The Cheapest MICHELIN-Star Restaurants in London

One of four Starred Indian restaurants in London that offer brilliant value for money, Amaya is proof that Indian cuisine should be your go-to for wallet-friendly dining. The cooking comes with clearly defined, well-balanced flavours and a strong level of consistency. The platter-style options for both lunch and dinner showcase a range of dishes – like black pepper chicken tikka – all at a highly appealing price tag.

Lunch Platter, Every Day – £32
Sharing Menu (min. 2 people), Dinner Every Night – £55

India’s spiritual capital lends its name to this Berkeley Square institution. The place certainly heralds a sense of occasion as you arrive, heading upstairs past a pool to the spacious, brightly lit restaurant. The cooking shows a strong balance between originality and tradition, always respecting the origins of the cuisine. The best value comes at lunch and before 6.30pm for dinner. If you’re after something lighter, two courses cost just £43.

Three Courses, Mon-Sat Lunch & Early Evening – £49

When it gained its first Star in 2024, Chishuru also became one of the cheapest Starred restaurants in the capital. The four-course lunch menu is a great value way to experience the confidently judged, well-balanced and frankly delicious cooking that the Inspectors love so much. Just be careful when planning your visit, as the restaurant is only open on weekdays.

Four Courses, Mon-Fri Lunch – £45

Named after the family who once lived in nearby Ham House, The Dysart is an undeniably beautiful building, where period features like leaded windows and flagstone floors blend with more contemporary design elements. There’s even room for an antique grand piano, which comes into its own during dinner and concert evenings. The cooking pushes seasonal produce to the fore, with the ‘Garden Menu’ the most affordable offering.

Three Courses, Thurs-Fri Lunch and Weds, Thurs & Sun Dinner – £55

Elystan Street is one of those great London restaurants that slightly flies under the radar, essentially acting as a particularly brilliant version of your well-loved neighbourhood restaurant. From the atmosphere to the lovely service team, there's a reassuringly relaxed, welcoming quality about the place that's hard to replicate. There's value to be found here too, in the keenly priced lunch and early evening menu.

Three Courses, Mon-Sat Lunch & Early Evening – £45

You know what to expect when you go to La Trompette; it's a comforting place, with just the right level of formality and skilful cooking that always avoids showing off. Its quality and consistency have resulted in a band of loyal locals continuously gracing its dining room. The generously sized dishes don't reinvent the wheel, but are always eminently satisfying and impressively executed. For an affordable taste of the experience, go for the midweek lunch menu.

Three Courses, Weds-Fri Lunch – £39.50

The tastes of Italy meet the finest British produce at this well-run restaurant, where the cooking is balanced, flavoursome and skilfully judged. While the à la carte may suggest you’re in for an expensive visit, the ‘Bar Express’ lunch menu – served up at the bar or in one of their elegant booths – offers exceptional value. Dishes might include fried Jerusalem artichoke, roast coppa or a tiramisu for dessert.

Three Courses, Tues-Sat Lunch – £38

This fun, engaging Spanish restaurant is split over two floors, each with its own menu and approach. The upstairs El Asador showcases dishes from the ‘asador’ wood-fired oven, while The Counter is home to a tapas menu with influences from all over Spain. As is often the case with tapas, some judicious ordering can result in a great value experience – just try to refrain from ordering a whole suckling pig.

Tapas À La Carte, All Opening Hours – £54.65 (average price)

Natural, ‘proper’ food is the order of the day here. Founder Fergus Henderson’s nose-to-tail ethos, combined with minimalist white décor and a general lack of pretension, has influenced a generation of unfussy restaurants. Ingredients like tripe, bone marrow and all manner of offal populate the gutsy, generous dishes offered at appealing prices. This is a no-frills dining experience powered by real quality cooking.

Three-Course À La Carte, All Opening Hours – £52.45 (average price)

Few restaurants feel more ‘London’ than The Ninth. It’s a busy place, with a buzzing atmosphere and bold, confident cooking. Top ingredients bring plenty of flavour, in dishes that showcase well-judged contrasts and skilled preparation. The menu typically involves sharing, but their set lunch offers a straightforward three-course option at a fraction of the usual price.

Three Courses, Mon-Sat Lunch – £38

The area often referred to now as ‘Marylebone Village’ is home to this lively and enthusiastically run Indian restaurant, which has a real neighbourhood feel. Focusing on the cuisine of southwest India, the menu offers a great combination of old favourites and more contemporary dishes, and ranges from re-imagined street food to more sophisticated offerings. Vegans and vegetarians are well catered for too.

Three Courses, Lunch & Early Evening Every Day – £50

Pitched at the city centre’s tiring shoppers, the weekend lunch deal at Veeraswamy is a must for fans of Indian cooking. Not only is this officially the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK, but it’s also one of the best. Unlike with many lunch menus, diners are not restricted in their choice, instead having a full array of dishes to pick from. There is a notable amount of skill on display across the varied dishes, plus some fine British produce.

Three Courses, Sat-Sun Lunch – £48
Three Courses, Mon-Sat Early Evening – £41

Anthony Demetre’s Wild Honey feels right at home inside the One-MICHELIN-Key Sofitel London St James hotel, occupying a stylish, atmospheric space shared with the Bistrot at Wild Honey. The cooking, for its part, is perfectly pitched to enhance the experience and the focus is – in equal parts – on the ingredients, the preparation and the flavours. The result is skilful dishes that are generous in both size and flavour.

Three Courses, Weds-Fri Lunch & Tues-Sat Early Evening – £45