In our regular series, we ask famous chefs and personalities to tell us all about 'their London'. From top tips on where to dine in the city, to their personal haunts ranging from bakeries to book shops, we’ve got the inside track on London’s premier spots from the people who know it best.
Many of London’s chefs have achieved exceptional things over the years – but few can say they’ve reached a milestone quite like Kirk Haworth. When he and his team won a MICHELIN Star for Plates London in February 2025, it represented a watershed moment for plant-based dining around the country. Vegans rejoiced and carnivores were given confirmation that, yes, food really can be MICHELIN-Star delicious without the meat. Here, Haworth gives us his picks not just for vegan dining, but for generally enjoying life in London.
A rhubarb dish at Woven by Adam Smith, located in Ascot a little outside London. © Coworth Park/Woven by Adam Smith
Where would you recommend for a romantic date?
Woven by Adam Smith is incredible and the perfect countryside getaway for a romantic date with a loved one. It’s a place that makes you feel special from the moment you are greeted by the team, all the way to the bedrooms which are the most beautiful rooms to stay in ever. To top all this off, the breakfasts are also amazing. Adam’s one of the most exciting chefs in the UK right now for me.Woven by Adam Smith is located just outside London in the Coworth Park hotel, part of the Dorchester Collection and holder of Two MICHELIN Keys.
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Which great London restaurant do you think has gone under the radar?
Perilla in Newington Green. It’s super delicious and Ben the chef there has such a unique style that you know when you eat a Perilla plate of food, it has its own identity.
The stunning dining room at The Ritz, one of the things that makes it such a special place. © Jack Hardy
What’s your go-to restaurant in London when you want to celebrate?
The Ritz for sure, for me. It is the most special restaurant in London; the energy in the room just feels world class and special from the minute you walk in. The attention to detail in every aspect of the experience for me is perfect – it just makes you feel a certain way. It’s the whole package when it comes to fine dining in my eyes.You’re leading the way for plant-based dining in London. What are your other favourite fully vegan spots in the city?
To be honest, I don't go to many fully vegan places, rather restaurants that do great veggie dishes like Perilla and Morchella. And there are a lot of cool café concepts in London now doing amazing veggie/vegan things, like Rawlala which is in Shoreditch.Where do you think London ranks amongst other global cities in terms of plant-based dining?
I feel it is pretty up there for sure and there are always new things opening – and hopefully what I am doing inspires the next generation of chefs.
The sun shining on Trinity in Clapham, where Kirk Haworth ran pop-ups in the upstairs space. © Stefan Johnson
Are there any London restaurants you feel a personal connection to?
Trinity by Adam Byatt. He helped me in the very early days at Plates eight years ago, when I started doing weekly pop-ups from his space above Trinity. I owe Adam a lot for that.How do you like to spend your free time in London?
To be honest, my life is pretty simple: I work a lot and in my spare time I go to the sauna and gym, grab a hot drink or an iced matcha, and have a stroll around Brick Lane or Stoke Newington and try to give my brain a rest from constantly being obsessed with creating food ideas!Related Read: A MICHELIN Guide Inspector tells all on Plates London
Which is your favourite London neighbourhood and why?
Stoke Newington. It is where I live and I love it here. It feels very peaceful, it has great cafés, little neighbourhood restaurants and Clissold Park, which is nice to have some greenery on your days off.What’s your favourite place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables in London?
Stoke Newington Green Fruits & Vegetables on Church St has everything you can imagine – I lose myself for hours in there.
One of the many spectacular rooms at The Savoy, a Three-MICHELIN-Key hotel. © The Savoy
Do you have a favourite London hotel?
The Savoy for me – it is iconic and a part of what makes London so renowned for hospitality.Find your hotel
What does London do better than anywhere else in the world?
I think London pushes forward and breeds creative mindsets at such young ages better than anywhere else.
The dining room at HIDE, Kirk Haworth's pick for breakfast in London. © Joakim Blockstrom
If you had one day to show an out-of-towner around London, where would you take them?
Breakfast at HIDE, afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, followed by dinner at The Ritz.Love all things MICHELIN?
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Hero & Thumbnail Images: Kirk Haworth, chef and founder of Plates London, the city’s first vegan MICHELIN-Star restaurant. © Safia Shakarchi
