Eleven Madison Park
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Danny Meyer |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | New York City |
Key people | Daniel Humm (owner) |
| Owner | Daniel Humm Hospitality |
| Website | elevenmadisonpark |
Eleven Madison Park is an upscale dining establishment situated within the Metropolitan Life North Building at 11 Madison Avenue, in Manhattan's Flatiron District, New York City. Operated by Daniel Humm Hospitality, the restaurant has held 3 Michelin stars since 2012 and achieved the top position on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017.
History
Positioned at the intersection of Madison Avenue and 24th Street inside the Metropolitan Life North Building, Eleven Madison Park was originally crafted by Bentel & Bentel. It opened its doors in 1998 under the ownership of restaurateur Danny Meyer. In 2006, Chef Daniel Humm and Will Guidara joined the team and later acquired the establishment from Meyer in 2011. The venue now operates under the Daniel Humm Hospitality brand.
Following a lease renewal in 2016, Guidara and Humm engaged Brad Cloepfil to undertake a redesign of Eleven Madison Park. This refurbishment included updating the bar area and replacing furnishings while preserving select original elements. Completed between June and October 2017, the makeover introduced new upholstered seating, rugs, and a neutral-toned color scheme, with furniture designed by Allied Works. The interior décor features artworks by Rita Ackermann, Daniel Turner, Sol Lewitt, and Olympia Scarry.
The partnership between Guidara and Humm concluded in 2019, resulting in Humm becoming the sole proprietor of Make it Nice, which was rebranded as Daniel Humm Hospitality in 2024. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eleven Madison Park closed in March 2020 and was repurposed as a commissary kitchen producing meals for food-insecure residents of New York City in collaboration with non-profit organization Rethink Food. Although reopening plans were initially uncertain, Humm negotiated favorable terms with landlords and creditors.
By late 2020, the restaurant introduced a pickup dinner service, committing to donate ten meals to food-insecure New Yorkers for every dinner purchased. Eleven Madison Park officially resumed operations in June 2021, unveiling a new vegan tasting menu priced at $335.
In June 2022, reports surfaced outlining operational challenges such as elevated staff turnover attributed to low pay rates and demanding work schedules that reached up to 80 hours weekly. Despite a starting wage of $15 per hour, tipping was prohibited. Former employees also highlighted substantial food waste driven by strict produce size requirements rather than donation or composting efforts.
Menu
Prior to the pandemic, Eleven Madison Park’s offerings included a seasonal tasting menu inspired by regional culture and ingredients, featuring between eight to ten courses served in the main dining area. Additionally, a condensed five-course tasting was available at the bar, both incorporating communal dining elements. In early 2021, Chef Daniel Humm announced a transition to an entirely plant-based menu, motivated by concerns over farm-raised ingredients such as caviar. This new menu debuted in June 2021, signaling a deliberate shift toward sustainability and culinary innovation within fine dining.
Books
The inaugural Eleven Madison Park Cookbook was released in 2011. Founders Daniel Humm and Will Guidara expanded their portfolio with further publications including I Love New York: Ingredients and Recipes, The NoMad Cookbook, and Eleven Madison Park: The Next Chapter, which also has an updated edition.
In 2022, Guidara authored Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, a leadership manual heavily influenced by his tenure at Eleven Madison Park that underscores the restaurant’s commitment to exceptional service and business principles.
Awards
- In its inaugural 2015 ranking, La Liste placed Eleven Madison Park 4th within the United States and 241st worldwide.
- Awarded the prestigious Grand Chef title by Relais & Châteaux in 2008.
- Earned Four Stars from The New York Times in both 2009 and 2015.
- Recognized by the James Beard Foundation Award with multiple honors: Outstanding Service in 2016; Daniel Humm honored as Outstanding Chef in 2012; Angela Pinkerton received Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2011; Outstanding Restaurant awarded in 2011; and Daniel Humm named Best Chef: New York City in 2010.
- Featured on the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list, debuting at #50 in 2010 and ascending to #1 by 2017, maintaining a consistent presence within the top ten from 2011 through 2016.
- Received the Grand Table du Monde accolade in 2014.
- Honored with the Wine Spectator Grand Award consecutively from 2011 to 2016.
- Awarded the AAA Five Star Award annually from 2012 through 2024.
- Achieved Five Stars from Forbes Travel Guide between 2010 and 2014.
- Maintained Three Michelin Stars as per the Michelin Guide from 2012 to 2024; additionally recognized in 2025 by Luxury Travel Book as the most searched-for Michelin-starred dining venue worldwide.
- Received a Zagat score of 28 across food, ambiance, and service categories in 2014, ranking it as the highest-rated restaurant within the Flatiron District and among New York City's elite.