The Secret To Michelin-Star Dining In France At A Fraction Of The Price

When you visit France, it's not just the sights to see and the history to absorb that you should put on your itinerary — you should also include some fine dining establishments as well. The French are known for their culinary arts and unlike certain types of restaurants that tourists should avoid in Europe, Michelin-star restaurants here are definitely not to be missed — especially for lunch.

Even though the Michelin Guide has put together a list of the least expensive of their restaurants in France, these eateries still might not be in your budget when it comes to the food and beverages they serve, with most meals on average having a starting price of around €28 (that's $32.44 in USD) and going up from there. However, do not think that you cannot bon appétit to your heart and stomach's content, because there is actually a simple solution: go to a Michelin-star restaurant for lunch at midday.

Just like there are some secret ways to lower your café bill when dining in France, you can also keep a few tricks up your sleeve for dining out in highly rated French restaurants without going bankrupt in the process. If you have your sights set on Michelin-star establishments, the best game plan is to eat off their lunchtime menu in order to sample the delicious food for a fraction of the cost.

According to Lonely Planet, travelers can eat for reasonable prices with "the dish of the day" or plats du jour for their midday meal, even at Michelin-star restaurants. This is because lunch in France can include two courses known as formules or three courses called menus, both of which are usually less than the price of dinner at the same restaurant. Most bistros and restaurants offer a prix fixe or fixed price menu at lunch, often written up on a board with the rest of the lunch offerings, and can frequently include an appetizer, main course, dessert, and in some cases, wine.

The short answer is: most likely, yes. CNN documented how the Michelin company went from being just known for tires to giving out stars to restaurants with high quality service, atmosphere, and of course, food. While many diners might feel that a Michelin-star is only reserved for the most expensive of meals, the truth is that there are plenty of eateries with this notable distinction around the world that offer affordable dining.

One of tricks to save you money at a restaurant is to look up their pricing and menu ahead of time, so that even if they have a Michelin-star, you'll know exactly what to budget for your meal. Sites like Yelp can offer previous customer feedback, pictures, and their own system of rating based on stars. You can also find smaller restaurants, like Zhengyalov Hatz in Glendale, California that offers an array of Armenian cuisine for under $10 and also has a Michelin-star.