discussing the return of meat and fish to the menu at Eleven Madison Park
- The shared post on Instagram by Daniel Humm, chef-owner of Eleven Madison Park, reveals that the restaurant's menu distribution will now encompass a blend of plant-based and animal-based components, including fish, meat, and duck, to cater to a broader range of patrons.
- In an interview with the New York Times, Daniel Humm explained that the aim of this menu change is to create an inclusive dining environment that caters to various preferences while maintaining a focus on sustainability and aiming to make plant-focused dining more accessible without sacrificing creativity or economic viability.
