France got its first Michelin-starred vegan restaurant

With its strong ethical and sustainable practices, ONA has become the first Michelin-starred vegan restaurant in France, contributing to a flourishing of vegan cooking for many years. If you are planning for a romantic candlelit dinner at a Michelin-starred vegan restaurant in France, then check out ONA.

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Located in the city of Arès, near Bordeaux in south-west France, the vegan restaurant Origine Non-Animale (ONA) led by self-taught chef and former archaeologist Claire Vallée since 2016 has received a Michelin star, making it the first for an establishment serving only animal-free products in the country. In addition to the award of the classic star, Vallée also won a green star for her commitment ‘to advocating a virtuous, sustainable approach to gastronomy’.

This vegan restaurant serves a gourmet menu of organic, plant-based dishes featuring seasonal and local ingredients, many of which source from ONA’s own garden. The restaurant’s green terrace features 140 different varieties of edible plants, for instance, pine, boletus mushrooms and celery. Vallée typically offered diners three dishes for lunch (€24) and a seven-course dinner (€59) on her gourmet menu before she had to close ONA because of Covid-19 restrictions.

As a sustainable restaurant, ONA uses renewable energy and has excellent cooking that is worth a detour in France. According to the Michelin Guide’s review, ONA is ‘more than a restaurant, it is a way of life. The beautifully dressed plates feature a splendid array of fruit and vegetables. Greatly deserving of the attention it is garnering.’ Vegan Michelin-starred restaurants are a rarity. However, there are a number of vegetarian restaurants in the US, Germany, Spain, Japan and China that have already garnered the prestigious award in recent years and ONA’s award is a first for France.

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