Kirk Haworth won the North West Young Chef of the Year award aged only 17 and since then he's worked in top restaurants like The French Laundry, Restaurant Sat Bains, The Square and Northcote. He decided to go plant-based to help with the symptoms of Lyme Disease and joined up with his sister Keeley to create Plates. That started as a development kitchen and supperclub and soon after, Kirk was crowned "Champion of Champions" on BBC 2’s Great British Menu. They launched Plates restaurant in Shoreditch, which focuses on plant-based fine dining. It became an instant hit, booked out for months in advance. Plates later became the UK's first plant-based restaurant to win a Michelin star.
Kirk both lives and works in Shoreditch, so here are his top tips in the area.
Rawlala
11 Hackney Rd, London E2 7NX
Rawlala is my go-to place every single time for healthy sweet treats, amazing hot elixirs, cold-pressed organic juices, and they make the best acai bowls I've ever eaten. Tucked away on Hackney Road, five minutes from the restaurant (Plates), it’s a hidden gem I'm so glad I discovered.
The Smoking Goat
64 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ
Smoking Goat is always packed - it's such a great buzzy vibe. The food is always tasty and if you’re like me, who loves chilli, it’s a win. Their mushroom flat noodles are my go-to, and they always have a crunchy, spicy salad on the menu, which I always add into the mix.
Palm Greens
The Sanctuary, 114 Cheshire Street & Soul, London E2 6EJ
Kali and Mem, aka Palm Greens, have just opened a new cafe on Cheshire Street, located within The Sanctuary. It's a great, chilled spot to have a quick lunch, escape the busy streets, catch up on work or have coffee. They cook bold, healthy flavours that are filling and delicious.
The Clove Club
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT
Isaac put East London on the culinary map in my eyes by achieving two Michelin stars at his very special restaurant, The Clove Club. He cooks with such precision and detail that it’s inspiring to see. I am proud to be cooking on the same street as such an iconic restaurant. You can also just eat snacks and have drinks at the bar now, which is a super cool and chilled experience. They have an amazing dining room and service, too.
The Grocery
52-56 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP
The Grocery store is one of those places that every restaurateur needs close to their restaurant. They have everything you need, from wine, organic produce to every drink and snack imaginable. The staff are like family, always helpful, kind and working with a smile on their face.
See also
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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