a close-up of food on a plate

At these prices, the food tastes even better…

What transforms a restaurant into a place worth traveling for? One great indicator: a Michelin star.

If a restaurant has been awarded a coveted Michelin Star, you can bet that the food is inventive, tasty and almost as beautiful as your dinner date. You can keep that one liner for free! These Michelin star UK hotspots places bring everything you crave from a Michelin starred meal, with one exception: the price tag. Here are the most affordable fine dining meals in the UK, with that coveted star attached.

a bowl of food and a cup of sauceThe Coach, Marlow

You may well know The Hand and Flowers, the gorgeous pub with exquisite food from Tom Kerridge (which you should definitely visit too), but you should definitely make sure to visit his other pub, The Coach, also. The coach offers comforting food with beautiful presentation, so why not take a trip to the pretty town and try both!

Price: From £6.50. Nope, not a typo. Link: The Coach

Ox, Belfast

Offering nothing but the best local, seasonal ingredients, Ox brings you creativity on a plate whilst delivering absolutely fantastic flavors at affordable prices – especially if you go for lunch. If you’re an oenophile, the carefully selected wine list has perfect options to compliment any dish, making for a very delicious and memorable meal, with a little buzz too.

Price: From £22 for 2 courses (lunch) Link: Ox

a plate of food with flowers on itThe Kitchin, Edinburgh

Combining the definitively bountiful ingredients of Scotland with the French cooking techniques we all crave, The Kitchin does things very right. Set in a cool converted old warehouse, the chic and elegant vibe gives off the perfect atmosphere for sophisticated dining in a relaxing and enjoyable setting. The lunch deal is nearly impossible to beat.

Price: From £33 for 3 courses (lunch) Link: The Kitchin

Barrafina, Soho, London

Getting one Michelin star is incredible, but maintaining three separate ones is wildly impressive! With three locations in London, there’s no excuse not to try this buzzing restaurant. The Spanish tapas bar is ideal for a casual meal of sharing dishes with friends or family. Each location offers a unique specials menu and if you’re into excellent Spanish wine, these are knockout.

Price: From £15, but you’ll want quite a few dishes Link: Barrafina

a plate of food on a white surfaceThe Elephant, Torquay

With beautiful views over-looking Torbay harbor, the stunning food isn’t the only draw here by any means, but it’s a darn good one. The exquisite Dishes change regularly from only the best locally sourced ingredients of the season, meaning every plate of food is served at its peak prime. You can choose from an à la carte or tasting menu, keeping everyone, including the fussy eaters happy.

Price: From £16.50 Link: The Elephant

The Nut Tree Inn, Murcott

Nobody does pub food better than the Brits, and when you taste it at this level, you’ll quickly understand why. Sitting in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, this classic pub known as the Nut Tree Inn will leave you full and satisfied. They offer a wide variation of options from light meals to full on multi course tasting menus. You really can’t go wrong.

Price: From £12 Link: Nut Tree Inn

a table with plates of food and drinksTrishna, Marylebone, London

Is there any cuisine more satisfying than Indian food? Perhaps not in London! Trishna offers a taste of coastal Indian cuisine, set in a charming, chic atmosphere in a great part of town. If you didn’t think Indian could be plated beautifully, think again. Like most Michelin starred restaurants, the lunch menu offers truly excellent value, with a wide variety of options to choose. The aloo chat is a guaranteed smile maker.

Price: From £26 for 3 dishes (lunch) Link: Trishna

The Hind’s Head, Bray

This modern gastropub by Heston Blumenthal dishes up traditional British cuisine with a highly creative twist. Long story short: if you’re into food photography, bring your camera. These plates are picture perfect and scrumptious. Both service and atmosphere are excellent, and if you can make it there for the Sunday roast, you’re in for a real, classic treat.

Price: From £25 for 3 courses (lunch) Link: The Hind’s Head

a room with tables and chairs and a plantThe Woodspeen, Newbury

This picturesque countryside setting demands beautiful food to match the idyllic settling. The regularly changing menu feels like a showcase in culinary creativity, with an endless array of carefully plated dishes bursting with all things flavour bomb. If you feel like sticking around, they also offer a cookery school. What better place to learn, than from the best!

Price: From £29 for 3 courses (lunch & early supper) Link: The Woodspeen

Lyle’s, Shoreditch, London

It’s always good to have options for everyone you’re dining with. Lyle’s offers a bar menu, set dinner menu with four courses, or an à la carte lunch menu – depending on how much you want to eat and pay. Whichever option you choose, try the chocolate mousse dessert, it’s easily one of the best in Europe – and that’s saying something.

Price: From £15 Link: Lyle’s

Which restaurant are you going for?

Featured image courtesy of Kitchin.

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly...

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2 Comments

  1. These sound so great! Michelin star always gives an impression of high priced restaurants. Another one I’d recommend (though it’s more of a Michelin-worthy restaurant) is http://www.saltflakeslondon.co.uk/ They have a nice modern twist to the french cuisine.

  2. La Cachette in Elland was amazing! Krug for £140!!! Virgin wines sell it for more. Sadly that’s probably why they closed this year 😢

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