This beloved one-star is the brainchild of Mario Carbone, Rich
Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. Offering convivial, family-style
dining, it pays homage to the essence of the great Italian-American
restaurants of mid-20th century New York City. “Stylish servers – who work the
floor with a little flirt and a lot of flair” are a highlight, with
popular dishes including chicken scarpariello, veal parmesan and
New York cheesecake. Generous portions (and keeping an eye out for
the menu’s cheaper items) ensure your meal remains on the right
side of affordability.

Jason Atherton’s contemporary bistro is a masterclass in
informal dining with a slick finish. With a fleet of successful
restaurants under his belt, Atherton is no novice – we’re hardly
surprised that Pollen Street Social was awarded a Michelin star
within six months of opening. Foodies will delight in the counter
experience, watching chefs whip up their meal with sass and style.
We’d recommend saving your visit for a special occasion, opt for a
lunch sitting – three courses for £65.

Dynamic chef Rasmus Oubaek has redirected his focus toward fast
food, and we couldn’t be happier about it. His burger joint Jagger,
which opened in 2016, is considered one of the best in Copenhagen. Expect a go-easy vibe and spot-on eat-in or
take-out options. Serving up gloriously greasy burgers and
thin-cut, skin-on fries, this place is turning fast food into fine
dining and we’re there for it.

San Francisco is well known for its thriving food scene. Al’s
Place in the Mission adds to the culinary milieu, making great use
of local produce and seafood in its vibrant regional fare. The
buzzy neighbourhood restaurant, founded by chef-owner Aaron London,
has no dress code and offers superlative family-style dining. An
added perk? Dishes start from as little as £2.

Opened in 1912 and acquired by the Ducasse group in 2005,
one-starred Benoit is the only Parisian bistro to feature in the Michelin
Guide. The dining room’s decor unites brass benches, carved-glass
panels and marble columns, all complemented by a menu of
outstanding classic French cuisine. The £33 lunch menu is varied
and never disappoints. Don’t visit without trying the black pudding
– it’s seriously spectacular.

This small soba restaurant, located a five-minute walk from
Iidabashi station, plays down its Michelin-star prestige. Famous
for its handmade soba noodles, which are milled fresh every day,
Kyourakutei Soba’s fresh tempura and local sake make a potent
pairing. For those overwhelmed by the huge menu, we’d suggest the
Ten Zaru or KisetsuTen Zaru sets.

Located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse, Paul Ainsworth at
No.6 is a seaside delight. Situated in Padstow, on the north coast
of Cornwall, the restaurant serves contemporary
British dishes that showcase the best of Cornish produce. The work
of talented head chef John Walton, the lunch menu offers three
courses for £29. Smoked haddock quiche lorraine, anyone?

South African-born chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen earned
his stripes working on private yachts in Monaco, before setting up
this 24-seater restaurant. Located near the Old Port, the
restaurant’s £46 three-course lunch menu represents incredible
value for money, while there’s sometimes a two-course market lunch
on offer for £25 – a steal. The wine list is well worth exploring,
too, particularly for its native bins.

Before Singapore’s soya sauce chicken rice and noodles (see
below) came along, the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world
was said to be at Hong Kong dim sum joint Tim Ho Wan. This Hong
Kong Island outpost at North Point, Sham Shui Po, promises speedy
service, bearable queues and, whether at lunch or dinner, a
memorable meal for two for just £25.

The world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal? Liao Fan Hawker
Chan’s Hong Kong soya sauce chicken rice and noodles. After this
humble hawker stall received one star in the city state’s inaugural
Michelin Guide, word spread fast. This bricks-and-mortar iteration,
a casual dine-in affair, which opened to keep up with demand, is
just a stone’s throw away from the original Chinatown Complex
Market & Food Centre-based stall. The star dish is a
must-try.

Antiqvvm picked up its first Michelin star a speedy one year
after opening. Overlooking the River Douro, the restaurant offers a
tranquil outdoor dining space nestled within a manicured
city-centre park – picture black tables slotted between fragrant
yew hedges. Head chef Vitor Matos serves up innovative dishes
carrying a Portuguese and Hungarian flavour. Come for the set
lunch, which comes in at a delectable £20.

Chef Alexander Ioannou and his wife Suzanne Sluijter opened the
serene Sinne in 2013. With an impressive 14 Michelin stars (four
two-stars and 10 one-stars), Amsterdam isn’t short of fine-dining establishments,
but we’re rating this as one of the city’s tastiest hangouts.
Interiors feature open-brick walls and mirrored pendant lights,
while the menu is packed with crowd-pleasers such as lobster and
ribs. Come at lunchtime to avoid the hefty evening queues.

Located on the ground floor of the stylish Prestige
Hotel, the design-driven Costes Downtown offers a wonderful
blend of old and new. With its tropical plant-clad walls and
abstract paintings, the atmospheric dining room is worth booking a
table for in itself. Not that the food will disappoint. Special
occasion on the horizon? Look to treat yourself to the famed
six-course tasting menu, which features the likes of tender quail
served with braised red cabbage and a balsamic jus.