The world's most surprising and cheapest Michelin restaurants
Unexpected stars

Think of Michelin-rated restaurants and images of elegant spaces, impeccable tasting menus and sky-high prices might spring to mind. A listing in the 1900-established Michelin guide, which began dishing out stars from one to three in the 1920s, is considered the highest accolade for restaurants – but some eateries go against the grain. From simple spaces in unlikely places to refreshingly affordable spots serving some of the world’s best food, these are the most surprising – and often cheapest – Michelin restaurants around the world.
Click or scroll our gallery to discover the world’s most unusual Michelin restaurants, counting down to the biggest surprise of them all.
We’ve based our ranking on the most surprising factors of each restaurant, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. This list is unavoidably subjective.
25. Schranners Waldhorn, Tübingen, Germany

Schranners Waldhorn does veer towards a more traditional fine-dining menu – though the prices certainly don’t match. Expect an incredibly affordable set lunch menu and an equally reasonable dinner option available; there's even a vegetarian option to choose from, too. The terrace is lovely when the sun’s out.
24. Vol-Ver, Marke, Belgium

Thankfully, foodies can experience a truly special culinary journey courtesy of Vol-Ver without a hefty price tag. The prices are especially reasonable given the quality, with its star earned by what's described in the listing as 'the epitome of Flemish charm, hospitality and good taste'. Diners can expect to try traditional European cuisine that combines elegance with innovative twists; menu highlights include langoustines with lemongrass and chilli, guinea fowl and always the fresh catch of the day.
23. Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongiten, Tokyo, Japan

Tucked away in the popular tourist district of Roppongi is an unassuming countertop sushi restaurant that delivers a lot more than its initial promise. Despite its size, Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongiten has earned itself two Michelin stars thanks to the exceptional talents of chef Takashi Ono, son of famous sushi master Jiro Ono. The highlight here is the fresh seafood sourced every day from the local fish market, and guests can expect an array of impeccable sushi.
22. Phénix, Shanghai, China

French cuisine might not be an obvious choice when visiting China, but Michelin-starred Phénix may change that. The restaurant has a reasonable price tag considering its culinary status. Whether you're looking for brunch, lunch or dinner options, you'll find a whole host of tasty choices; highlights include pigeon with foie gras and plum, house-aged Wagyu rib-eye steak, and poached pears with Balinese vanilla rice pudding.
21. Varoulko Seaside, Athens, Greece

Fresh seafood at a Michelin-starred restaurant usually comes with big prices, but not at Varoulko Seaside in Athens' Piraeus port. The restaurant sits right by the water’s edge, with easy access to seafood from the source, so the relatively low prices are certainly not down to a lack of quality. Diners can expect Greek and Mediterranean dishes such as crispy dorado fillet, sea bass carpaccio, and ravioli with crabmeat.
20. Moulin de la Tardoire, Montbron, France

French cuisine is often considered the height of luxury, and it certainly is at Moulin de la Tardoire. What's surprising here, though, is that the delectable dishes come without the typical price tag. Those who visit can expect seasonal local cuisine including duck foie gras with apple chutney, Limousin beef fillet, and black pavlova with red fruits. The building itself is steeped in history, built as a forge in the 16th century and later used as a flour mill before being home to an olive press.
19. Picchi, São Paulo, Brazil

Nestled among art galleries and luxury boutiques you’ll find Picchi, an Italian restaurant with a Michelin star and much lower prices than that might suggest. Diners can expect Italian dishes with Brazilian ingredients, including cured meat carpaccio, pappardelle with duck ragù, and panna cotta.
18. Philippe Meyers, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium

Another surprising restaurant among the Michelin ranks is Philippe Meyers, mainly because the prices are much lower than you'd typically expect; the set menu is especially good value. Specialising in French cuisine, you can expect traditional dishes such as smoked salmon, sweetbreads with sea bream, and dame blanche – a sweet, creamy dessert.
17. Meadowsweet, New York City, New York, USA

Head to New York's Williamsburg district for a meal at Meadowsweet, which serves up Mediterranean and American cuisine with a reasonable price tag – especially considering it has a Michelin star. The restaurant is known being rustic and unpretentious, with a good number of repeat customers thanks to its cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Expect dishes like fried green tomatoes, spiced duck breast and roast chicken roulade.
16. Borkonyha Winekitchen, Budapest, Hungary

Borkonyha Winekitchen enables diners to sample Michelin-starred cuisine without the expected hefty price tag. As the name suggests, this spot is known for its extensive drinks selection, with more than 100 wines available. The food is more than a match, though, with dishes created from ingredients like quail, pork and pigeon.
15. Hostellerie la Montagne, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France

Head to this 17th-century stone house in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises and you'll find one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in France: Hostellerie la Montagne. The menu, curated by Chef Jean-Baptiste Natali, presents French cuisine with a contemporary twist; diners can expect dishes to incorporate quality ingredients such as lobster, roasted wild pike, sweetbreads and Madagascar vanilla.
14. The Coach, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

The Coach is a little more casual than celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s other Michelin-starred restaurants, yet there's no compromising on quality. Guests can sit on comfy leather bar stools and dine on classic British pub grub with a twist. Examples include a salt cod Scotch egg, West Country venison chilli, and whole stuffed quail with rose harissa. There's also a fabulous full English breakfast.
13. Kitchen W8, London, England, UK

