Eleven Madison Park’s plant-based retreat renews fight over sustainable fine dining
New York’s Eleven Madison Park, once the most visible fully plant-based restaurant in luxury dining, has reignited debate after moving back toward selected animal products while keeping a plant-forward menu.
In 30 seconds
- Eleven Madison Park announced on 13 August 2025 that selected animal products would return from 14 October 2025.
- The restaurant said it would continue offering a plant-based menu alongside selected fish, meat and honey-lavender duck dishes.
- The restaurant says it became the first fully plant-based restaurant to earn three Michelin stars in 2022.
- Business Insider reported in October 2025 that diners could choose either fully plant-based or animal-product versions of selected courses.
Eleven Madison Park is a New York fine-dining restaurant led by chef Daniel Humm. It became a global reference point for luxury plant-based cooking after reopening in 2021 without animal products, then announced in August 2025 that it would restore selected animal products while keeping a plant-based option.
Background
Fine dining’s plant-based turn accelerated after the pandemic, when climate concerns, supply-chain shocks and changing consumer habits pushed chefs to reconsider animal-heavy menus. Eleven Madison Park became the emblem of that movement because of its Michelin status and global visibility.
What to do
Belgian diners should read plant-based menus carefully: the term often signals a focus on plants, not a guarantee that every dish excludes honey, eggs, dairy, fish or meat.
EvidenceWell established · 2 primary sources + 1 independent reporting source · Background sources: 2Explore evidence →Hide evidence ↑
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- 13 Aug 2025, 02:00
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- 19 Oct 2025, 02:00
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- 4 Jul 2026
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- 2 Sept 2025, 02:00
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- 4 Jul 2026
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- 4 Jul 2026
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- 11 May 2021, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 4 Jul 2026
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