The 15 Most Affordable Meals At US Michelin-Starred Restaurants
Let's be honest, when we think of Michelin star dining, we're not generally given to gluttonous fantasies of buffet binges or Thanksgiving overindulgence. More often than not, we're dreaming about a perfect bite, the chance to taste something that is officially recognized as the best in the world, and the sustenance of it is something of an afterthought. We're also usually thinking about the prohibitively steep price tag that is not inaccurately associated with the prestigious stardom.
While there are certainly some who are loath to lift the financial gates to gastronomical bliss, we're not among them. To that end, we've compiled some exceptions to the credit limit-testing rule of high-end dining; affordable entry points that might not have you sizing up your jeans, but won't likely have you downsizing your home, either, and reliably serve up bragging rights for years to come.
Tagliolini Nero at Boia De (Miami, Florida)
The notion of elevated, Italian-influenced American cuisine in a minimalist atmosphere might conjure images of limitless black credit cards and cashmere undershirts, but Miami's Boia De is decidedly more approachable than that brief description may imply. According to the Michelin guide, it is "sandwiched between a laundromat and a medical center" in a strip mall, and its dishes are just as surprising as its immediate neighbors.
The unassuming location seems to speak to chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer's philosophy of refined simplicity and intimate, nearly familial joy shared through food — the small dining area and sparse decor demand attention on little else. Try the interestingly chilled $35 Tagliolini Nero, featuring king crab, truffle pâté, vin jaune, and herbs. If your budget has a little flex to it, the wine program is expertly crafted in conversation with the chef-driven menu, focusing on alternative styles and regularly featuring special releases.
info@boiaderestaurant.com
5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Pork Cheek Carnitas at Los Felix (Miami, Florida)
Boasting both a Michelin Star and a Green Star for outstanding commitment to sustainable gastronomy, Los Félix is in every way a symbiosis of tradition and innovation. Named after the iconic Mexican movie star María Félix, the Miami restaurant refers to itself as a tribute to "the grandmothers who carried the fire of ancestral wisdom, the mothers who preserved ceremony, and the female trailblazers who embodied the fierce and the tender."
Inspired by indigenous heritage, the menu is only part of a multi-sensory experience designed to celebrate imagination through terroir, vinyl records, and a practical connection to the culinary lineage of both Sebastian Vargas and the land itself. You'll find ancient landrace and heirloom ingredients alongside locally sourced seafood, and a curious absence of gatekeeper upcharges. This is a restaurant that wants you to feel a part of your foodways and the generations of hands that have crafted them.
Nearly everything on the menu (except the Butcher's Cut ribeye) is under $40. For $38, you can feel good about the pork cheek carnitas braised with oranges and chilis, red onions, sunflower sprouts, marigold, cilantro, and hazelnut macha.
(786) 391-1598
3413 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133
Smoked Kanpachi Taco at Holbox (Los Angeles, California)
There are a myriad of tempting creations at this James Beard-nominated Mexican seafood stand in Los Angeles. Fortunately, they're all pretty affordable (and well-reviewed). Praised for elegant simplicity and incredibly fresh seafood served with transcendental sauces, the menu changes daily, but the demand for what's on it does not. In addition to its coveted star, Holbox has a shimmering General's chest worth of accolades; It won LA Times' Restaurant of the Year in 2023, snagged the number 42 on North America's 50 Best Restaurants in 2025, won a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation for excellent value in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and earned the number 5 spot on the 2023 LA Times 101 Best Restaurant list.
Featuring an array of ceviches, tostadas, tacos, and aguachiles, the only way to truly break the bank here is by loading up on lobster and uni (or attempting to find disappointment). Try one item, try them all, but if they have it, definitely try the Smoked Kanpachi taco with house-smoked fish, queso chihuahua, salsa cruda, avocado, and peanut chili oil. It's $7.
(213) 986-9972
3655 S Grand Ave #C9, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Inside Mercado la Paloma
Gnocchi at Tail Up Goat (Washington, DC)
Nestled and somewhat hidden within Washington D.C.'s perennially funky Adams Morgan neighborhood, Tail Up Goat offers a casual, communal atmosphere that sings in perfect (if not somewhat refined) harmony with the area's historically artistic countercultural character.
Known for blending neighborhood vibes with world-class cuisine, Tail Up Goat is a decidedly local personality with an island gaze. Featuring a rotating menu of Caribbean and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, this is the type of place that will serve you "snacks" and take them very, very seriously. The menu tends to change like the arrivals screen at Dulles International Airport, so pinning down a particular recommendation is nearly impossible. However, sample menu highlights like the gnocchi with cheddar, charred broccoli, and crispy quinoa come in at $32.
hello@tailupgoat.com
1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
CA State Bird with Provisions at State Bird Provisions (San Francisco, California)
When the Michelin guide refers to a destination as the "evolution of fine dining," you pay attention. And when the trailblazers of that evolution are so satisfied with a dish that they name their restaurant after it, that's what you order.
