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 for 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, Parisian bistro vibe has proved a winner every year since. Their prix fixe weekday lunch comes in at three courses for under £30 – and if that’s not enough, service is already included in the price. That’s unbelievable value.
- Sample Menu: Crispy pork belly, peas & tarragon; Lamb neck pastilla, chickpeas, tomatoes; Chocolate, coffee & blood orange
- Price: 2 courses £26, 3 courses £29
- 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 £20.
- Sample Menu: Essex Farm chicken momo, sweetcorn infusion; Welsh lamb curry, young turnips, moringa leavened naan; Date and ginger sticky toffee pudding
- Price: 2 courses £33, 3 courses £39
- Veg options: Yes
- Available: Tues-Sat 12-2.30pm (pre-theatre option also available)
- Nearest Tube: Green Park
Elystan Street
Focusing on simple, pure cooking with a harmony of flavours rather than innovation or theatre, Chef Phil Howard is paring down fine dining to its absolute core. I’m here to tell you, it works.
- 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 £39.50
- Veg options: Yes
- Available: Mon-Sat 12.30-2.45pm
- Nearest Tube: Sloane Square
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 £35
- 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 spring chicken, risotto primavera, fine herbs & roasting juice; Lemon & elderflower posset, toasted almond & vanilla beignets
- Price: 2 courses £31.50, 3 courses £34.50
- Veg options: Yes – ask the team if they are not shown on the menu
- Available: Tues-Sat 12.30-2.30pm
- 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 and sitting at no.33 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, 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, sea beet & seaweed broth or Braised mutton, borlotti beans & artichoke; Chocolate & hazelnut millefeuille or Tayberry & vanilla choux bun
- Price: Mains around £20, desserts around £10
- Veg options: Yes
- Available: Tues-Sat 12-3pm
- Nearest Tube: Old Street
Social Eating House
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
- Price: 2 courses £35, 3 courses £39.50
- Veg options: No
- Available: Tues-Sat 12-2.15pm (pre-theatre option also available)
- Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
