Eating wonderful food is one of life’s great pleasures. That’s what the Michelin Star represents: it directs you to restaurants that serve truly memorable dishes. And while this experience can often prove expensive, there are thankfully a great number of Starred restaurants who go out of their way to offer more affordable ways to enjoy their fabulous cooking. The trick to cheap Star dining is so often the same: go at lunchtime. Fixed-price menus and good value offerings are far more common in the middle of the day – and who doesn’t love a luxurious long lunch? Here's our list of the cheapest Michelin-Starred restaurants for lunch.
Bulrush, Bristol
First stop on our tour of the cheapest Michelin Star lunches is Bristol, where the high-level cooking comes within the confines of a neighbourhood restaurant. Cotham is the area in question, situated in the north of the city. Local produce feeds the dishes, which have an Anglo-French base with Japanese elements, such as a truffle seaweed chawanmushi amuse bouche to kick off your visit.6 Course Tasting Menu, Fri-Sat Lunch – £48
Crocadon, St Mellion
If you’re after a Sunday lunch that’s both affordable and sustainable, Crocadon should be your first port of call. Flying the flag for eco-friendly gastronomy, it holds both One Michelin Star and a Green Star, utilising produce from within its own farm. The delicious natural flavours of these ingredients are showcased in technically impressive dishes that fuse classical and modern approaches.Feasting Menu, Sunday Lunch – £50
Elephant, Torquay
Offering some of the best value for money across all of our Starred restaurants is the Elephant, which sits in a fine Georgian property overlooking Torquay Harbour. The mostly local produce is of great quality and is brought to life with the help of delicious sauces and harmonious flavour combinations. If you’re after a lighter lunch, then you can even enjoy a 2 course option for £29.50.3 Courses, Weds-Sat Lunch – £35
heft, Newton in Cartmel
The Lake District is home to many a Michelin-Starred restaurant, but heft is the one to visit if you’re after a good value lunch. It’s also perhaps the most thoroughly Cumbrian of all restaurants up here, with Chef-Owner Kevin Tickle using his knowledge of the local landscape to inform his detailed cooking. A 2 course Sunday menu is also a good deal at £37.50, with options like whole roasted monkfish and 12oz pork chop.4 Courses, Thurs-Sat Lunch – £45
hide and fox, Saltwood
Not many communities are fortunate enough to say that their neighbourhood restaurant has a Michelin Star, but the residents of Saltwood have been blessed with this thoroughly welcoming little operation. It was once the local shop, and one side of the room retains its original wooden fitted shelves, now filled with wines. The skill of the kitchen team is clear across the range of impressive dishes.3 Courses, Weds-Fri Lunch – £48 (needs to be pre-ordered when booking)
Hinds Head, Bray
When you factor in that it comes with a glass of bubbly, this set lunch menu is such an appealing proposition. The Hinds Head comes from the Heston Blumenthal stable, but it’s a more understated affair than the fantastical creations at The Fat Duck up the road. The chefs here know how to deliver time-honoured British dishes with great precision, delivering punchy flavours wrapped up in a clean, modern style. The place itself is both buzzing and full of character.3 Courses, Weds-Fri Lunch – £50
Homestead Cottage, Doolin
One of Ireland’s newest Starred restaurants, Homestead Cottage also quickly became one of its cheapest. Their great value lunch menu is €39 for 2 courses or €45 for 3, changing daily so that the chefs can pack the dishes with fabulous seasonal produce. It’s a brilliant way to sample the impressive cooking in characterful, welcoming surroundings.3 Courses, Thurs-Sun Lunch – €45
John’s House, Mountsorrel
Rustic character and warm service enhance the wholly enjoyable experience at this 16C farmhouse, where John himself is in the kitchen, while his brother Tom looks after the farm – and Tom clearly does a good job, as there’s some wonderful produce on offer. It’s all cooked well too, with John bringing both balance and depth of flavour to the dishes. Add to that the good value lunch menu, and it’s easy to see why this place is so popular.3 Courses, Weds-Sat Lunch – £45
Northcote, Langho
On the edge of the picturesque Ribble Valley sits Northcote, an extensively refurbished Victorian property that now houses a hotel with stylish bedrooms, a lovely fire-lit lounge and a bright, glitzy cocktail bar. Its restaurant is what lures most people in, however, which is no surprise given the refined, sophisticated cooking you’ll find here. Dishes showcase both a real depth of flavour and a lightness of touch.3 Courses, Mon-Sun Lunch – £48
OX, Belfast
With its modern, understated interior and straightforward, skilfully executed dishes, there is a pleasing avoidance of over-elaboration at OX. The stylish dining room features huge windows and a mezzanine level, while the cooking is admirably well-crafted. If you want to extend your visit, then bookend a good value lunch with a drink in the OX Cave next door, where you can enjoy local ales and an extensive selection of wines by the glass.3 Courses, Thurs-Sat Lunch – £45
sō–lō, Aughton
The Lancashire village of Aughton is really rather lucky when it comes to restaurants. Not only is it home to two Michelin-Starred restaurants at Moor Hall, but residents and visitors alike can also enjoy the modern, flavoursome cooking at this converted former pub. Chef Tim Allen has plenty of experience behind him, and it shows in the seasonally-influenced cooking that has the good sense to let each core ingredient shine.3 Courses, Thurs-Sat Lunch – £45
The Cross, Kenilworth
There is a considerable amount of textbook culinary craft on display at The Cross. Throughout the menu, the technical skill of the chefs is evident in bold, refined dishes with a strong classical base. The restaurant itself is hugely characterful, with an enclosed terrace ideal for summer and a cosy bar that would make a great place for a pint. There’s a good buzz about the place and the attentive service team look after you well.3 Courses, Weds-Sat Lunch – £50
Unalome by Graeme Cheevers, Glasgow
In Buddhism, the Unalome represents the path we take in life. The eponymous chef’s path took him to jobs at some of the finest country house hotels in Scotland, before then returning to his hometown, where he opened his first solo venture. The locals immediately took to the place, which offers precise, seasonal cooking – and if you come at lunch, it’s available at a fraction of the price.3 Courses, Weds-Sun Lunch – £50
Walnut Tree, Llanddewi Skirrid
This restaurant comes with an illustrious past and a prime location in the rolling borderlands of Wales, while a loyal band of regulars is testament to the quality of the cooking. For the most part, dishes showcase tried-and-tested combinations, executed with care and technical skill, although there is the odd international influence. The wine list is notably good too.3 Courses, Weds-Sat Lunch – £45
The following restaurants also offer great value lunch menus, as well as affordable Michelin Star dining at dinner:
Bridge Arms, Bridge
Campagne, Kilkenny
Fordwich Arms, Fordwich
Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham
Masons Arms, Knowstone
Pea Porridge, Bury St Edmunds
The Barn, Aughton
The Coach, Marlow
The Sportsman, Seasalter
To discover more, read The Cheapest Michelin Star Restaurants For Dinner.
For affordable London Stars, see The Cheapest Michelin Star Restaurants in London.
Hero image: OX
