In a society that lives on the run, precooked food is the daily bread. For this reason, in Madrid, healthy and sustainable proposals are especially valued: there are more and more places that offer plant-based recipes. One of them is El Invernadero ( Ponzano, 85), by chef Rodrigo de la Calle. After years in the Green Guide, the establishment has just won the award for best plant-based restaurant worldwide.
The secrets of the Green Guide
The Green Guide is a list of 100 restaurants specializing in vegetable dishes. It is published every year by We’re Smart World, an organization that promotes gastronomy based on fruits and vegetables.
We’re Smart rates each restaurant from one to five. Instead of scoring with forks as in other guides, here they do it with radishes, as a tribute to the ingredients that are the protagonists of the rating. To choose the number one ranking, they are based on the philosophy Think Vegetables! Think Fruit! philosophy of chef Frank Fol, who advocates the creation of original dishes with seasonal vegetable ingredients.
El Invernadero: five radishes, two Suns and two Stars
El Invernadero is the creative laboratory of Rodrigo de la Calle, father of gastrobotany. His proposal focuses on tasting menus that change their dishes according to the season. The chef’s ecological awareness and innovative recipes have earned the restaurant a Michelin Star, a Michelin Green Star, two Soles in the Repsol Guide and first place in the 2024 Green Guide .
According to the Michelin Guide, the best dishes at El Invernadero are the Steamed Artichokes, the Baked Onions and the Violet Sweet Potatoes. To drink, you can’t miss one of their personalized homemade wines.
Haute cuisine green menus at El Invernadero
Vegetalia
In this menu, the base of the dishes are seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. Animal proteins can be eliminated from the dressing, so it is suitable for vegans, and has a single price of 148€ per person.
Gastrobotanica
The menu for the omnivores of the house: it has meats, fish, seafood and vegetables, all of organic origin. It is priced at 158€ per person.
Vegetalia Experience
A more complete experience than the Vegetalia menu. It includes breads, cheeses, food pairing and infusions. It costs €208 per person.
Gastrobotanica Experience
An all-inclusive experience with vegetable and mushroom dishes, organic and free-range meats, fish, seafood and more. Ideal for true food lovers. It has a value of 218€ per person.