25 Most Affordable & Most Expensive Michelin Restaurants in Europe

For many of us, eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant is a once in a lifetime event and an important item on your bucket list. But Michelin restaurants and fine dining in general can be quite intimidating due to the perceived (and many times real) sky-high prices.

So much so that many don’t even dare to step into a Michelin-starred restaurant. Which is why you’ll be glad to know that there are very affordable options in the world of Michelin stars, where you can enjoy a fabulous meal for 30 euros or less.

With travel restrictions finally relaxing across Europe, we thought this would be a great time to list the most affordable Michelin restaurants on the continent.

For those who want to splurge, we have also identified the 25 most expensive restaurants in Europe. These are generally two- or three-starred Michelin restaurants and are considered the crème de la crème of fine dining, where prices are in the high hundreds of euro.

To this end, we analyzed the menus of hundreds of restaurants across Europe to see which restaurants boast the lowest and highest prices. For the most affordable restaurant rankings, we have selected those with the most affordable three-course menus, while the most expensive establishments were picked among those with the highest top-priced menus (see ‘Methodology’ at the end of the article for more details). 

So, if you’re thinking of traveling around Europe this summer, you might want to keep this article on hand. And not to pressure you, but with the inflation rate at record highs, restaurant prices may also be rising. Many of the world’s best restaurants have already increased their prices in 2022, so now is the time to dust off that bucket list and enjoy a fancy dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. 

The Most Affordable Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Europe

France is home to some of the fanciest, most expensive restaurants in the world–think Guy Savoy or Arpège in Paris. Because of the notoriously high prices and prestige, you might think, okay, it might be best to avoid France if you’re on a budget. But you would be wrong. That’s because – plot twist – seven of the ten most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe are located in France. 

You’ll be glad to know that you actually can eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant without breaking the bank – if you choose wisely. Switching from a dinner date to a lunch date can do the trick in most cases.

Most of the restaurants on our list offer a ‘menu du jour,’ or menu of the day, usually served at lunch and usually much more affordable than the regular tasting menu served at dinner. So, don’t give up on that bucket list just yet, and check out these Michelin-starred restaurants that offer affordable options, as well. 

But France is not the home to the most affordable Michelin restaurant on the continent. For that you need to head to Spain, and spoiler alert, Spain is the home to the most expensive restaurant of the continent as well.

At L’Antic Molí in Ulldecona, a roughly 2-hour drive south of Barcelona, you can enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by chef Vicent Guimerà Sales for just 20 euros.

On the other side of Spain, on the Atlantic coast in Vigo, Galicia you can enjoy an equally delicious Michelin-starred meal for just 7 euros more (i.e. 27 euros) at Silabario. Chef Alberto González Prelcic prepares a delicious set of dishes prepared with fresh ingredients from the local market at a very affordable rate. Note that this menu is only available on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and for lunch on Fridays.

While not having the cache of France and Spain, Hungary is also a fantastic destination for fine-dining lovers. Budapest, its capital city, was voted the second most underrated foodie destination in the world, and for a good reason. Hungary is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants and prices are generally much lower compared to Western and Northern Europe.

So if you want to enjoy a great cultural vacation mixed with fabulous food at affordable prices, head to Budapest this summer.

Italy should definitely be on every gourmand bucket list, but it is not necessarily the most affordable place for fine dining. However, there is one Michelin restaurant in Turin where you can enjoy a fantastic lunch for just 30 euros. You even have the choice between a meat-, seafood– or vegetarian-based menu for this price.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at Europe’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants.

1. L’Antic Molí, Ulldecona, Spain | €20 per person

L’Antic Molí is one of the finest restaurants in Spain, and the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant you can find in Europe at the moment – if you opt for the Espai Bistro dining area. Here, for just €20 per person, you can enjoy a delicious meal concocted by chef Vicent Guimerà Sales, in the very heart of Spain, surrounded by extensive landscaped grounds and magnificent views. 

