Daniel Humm is a Swiss chef renowned for his innovative approach to fine dining. He is the owner of Daniel Humm Hospitality and gained international fame with Eleven Madison Park, which achieved 3 Michelin stars and...
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Local ModernVegetarian Vegan FocusVegan-friendlyFine Dining
★★★★★ Five Stars
During a trip to New York City, one of the places I had on my list was Eleven Madison Park. I was in town visiting schools and sightseeing, and I decided this would be a great opportunity to experience something completely different from my usual restaurant choices. Fine dining is not something I do often, but I wanted to see what one of the most recognized restaurants in the country was all about.
From the moment I walked in, the experience felt special. The dining room was elegant and beautiful without feeling intimidating. The staff was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took the time to explain each course, the ingredients being used, and the inspiration behind many of the dishes.
The food was unlike anything I had experienced before. Every plate looked like a work of art. Some of the ingredients and flavor combinations were things I had never tried and probably would have never considered ordering on my own. What impressed me most was how much thought went into every detail. Nothing felt rushed or thrown together. Every course seemed to have a purpose.
One of the highlights was being able to try the meat options after the restaurant had recently made changes to the menu. The flavors were incredible, and everything was prepared with a level of care and precision that was easy to appreciate. Even when I was eating something unfamiliar, I found myself enjoying it.
The bread service, desserts, and small touches throughout the meal showed why this restaurant has earned such a strong reputation. The presentation was stunning, but the food delivered on flavor as well.
Another memorable part of the evening was getting the opportunity to visit the kitchen. Seeing the operation behind the scenes and watching the team work together was fascinating. It gave me a greater appreciation for the amount of effort, coordination, and skill that goes into creating an experience like this.
This was much more than just dinner. It was an experience. New York City gave me plenty of great memories during that trip, but Eleven Madison Park stands out as one of the most memorable. If you have the chance to visit, go in with an open mind and enjoy the journey. It is not just about eating a meal. It is about experiencing creativity, hospitality, and craftsmanship at the highest level.
This review is a treasured memory of my visit to Eleven Madison Park in 2017, before they transitioned to a plant-based menu. Having previously dined here in 2013 and 2014, this was my third visit, and sharing this meal with my family made it an incredibly special and unforgettable experience.
Even back then, securing a reservation was famously difficult. It required a deposit, and changing or canceling was no easy task, making the booking process quite a hurdle. However, every single moment at the restaurant made it entirely worth it.
The dishes were the pinnacle of sophistication—healthful, deeply satisfying, and a true feast for both the eyes and the palate. The flavors were absolutely magnificent. Furthermore, the hospitality was genuinely warm and welcoming, creating a perfectly comfortable and relaxing atmosphere despite its prestigious reputation.
I haven't had the chance to visit since they became a fully vegetarian restaurant, but I am very much looking forward to returning and experiencing their new culinary chapter. A timeless icon of New York dining!
We have always wanted to come to Eleven Madison and when they re-introduced some meat to the already amazing plant-based menu, we knew it was time. Wow. The most important thing to note is that the service was spectacular. This, for us, was the most important factor. There was an elegance and sophistication to the service that was helped by the perfect atmosphere. The food was incredible and just surprises you with each bite. Dishes you might never order on your own will totally surprise you. The duck was incredible and the lobster tail was the most tender and flavorful I have ever had. By far the most amazing dish was what I believe was a plant-based take on Caviar service. It was incredible. If you have the opportunity, this is the Michelin 3 that you should not miss.
August 2025. One of the final fully vegan menus at Eleven Madison Park.
I've been to many excellent vegan restaurants over the years, but this experience was on another level. Everything felt thoughtful, refined, and genuine without ever feeling pretentious.
Visiting the kitchen was a special moment and gave me an entirely new appreciation for the people behind the experience.
What I remember most isn't a specific course. It's the feeling the evening left behind: admiration, inspiration, and gratitude.
I know many vegans were disappointed when EMP stepped away from being fully vegan. I was too. But I also recognize how difficult it must be to sustain a restaurant of this caliber in New York City.
What I find interesting is that we often celebrate restaurants that add a vegan menu, yet criticize one that tried to build an entire fine dining concept around plants and later had to change course. Either way, I believe EMP played an important role in elevating plant-based cuisine and showing what is possible.
A truly memorable experience.
My experience at Eleven Madison Park left me dissappointed. The restaurant unquestionably demonstrates technical skill and precision. The execution is polished, and the service is highly choreographed. However, for a restaurant of this caliber, I found the food surprisingly uninspiring.
The menu seems focused on showcasing individual vegetables rather than exploring the broader possibilities of plant-based cuisine. Instead of creating complexity, depth, and memorable flavor combinations, many dishes revolved around a single ingredient—such as cucumber or zucchini. While technically accomplished, the dishes often felt shallow and repetitive, lacking the complexity and excitement I expected. Course after course, the flavors seemed to blend together rather than build a compelling dish.
The dining room experience was equally challenging. There appeared to be an overwhelming number of staff members. Although everyone was professional and smiling, their continual presence made it difficult to relax. Rather than feeling cared for, I felt observed.
What surprised me most is that despite the flawless service and polished presentation, the overall atmosphere felt cold and impersonal. Everything functioned exactly as intended, yet warmth was missing. Long after the meal ended, I was left not with memorable flavors or a sense of delight, but with an unpleasant feeling that I still cannot quite shake.
For me, Eleven Madison Park is a restaurant that excels in technique but falls short in creating an emotionally satisfying dining experience.
