A restaurant in Greater Manchester has been named one of the best restaurants not just in the UK, but in the world too. Coming in 83rd place in the We’re Smart Green Guide list of Best 100 Vegetables restaurants in the world for 2024 was The Walled Gardens in Whalley Range.
This hidden, vegetable-focused spot not only sets itself apart for being vegetarian but also because it only has one member of staff – founder and head chef Eddie Shepherd. Plus, this tucked away restaurant in Eddie’s own house in Whalley Range only seats eight diners at a time, resulting in the concept becoming a popular foodie destination and currently having more than a three-month waiting list for reservations.
The We’re Smart Green Guide said: “Chef Eddie Shepherd calls himself ‘Veggie Chef’ and we totally like this! Plant-based is therefore ingrained in him. With his limited number of places, it is obviously important to book in time. 12 creative pure plant-based creations pass by, some more surprising than others.
“Important to know is that there are many techniques involved, which is an experience. We’re Smart likes it, and we are not the only ones, many chefs from home and abroad come here to see the latest innovative creations!”
As well as coming in 83rd place across the globe, The Walled Garden also came in eighth place in the guide’s list of of the Top 10 UK vegetarian restaurants. Four of the top ten spots were awarded to acclaimed Northern restaurants, with chef Simon Rogan’s three Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cartmel in fourth place, The Forest Side in Grasmere in fifth place and Moor Hall in Lancashire coming just above The Walled Gardens in seventh place.
The unique underground restaurant in Manchester, serves a modern, plant-based 12 course tasting menu in an informal atmosphere. Plus, Eddie Shepherd’s vegetables-first concept has previously been listed as one of Observer’ Food Monthly’s 20 Best Restaurants, and the chef himself was named Manchester’s Best Chef at Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2022.
The tasting menu at The Walled Gardens runs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, three weekends of the month and the events are BYOB. Guests are invited to bring along the drinks you would like to enjoy with your meal – alcoholic or soft drinks and there is a wine fridge to chill drinks and no corkage fee.
Tickets cost between £115 and £125 per person, which includes a 12 course tasting menu, welcome drink, and tea and coffee at the end of the dinner, and are released five months in advance on the 1st of each month. Reservations for April 2025 will be released at 9am on January 1st. Find out more about The Walled Gardens in Manchester here.