Plates Review - london Restaurants | Christoff

Plates: Where Plant-Based Meets Michelin Perfection on Old Street

A sophisticated insider's take on London's most creative vegetarian fine dining

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Plates strikes that perfect balance between intimate and sophisticated, with venue intelligence scores reflecting its deliberately calm energy (2.5/10) and exceptional sophistication (9.5/10). The space feels genuinely cozy and intimate, designed for meaningful conversations rather than Instagram moments. With a social group size score of just 2.0/10, this is clearly built for couples and small groups seeking a romantic, special-occasion atmosphere. The restaurant exudes that rare combination of being cutting-edge trendy (7.5/10) while maintaining classical fine dining sensibilities. It's the sort of place where you'll find yourself naturally lowering your voice and savoring each moment. The intimate setting makes every table feel special, though the structured nature (flexibility score of 1.5/10) means you're committing to their vision rather than casual dining. The conversation-friendly score of 7.0/10 suggests the acoustics and pacing allow for proper dialogue throughout the evening.

Food & Drink

Under the guidance of chef Kirk Haworth and Keeley Haworth, Plates delivers what can only be described as 'a new spectrum of flavour' through their fixed seven-course tasting menu. The creativity here is genuinely exceptional – this isn't about substituting meat with vegetables, but rather celebrating plant-based ingredients in ways that feel entirely original. Professional reviews consistently describe the food as incredible and exceptional, focusing on unique textures and flavors that challenge preconceptions about vegetarian cuisine. The presentation is reportedly beautiful, with each course crafted using what they describe as 'the finest ingredients from the earth.' The wine pairings are outstanding, but what's particularly impressive is their non-alcoholic pairing options, which shows real thoughtfulness for diverse dining preferences. This is modern British cuisine at its most inventive, earning genuine critical acclaim rather than riding on novelty alone.

Service & Experience

The service at Plates reflects the restaurant's sophisticated approach, with staff described as both attentive and friendly. There's a lovely personal touch where they'll actually share cocktail recipes with interested diners – the sort of insider detail that makes you feel genuinely welcomed rather than merely served. The team clearly understands the pacing required for a seven-course tasting menu, allowing each course to be properly appreciated. Given the restaurant's high sophistication score and special-occasion focus, you can expect service that matches the Michelin-starred caliber of the food, with staff who understand both the technical aspects of what they're serving and how to make the evening feel memorable.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Plates operates Wednesday through Saturday with both lunch (12pm-4pm) and dinner (6pm-11:30pm) services, closing Sunday through Tuesday. For maximum romantic energy, evening slots are definitely the way to go, though the limited opening hours mean booking well ahead is essential.

What to Focus On

There's no choice to make here – Plates offers a fixed seven-course tasting menu that represents their complete vision. Focus on the wine or non-alcoholic pairings, both of which receive outstanding reviews and will enhance the carefully crafted flavor journey.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Ask about their cocktail recipes – they genuinely share them, which is a lovely personal touch most guests don't know aboutThe restaurant also operates a food design studio and cook school, so mention any interest in their broader culinary workBook evening slots for the full romantic atmosphere – the intimate setting really comes alive in the evenings

The Final Verdict

Plates represents something genuinely special in London's dining scene – a Michelin-starred restaurant that happens to be plant-based, rather than a plant-based restaurant trying to be fine dining. The combination of exceptional creativity, technical skill, and intimate atmosphere creates an experience that scores 9.5/10 for both sophistication and experience depth. Yes, the fixed-menu format and premium pricing (level 4/4) limit flexibility, but that's rather the point – you're investing in Kirk and Keeley Haworth's complete culinary vision. The virality score of 8 suggests this is very much a destination worth talking about, though the deliberately intimate scale keeps it feeling special rather than overrun.

Christoff's Rating:

8.7/10

Perfect For:

couples celebrating special occasions or anniversariesserious food enthusiasts curious about creative plant-based cuisineanyone seeking a genuine Michelin-starred experience in an intimate setting

Plates

Plates

Christoff's Take

Plates: Where Plant-Based Meets Michelin Perfection on Old Street

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Food & Drink

Service & Experience

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

What to Focus On

Christoff's Insider Tips

The Final Verdict

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