Did you Know about these Cheapest Michelin-Star Restaurants in the World?

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Any food lover would jump at the chance to enjoy a Michelin star meal for 10 bucks. Am I right?

Enjoying a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant can feel daunting for some food lovers who don’t have the budget to dine in such an elite establishment.

Eateries that are lucky enough to get this honor are said to be among the best on the global gourmet scene, but premium prices prevent curious eaters from enjoying the fantastic food.

That said, fine dining need not be prohibitive, as there are a number of restaurants around the world holding at least one of the coveted red stars, where sophisticated food is within reach.

If you are hoping to celebrate a special occasion in grand culinary style, without having to delve deep into your pocket, this list of Michelin-star restaurants is the guide that will help in what you are looking for.

Cheapest Michelin Star Restaurants in the World

Lia Fan Hawker Chan, Singapore

This Singapore chicken rice and soy sauce food stall is the first of its kind which was awarded the prestigious Michelin Star in 2016 and is a must-visit experience for every traveler in Singapore.

While Hawker Center is regarded as the most expensive place in Asia, this food hall has managed to survive in the surrounding of the financial centers and high rises in the Chinatown Complex Food Centre of Singapore.

So what should you order here? Obviously the soy sauce chicken and rice ($2), their signature dish and what everyone else would likely be eating as well. Avoid weekends and get there as early as possible to steer clear of the lunch-hour crowds.

While Chan has since expanded to over 30 restaurants in nine countries, but unfortunately the Singapore establishment lost its Michelin Star rating, after holding it for 5 yrs, but remains just as impressive for the die-hard regulars.

For more info visit – https://www.liaofanhawkerchan.com/

Tim Ho Wan, Hong Kong

Of all the Michelin-star restaurants around the globe, one of the cheapest is Tim Ho Wan, a gourmet dim sum and noodle shop that originated in Hong Kong and has since spread its wings in over sixty locations around the world.

The menu in Hong Kong is in both English and Cantonese and has boxes on each side of the items which you simply tick in the related item as opposed to giving the order to a waiter.

No trip would be deemed complete without order the steamed dumplings served in bamboo baskets. The shrimp dumplings are the favorite here as the flavor is simply overpowering, as is the astounding bill of $ 7.50.

(While the restaurant is still in operation in Hong Kong, as well as other destinations around the world, it has since lost its Michelin star rating and enjoys only Bib Gourmand recognition).

For more information – https://www.timhowan.com.hk/

Jay Fai, Bangkok

Jay Fai is one of the most popular eatery in Bangkok and the only in the hawker category to be awarded the prestigious Michelin Star. It has been featured several times in the media as well and as such is always jam-packed with customers.

Moreover, this deservedly popular spot doesn’t accept advance reservations, so make sure you arrive early and are prepared to stand in a queue.

This establishment has been a long-standing street-food icon and for good reason too-the lady chef’s signature crispy golden-brown crab omelette that is simply unparalleled in taste.

Jay Fai holds 1 Michelin star for her famous crab omelette and also for the excellent drunken seafood noodles, although there are many other items in the menu to choose from.

The line and orders are managed perfectly by the staff who bring the menus to those waiting in the line and take orders much before you are able to get a seat.

Jay Fai is not at all cheap by any standards and probably the most expensive street food you will find in Bangkok, but it is worth the experience and as a learning opportunity.

The crab omelette is about $41, a huge amount for Thai street dishes which cost around $2 each. However, the crab serving is very generous and one omelette can easily be shared between two people.

The drunken noodles with seafood are almost half the price, but are equally delicious and come in pretty generous portions.

If you are on a budget don’t go as it will blow your daily budget in one go, but if you want to see Jay Fai in action and your interest is high enough, you must try.

Budget dining: lunch deals and promos

The food scene in Bangkok doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket, not when some of the best restaurants in the city are offering discounts, mega-value vouchers and enticing fine dining promos.

If you are craving for a lux seafood buffet or a fiery Asian grill experience that you could not dream of affording, these dining deals will make eating out not only rewarding, but light on the wallet as well.

Here we have rounded up some tasty lunchtime offers, that will loosen your belt and laugh all the way to the bank.

Amaya Seasons: Come 4 pay for 3

The buffet at the Amaya Food Gallery at Amaya Seasons Bangkok features a Grand Oyseter Feast every Saturday at lunch and dinner and offers a come 4 pay 3 discount.

The buffet features lobsters in various styles alongside other seafood delicacies and a carving station with suckling pig and live meat grill selections. All this for $46 with free flow of soft drinks.

Value Lunch: Intercontinental Sukhumvit

Treat yourself to a three-course weekday lunch for just $23 nett at the AV Brasserie inside the Intercontinental Bangkok Sukhumvit daily from 12-3 pm.