London perhaps isn’t where you'd expect to find some of the cheapest Michelin restaurants, so Kitchen W8 is an especially surprising find. The restaurant serves modern British cuisine at relatively affordable prices, and the Michelin Guide notes that its set menu is particularly good value. Diners can expect dishes such as chilled pea and mint soup with ham hock croquette and breaded Cornish haddock with warm tartare sauce.
12. Bistro Racine, Braine-le-Château, Belgium

Bistro Racine, in the medieval village Braine-le-Château, offers Michelin-starred cuisine without breaking the bank. With a comforting, seasonally changing menu and brilliant, casual service, it's hardly surprising the reasonable prices attract a lot of repeat customers. Save room for one of the deliciously ornate desserts.
11. La Tasquería, Madrid, Spain

Offal might sound a little off-putting, but Madrid’s La Tasquería is doing a good job at rewriting its story. Determined to change diners’ perspective, the restaurant, guided by chef Javi Estévez, boasts three affordable tasting menus. Designed to be shared, the menu showcases every part of the animal, from trotters to tail.
10. State Bird Provisions, San Francisco, California, USA

State Bird Provisions is one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in the US but that's no reflection on the quality here. It specialises in contemporary American cuisine served as small plates. Those lucky enough to nab a reservation can expect to dine on dishes such as short rib dumplings, pork katsu with green chickpea hummus, and nectarine-blackberry cobbler with a cocoa nib biscuit.
9. Silabario, Vigo, Spain

Silabario is another Michelin-starred restaurant with unusually low prices. But that's not all that makes this place unusual; tables are arranged under an impressive glass dome, and the restaurant just happens to be located above the headquarters of football club Celta de Vigo. The menu draws from Galician traditions and flavours, with a set menu and à la carte options like grilled albacore tuna, roast chicken with mushrooms, and créme brûlée with vanilla ice cream.
8. Jeju Noodle Bar, New York City, New York

A fast-paced New York noodle bar probably isn’t the first place you’d expect to find a Michelin star, but that’s exactly what you can look forward to from this joint. Grab a seat at the bar for an interactive counter dining experience, where you’ll watch the chefs busily mix up each bowl; menu highlights include St. Louis–style pork ribs with black bean glaze and the rich Wagyu brisket ramen with enoki and chives.
7. Muni, Seoul, South Korea

Unassuming Muni is tucked down an alleyway in Seoul's Cheongdam-dong neighbourhood – and it's one of the cheapest Michelin-starred sushi restaurants you'll find anywhere. There are no reservations, and if you do manage to get a spot at the countertop you’ll be able to witness the wonders of chef Kim Dong-Wook’s cooking. Guests can expect kaiseki-inspired Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients.
6. Ban Bo, Taipei, Taiwan

Origami-folded menus and reinvented bar snacks perhaps isn’t what you’d expect to find at a Michelin starred restaurant, but Ban Bo has proudly earnt a name for redefining Taiwan’s home comforts into a masterful fine dining experience. This Taipei restaurant has become renowned for its three-hour long multi-course meals; expect to embark on a culinary journey through Taiwan’s defined flavours.
5. Hot Shop, Oslo, Norway

Few would have guessed what was once an erotic shop would be destined to become a Michelin-starred canteen. But that's the story of Hot Shop, named as a nod to the building's raunchy heritage. Guests can expect modern Norwegian cuisine served as a tasting menu, with dishes determined by the seasonal ingredients available locally.
4. J.G. Melon, New York City, New York, USA

Expect Michelin-quality American cuisine without the usual price tag at J.G. Melon, known as one of the best burger joints in town. The restaurant has defied the fine-dining mould with its diner-like atmosphere. A neon sign ushers you inside, where tables are adorned with retro green-and-white checked tablecloths. On the menu are cheeseburgers, chilli, and turkey club sandwiches.
3. Jay Fai, Bangkok, Thailand

Jay Fai has garnered much attention over the years for securing a Michelin star for her street food stall in Bangkok. While the culinary status of the legendary street food chef has made her dishes expensive compared to other stalls, it's extremely cheap for food that tastes this good. Don't miss the signature crispy, golden-brown crab omelettes and dishes like stir-fried noodles with seafood and gravy.
2. Taquería El Califa de León, Mexico City, Mexico

Founded in 1968 by Juan Hernández González, this tiny taqueria is still going strong today – and for good reason. While the menu and dining space may be small, seating just a handful of guests at any one time, the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement. Awarded a Michelin star in May 2024, the joint has become renowned for its Gaonera taco, which sees a thinly sliced beef fillet cooked to order, finished with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lime, before being placed onto a freshly made corn tortilla. It’s simple food, done brilliantly.
1. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Singapore

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle is a rarity among Michelin-starred restaurants, and one not to be missed. It’s one of few street vendors to earn a star and serves up dishes that are simple, delicious and made with passion. Visitors can expect noodles cooked to order with an array of ingredients like dried fish and tender pork liver, and dishes have a typically low price tag. Unsurprisingly, there's almost always a queue.
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