High Street Ledger · the vegan ledger
The Vegan Ledger

Plates Restaurant & Food Studio

320 Old St, London EC1V 9DR, UK★ 4.8 (518 reviews)020 8050 6682websitemap

Landmark plant-based fine-dining restaurant on Old Street — the UK's first Michelin-starred vegan kitchen — serving a continually changing 12-course chef's table tasting menu with wine pairings. Reviewers describe once-in-a-lifetime cooking and a warm, occasion-worthy welcome that converts committed omnivores.

Why it's listed: Plates on Old Street is a landmark fully plant-based fine-dining restaurant (the UK's first Michelin-starred vegan restaurant).

Profile last updated 11 July 2026.

Plates Restaurant & Food Studio — photo
Photo: Nolan A · Google
voice 1

The business claims it

Structured facts from the listing and website.

Cuisine style
Contemporary plant-based fine dining — multi-course tasting menus built around seasonal ingredients
“The 12 course chef tables menu was wonderful ... the whole menu is 100% plant based” — reviews
Kitchen-wide dietary regime
vegan
“You really wouldn't know that the whole menu is 100% plant based” — reviews
Service modes offered
dine in
“We had dinner here to celebrate our anniversary” — reviews
Alcohol policy
licensed
“12 course tasting menu (with the wine pairing of course!)” — reviews
Menu rotation
The menu changes continually to follow the freshest seasonal ingredients — repeat visitors report new dishes each time
“this team continually adjusts the menu to reflect the freshest ingredients so each dining experience you have has new surprises” — reviews
Price band
premium
“12 course tasting menu (with the wine pairing of course!)” — reviews

We're holding 1 question for the owner — classes, workshops & events — and will publish the answers here once confirmed.

voice 2

Customers reveal it

Recurring signal mined from real reviews — with receipts.

Atmosphere as customers describe it
Relaxed yet romantic and professional — welcoming rather than stiff fine dining
“the atmosphere was relaxed yet romantic ... Relaxed and friendly but very professional at the same time” — reviews
Occasions customers use it for
special occasions (anniversaries, birthdays) · destination dining for visitors · impressing non-vegan diners
“We had dinner here to celebrate our anniversary ... I am not usually vegan nor vegetarian and I did not miss the meat at all” — reviews
Dishes customers name repeatedly
12-course chef's table tasting menu · lion's mane dish · wine pairing
“we really enjoyed having the chefs come to the table to present the food and the Lion's mane” — reviews
Booking advised
A set 12-course chef's table format open only Wednesday-Saturday — booking ahead effectively required
“The 12 course chef tables menu was wonderful” — reviews
Service character as customers describe it
Attentive and personal — chefs present dishes at the table, staff make guests feel like VIPs, and Kirk and the team are named with warmth in reviews
“they work to ensure everyone feels like a VIP” — reviews
Value for money as customers see it
Diners frame it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth the premium — no recurring price complaints in reviews
“We left feeling like we had a once in a lifetime meal and at the same time can't wait to go back” — reviews
voice 3

Only the owner knows it

Questions we hold for the kitchen itself. Unanswered until they answer.

We're holding 9 questions for the owner — families & kids, best occasions & the vibe, vegan, coeliac & allergy options, why choose you, groups, private hire & catering, booking or walk-in?, good to know before you visit, must-order dishes, made in-house & sourcing — and will publish the answers here once confirmed.