Restaurant Eleven Madison Park to Reinstate Meat Dishes on Menu
Eleven Madison Park, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City, will once again serve dishes containing meat starting from October 14, 2025. This announcement comes after the restaurant adopted an all-plant-based, vegan menu when it reopened in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chef and co-owner Daniel Humm expressed his belief that food is his voice and the restaurant has a platform to inspire change. However, he acknowledged that the all-or-nothing plant-based approach unintentionally excluded some guests, limiting hospitality and inclusivity.
Humm stated, "I did not realize that the all-vegan menu would exclude people." He described the contemporary version of the restaurant as offering a choice, with a foundation in plant-based dishes. The change reflects the restaurant's desire to open culinary paths rather than close them.
The move back to meat is in part an effort to raise revenues. Bookings for private events at Eleven Madison Park have been "particularly sparse". Humm mentioned that it's hard to get 30 people for a corporate dinner to come to a plant-based restaurant.
Despite potential criticism, Humm expressed some anxiety but believes the best way to continue championing plant-based cooking is to let everyone participate around the table. The new menu will embrace choice by offering predominantly plant-based dishes but also reintroduce select animal products such as oysters, lobster, and duck.
Eleven Madison Park was known in recent years for its vegan menu, which helped maintain Michelin status and earned praise. The restaurant also operated as a community kitchen during the pandemic, producing meals for distribution through Rethink Food, a non-profit focused on reducing food insecurity.
Emily Burack, the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, covered the news of Eleven Madison Park's decision to once again serve dishes containing meat. Before joining Town & Country, Burack was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. She can be followed on Twitter and Instagram under the username @emburack.
Humm made the decision to serve meat in an attempt to bring more diners into the restaurant. He mentioned that diners might prefer vegetable dishes more after trying them at the restaurant. The change reflects the restaurant's commitment to inclusivity and its desire to offer a culinary experience that caters to a wider audience.
- The change in Eleven Madison Park's menu from vegan to including dishes with meat will be effective from October 14, 2025, signifying a shift towards a more inclusive culinary lifestyle.
- Emily Burack, the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, reported on this decision, highlighting the restaurant's intention to broaden its offerings and accommodate a diverse audience.
- While the vegan menu helped maintain Michelin status and receive accolades, Daniel Humm, the chef and co-owner, recognized its limitation in hospitality and inclusivity due to an all-or-nothing plant-based approach.
- As the restaurant aims to cater to a wider audience and enhance its revenue, it will reintroduce select animal products such as oysters, lobster, and duck, while maintaining a foundation in plant-based dishes for a balanced lifestyle.
- In response to potential criticism, Humm emphasized the importance of continuing to champion plant-based cooking by providing a choice, fostering a relaxed environment for all within the realm of entertainment and lifestyle.
- In addition to serving as a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Eleven Madison Park also functioned as a community kitchen during the pandemic, providing meals to address food insecurity, emphasizing its dedication to art, culture, and health-and-wellness.