The California State Bird is quail, and the restaurant's signature dish, CA State Bird with Provisions, comes buttermilk-brined, breaded with roasted pumpkin seeds, deep fried, and served with caramelized onions. This place caters to a family-style dining experience designed for multiple dishes to be shared, but the rotating menu is largely and consistently affordable. While particular items on said menu may change, at $24, this one doesn't budge. Just be aware that snagging a reservation here can be harder on your calendar than on your wallet.
(415) 795-1272
1529 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Prix Fixe Lunch at Gabriel Kreuther (New York, New York)
Is this the most affordable meal? Probably not. But it's certainly one of the most affordable offers you'll find at a two-star Michelin restaurant. The extra star isn't the only reason this spot stands out; lauded by the Michelin guide as a "cavernous" restaurant "dressed in luxury from top to bottom," economic accessibility doesn't seem particularly on-brand here. And, really, it's not. This is an echelon of fine dining that is still animated (yet not encumbered) by the enduring legacy of haute cuisine tradition. Yes to tablecloths and silver. Yes to decorum and palpable elegance. Yes to a significantly discounted prix fixe at lunch.
To be clear, that significant discount will still set you back $120 per person, but for the caliber of cuisine, the atmospheric indulgence, the whole two-star experience of it all, this is arguably quite affordable. And for your hard-earned 16.5 hours of minimum wage labor, you can expect such gastronomical indulgences as a sturgeon and sauerkraut tart served with applewood smoke, sabayon, and imperial kaluga caviar. Or a hay-smoked two-week-aged Hudson Valley duck breast with sweet potato, roasted salsify, and brown butter jus.
(212) 257-5826
41 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
Beef Cheeks at LeRoy & Lewis BBQ (Austin, TX)
Barbecue should always be affordable. Developed as a method of cooking and preserving cuts of meat that are too tough for the hot and fast ways of the kitchen, American barbecue is a distinct iteration of the universal human preoccupation with preparing proteins over fire. Regionally distinct, relentlessly competitive, and culturally identifiable, barbecue is the culinary equivalent of a thick accent, and the best of it is poetry recited in that accent.
In Texas, that accent is unequivocally beef. And at LeRoy & Lewis, this is beef poetry. It's not even the cheapest thing on the menu, but it is the most widely acclaimed; the beef cheeks are smoked and confit, and clock in at $20 a plate. And that's just the regular menu. Check the specials if you go after 5 pm — they're what earned them a Michelin star.
(512) 945-9882
5621 Emerald Forest Dr, Austin, TX 78745
Happy Hour Taco Arabe at Alma Fonda Fina (Denver, CO)
Happy hour can be a Michelin affordability hack, and nowhere is that more evident than Alma Fonda Fina, now rated the #2 Mexican restaurant in the US. Chef Johnny Curiel's Guadalajaran roots engage in dazzling conversation with his high-end kitchen experience at this soulfully conceived neighborhood spot. The menu is lauded by the Michelin guide as creative, eclectic, and "littered" with treasures inspired by professional chefs and abuelas alike.
The happy hour menu is, unsurprisingly, limited, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a visit, especially considering the markdowns. Get a Taco Arabe with roasted Sakura pork and salsa blanca on a house-made sourdough flour tortilla for $12.
(303) 455-9463
2556 15th St, Denver, CO 80211
Wagyu Beef Burger Lunch at The Inn at Little Washington (Washington, Virginia)
The Three-Michelin-Star Inn at Little Washington is notoriously pricey. Even those of us who live in the general region mention it in the same hopelessly aspirational tones as a line cook might discuss their dream culinary tour of Asia, or distillery hopping in the Hebrides. It's a life goal, and one we've accepted we may never attain. Unless, of course, you can go for lunch at the adjacent Patty O's Café and snag a half-pound Wagyu beef burger for $23.
Ok, admittedly, this is a different restaurant. And while it is owned and run by the same chef (culinary icon Patrick O'Connell), food isn't the only factor that earns a Michelin Star, and this place doesn't technically have one. Nevertheless, the sun is a star, and there's a lesson here about flying this close to three of them. We're pretty sure that if you're near enough to melt cheese, it's good enough to count. Whether you can convince them to slather the bun in Animal Farm butter is another matter entirely.