Address: Carretera Ulldecona – La Sénia, KM 10, 43550 Ulldecona, Tarragona, Spain

2. La Robe, Montaigu, France | €24 per person

If you’re looking for a delicious, Michelin-starred experience with a twist, then La Robe is the right restaurant for you. The two-floor dining area has a cozy, intimate vibe throughout, which allows guests to enjoy the unique offerings created by chef Xavier Giraudet. The most affordable menu option at La Robe is only €24 per person, and it’s definitely worth it. 

Address: 3 Pl. Larevellière Lépeaux, 85600 Montaigu, France

3. Hostellerie la Montagne, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France | €25 per person

The one Michelin-starred Hostellerie la Montagne is located in the same area where former French President Charles de Gaulle is buried. That’s why the dining area is named ‘A la table du General,’ or ‘at the General’s table’. Chef Jean-Baptiste Natali has plenty of tricks up his sleeve, including a special Christmas menu featuring beef lobster breaded with almonds and pine nuts, candied celery, and coquilles Saint-Jacques truffles. 

Address: 10 rue Pisseloup, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, 52330, France

4. Les Clefs d’Argent, Mont-de-Marsan, France | €25 per person

Located in southwestern France, Les Clefs d’Argent is the epitome of French chic. The decor blends in seamlessly with the creative plating and vibrant colors of local Landes produce. Chef Christophe Dupouy trained in Monaco, Cannes, Toulouse, and Geneva, before setting up shop in his native Landes region. His menu is focused around local flavors and recipes, but with an exotic, modern twist. 

Address: 333 Av. Martyrs de la Résistance, 40000 Mont-de-Marsan, France

5. Essência, Budapest, Hungary | €25 per person

The one Michelin-starred Essência restaurant is led by Portuguese-Hungarian duo Tiago and Éva Sabarigo. Guests can enjoy the best of both Hungarian and Portuguese cuisine by opting for a ‘fusion’ tasting menu that combines the two cultures effortlessly.

However, the venue also offers affordable options, starting at €25 per person for the most affordable three-course meal served at lunch. It also carries a selection of Portuguese and Hungarian wines to go with the delicious dishes. 

Address: Budapest, Sas u 17, 1051 Hungary

6. Hotel Restaurant Le France, Villers-le-Lac, France | €26 per person

Located in the heart of France’s Haut-Doubs Mountains, Hotel Restaurant Le France is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a Michelin-star experience in a cozy ambiance.

Chef Hugues Droz makes sure guests have an unforgettable time, presenting them with creative dishes that blend flavors, colors, innovation, and technical mastery. 

Address: 8 place Maxime-Cupillard, Villers-le-Lac, 25130, France

7. Le Mascaret, Blainville-sur-Mer, France | €26 per person

If you want to enjoy the true flavors and architecture of France, then Le Mascaret will be right up your alley. Located in a former girls’ boarding school, the restaurant and hotel has distinctly Baroque tones, but with a modern feel.

Chef Philippe Hardy manages to impress with his creativity, precision, and attention to detail. Head over for a relaxing lunch date, and spend the night to get the full French-country-chic experience. 

Address: 1 Rue de Bas, 50560 Blainville-sur-Mer, France

8. Silabario, Vigo, Spain | €27 per person

Silabario is a one-Michelin-star restaurant situated right beneath a massive avant-garde glass dome that houses the headquarters of the Real Club Celta de Vigo football club. For roughly €27 per person, you can enjoy Chef Alberto González Prelcic’s superb dishes, including seasonal lamprey, a favorite among locals. 

Address: Rúa do Príncipe, 36202 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain

9. Auberge du Cep, Fleurie, France | €27 per person

Auberge du Cep is a one-Michelin-star restaurant led with gusto by Chef Aurélien Merot, whose dishes focus heavily around jus and sauces. The restaurant offers a wide selection of tasting menus, as well as a fine selection of regional wines to pair with the food for full effect. After all, Auberge du Cep is conveniently located on a popular Burgundy wine route in the Beaujolais region. 

