Food
Stellar Dining: 16 Budget-Friendly Michelin Restaurants
The Michelin Guide evokes exquisite multicourse journeys – and eye-watering bills. Savour fine cuisine for less with our wallet-conscious list of star-studded eateries
Although plenty of amazing restaurants worldwide don’t bear the distinction of a Michelin star, the presence of one promises that the meal you’re about to enjoy will be truly world-class. What the accolade is not, however, is an indicator of a wallet-friendly experience, with some honourees charging upwards of US$500 per diner. Luckily, that’s not the case everywhere. We’ve searched the globe to find some of the most affordable Michelin star recipients – and while you might not be able to order the whole menu, with some clever tricks, you can indeed sample the world’s best dining for less than US$100.
Holbox – Los Angeles, USA
In recent years, the guide has started awarding more casual spots, not just the uber-elegant white-tablecloth establishments of yore. Take Holbox, for example, which secured its star in 2024 following a string of Bib Gourmand nods. The service at this food stall in LA’s Mercado La Paloma is without frills, but the food is exquisite, blending the flavours of the Yucatán with Californian ingredients and featuring a plethora of delightfully fresh seafood in its aguachiles, tostadas and ceviches. Though the much-coveted tasting menu served on Tuesdays and Thursdays costs US$130, it’s possible to grab a Michelin-worthy bite for just US$26 the rest of the week.
© Liam Brown
FACIL – Berlin, Germany
The ultimate pro tip for getting a Michelin meal on a budget? Check the midday menu. While FACIL’s classic fine dining will set you back a minimum of €175 (US$200) in the evening, its two- and three-course lunches currently cost €68 (US$77) and €88 (US$100), respectively. That’s more than reasonable for double-star cooking, beautifully plated and served in a serene space on the fifth floor of the five-star Mandala Hotel, flanked by a leafy terrace.
Anona – Paris, France
If you find yourself in the homeland of haute cuisine (and the Michelin guide itself), you’re probably looking to enjoy some of its famous gastronomy. Anona could be the perfect place: chef Thibaut Spiwack’s philosophy centres on sustainable sourcing that prioritises seasonal local produce, responsibly prepared in a way that reduces energy consumption and minimises food waste – an approach that has earned it a Green Star to match its Michelin étoile. Lunch starts at €49 (US$56) for two courses.
Kam’s Roast Goose – Hong Kong
This unassuming family-run rotisserie is best known for – you guessed it – its roast goose, with crispy golden skin and tender flesh that has kept the punters coming back for over 70 years. Goose also crops up in other dishes, like blood pudding and Prince Kinsen noodles coated in dripping, cooked in full view of the customers and all costing well under US$100. At peak times, the wait can be up to an hour; don’t forget to take a ticket before you join the queue. Alternatively, skip the line by opting for some stellar takeaway.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
La Tasquería – Madrid, Spain
With his offal-centric cuisine, chef Javi Estévez has successfully elevated the humblest of foodstuffs to Michelin levels. That means tripe, liver, trotters, tail, heart, brains and more, in dishes designed to win over even the most squeamish eater with innovative contemporary techniques. La Tasquería is currently running a ten-year anniversary menu that costs just €65 (US$74) for a starter, four courses and dessert. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can order a confit head of suckling pig on the side.
Barbara – Vancouver, Canada
Opened by Eleven Madison Park alum Patrick Hennessy in 2020, Barbara pairs sustainable contemporary fare with locally produced wines, beers and spirits in an intimate 17-seater space, including an L-shaped bar from which you can watch Hennessy flaunt his impressive skills in the kitchen. The menu is an ever-changing testament to the owner’s seemingly limitless inspiration, and three courses come out at CA$98 (about US$70) for the carte du jour, leaving you some cash for a drink or two.
Casa Mono – NYC, USA
Unlike the multi-course prix-fixe offerings common among Michelin-approved establishments, Casa Mono functions à la carte, so sticking to your $100 limit should be easy with some quick calculations. That said, the delicious tapas – from classic croquetas and patatas bravas to pork belly, razor clams and confit goat with avocado queso – may tempt you to keep ordering. To sample as many as possible, come in good company and split a few plates, washed down with a glass from the 600-strong wine list.
Amaya – London, UK
The £32 lunch platter (US$42) and four-course “favourites” menu (GB£55 or $72) at this Belgravia restaurant include an array of Indian classics and innovative new concepts for well under your spending limit. The food is prepared using local produce and British seafood, artfully plated and served in a sleek, modern dining room that provides the ideal atmosphere. Wine pairings and an enticing range of cocktails and mocktails are available, but with your thrifty plan in mind, remember that any UK business that serves alcohol is legally required to provide free tap water.
