Top 4 vegan restaurants in the WKNDTRP app for Veganuary
Happy January from the Weekend Trip app! Hope you’ve been busy planning loads of trips inside the app and maybe even going further to set dates and book some romantic and exciting activities (maybe sunset sailing, gondola rides and kitesurfing - whatever your fancy - we aim to please with all of our recommendations in food, dining, sightseeing and everything in between. Veganuary or Vegan January is here and it’s a time for foodies and travel seekers looking for plant-based options for a change to lend some refreshing variety to the palate. Or else a vegan anniversary for those of us who made the official switch to animal-free diets. Regardless, plant-based cuisine has been taking the food world by storm for quite a while now as chefs, foodies and tastemakers share a global interest in selecting more organic fresh seasonal produce that is healthier and overall better for the planet. Veganism, especially vegan fine dining, has also challenged the creative capacity of food artists around the world to produce delicious mouthfuls while keeping meat, eggs and dairy off the plate. Because if we were honest, we could all do with a little more green even if we are not completely vegan. This month we want to put a spotlight on some of the coolest fine dining establishments that are hitting all the fancy lists - Michelin Guide, World’s 50 Best etc. - literally giving the foie gras and caviar restaurants and steakhouses a serious run for their money. Here’s the best vegan places to check out in our WKNDTRP city guides. Trust me, you need this list!
Eleven Madison Park in New York, United States
This fine dining NYC establishment is somewhat legend for its bold flavours, ambitious American tasting menu and the star class art deco ambience you’d probably expect from a restaurant awarded not one but three Michelin stars as well as the number one spot in the World’s 50 Best list in 2017. It was surprising when chef Daniel Humm made the decision to move the menu to completely plant-based in the hope of making business greener and environmentally conscious. A bold move that has since paid off. Guests pay a pretty penny (as much as $335 for the tasting menu) but that hasn’t stop them from booking a visit in - since the waitlist is 15k.
Order the cucumber with melon and smoked daikon, and fried pepper with Swiss chard. It is simply divine. For dessert, get the blueberry with elderflower and vanilla ice cream. Dinner really hits the spot here and the lasting feeling is light and satisfied. Find Eleven Madison Park in the WKNDTRP New York city guide.
Fu He Hui in Shanghai, China
Vegan cuisine is anything but boring. The rabbit food myth is getting a bit old. Especially if you haven’t walked into Fu He Hui and experienced eight courses of textures and flavours and colorful plates masterfully curated by Executive chef Tony Lu. Chef Lu’s playful mind-bending approach to the plates is because he is sold out on veganism not simply as a lifestyle but as a way of living (hence the inclusion of an extensive tea menu to pair dreamily with the food). His menu is packed with a variety of exotic and never-before-seen fungi and the best local produce and seasonal ingredients including land and sea vegetables to create perfectly balanced Chinese aromas and flavor profiles. The presentation itself is mind-blowing and often depicting a natural landscape. A strong contender on World’s 50 Best Asia restaurants category and awarded one Michelin star, this is a great place for some delicious elevated vegan cuisine.
Order the creamy mushroom soup, it’s silky smooth and wholesome. Each course is like a food story. The grilled mushroom, truffle dumplings and passion fruit custard are to die for. The lightness of the meal is appreciated here as well but heads up - the creative Chinese flavours come off slightly strong for some. Find Fu He Hui in the WKNDTRP Shanghai city guide.
Gauthier Soho in London, United Kingdom
It’s always a humbling moment when a chef/owner changes up the menu to reflect his or her values. As is the case with London-based MasterChef guest judge Alex Gauthier. Gauthier previous had an overhaul of his menu when he ditched the foie gras but then decided to make the menu completely vegan shortly after going vegan himself. Just like the environmentally conscious mavericks before him, the menu change was a massive risk for Gauthier losing regular customers but something beautiful has come out of it. Just listen to the sound of this. Summer Truffle Tortellini, Harissa Cauliflower, Golden Fennel Boulangere, and Very Dark Chocolate Tart. Perfection in the handpicked produce and no holding back on the flavor. These are just some of exquisite items on the vegan menu not including the incredible wine pairings to go with for a decadent time of vegan fine dining. Set in an old Georgian townhouse, this is classic French dining with a wickedly green twist in 10 courses.
Order the Grey Vetiver and the Autumn Truffle. Also, don’t pass up on the mixed mushrooms in a deep red wine reduction, and the Louis XV pudding. They seem to receive encores. Gauthier lives up to its hype even as a vegan establishment - quite a feat. Find Gauthier Soho in the WKNDTRP London city guide.
Emeralds in Saint Lucia, Caribbean
Anse Chastanet hotel in Saint Lucia is a beautiful stay in a vast jungle estate. It is definitely an intimate place secluded in nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. This ambience blends perfectly in with the romantic vegetarian restaurant at the premises - Emerald. Guests enjoy a spicy fusion blend of flavours ranging from modern Caribbean to Seafood and East Indian. Recently, the Saint Lucian restaurant went fully vegan and to the delight of guests - the modern tapas they offer up is mind-blowingly good. Each of the handcrafted dishes source their local and organic ingredients fresh from the hotel’s very own farm just 20 minutes.
Order the Emeralds Bread Fruit Gnocchi with tomato, lemon thyme and chadon beni pesto. The crispy Cauliflower Accras with Lime, Scallion, St Lucian Mango Chutney is also pretty good. Dessert options include Banana Parfaits with walnut crumble, coconut toffee sauce, and caramel popcorn. Yum! Find Emeralds restaurant in the WKNDTRP Caribbean city guide.
The world is changing and so are our palates and lifestyles. We no better than to not adapt with the times. And as more of our favourite travelers and users go vegan or opt for more vegetarian or vegan options, the WKNDTRP app wants to provide the best recommendations for your gastronomical adventures abroad. So it’s safe to say that whatever the cuisine you desire, we would have picked the best and list-topping award-winning user-raving places just for you to check out. Save loads of time researching for the coolest vegan restaurants. Get the WKNDTRP and begin your foodie travels.