Throughout 2024 we're asking Michelin-starred chefs to pick their favourite cheap eats - a meal for two for less than £40 - in their part of the UK. We'll add to this list every week with a new chef...
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Sarah Haywood from the one-star The Coach, in Marlow: "Definitely The Butcher's Tap and Grill in Marlow (also a Tom Kerridge pub), a great spot to pop in for some pub snacks or a fantastic burger, or for something a little bit special you can choose a cut from the butcher's counter like a pork tomahawk or T-bone steak. The chefs will cook it exactly how you like it!"
CORNWALL
Bradley Monk from the award-winning One Fish Street in St Ives: "Roundhouse in Penzance. Joel makes the most incredible focaccia sandwiches at this little spot in Penzance. The lightest focaccia you will try, with just the right level of saltiness. Next is Blas in St Ives. While being well known for their burgers - which are also delicious - it's the rotisserie chicken I'm recommending. Little Palais in St Ives is stretching the budget slightly, but it's totally worth it as it's utterly delicious. The co*cktails are sublime, the cheeseboard is by far the best in the area, and the ever-changing selection of small plates are always divine. The view from the window table doesn't hurt, either."
DEVON
Simon Hulstone, from Michelin-starred The Elephant in Torquay: "Jun Jaow Thai restaurant in Torquay. We can be fed well for £40 with authentic Thai food in a family-run restaurant. I am partial to the Thai flavours from many trips and slowly building up my chilli tolerance. Jun Jaow is as close as I can get to some local Thai cuisine."
HUMBERSIDE
Gareth Bartram is head chef at Winteringham Fields, Lincolnshire's only Michelin-star restaurant: "The Hope and Anchor, South Ferriby is a fantastic pub on the south bank of the river Humber. We always go for the home-cured charcuterie board and the burger made from the trim from their whole cow project is incredible. If me and my wife manage to convince the grandparents to look after the kids, it has to be Hearth in Hull. The restaurant and bakery is an amazing addition to the Hull dining scene with Ryan Telford cooking the majority of the menu over hot coals."
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LONDON
Tom Brown, from Pearly Queen and the Michelin-starred Cornerstone in Hackney, east London: "My all-time favourite cheap eat is Max's Sandwich Shop, which has an amazing reputation - their classic 'Ham, Egg 'n' Chips' sandwich is undoubtedly the best. I'm big on my football, and where it's located in Finsbury Park, it's a great spot to hit before Arsenal. My other choice for a cheap eat is a spot called House of Momo. They do a variety of fried dumplings served with delicious Nepalese curries - a personal favourite of mine is the cheese and vegetable momo. The food is divine. It's big portions - the value for money is insane."
Meedu Saad, head chef and co-owner of Kiln in Soho - which as well as being in the Michelin Guide, was crowned the UK's best restaurant in 2018: "Durak Tantuni, in Haringey. This place specialises in tantuni, a meat wrap that originates from Mersin in the south of Turkey. It's finely diced lamb boiled and then lightly fried with spices, topped with fresh tomatoes and parsley before being wrapped in lavash and served with a monster plate of pickled chillies and lemon wedges. Haringey Corbacisi. A no-menu restaurant specialising in daily made soups and stews at very reasonable prices. My personal favourite is a soup by the name of kelle paca, which is a sheep's head soup in a broth topped with garlic and ghee. Yipin China, based in Highbury and Islington and specialising in Hunanese dishes and techniques. They have a great selection of offal dishes and sour soup - one of my favourites being white fish and mustard greens."
Jeff Tan, a Michelin-starred chef who now runs Viet Food in Chinatown: "I will recommend having Dim Sum with Chinese Tea for lunch which represents both culinary and cultural significance in Chinese tradition. The three restaurants that I recommend are Orient London, Bun House and Golden Dragon. Moreover, Orient London and Golden Dragon will be around £40 in terms of budgeting while Bun House is less than £40."
SCOTLAND
Tom Kitchin, chef-owner at The Kitchin in Edinburgh: "I really enjoy The Fishmarket at Newhaven, down by the Newhaven harbour in Edinburgh. They offer classic fish and chips, done incredibly well, which you can either enjoy in the restaurant or to take away."
SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Dan Conlon, head chef at Michelin Guide recommended Rafters in Sheffield: "Paesani. This is a family run, traditional Italian restaurant serving classic wood fired pizzas using authentic ingredients. My go-to's are nocellara olives for, then the new contadina vegetarian or the San Daniele. Nottingham House (the Notty House) is a down to earth pub serving pies, chips and mushy peas - a great selection of homemade pies at very reasonable prices, good student vibe. The steak and stilton, and the chicken and sausage stuffing are my go-to's. Urban choola is a long-established curry house in Sheffield, going from strength to strength.It's not your run-of-the-mill curry - they have a distinct and inventive style."
