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 84th place in the We’re Smart Green Guide list of Best 100 Vegetables restaurants in the world for 2023 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 a six 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 84th place across the globe, The Walled Garden also came in sixth 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 second place, The Forest Side in Grasmere in fourth place and Moor Hall in Lancashire coming just above The Walled Gardens in fifth 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 was recently listed as one of Observer’ Food Monthly’s 20 Best Restaurants, and the chef himself was named Manchester’s Best Chef at last year’s Manchester Food and Drink Awards.
The tasting menu at The Walled Gardens runs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, three weekends of the month and the events are BYOB. A welcome cocktail is served on arrival and there is a wine pairing option which is available from Salut Wines.
Tickets cost £95 per person and are released four months in advance at 9am on the 1st of each month. Find out more about The Walled Gardens in Manchester here.