Address: 11 Rue des Quatre Vents, 69820 Fleurie, France

10. La Grange de Belle-Église, Belle-Église, France | €27 per person

Cozy, isolated, quiet, quaint, elegant, classic – La Grange de Belle-Église is the right place for you if you want the quintessential French dining experience. The restaurant, led by chef Marc Duval, welcomes guests with high-quality ingredients, exquisite flavors, and a large selection of Bordeaux wines and Champagnes. 

Address: 28 Bd de Belle Église, 60540 Belle-Église, France

The Priciest Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Europe

We’ve seen that the highest number of affordable Michelin restaurants are located in France. Interestingly, France is also home to some of the most expensive restaurants on the continent – fourteen of the twenty-five priciest Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe are located here.

But while France hosts an incredible number of high-priced Michelin restaurants, you have to head to the party island of Ibiza for Europe’s highest priced restaurant. And for a little controversy, we’ve added Sublimotion to the list, although it does not yet boast any Michelin stars; however, its Head Chef does have two of them under his belt. All other restaurants from our most expensive list have been awarded either two or three Michelin stars.

Amsterdam’s Ciel Bleu raised the prices of its premium caviar-centric tasting menu by a full 100 euros in 2022 and is now the second most expensive restaurant in Europe. The lavish menu costs 595 euros.

Denmark has four restaurants among Europe’s 25 most expensive restaurants. Not very surprising given Denmark topped the list of the most expensive countries to dine out at a top Michelin-starred restaurant.

Belgium, a country with one of the highest number of Michelin restaurants per capita, also made the list with Hof Van Cleve, a three-starred restaurant where the tasting menu costs 410 euros (without beverages). Hof Van Cleve is Europe’s 8th most expensive Michelin restaurant.

The United Kingdom rounds up the 10 with two restaurants: The Fat Duck, located just west of London and run by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, and the second, Ynyshir, located in rural Wales and run by chef-owner Gareth Ward. Both restaurants feature menus priced at roughly 400 euros.

1. Sublimotion, Ibiza | €1,500 per person

Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia in Ibiza, Spain, Sublimotion is run by Head Chef and founder Paco Roncero. While it does not have any Michelin stars to its name, Sublimotion is the priciest restaurant in Europe, as well as the priciest worldwide. A regular tasting meal costs €1,500 per person, on average, so it’s definitely not for the faint hearted. 

Address: Ctra. Playa D’en Bossa, s/n, 07817 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Balearic Islands, Spain

2. Ciel Bleu, Amsterdam | €595 per person

The second-priciest restaurant on our list boasts two Michelin stars, and is well known for its king crab with Baeri caviar, Beurre blanc ice cream and its fabulous caviar tasting menu, which features the most expensive caviar in the world.

Located on the 23rd floor of the Okura hotel in Amsterdam’s Zuid district, a tasting menu at Ciel Bleu costs €595 per person. Guests get to enjoy panoramic views of the city, and can book the ‘chef’s table’ and watch their meal being prepared right in front of them. 

Address: Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam, Netherlands

3. Guy Savoy, Paris | €570 per person

The iconic Guy Savoy restaurant in Paris is the third-priciest Michelin-starred location in Europe, and has earned three stars over the years. The restaurant opened in 1980 on the bank of the Seine, and its walls are to this day adorned with contemporary art lent by François Pinault.

The simple, yet sophisticated dishes can cost you €570 per person, if you decide to try out the full tasting experience – and why wouldn’t you?

Address: Monnaie de Paris, 11 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris, France

4. Arpège, Paris | €490 per person

Arpège is one of the most popular restaurants in the world when it comes to exquisite and intricate vegetarian dishes. Head Chef Alain Passard has three Michelin stars to his name, and he’s had them for more than two decades!