Sucre – Buenos Aires, Argentina
This industrially styled grill serves the traditional cuts of meat Argentina is famous for, all ethically sourced and cooked on the grill or spit-roasted, as well as other seasonal Argentinian produce, seafood, pasta and more. The menu also boasts an extensive wine list, great cocktails and even a noteworthy brunch. The formula has proved a winning one, as evinced by the Michelin vote of confidence and the opening of two more highly rated subsidiaries in London and Dubai.
Trattoria da Amerigo – Bologna, Italy
Even in the notably epicurean nation of Italy, Bologna is renowned for its gastronomy (that’s what the Bolognese will tell you, at least). About an hour’s drive from the city centre, in the heart of the Apennine mountains, Trattoria da Amerigo serves all the hits in a dark-wood dining room that embodies the typical regional eatery: tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in a comforting chicken-based broth, lasagne and more, accompanied by regional wines and a Michelin seal of approval.
Taquería El Califa de León – Mexico City, Mexico
The only taqueria on the list provides first-rate food with zero pretension; since receiving its star, the Mexico City staple hasn’t changed beyond setting up a few streetside plastic tables to accommodate the influx of new customers. Perhaps more importantly, the prices remain unramped, with the most expensive taco on the menu costing only 82 Mexican pesos (just under US$4). The gaonera taco is a particular crowd-pleaser, containing a fine slice of meat seasoned simply with salt and lime and served with salsa verde or salsa roja.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
11 Woodfire – Dubai, UAE
The glitzy littoral suburb of Jumeirah – home to snazzy hotels like the Burj Al Arab, towers of luxury apartments, and a slew of bougainvillea-laden villas overlooking a white-sand beach – doesn’t spring to mind when planning a meal on a budget. However, among the area’s many top restaurants is 11 Woodfire, whose AED125 (US$34) lunch menu lets you choose two starters and a main between an ample selection of fish, vegetables and meat, grilled to perfection over various woods and plants that imbue each dish with a unique taste.
Saam – Amstelveen, Netherlands
The guide has yet to expand into South Africa, so the country does not yet boast any Michelin stars – but its cuisine does. Served inside a striking greenhouse-like structure in the North Holland town of Amstelveen, the four-course lunch at Saam provides a one-starred glimpse into what the nation has to offer. The selection changes daily, but always draws on the varied gastronomy of multicultural South Africa, paired with consciously chosen Dutch ingredients. A three-course lunch will set you back just €55 (US$62), or get four courses for €70 (US$80). If you feel like splurging, you can go for the €90 (US$102) dinner menu.
Lega’ – Nara, Japan
Chef Sugawara Shogo brings everything he learnt working, studying and exploring in the Bel Paese back to Japan at this one-starred Nara eatery, using seasonal seafood and ingredients from its home prefecture. The result is a wonderful blend of Italian and Japanese flavours: homemade pasta in white ragù made from local pork, and persimmon-leaf sushi topped with dry-cured ham, followed by strawberry-pistachio mascarpone. Italian-style sausages and sauces prepared on the premises can sometimes be purchased on-site. Ten to eleven courses cost ¥12,800 (US$90) at lunch or dinner, and shorter menus are available, too.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery – Georgetown, Malaysia
Auntie Gaik Lean’s was recognised in the very first round of accolades when the guide expanded into Malaysia in 2022, and it has maintained its star ever since. The restaurant cooks up authentic homestyle Nyonya cuisine – a distinctive mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European ingredients and methods, also known as Peranakan food – and is managed by the eponymous Beh Gaik Lean, who is actively involved in every dish that leaves the kitchen and somehow still finds time to make her own pastes. The curry kapitan will blow you away.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Campagne – Kilkenny, Ireland
If you can’t swing lunch, an early-evening feast is another way to experience Michelin-worthy cooking, especially at this art-filled eatery in Kilkenny. The early bird menu delivers three courses for €50 (US$57) a head and includes French classics such as terrines, bourguignons, galettes and mousses. In addition to maintaining its one-star rating since September 2013, Campagne is a member of Ireland’s prestigious Blue Book, a romantic collection of Irish country hotels, manors and restaurants dotted across the isle. Just make sure to vacate your table before the 7pm dinner rush if you book on Saturday.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.