High-end vegan eatery introduces carnivorous options to its menu.
In a significant shift, the renowned New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park (EMP) has announced the reintroduction of meat and fish to its menu after four years of serving a fully vegan menu. This decision, made to be more inclusive and attract a broader range of guests, marks a softening of the restaurant's fully vegan stance while keeping plant-based food as its foundation.
Chef Daniel Humm, the mastermind behind EMP, explained that while the restaurant will continue to emphasize plant-based cuisine, offering animal products such as oysters, duck, and lobster provides guests with choice and helps maintain financial viability, especially for large private events which had been difficult to book with a fully vegetarian menu.
The return of meat and fish also allows for better wine pairings, which are important in luxury dining. Humm emphasized that his return to animal products does not mean a departure from the plant-based approach. Guests will have the option to choose between plant-based and animal components.
This change comes as Eleven Madison Park celebrates its 20th anniversary. The restaurant, which was previously vegan for climate ethical reasons, has found it challenging to offer creative and economically viable menus without animal products. The revised menu consists of seven to nine courses for $365, with wine pairing, taxes, and generous tips likely to push the final bill to around double that amount.
The decision to go vegan four years ago was seen as a political statement in the age of the climate crisis. However, reviews of EMP were mixed, despite it retaining its three Michelin stars. Humm, in announcing the change on Instagram, stated that change is fundamental to the restaurant's growth.
Those who wish to have a fully vegan menu can still request one. Eleven Madison Park remains committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome around the table, supporting plant-based cuisine but offering choice. The menu from October 14, 2025, will still offer a plant-based menu, but also dishes featuring selected animal products, balancing tradition, innovation, and inclusivity.
Sources: ntv.de, raf/dpa, New York Times.
[1] Eleven Madison Park returns to serving meat and fish, balancing tradition and inclusivity. (2025, October 1). Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/kultur/essen/essen-und-trinken/eleven-madison-park-returniert-zu-servierende-fleisch-und-fisch-artikel-101.html
[2] Eleven Madison Park reintroduces meat and fish to its menu. (2025, October 1). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/dining/eleven-madison-park-meat-fish.html
[3] Eleven Madison Park serves up a new menu with meat and fish. (2025, October 1). Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/de/presse-und-medien/pressemitteilungen/aktuell/eleven-madison-park-serviert-neues-menue-mit-fleisch-und-fisch-1166276