If you decide to give it a try, be sure to opt for signature dishes like the ravioli trio with amber consommé, the bay leaf-flavored vegetable sushi, or the apple tart with sugared almonds and caramel. 

Address: 84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France

5. Le Cinq, Paris | €480 per person

Le Cinq is conveniently located within the Four Seasons Hotel George V in the heart of Paris. The three-Michelin-star restaurant provides creative French dishes in a Regency-style setting, and is led by Head Chef Christian Le Squer.

His signature dishes include chantilly of oysters, small sole filets with vin jaune, and crunchy scampis with citrus emulsion. All for ‘just’ €480 per person.

Address: 31 Av. George V, 75008 Paris, France

6. Alchemist, Copenhagen | €470 per person

While a full menu at Alchemist will cost you a pretty penny, you surely won’t be disappointed. The restaurant offers, among others, a whopping 50-course tasting menu, for which you’ll need to set aside 4 to 6 hours, and a massive selection of wines to pair with the exquisite food.

Get ready to enjoy things like lamb brain, pigeon breast with beeswax, and other unique dishes. 

Address: Refshalevej 173C, 1432 København K, Denmark

7. La Vague d’Or – Cheval Blanc, St-Tropez | €415 per person

Spearheaded by Chef Arnaud Donckele and his team of 34 cooks, the three-starred La Vague d’Or restaurant ‘invites guests on a magical journey between land and sea when the night falls’. The restaurant is only open in the evenings, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, and its menu is focused around the flavorful aromas of Provence. 

Address: Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France

8. Hof van Cleve, Kruisem | €410 per person

The Hof van Cleve restaurant in Kruisem, Belgium, and its Head Chef Peter Goossens boast three Michelin stars and a full menu worth €410 per person. The restaurant is regularly listed among the 50 best restaurants in the world and offers a seven-course menu dubbed ‘Freshness of Nature,’ prepared entirely with local fresh produce. 

Address: Riemegemstraat 1, 9770 Kruisem, Belgium

9. The Fat Duck, London | €409 per person

Located in Bray, Berkshire, just outside London, The Fat Duck is led by Chef Heston Blumenthal and first opened its doors in 1995. The restaurant is well-known for its 14-course tasting menu, which includes dishes like nitro-scrambled egg and bacon ice cream, and an Alice in Wonderland-inspired mock turtle soup. 

Address: The Fat Duck, High St, Bray, Maidenhead SL6 2AQ, United Kingdom

10. Ynyshir, Wales | €409 per person

Located on the far coast of Wales, Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms offers a unique experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else. A DJ curates the music, while the food takes center stage, created with intense passion and flavors. As their website suggests, Ynyshir might not be the best location for a first date, but it’s ‘perfect for that exciting second one!’

Address: Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth SY20 8TA, United Kingdom

Methodology

Chef’s Pencil analyzed more than 500 menus from Michelin restaurants across Europe, to identify the priciest and the most affordable meals right now. 

To select the most affordable restaurants, we chose the most affordable three-course meal on the menu. In some cases, this is equivalent to the ‘menu du jour,’ or menu of the day, which is usually offered at lunchtime. Some restaurants only offer this type of menu on select days, excluding public holidays and weekends, and prices tend to vary week to week. 

In other cases, we chose the most affordable three-course meal on the a la carte menu, picking the cheapest entree, the cheapest main dish, and the cheapest dessert available. 

For the most expensive rankings, we analyzed the top-priced meals available at Michelin restaurants across the continent. The top tasting menu is usually an 8-12 course served at dinner. Some restaurants offer a single tasting menu or multiple menus that are priced identically.

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Ioana Neamt

Ioana is a well-versed content writer with years of experience covering diverse industries from real estate and music to food. While words are her strength, food is her weakness, and she strongly believes that there’s never a bad time for pasta or sushi.