Credit: Dining Room at The Goring
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The MICHELIN brand has become synonymous over the years with two things: some of the most exceptional food in the world, and some of the most eye-watering prices for a meal. Oh, and tyres, I guess. To many, a meal at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant is not even a special treat; it’s simply completely unattainable. Or at least, that’s the pre-conception, because it turns out it is in fact possible to have a (relatively) affordable MICHELIN-approved meal.
Now, there are a few caveats to this statement. These are (largely) still not the kinds of prices you’d pay for a casual meal out – in many cases, they are still ‘special occasion’ meals. Also, to experience some of these restaurants without emptying your bank account, you’ll want to keep an eye out for special set menus at alternate times. You can enjoy a meal at one of London’s best restaurants for a fraction of the cost by opting for a lunch reservation or by eating dinner slightly earlier than usual.
So, if you’re looking for an affordable and world-class meal, read on. Below you’ll find both MICHELIN-starred restaurants with affordable options, as well as some of MICHELIN’s Bib Gourmand recipients in the city.
Affordable MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Affordable? And MICHELIN-starred? Surely not! But in fact, the following restaurants have menu options or à la carte offerings for less than £50 a person. And while that’s no small amount of money, it’s a far sight more affordable than paying £200 or £300 a person, without drinks included!
Kerfield Arms
The second pub in London to earn a MICHELIN star, Kerfield Arms remains resolutely a pubby pub. As such, the food remains impressively affordable for the quality. And the Sunday Roasts are on par with, if not cheaper than, many other London pubs. You can pay as little as £25 for a MICHELIN-starred roast!
Image: @thekerfieldarms, via IG
Elystan Street
Elystan Street treats diners to a proper MICHELIN-starred deal with its ‘Simple Set Menu’. The ever-changing offering evolves with the seasons, and costs as little as £26 for 4 courses. The offering changes regularly, and the price may change accordingly.
Kitchen W8
This neighbourhood spot is equally suited to a romantic date or a dinner with mates, especially given it’s affordability. The seasonally-changing set menu costs just £26 for three courses. Or pop in for the other set menu, available Monday to Saturday at lunch and between 6-6:30pm, which is priced at £49.50 for three courses.
Credit: Kitchen W8 Luca
Italian fare can often boast staggering prices, but Luca cuts the difference with an express lunch menu. Available in the bar, diners can get 2 courses for £32, or 3 courses for £38. Not too bad at all!
The Ninth
The Ninth serves up an affordable set menu for lunch (12-12:30pm) or early dinner (5:30-6pm) from Monday to Saturday. Enjoy the one-MICHELIN-starred restaurant’s lively bistro feeling and Mediterranean-influenced fare, priced at £38 for two courses £38, or £43 for three.
Image: Paul Winch-Furness Legado
This new entrant to the MICHELIN list for 2026 is a joyous Spanish spot in Shoreditch. And thanks to its sharing concept and well-priced à la carte menu, you can easily dine here for less than £45 a head. (If you can stop yourself from ordering more and more dishes, that is!)
OMA
The first Greek restaurant in London to receive a MICHELIN star, OMA is groundbreaking but also affordable. Like Legado, a combination of sharing dishes and un-inflated prices makes for a spot where a group of mates could easily spend just £40 a head for a filling dinner.
Credit: Oma Wild Honey St James
Wild Honey St James treats diners to a taste of its MICHELIN elegance with a ‘working lunch’ and a ‘pre-theatre supper’. Both are available for £45, netting guests three courses that could include the likes of Tamworth pork belly ‘a la plancha’ with ragout of snails, or Cornish mussels with sea herbs and vegetables, and late winter squash velouté.
Veeraswamy
Veerasamy earns its spot on this list with two separate affordable menus of its delectable Indian cooking. Pop in for lunch on the weekend and you can have 2 courses for £42, or 3 courses for £48. Or if you’re heading to a West End show, grab a pre-theatre dinner from Monday to Saturday, kicking off between 5.30pm to 6.15pm, for £40 for 2 courses £40, or £45 for 3 courses.
No wonder it’s the city’s oldest surviving Indian restaurant!
Credit: Veeraswamy La Trompette
British ingredients, French influences, and Mediterranean flair combine at this Chiswick dining spot. And you can have it on the cheap (ish) side thanks to a three-course set menu for a surprisingly affordable £45.
64 Goodge Street
Diners can enjoy three courses of 64 Goodge Street’s “classical French food cooked with a modern sensibility” for just £49. The early evening set menu is available for those booking between 5:30-6pm each night.
Credit: 64 Goodge Street Benares
Modern Indian food from Benares can be had as part of a Thali Lunch offering, with a plethora of dishes for £49. Or you can enjoy a set menu priced at £43 for two courses, and £49 for three. This is available Monday to Saturday for lunch, between 12-2:30pm, or dinner, between 5:30-6:30pm.
Dining Room at The Goring
This ultra bougie spot wouldn’t typically be referred to as an affordable MICHELIN spot to eat, but if you come at lunch time, you’re in for a treat. The Chef’s Lunch menu is served Monday to Friday, and costs a not-too-eye-watering £45 for two courses, or £49 for three.
Credit: Dining Room at The Goring MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurants
As well as handing out stars for incredible dining experiences around the world, MICHELIN has a special Bib Gourmand award. This is given to restaurants that demonstrate a commitment to “good quality, good value cooking”. They’re not quite as snazzy or fancy as the starred spots, but the food is just as good in many cases!
Naturally, that means that Bib Gourmand spots are must-visits for those seeking affordable MICHELIN-approved food. Head to these spots for some under-the-radar impressive cooking.
Padella
Padella commands queues for a reason. As well as offering incredible value – a plate of pasta for less than a tenner!? – the seasonal, freshly-made pasta never fails to hit the spot.
Credit: Padella Cafe Spice Namaste
India’s dazzling culinary traditions and vibrant street food are given a fresh twist at this neighbourhood restaurant. With an emphasis on sharing dishes, Cafe Spice Namasté invites diners to dive into as many different flavours, dishes, and experiences as they can in one sitting. Bring some friends, you’re going to want to try as much as possible!
ssam ssam
This family-operated Korean restaurant serves up multiple experiences within the same venue. At some tables, you can enjoy the Korean BBQ experience with the built-in grills, or you can enjoy bansang dishes at the non-BBQ tables. Either way, you’re in for a flavour-packed experience with warm service and welcoming vibes.
Credit: ssam ssam
Explore more of London’s MICHELIN-starred restaurants here.
Dining and Cooking