14 London Michelin -Starred Lunches For Under £30

Those in the know head to London's award-winning restaurants at lunchtime, when the booking is easy, the prices lower, but the taste still astounding

GALVIN AT WINDOWS

Like many Michelin-starred restaurants, Galvin at Windows lies high in the sky: this time on the 28th floor of the Park Lane Hilton. The price of its lunch menu, however, is firmly down to earth. This is food in the French-finesse tradition, with emulsions and jus accompanying the terrines and bouillabaisses. For a special occasion, splash out and add half a bottle of wine and coffee.
Galvin at Windows, 22 Park Lane (020 7208 4021). £30 for three courses. £50 for three courses, half a bottle of wine and coffee.

POLLEN STREET SOCIAL

Jason Atherton's Pollen Street Social challenges fine dining, nonchalantly proving that it can be both relaxed and remarkable. On the set-lunch menu you'll find London-cured salmon and crispy pigs' ears. For a cheaper meal, head to Atherton's even more democratic Social Eating House in Soho, where Michelin-approved fare is presented around a tiny eight-seat bar. Try the inventive pumpkin cappuccino, with duck leg, cep and parmesan gougères.
Pollen Street Social, 8-10 Pollen Street (020 7290 7600). £28.50 for two courses.
Social Eating House, 58 Poland Street (020 7993 3251). £23 for three courses.

BEST FOR A BUSINESS MEETING

PA

Murano

ARBUTUS

Still a leading player in Soho's saturated dining scene, Arbutus subscribes to the modern maxim of fine-dining in an informal setting. Their Working Lunch has three choices per course and Italian influences are abundant, with dishes such as fresh sheep's ricotta gnocchi and venison ravioli. One of the cheaper Michelin choices, why not have a drink too? The whole wine list can be bought by the 250ml carafe.
Arbutus, 63-64 Frith Street (020 7734 4545). £19.95 for three courses.

MURANO 

The plush leather upholstery and extremely attentive waiters at Murano make it an impressive spot for winning over clients - as does its excellent-value lunch menu. This is traditional Italian fare put through a gourmet filter: think guinea fowl with polenta and hazelnut fettuccine.
Murano, 20-22 Queen Street (020 7495 1127). £28 for two courses.

WILD HONEY

Over in Mayfair, Arbutus's sister restaurant offers a set lunch served in a quirky old men's club style dining room. French in theme, perfectly poached eggs come with warm veloutés and diners have the option of a well-curated cheese board instead of dessert.
Wild Honey, 12 St George Street (020 7758 9160). £29.50 for three courses.

BEST FOR A SHOPPING BREAK

Venison puffs at Yauatcha

LAUNCESTON PLACE

An under-the-radar spot close to the shops on High Street Kensington, Launceston Place serves a seasonal, English lunch. Choose from smoked haddock tartar and plaice with brown shrimp, while vegetarians are also well catered for (not always the case in high-end restaurants).
Launceston Place, 1a Launceston Place (020 7937 6912). £30 for three courses.

LIMA

It seems like you can get ceviche at all on-trend London restaurants these days, but few places rival Lima for a truly authentic taste of the Peruvian delicacy. Order a salmon version of the classic, followed by traditional lomo saltado (stir-fried steak) and finish up with the super-sweet alfajores. This express menu is also available for an early supper between 5.30pm and 6.15pm, Monday to Friday.
Lima, 31 Rathbone Place (020 3002 2640). £23 for three courses.

YAUATCHA

Although a slightly late lunch, dim sum favourite Yauatcha - from the same stable as Hakkasan - offers a set menu between 2pm and 6pm from Monday to Thursday. On offer is a selection of their signature dishes, including the moreish Venison puff and delicate prawn shiu mai. It's also just a five-minute walk from Regent Street.
Yauatcha, 15-17 Broadwick Street (020 7494 8888).Taste of Yauatcha, £28.88 for two people.

BEST FOR TREND-SETTERS

Gymkhana

GYMKHANA

Restaurant critics have been raving about newcomer Gymkhana since it opened at the end of 2013. The lunch deal is remarkably good value, including decadent dishes such as duck egg bhurji and lobster with Malabar paratha. Whilst some set menus leave you with room for a little more, Gymkhana certainly doesn't, instead accompanying each meal with daal, saag paneer and a hearty bread basket.
Gymkhana, 42 Albemarle Street (020 3011 5900). £25 for two courses, £30 for three.

TRISHNA

Before there was Gymkhana, there was Trishna. Brought to us by the same people, it has been delighting Marylebone residents for the last three years. The set lunch is similar to that offered by its newer sibling, although arguably not quite as striking - a fact reflected in the lower price, which includes a beer, glass of wine or lassi.
Trishna, 15-17 Blandford Street (020 7935 5624). £18 for two courses.

HKK

Restaurateurs are clamouring over each other to open in Shoreditch, the new epicentre of London's food scene, so it's not surprising that Hakkasan set up its latest venue here. HKK offers a four-course set lunch, with a choice between meat and fish. You will have no complaints, however, when you're presented with the halibut in Italian white truffle sauce or seared king soy wagyu beef.
HKK, 88 Worship Street (020 3535 1888). £28.50 for four courses.

BEST FOR LOCAL PRODUCE

Rex Features

The Harwood Arms

ANGLER

At the top of South Place Hotel in Moorgate you'll find Angler, a restaurant that specialises in British seafood. A great summer spot due to its rooftop terrace, feast on potted salmon and whole roast plaice with cured ham and basil, whilst gazing at the busy city workers below.
Angler, South Place Hotel, 3 South Place (020 3215 1260). £27.50 for two courses.

HARWOOD ARMS

Over in Fulham the Harwood Arms pub claims to bring the countryside to the city. British produce is certainly well-represented, with deer, faggots and grouse all featured on the menu, and each ingredient's provenance is specified for most dishes. The addictive vanilla doughnuts with damson jam and cream are a must-order.
Harwood Arms, Walham Grove (0207 386 1847). £25 for three courses.

OUTLAW'S

The London outpost of Nathan Outlaw's eponymous Cornwall restaurant serves seafood caught around the south-west coast. Just a few steps from Harrods, in The Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge's finest can lunch on bream and crispy oyster, followed by grey mullet and chargrilled octopus.
Outlaw's at The Capital Hotel, 22-24 Basil Street (0207 589 5171). £27 for three courses.

words by EMMA BEAUMONT, www.cntraveler.com