A vegan establishment in London has made history by becoming the first restaurant in the UK to earn a Michelin star.
Located on Old Street, Plates London offers a completely plant-based menu. Chef Kirk Haworth captivated the judges by skillfully merging his classical culinary training with innovative vegan techniques, as noted by Michelin.
The prestigious event for the annual Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland took place in Glasgow on Monday.
When asked during the ceremony about his passion for vegan cooking, Haworth shared: “My goal is to move beyond that label. What matters most is flavor—it’s all about flavor, excitement, and innovation, striving to elevate plant-based dishes to new heights of deliciousness.”
Research conducted by Finder revealed that from 2023 to 2024, the number of vegans in the UK surged by 1.1 million, bringing the total to approximately 2.5 million—accounting for 4.7% of the adult population.
At the Glasgow event, Plates London was among 26 restaurants recognized with honors. Meanwhile, Moor Hall, a modern European dining venue located about ten miles from Liverpool in Aughton, garnered the distinguished accolade of three Michelin stars, making it the tenth establishment in the UK and Ireland to achieve this status. It opened in 2017 and secured its initial two stars in the subsequent years.
Michelin praised Chef Mark Birchall and his team at Moor Hall for their exceptional culinary mastery, stating: “At Moor Hall, the chefs have refined their skills and reached new heights of excellence. The use of ingredients, many sourced from the kitchen garden, is outstanding; their culinary technique is profoundly impressive, and their ability to balance simplicity with complexity in flavors is exemplary.”
Birchall expressed his joy, saying: “It’s something you dream about. You envision how it would feel, but the actual emotion is overwhelming.”
In total, 22 new restaurants were awarded their first Michelin star this year—among them, nine in London, three in Ireland, and two in Scotland. Gorse in Cardiff was celebrated as the first restaurant in the Welsh capital to earn this distinction.
Additionally, the Greek restaurant Oma, located in Borough Market, London, received its first star after previously being honored with the Opening of the Year award.
This year’s ceremony also announced five new Green stars, recognizing restaurants dedicated to sustainable practices, all while commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Michelin Guide.