The set meal allows you to mix and match dishes such as Duck Leg with Orange Sauce, Crab with Spaghetti or Spicy Pomelo Salad with Shrimp. A drink of your choice from coffee, te or a soft drink is also on the house.

Baiersbroom, Germany

Located in the heart of the Black Forest National Park region, Baiersbroom is famous the world-over for its Michelin starred cuisine and is a true paradise for both food and nature lovers. It is also known as the “ Town of Seven Michelin Stars”.

Baiersbroom is not only a baffling place but it is also the high-end culinary hub of Germany. Here, Harald Wohlfahrts Restaurant fame has risen exponentially over decades, but it still continues to stick to its village traditions.

Though this 3 star Michelin eatery is small with only 11 tables, it is the chef and the kitchen where a sumptuous combination of dishes provides the perfect introduction to the culinary delights of Baiersbroom.

Harald brings together a range of German classic taste experiences and French cuisine in an unparalleled culinary vision. Moreover, each course is enhanced with a matching wine from the restaurant’s precious wine cellar.

Les Arlots, Paris

There are two things you must remember right away about the new exciting bistro Les Arlots, near the Gare du Nord in Paris.

The first is that this tiny place is going to rise in popularity, so this is the time to pick up the phone and make a reservation now. Secondly, despite its small size, it showcases a major change in the food culture of Paris.

Traditional local dishes are beautifully cooked from locally sourced produce and served in generous portions in a simple manner by people who honestly love working in a bistro, from waiters to bartenders and cooks.

The chef’s recommendations, beef with red wine, gravy and mashed potatoes for $ 25 and a further wine refill for $6 is fantastic.The dish is flavored with cheese and fresh herbs to make it even more indulgent.

Bin Gourmand guide: Spain, Italy and Portugal

There are a fair numbers of Bib Gourmand restaurants all over Europe where you can enjoy a refined and classy meal, without breaking the bank with exorbitant bills that are usually associated with starred establishments.

Here are some of the ones in Spain, Italy and Portugal, that have been certified by the Michelin Guide and awarded the Bib Gourmand rating.

Italy: Among the novelties of 2025 selection is the Ronchi Ro’ of Dolegna del Collin, an eatery that serves cuisine inspired by the traditional dishes of the region.

Located in an old farmhouse on the Slovenian border, the restaurant promotes food of the local artisan producers and suppliers.

Spain: While traveling in Spain is a sensory experience, gastronomy also contributes gtratly in enhancing the trip as a whole.

There are some big hitters in Madrid and Barcelona but in the Basque countryside there are places where you can have a memorable meal for much less.

Located in Seville, Az-Zait opened its doors with the idea of serving Andalusian cuisine with a creative touch. Specialties here include, ambiance or chilled soup with prawns and mango sorbet plus red mullet on a bed of pea purée at an average price of $35-$50.

Portugal: Sometimes food lovers to Portugal complain that the local cuisine is simple and uncomplicated. Perhaps they are not aware that there are many places which serve authentic Portuguese cuisine.

The country’s ever growing clutch of inventive chefs who have been striving for recognition for decades have now started to earn their well/deserved places in the internationally acclaimed dining rooms.

The Flora in Viseu, is a small independently run restaurant which focuses on sustainability and respect for nature. The menu changes with the season and is designed after close collaboration with local suppliers.

A five-session tasting menu is priced at $ 49 per person and they offer a curated selection of low-intervention organic wines as well as beers, ciders and soft drinks.

Michelin Star vs Bib Gourmand: Explained

The Michelin Bib Gourmand recognizes restaurants that serve high-quality three-course meals at affordable prices.The food price tag is fixed globally and in a sense the Bib Gourmand is the humble cousin of Michelin Star.

But how does it differ from a Michelin star establishment and why does it make a difference to diners? There are two main reasons for this.

First, it has to recognise restaurants that offer fine food at a reasonable price and second to counter the thought that it was only the Michelin Star system which was reserved for elite diners.

While a restaurant must serve unique innovative dishes to earn a Michelin Star, in contrast the Bib Gourmand is awarded to those restaurants that serve familiar comfortable cuisine made well.

How to find a Michelin-starred or Bib Gourmand restaurant during travel?

To find Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants while traveling, simply use the official Michelin Guide website or download the app. It displays curated guides of top cities in the world, where to eat, stay and explore your favorite destination.

The app is free and lets you search a restaurant by location, kind of cuisine on offer and other criteria. Restaurant location is also available on the Michelin Guide’s online database.

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Jo has been putting pen to paper from an early age when she started her "Dear Diary" and letters to her pen friends across the globe.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.