King's Joy turns humble vegetables into Michelin-star dining
King's Joy, a three-Michelin-star vegetarian restaurant in Beijing, is the only one to also hold a Green Star — but is reportedly off-limits to officials. Read more.
Prajakta Sanjay Warwadkar 
BEIJING, June 16, 2026 — King's Joy, a three-Michelin-star vegetarian restaurant in Beijing, has built an international reputation by turning humble vegetables into elaborate fine-dining dishes. The restaurant is the only Chinese establishment to hold both three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star for sustainable practices.
Set within Beijing's old imperial center, the courtyard restaurant has helped redefine high-end Chinese vegetarian cooking. Its profile has grown alongside reports that it is now among several dozen Beijing venues that government officials are not permitted to visit.
Why this three-Michelin-star vegetarian restaurant stands out
King's Joy serves an entirely vegetarian menu built from ingredients sourced within China, with cooking that leans on steaming, slow-cooking and sautéing to draw out natural flavors. The World's 50 Best list has described it as a global standard for vegetarian dining, and its operating model became a Harvard Business School case study in 2019.
The restaurant earned its third Michelin star in late 2020, becoming the first vegetarian restaurant to reach that level. It has retained the Green Star in subsequent years for its focus on sustainability.
A setting rooted in old Beijing
King's Joy sits in the Dongcheng district near the Lama Temple, about four miles from the Forbidden City and within reach of central government ministries and foreign embassies. The historic courtyard house features a muted, Zen-inspired design.
Vegetarianism has deep roots in Chinese culture, long tied to Buddhist practice and frugal living. The restaurant's tasting menus run more than 10 courses and can be prepared fully vegan on request.
A high-profile reputation
The recognition is notable at a time when China is keen to promote its cuisine and culture abroad. According to a report, officials have been kept from dining at King's Joy and similar venues since the prior year, even as the restaurant continues to draw diners from around the world.
More on its menus and philosophy is available on the King's Joy website.
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