Eat Royal Lunch But Pay Pennies: The Most Affordable Michelin-Star Restaurants in Europe
While traveling we want to feel the foreign culture to the fullest: learn a bit of the country’s history, taste local food, and meet locals. And if you see the Michelin star or their recommendation badge on the restaurant, don’t be a scary cat. Having one Michelin star, “Bib Gourmand” or “Plate” badge doesn’t mean it will definitely be expensive. There are some Michelin restaurants, and luckily eating at them won't break the bank. Get ready to write down some places for your next budget-friendly travel.
By Eglė
Published: Dec 31, 2022 • min read
Shortly About The Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guidebooks that rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, and other tourist attractions around the world. The guide was first published in 1900 by the Michelin tire company in France as a way to encourage people to travel and explore new destinations- sounds nice, doesn’t it? The guide is known for its rating system, which uses a series of stars to denote the quality of a restaurant. Most importantly, the rating is a true mystery: no one knows who are the Michelin guide inspectors, how they choose places to dine in, or how they rate the food.
The Michelin Guide's Ratings
We all know star ratings: one star indicates a "very good" restaurant, two stars denote an "excellent" restaurant, and three stars signify an "exceptional" restaurant. However, the guide also includes a number of other ratings, including a "Bib Gourmand". It is a classification used in the Michelin Guide to denote restaurants that offer good value for money. They are typically more affordable than those that receive a star rating, but still, offer high-quality dishes and good service. The criteria for receiving a Bib Gourmand rating vary by region, but generally, restaurants must offer a three-course meal (including a starter, main course, and dessert) for a set price.
The Bib Gourmand rating is considered a prestigious honor in the culinary world, and many restaurants that receive a Bib Gourmand rating go on to receive a star rating in future editions of the guide. It is a valuable resource for travelers and food enthusiasts looking for high-quality dining experiences that won't break the bank.
Also, the Michelin Guide inspector can give L'Assiette Michelin or the Michelin Plate rating. It is the least prestigious rating than “Bib Gourmand” and the star. But still. Since 2018 The Michelin Guide Inspectors have been giving this rating to highlight restaurants that may not meet the criteria for a star rating, but still offer excellent food.
After you learn a bit about the Michelin Guide and its ratings, let’s find out 15 the most affordable Michelin star restaurants in Europe:
- L’Antic Molí, Ulldecona, Spain | €20 lunch per person
- Silabario, Vigo, Spain | €27 per person
- Essência, Budapest, Hungary | €25 per person
- Borkonyha Winekitchen, Budapest, Hungary | €28 per person
- La Robe, Montaigu, France | €29 lunch per person
- Hostellerie la Montagne, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France | €25 lunch per person
- Les Clefs d’Argent, Mont-de-Marsan, France | €25 per person
- Hotel Restaurant Le France, Villers-le-Lac, France | €27 per person
- Le Mascaret, Blainville-sur-Mer, France | €26 per person
- Auberge du Cep, Fleurie, France | €27 per person
- La Grange de Belle-Église, Belle-Église, France | €27 per person
- Vintage 1997, Turin, Italy | €30 per person
- Coria, Caltagirone, Italy | €50 per person
- Field ,Praha, Czech Republic | €45-55 per person
- Bistro Racine, Braine-le-Château, Belgium | €35 per person
Re-read the list once more, especially if you already have plans to visit France, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, or the Czech Republic. It might happen that you will visit a city, that features one of these affordable Michelin-star restaurants so you must pamper yourself and book a table for royal lunch!
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