Eat your heart out: The world’s best destinations for affordable Michelin dining revealed – Tokyo is the No.1 city while Italy is named the best country, and the UK ranks fifth in Europe

• Paris and Copenhagen rank as Europe’s best cities for affordable Michelin dining, according to a major study
• The study names Italy as the world’s best country for good-value quality fodder and Tokyo as best overall city
• READ MORE: ‘Tourism Oscars’ – Ireland’s Guinness Storehouse named top tourist attraction in Europe 

Want to experience fine dining without breaking the bank? Foodies on a budget take note – new research has revealed the best cities and countries for budget-friendly Michelin dining.

The study ranks European cities and countries for affordable Michelin meals, with the UK in fifth place. It also ranks the world’s best cities and countries, placing the U.S eighth, ahead of Canada.

John Lewis Finance analysed 16,000 restaurants from the Michelin Guide where diners can get a full meal for less than £25 or €35 ($36) on average, using Michelin’s own pricing criteria.

The guide not only includes Michelin Star restaurants but also those recognised for other awards such as the Green Star, which acknowledges sustainable practices, and the Bib Gourmand, given to restaurants for good quality and good value cooking.

Copenhagen and Paris share the top spot as Europe’s best cities for Michelin dining on a budget, with 14 good-value restaurants each, according to the study.

When it comes to the top countries in Europe, the research declares Italy the clear winner with 230 good-value restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide

Copenhagen and Paris share the top spot as Europe’s best cities for Michelin dining on a budget, with 14 good-value restaurants each, according to the study

Commenting on the ranking for cities in Europe, John Lewis Finance said: ‘Copenhagen is home to a diverse range of quality restaurants that suit any budget – from traditional Scandinavian cooking specialists such as Restaurant Carl Nielsen to restaurants serving modern and highly experimental dishes not found anywhere else’

TOP CITIES AND COUNTRIES FOR MICHELIN DINING ON A BUDGET IN EUROPE

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

1. Italy (230 restaurants)

2. France (140 restaurants)

3. Spain (118 restaurants)

4. Germany (68 restaurants)

5. UK (28 restaurants)

6. Portugal (24 restaurants)

7. Denmark (20 restaurants)

8. Belgium (15 restaurants)

9. Czech Republic (13 restaurants)

10. Austria (12 restaurants)

EUROPEAN CITIES

1 = Copenhagen, Denmark ( 14)

1 = Paris, France (14)

2. Prague, Czech Republic (13)

3. Lyon, France (10)

4. Naples, Italy (nine)

5. Vienna, Austria (eight)

6 = Milan, Italy (six)

6 = Warsaw, Poland (six)

6 = Belgrade, Serbia (six)

7. Florence, Italy (five) 

 Source: John Lewis Finance

Completing the top five is Prague (second, 13 restaurants); Lyon (third, 10); Naples (fourth, nine) and Vienna (fifth, eight); followed by Milan, Warsaw and Belgrade (joint sixth, six), and Florence (seventh, five restaurants).

When it comes to the top countries in Europe, the research declares Italy the clear winner with 230 good-value restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide.

This is almost double that of France (second, 140 restaurants), followed by Spain (third, 118) and Germany (fourth, 68).

The UK’s fifth-place ranking is thanks to having 28 good-value restaurants, ahead of Portugal (sixth, 24); Denmark (seventh, 20); Belgium (eighth, 15); Czech Republic (ninth, 13); and Austria (tenth, 12).

Zooming out further, Italy remains top of the list in the study when it comes to the world ranking.

The country has 53 more affordable Michelin restaurants than runner-up Japan – which still offers an impressive 177 restaurants.

Singapore ranks third, with 150 restaurants, followed by France (fourth, 140); Thailand (fifth, 125); Spain (sixth, 118); Taiwan (seventh, 113); U.S (eighth, 80); Germany (ninth, 68), and mainland China (tenth, 66).

Examples from the lower end of the chart are Malta, with three restaurants, Ireland, Greece and Norway, with two restaurants, and Canada, with just one.

When it comes to cities, the world’s top ten destinations for Michelin-rated dining on a budget are all in Asia, according to the study.

TOP CITIES AND COUNTRIES FOR MICHELIN DINING ON A BUDGET WORLDWIDE

COUNTRIES 

1. Italy (230 restaurants)

2. Japan (177 restaurants)

3. Singapore (150 restaurants)

4. France (140 restaurants)

5. Thailand (125 restaurants)

6. Spain (118 restaurants)

7. Taiwan (113 restaurants)

8. U.S (80 restaurants)

9. Germany (68 restaurants)  

10. China mainland (66 restaurants)

CITIES

1. Tokyo, Japan (77)

2. Seoul, South Korea (59)

3. Osaka, Japan (46)

4. Bangkok, Thailand (43)

5 = Kyoto, Japan (40)

5 = Taipei, Taiwan (40)

6. Tainan, Taiwan (35)

7. Guangzhou, China (24)

8. George Town, Malaysia (23)

9. Taichung, Taiwan (22)

Source: John Lewis Finance

Singapore ranks third, with 150 restaurants, followed by France (fourth, 140), Thailand (fifth, 125), Spain (sixth, 118), Taiwan (seventh, 113), U.S (eighth, 80), Germany (ninth, 68) and mainland China (tenth, 66)

Italy remains top of the list in the study when it comes to the world ranking. The country has 53 more affordable Michelin restaurants than runner-up Japan – which still offers an impressive 177 restaurants

Tokyo, Japan, ranks first, with 77 restaurants; followed by Seoul, South Korea, (second, 59); Osaka, Japan, (third, 46); and Bangkok, Thailand (fourth, 43).

In joint fifth place is Kyoto, Japan, and Taipei, Taiwan, both with 40 restaurants; followed by Tainan, Taiwan (sixth, 35); Guangzhou, China (seventh, 24); George Town, Malaysia (eighth, 23); and Taichung, Taiwan (ninth, 22).

Commenting on the ranking for cities in Europe, John Lewis Finance said: ‘Copenhagen is home to a diverse range of quality restaurants that suit any budget – from traditional Scandinavian cooking specialists such as Restaurant Carl Nielsen to restaurants serving modern and highly experimental dishes not found anywhere else.

‘Sharing the top spot and famed for its nouvelle cuisine, traditional cooking, and being the training ground of some of the world’s most revered chefs, Paris has a reputation as the epicentre of gastronomy.

When it comes to cities, the world’s top ten destinations for Michelin-rated dining on a budget are all in Asia, according to the study. Tokyo, Japan, (pictured) ranks first, with 77 restaurants, followed by Seoul, South Korea , (second, 59); Osaka, Japan, (third, 46); and Bangkok, Thailand (fourth, 43)

‘However, with many restaurants featuring within the research, the findings show that fine dining doesn’t have to cost the earth. For affordable, classic French dining, look no further than À la Biche au Bois on avenue Ledru-Rollin.’

Matt Richardson, at John Lewis Finance, praised the ‘hugely positive’ findings and shared his tips for holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the rankings.

‘Our research tells us that some of Europe’s finest restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide are cash-only,’ he said.

‘So we encourage all holiday makers to ensure that they don’t miss out on a fabulous dining experience by always carrying some local currency.’

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