If a restaurant gets featured in the Michelin Guide, everyone knows it’s going to be a good one. Thankfully, Edinburgh has a whopping five Michelin Star restaurants in 2023, two restaurants with the Bib Gourmand distinction, and plenty of restaurants that have been put on the guide and recognised for their excellence. With new restaurants added by inspectors throughout the year, we thought we’d list the cheapest restaurants in Edinburgh featured in the Michelin Guide.
1. Palmerston
Starting the list off from the cheapest, Palmerston is located at Palmerston Place where a bank used to be. You can get a set two-course lunch menu from Tuesday to Friday for a mere £18, and a three-course lunch for £21. What! For a main course any day, the prices start at £18 for a Pappardelle with stewed courgettes, mint, breadcrumbs and parmesan, going up to £72 for a 600g Dexter beef chop with chips, bone marrow, rocket and béarnaise for two people, so, basically just £36 each.
2. Purslane
Located on St Stephen Street, Purslane is an award-winning fine dining restaurant with an extremely cheap lunch menu. A two-course lunch will set guests back £24.95, and a three-course lunch is £29.5. The lunch is available only between 12pm and 1:30pm Wednesday to Sunday. For those after dinner, the restaurant does not offer cheap options, with a five-course tasting menu costing £75.
3. Borough
Located on Henderson Street in Leith, where three out of five of Edinburgh’s Michelin-star restaurants are located, lies Borough, a family-run business. Visitors can enjoy a meal starting at £14 with it being the Yellow courgette, goats crowdie & almond, while a five-course seasonal tasting menu is £60.
4. Aurora
Aurora is an inviting bistro in Leith, and one of the cheapest restaurants in Edinburgh listed in the Michelin Guide, located on Great Junction Street. The spot offers brunch, lunch and dinner menus at affordable prices, with a three-course lunch or brunch being just £28. What is more, a six-course tasting menu is £65, which is not too bad with the amount of food you’re getting.
5. KORA By Tom Kitchin
KORA By Tom Kitchin is a local family business, owned by Michelin Star Chef Tom Kitchin and Michaela Kitchin. Guests don’t have to break the bank to eat well, and can easily indulge in a two-course dinner for £27.50. The Bruntsfield restaurant doesn’t offer set menus, so guests can easily design their evening to their liking. What is more, KORA has recently introduced a brand new brunch menu, starting at 11am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
6. Hendersons
Located on Barclay Place, Hendersons offers a mostly vegan menu with creative takes on classic dishes, as well as their own inventions. Guests can indulge in a range of small bites, salads, starters, mains and desserts, all with a clean conscience. The salads are as little as £6, while all starters are under £10. The most expensive main dish on the menu costs barely £18, and it’s the Beetroot Burger with beetroot and black bean patty, smoked cheddar, onion ring, caramelised onion, homemade brioche, stout mayo and chips. What is more, Hendersons has just been added to the Michelin Guide in September 2023, so it’s the newest addition worthy of a try.