In the world of fine dining, the Michelin Star is often considered the ultimate prize. But not all great dining experiences come with a heavy price tag. Enter the Bib Gourmand, a prestigious yet often overlooked honour that shines a spotlight on restaurants offering extraordinary food without the sky-high prices. It’s for those who crave a delicious meal but without the intimidating cost of a Michelin star. Read on to know all about it.
What Is The Bib Gourmand Award?
The Bib Gourmand is a prestigious yet often underappreciated award in the world of fine dining. When we think of a Michelin-starred restaurant, we only think of high-end fine dining. However, that is certainly not that, especially with Bib Gourmand. This award highlights dining establishments that provide great food at reasonable costs.
In 1997, the Bib Gourmand was created to recognise eateries that provide high-quality, reasonably priced dining. Its name is derived from Bibendum, the famous Michelin Man, known for his approachable, friendly character. Since then, the icon has come to represent comfort food that is affordable.
What sets Bib Gourmand restaurants apart is their focus on simpler, more approachable dishes that are often comforting and easy to eat. These places stand out for their warm, inviting ambiances. While the style of cooking can vary widely—from Sri Lankan hoppers at Hoppers in London to seafood specialities at Restaurant ñ in The Hague—what unites them is a shared commitment to high-quality, tasty food.
A lot of foodies go to these places because of the great quality and experience they offer, not only because of the price. The inspectors who create the guide spend as much time finding these hidden treasures as they do visiting Michelin-starred eateries. It demonstrates that great food does not always have to cost a fortune.
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Chef Vikas Khanna’s Bungalow Joins The Bib Gourmand Club
Now, adding even more lustre to the Bib Gourmand is Chef Vikas Khanna, one of India’s most celebrated chefs, who has just achieved this remarkable feat. His restaurant, Bungalow, located in the heart of New York, has earned a Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award just 260 days into its operation.
2024 New York MICHELIN Bib Gourmands
Here’s the entire list of restaurants recognised in New York for their exceptional value-for-money dining:
- Bayon
- Bonnie’s
- Bungalow
- Cecily
- Cervo’s
- CheLi
- Coqodaq
- Falansai
- Ishq
- Little Myanmar
- LORE
- Lungi
- Odre
- Tha Phraya
- Tolo
- Untable
These restaurants promise meals that satisfy both your palate and your wallet.
Cover Image Courtesy: Bungalow/Instagram and Hoppers London/Instagram