The Eleven Madison Park menu is taking a dramatic turn as the acclaimed New York City fine-dining destination announces the return of meat and fish after several years of offering only plant-based dishes. The shift, set to debut on October 14, marks one of the most significant changes in the restaurant’s recent history and has stirred a wave of discussion across the culinary world.
For the past four years, Eleven Madison Park had stood as one of the world’s most recognized vegan fine-dining experiences, maintaining its three Michelin stars while serving only plant-based cuisine. The decision to reintroduce animal products represents a fresh chapter for chef-owner Daniel Humm, who is looking to broaden the restaurant’s reach while keeping its sustainable ethos intact.
Why the Change?
Chef Humm has described the new approach as a move toward inclusivity. While he remains passionate about plant-based cooking, he has acknowledged that the all-vegan model, while groundbreaking, unintentionally excluded some diners who sought traditional protein options.
By adding meat and fish back to the menu, the restaurant aims to strike a balance between its mission to promote vegetables as the stars of the plate and its role as a world-class dining destination for all palates.
What Will Be on the New Menu
When the updated Eleven Madison Park menu launches in October, guests can expect a thoughtful blend of plant-based dishes and select animal-based offerings. Highlights include the revival of the restaurant’s celebrated honey-lavender-glazed duck and delicately prepared seafood options.
Vegetarians and vegans need not worry — the core tasting menus will continue to feature inventive, fully plant-based courses showcasing seasonal produce, house-made plant proteins, and globally inspired flavors. The restaurant plans to offer both entirely vegan menus and those that integrate meat or fish, giving diners the ability to choose their experience.
Sample Offerings Expected
- Signature Honey-Lavender-Glazed Duck – a refined comeback of one of EMP’s most iconic dishes.
- Seasonal Seafood Courses – featuring responsibly sourced fish prepared with precision.
- Vegan Tasting Menu – multi-course plant-based creations spotlighting peak-season vegetables.
- Hybrid Menus – combining plant-based artistry with select meat or fish courses.
A Return to Tradition with Modern Values
The reintroduction of animal products is not a step back to pre-2021 norms. Instead, it reflects a hybrid approach where sustainability, ethical sourcing, and plant-forward cooking remain central. Meat and fish will be sourced with the same meticulous care applied to produce, ensuring the restaurant’s environmental impact remains minimal.
This change also aligns with a broader movement in fine dining, where flexibility and choice are increasingly valued. Many Michelin-starred restaurants are blending plant-based innovation with traditional protein dishes, creating a more inclusive model without abandoning culinary creativity.
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Reactions from the Culinary World
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Some loyal vegan diners expressed disappointment at the decision, fearing it signals a shift away from EMP’s bold plant-based leadership. Others welcomed the move, seeing it as a practical step that could strengthen the restaurant’s legacy and broaden its audience.
Food critics have noted that the addition of meat and fish will allow EMP to showcase its classic techniques while continuing to innovate in the plant-based realm. The return of dishes like the honey-lavender-glazed duck has already generated significant anticipation among long-time patrons.
What This Means for Diners
From October 14 onward, guests will have more choice than ever before at Eleven Madison Park. Reservations for the new menus are already in high demand, with many eager to see how the kitchen will balance its plant-based mastery with the technical demands of meat and seafood cookery.
For those seeking a fully vegan fine-dining experience, EMP remains a world leader in the field. For those who missed the restaurant’s pre-vegan era, the upcoming menus offer a nostalgic yet modernized return to some of its greatest hits.
Looking Ahead
Chef Humm has made it clear that the future of Eleven Madison Park will not abandon its sustainability goals. The restaurant will continue to source seasonal vegetables from local farms, minimize waste, and design dishes that highlight vegetables as central components, even when meat or fish is featured.
As EMP approaches its 20th anniversary under Humm’s leadership, the menu shift symbolizes both reflection and reinvention — a willingness to evolve while staying true to core values.
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The evolution of the Eleven Madison Park menu is more than just a culinary adjustment; it’s a statement about adaptability in fine dining. Balancing innovation, sustainability, and tradition, EMP is once again setting the tone for what the future of luxury dining could look like. Whether diners choose the plant-based path or explore the newly reintroduced meat options, the experience promises to be as refined, artistic, and memorable as ever.
If you’ve dined at Eleven Madison Park before, or plan to experience the new menu, share your thoughts — the conversation around this change is just getting started.