(540) 675-3800
309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747
Pulled Pork Tacos at CorkScrew BBQ (Spring, Texas)
It's possible, depending on where you live, that you might not appreciate the intimate relationship between tacos and smoked meat. If this is the case, it is an emergency, and you need to rectify the situation immediately.
CorkScrew BBQ is one of the first barbecue restaurants to have ever received a Michelin Star, and its stardom is in no small part earned by its slow-smoked brisket and beef ribs, which the Guide calls some of the best in the state. These are essentially fighting words in Texas, and the judges will certainly be in our thoughts should their identities ever leak.
While Texas-style barbecue is typically bovine in nature, reviews of CorkScrew repeatedly bring up its pulled pork tacos. At $10 for two, you might as well get an order of each — brisket and pork. You'll probably spend more on gas getting there. Just make sure you show up well before the doors open at 11 am, or you won't be sampling much other than the red oak aromas drifting from the smokers.
(281) 330-2178
26608 Keith St, Spring, TX 77373
Housemade Sausage Sandwich at La Barbecue (Austin, Texas)
Texans have their own way of doing sausage, and if it's not your favorite, you're best off keeping that to yourself while in the Lone Star State. Austin's La Barbecue was another of the first barbecue spots to make the Michelin list, and its inventiveness puts it on par with many non-barbecue listmates.
The Guide refers to its train engine-sized custom-built pit smokers as a "rarified workshop in which meaty miracles are realized," and you'll be hard-pressed to find a dissenting opinion. Known (of course) for its brisket, the housemade sausage has earned a following of its own, and it's a club you can afford to join — a sandwich is $11.95 at this Austin institution. But, if it's not (secretly) your thing, the chopped brisket option is only $14.
(512) 605-9696
2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Glass Off Lobster Bolognese at Citrin (Santa Monica, California)
Located in the same building as its sister restaurant, Chef Josiah Citrin's two-star affair, Mélisse, is a comparatively accessible destination that offers à la carte dining that treats local produce with classical French technique. And the technique is impeccable.
While generally more affordable than its sister location, the bottom line gets even more appealing during "Glass Off" hours (basically Happy Hour), when you can taste the most raved-about menu item — lobster bolognese with fresh capellini pasta and brown butter truffle froth, for $19. Which is not significantly more than the burgers topping our list of the most expensive fast food items, and none of them come with brown butter truffle froth.
(310) 395-0881
1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90401
Sfeeha at Albi (Washington, DC)
A "sterling example of open-fire cooking at its best" (Michelin Guide), this Washington, D.C. restaurant run by Palestinian-American culinary luminary and James Beard Award winner Michael Rafidi paints Eastern Mediterranean flavors with mid-Atlantic ingredients. Much of the menu is seasonal, and wine pairings are held in equally high regard as the cuisine itself; resident William Simons earned the 2024 Michelin Guide Washington, DC Sommelier Award.
While the tasting menu is widely regarded as an essential experience, you can still fill up here on a budget. The sfeeha is essentially a Palestinian lamb pie, and they'll run you $16 each, but are by all accounts priceless. The entire snacks and appetizer menu tops out at $25.
yalla@albidc.com
1346 4th St SE, Washington, D.C.
Late night Steak & Eggs at Cote Korean Steakhouse (New York, New York)
It's not too common you see the words "Michelin," "black truffle," and "caviar" together for less than $100, but if you can make it into the New York City location of Cote between 11 pm and 1 am, Thursday through Saturday, you can snag exactly that for a shockingly affordable $28.
Generally regarded as a high-end date night destination or grand finalé to a successful business meeting, this Korean steakhouse blends Korean cuisine with American steakhouse character, essentially resulting in a decadent celebration of meat. Its late-night menu is evidently designed with a somewhat different occasion in mind, and the steak and eggs (with all the aforementioned opulent accoutrements) are proof that good things do occasionally come to those who need them to soak up the earlier events of the evening.
cotekoreansteakhouse.com/locations/cotenycflatiron
(212) 401-7886
16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
Fish & Chips at The Lounge in Bar Crenn/Le Comptoir (San Francisco, California)
Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn is the type of place that probably springs to mind when you think of Michelin Guide restaurants. Next door to the 3-starred Atelier Crenn and owned by Chef Dominique Crenn, the Guide calls this place an "elegant interpretation of bar dining," and that elegance is certainly reflected in its decor as much as its tasting courses. Committed to pescatarian, dairy-free cuisine, you'll find menu items like salt-brined beet tartare with caviar, and appropriately extravagant beverage pairings.
You can get a taste of this lauded establishment for a fraction of the price at The Lounge in Bar Crenn, where a plate of fish & chips will run you $16. The Prix Fixe at Le Comptoir isn't terrible, though, at $125 for six courses.
(415) 440-0460
3131 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123