LONDON: Plates, a London-based restaurant that serves only plant-based food, has made history by becoming the first of its kind in the United Kingdom to receive a Michelin star — one of the highest honors in the culinary world.
But here’s the twist: Most of the people enjoying the food there are not vegan.
Chef and owner Kirk Haworth says that around 95% of his guests still eat meat or fish in their daily lives. For him, that proves that high-end plant-based food is no longer just for a small community — it’s attracting everyone.
Haworth runs the restaurant with his sister and doesn’t like to focus on labels. “We are a fine dining restaurant first. That’s what I want people to think,” he said. “Food should be judged by its flavour.” He even remembers a guest telling him he felt like “a changed man” halfway through the meal.
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Plates earned its Michelin star earlier this year, and critics say this shows that vegetables are finally getting the respect they deserve. Michelin highlighted the restaurant’s warm atmosphere and creative dishes that bring out the natural beauty of plants.
Haworth’s passion comes from his own health journey. “After years of working in top restaurants around the world, he spent months bedridden following a diagnosis of Lyme disease.” To help his health recover, he switched to food without meat, dairy, or refined sugar. That change sparked the idea that eventually became Plates.
“After hosting pop-up events for years, the owners opened the restaurant nearly 18 months ago — and diners have fully booked it through the end of March.”
“We’re not trying to copy meat,” Haworth explained. “We focus on flavours — acidity, richness, and excitement — so every bite feels alive.”
Even after the big award, he says he’s not rushing to open more branches. His goal is to keep improving and maybe one day earn a second star.
“The journey is the best part,” he said with a smile.