How do you fancy a three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant in London?
Don’t worry, we’re still the same old London Cheapo you know and love; we’ve just rounded up some of the best Michelin-starred lunch deals in town, all at under £40.00 for two or three courses – and some considerably cheaper. Sample some of the city’s most outstanding cooking for little more than lunch at your local bistro.
Leroy
Leroy earned its Michelin star just seven months after opening and its relaxed, bistro vibe has proved a winner every year since. It’s very casual: hip, friendly staff, vinyls on play, plain wooden furniture and counter seats where you can watch the chefs do their thing. Their prix fixe weekday lunch comes in at three courses for just £35.00, which is unbelievable value.
Sample Menu: Stuffed chicken wing, celeriac soup; Rabbit, mustard, polenta, cavolo nero; Rhubarb trifle, sherry, almonds
Price: 2 courses £32.00/3 courses £35.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Tues-Fri 12-2.30pm
Nearest Tube: Old Street
Benares
Swish Indian restaurant in Mayfair with seasonally-changing menus that draw inspiration from the entire subcontinent. If you’re feeling flush, add a duo of pairing wines for £22.00.
Sample Menu: Tandoori chicken momo, endive salad, lassi dressing, chutney oil; Welsh lamb curry, young turnips, moringa leavened naan; Date and ginger sticky toffee pudding
Price: 2 courses £35.00/3 courses £43.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Mon-Sat 12-2.30pm (pre-theatre option also available)
Nearest Tube: Green Park
The Ninth
This is such a great chance to eat somewhere on all the foodie bucket lists at prices that are crazily good value: three courses for less than a main on the à la carte menu. It’s stylish and elegant without being at all stuffy, and they are famously supportive of their staff – which is probably why they are all working at the top of their game.
Sample Menu: Clementine & beetroot salad, coconut yoghurt & fig leaf oil; roast guinea fowl ballotine, brussel tops & celeriac; Madeleines & lemon curd
Price: 2 courses £30.00/3 courses £35.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Mon-Sat 12-2.30pm
Nearest Tube: Goodge Street
Elystan Street
Focusing on simple, pure cooking with a harmony of flavours rather than innovation or theatre, Chef Phil Howard is paring chic fine dining down to its absolute core. I’m here to tell you, it works – again, this three-course lunch is cheaper than most main courses on the à la carte menu.
Sample Menu: Rillettes of Loch Duart salmon with cucumber, capers, dill & seeded crackers; Pithivier of chicken & mushrooms with garlic puree, rainbow chard & jus gras; Lemon posset with poached rhubarb & a warm custard doughnut
Price: 3 courses £35.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Mon-Fri 12.30-2.30pm, Sat 12.30pm-2.45pm
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square
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Wild Honey St James
All the joys of classical French technique but with a lightness of touch and focus on seasonal British produce from acclaimed chef Anthony Demetre, champion of accessible fine dining.
Sample Menu: Flame-grilled mackerel, lime, sea herbs, Grezzina courgette salad; Roast Hampshire pork, ragout of young spring greens, garlic leaf; Chocolate & orange tart ‘Jaffa cake’ style
Price: 3 courses £0.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: 12-2.30pm
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus–>
Kitchen W8
Modern English cooking with a seasonal menu and an unstuffy, neighbourhood vibe. Try here if you find the thought of Michelin-starred dining a bit intimidating; it’s so relaxed, you’ll feel right at home.
Sample Menu: Raviolo of morels, warm garlic buttermilk, wilted lettuce & smoked bacon; Roast red leg partridge, ancient grains, black cabbage, preserved damson and smoked bacon; Lemon & elderflower posset, toasted almond & vanilla beignets
Price: 3 courses £34.50
Veg options: Yes – ask the team if they are not shown on the menu
Available: Mon-Sat 12.15-1.30pm
Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington
Lyle’s
I’m throwing this one in as a bit of a curve ball. Lyle’s doesn’t actually have a set lunch menu but, despite having a Michelin star, you can have your pick of one savoury and one dessert course from their lunch menu and struggle to pay £35. Nope, I have no idea why either, but I’m off to book before they realise.
Sample Menu: Razor clams, black trumpets & laverbread or Goose sausage, kale and quince; Chocolate & hazelnut millefeuille or Tayberry & vanilla choux bun
Price: Mains around £23.00, desserts around £11.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Tues-Sat 12-2.15pm
Nearest Tube: Old Street
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Social Eating House
LOST STAR
Celebrity chef points go to Social Eating House, owned by international restaurateur, Michelin-starred chef and TV regular Jason Atherton. He has been known to nip out from the kitchen to sign copies of his books, or for a cheeky selfie with customers.
Sample Menu: Black bream tartare, toasted onion seed mayonnaise, pickled radish, quail egg, wasabi dashi; Cornish hake, spring peas, mint, garlic butter, jacket potato & bacon veloute; Baked almond & matcha tea sponge, fromage blanc, citrus curd & grapefruit
Veg options: No
Available: Tues-Sat 12-2.15pm (pre-theatre option also available)
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus –>
While we do our best to ensure it is correct, information is subject to change. This article was originally published in June 2022. Last updated on 31st Jan 2024.
