Michelin Menus, Modest Prices: London’s Most Affordable Michelin Star Restaurants – From £32 Per Head

Michelin stars may promise exquisite dishes that your tastebuds relive long after the last morsel, but they usually come with a bill that soars into three figures before the wine is poured. Yet savvy Londoners know the secret of how to dine at these most coveted of kitchens without financial pain. The trick lies in locating the recommended set lunch menus, early evening sittings and opting for cleverly chosen à la carte dishes.



Whether it’s a chic Indian grill in Knightsbridge that gets you salivating or a tapas bar in Mayfair, here are six of the city’s finest restaurants for Michelin dining at surprisingly modest prices.

Main image: Sabor

Amaya, Knightsbridge, SW1

Discretely tucked away in a little passage just off Motcomb Street, Amaya has retained its Michelin star since 2006. Its £32 lunch platter is among London’s greatest bargain dining secrets. Think exquisitely spiced tapas-style dishes cooked over charcoal or in the tandoor such as black pepper chicken tikka or smoked chilli lamb chops – all for the price of a couple of cocktails. Book it. Lunch Platter, daily - £32

The Ninth, Fitzrovia, W1

This Charlotte Street restaurant is beloved by insiders for its relaxed charm and outstanding French Mediterranean style cooking. At £38, the three-course set lunch or early evening menu is exceptional value and a fraction of the restaurant’s usual prices. Expect to share dishes such as sea bream carpaccio or wild garlic risotto. Book it. Three courses, Mon-Sat lunch and early evening - £38

Sabor, Mayfair, W1

To eat cheaply at Sabor, known to serve the best asador cooking outside of Spain, you’ll have to visit the downstairs walk-in tapas bar where true value lies. Here, you can dine on Michelin starred brilliance at prices that barely scrape £50 a head. Order wisely – croquetas, pulpo and prawn fritters. (If on a budget, you may, alas, have to resist the whole suckling pig.) Book it. Tapas à la carte, all hours - £54.65 (average price)

Luca, Clerkenwell, EC1

Come at lunchtime to this glamorous Italian restaurant to sample the three-course Bar Express menu for less than £40. Served up at the marble clad bar or in one of their booths, dishes might include fried Jerusalem artichoke, Hebridean lamb or a caramelised fig leaf semifreddo for dessert. This is fine dining that won’t break the bank. Book it. Three courses, Mon-Sat lunch - £38

Kitchen W8, Kensington, W8

Deliberately casual in vibe but serious in its cooking, Kitchen W8 has kept its Michelin star for more than a decade. Both suited to a swift lunch while out for a spot of shopping or a romantic dinner for two, this unpretentious restaurant offers modestly priced set lunch and early evening menus. It serves foraged fare, game and perfectly cooked fish. Book it. Three courses, Mon-Sat lunch and early evening - £49.50

Elystan Street, Chelsea, SW3

Budget aware diners opt for the better value lunch and early evening menus at this well-loved neighbourhood restaurant in Chelsea. Both smart yet relaxed, Elystan Street serves modern European food that is bold in flavour and has Mediterranean influences. The barbecue octopus with aioli comes recommended. Book it.
Three courses, Mon-Sat Lunches In September - £25