Berkshire is awash with foodie hotspots, but with our constellation of Michelin stars (eight to be exact) and an abundance of top-notch chefs, comes the price tag to match. It’s fair to say, that the level of cookery and the quality of ingredients, doesn’t come cheap. But eating posh nosh no longer needs to be saved for special occasions or gastronomic pilgrimages, because lurking among the big-ticket a la carte dishes are more affordable menus for you to get your fine dining fix. Grab your gilded fork, and tuck in.

The Waterside Inn, Bray ***

Menu Jeunesse

What to expect: The legendary Waterside Inn is Alain Roux’s three-star thriller with delicious riverside views. However, to access the best value menu, you’ll need youth on your side. In a canny move to appeal to the next generation of food connoisseurs, The Waterside Inn has created Menu Jeunesse for those aged 18-30 years. Available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings during February, March, April, October and November, choose any three courses from the à la carte menu, wines from the extensive wine list and enjoy a 30% off the bill. Quote ‘Menu Jeunesse’ when booking and don’t forget your ID!

££: Starters from £51, main courses from £66.50 and desserts from £36.50 (available for discount to those eligible on Wed and Thur evenings from 7pm – 10pm).

The Hind’s Head, Bray *

Weekday lunch set menu

What to expect: If Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck is the eccentric genius in his gastronomic family, The Hind’s Head is its laidback little brother. Set in a historic 15th-century building in Bray, this one Michelin Star foodie destination, is a celebration of seasonal, British cooking. Dishes from your childhood, re-imagined to spark culinary joy. The lunch menus offer exceptional value for the quality of the cooking.

££: 2 courses, £42; 3 courses £45 (Thursday lunchtimes) and the Sunday Roast Set Menu is £60 for three courses.

L’Ortolan, Reading 

Menu Dejeuner

What to expect: It’s French, it’s fancy and almost too pretty to eat (*Ahem* not a problem I’ve ever had). What can you expect? You’ll demolish a chef’s appetiser, starter, main, pre-dessert and then your chosen pud. The current menu includes Cornish fish, Iberico pork loin, poached pear and the L’Ortolan cheese trolley (for an additional £18), giving you a culinary wink. It’s one to try and there’s no need to sell a vital organ to pay the bill.

££: 5-course lunch, £49 (Wed-Sat).

Woven by Adam Smith, Coworth Park, Ascot *

Lunch menu

What to expect: Chef Adam Smith is without question a very talented chef – hence the Michelin star hanging over Woven at Coworth Park. For food of this quality, it’s definitely not the most expensive – the lunch menu is £80 and a further £65 for accompanying wine pairing. The menu is diverse and crowd-pleasing but with all the refinement you would expect from a Michelin twinkler. You cannot beat the draw of Hereford beef followed by Yorkshire rhubarb with sour cream. Yum.

££: 5-course lunch menu, £80

The Crown, Burchetts Green 

Set lunch menu

What to expect: The stars are aligning for The Crown at Burchetts Green, now sitting pretty in the latest Michelin Guide. Owned by chef-patron Dominic Chapman (who also runs the much-loved Beehive in White Waltham) since 2022, Michelin gushed: “The rewarding, flavoursome dishes – like the delicious potted chicken and duck liver parfait with fig chutney – are a perfect match for the warm and comforting surroundings.” Dominic serves beautiful food in a real English pub and the set lunch menu is an incredible bargain at £19.95 for two courses or £24.95 for three. And the desserts are definitely worth the extra fiver – sticky toffee pudding anyone?

££ 2 courses, £19.95 and 3 courses, £24.95.

The Woodspeen, Newbury 

Weekday set menu

What to expect: The Woodspeen quietly goes about its foodie business without fuss or fan fare. Chef Peter Eaton has a focus on seasonal dishes, using ingredients grown or foraged in the kitchen garden and surrounding countryside. The micro-seasonal market menu is inspired by whats growing in their kitchen garden and is available at lunchtimes and evenings too, for early birders heading off to the theatre or if you simply want to whizz home for a Netflix fix and an early night.

££: 2 courses, £32; 3 courses £38 (Mon-Fri lunch and Tue-Thurs evenings between 6pm and 9pm).

Caldesi in Campagna, Bray

Pasta Wednesdays

What to expect: Pure escapism. If you’re sick of the dreary British weather, then a trip to Caldesi in Campagna will whisk you off to the Italian sunshine in one sitting. Giancarlo Caldesi puts his heart and soul into the menus here,  and a foodie Italian pal confirmed it is the best food she has tasted outside of her home country. And the Wednesday Pasta menu means trying not one, not two but three pastas including penne with hot smoked salmon flambéed with chilli vodka and cream, seabass ravioli in a butter and lemon sauce, and homemade cannelloni made from a family recipe. With freshly baked focaccia to mop up any sauce left on your plate, definitely wear your roomy pants for this one!

££: Three pastas for sharing among groups of two, four or six people, £25 per head.

Cliveden Dining Room, Taplow

Sunday lunch menu

What to expect: It’s not the cheapest menu, granted, but what you get in return is a restaurant that’s sexier than Harry Styles on heat, a ‘wow’ view and a history of chandelier swinging (Cliveden’s entertained them all from rock stars to royalty). Chef Paul O’Neill’s Sunday menu offers plenty of choices, with five dishes giving you the wink. With smoked halibut and truffle risotto on the starter menu and roast saddle of lamb and roast beef for mains, good luck choosing which to sample. Throw in a stroll around Cliveden’s 365-acre grounds and I reckon it’s the perfect Sunday.

££: 3 courses, £85

The Beehive, White Waltham

Set lunch menu

What to expect: Nestled in the village of White Waltham, opposite the cricket ground, Dom Chapman’s (other) pub – The Beehive – sources local ingredients, but also aims to represent the UK’s larder. This means ingredients from the country’s uplands and pastures, its meadows, woods, hedgerows, rivers, and seas. Sister pub to The Crown at Burchetts Green, the good news is there’s a bargain set lunch menu up for grabs. Served Tuesday to Thursday lunchtimes, it is £20 for two courses or £24 for three. Choices include crisp pork fritters, Cotswold  chicken Chicken or ham, leek and mushroom pie followed by raspberry bakewell and vanilla ice cream.

££: 2 courses, £20 and 3 courses, £24 (Tues, Wed and Thur lunchtimes).

The Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor

Set lunch menu

What to expect: Another jewel in Berkshire’s foodie crown, Adam Handling expanded outside London to open The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor. The gastropub has a no waste ethos, with everything sourced locally or, ideally, grown in the raised beds at the back of the building. The food and service all wow. Try the set lunch menu on Thursdays and Fridays, featuring octopus and sourdough, beef ragu croquette or roasted cauliflower soup to start followed by chicken schnitzel, fish cake or roasted squash ravioli. For dessert, there’s a British cheese board, sticky toffee or lemon posset. Yum.

££: 2 courses, £27 and 3 courses, £35.

 The Ivy Royal Windsor Brasserie, Windsor

All-Day Dreamers menu

What to expect: In honour of Windsor’s rich royal heritage, The Ivy features beautifully designed interiors with stunning murals and carefully-curated artwork. It’s the perfect backdrop for a spot of dining and the set lunch is great value. Dubbed the All Day Dreamers menu, it’s a very reasonable £17.95 for two course and £22.95 for three, available Mon-Fri, 11:30am-6:30pm. There are lots of dishes to choose from including sweet and savoury dessert options.

££: 2 courses, £17.95, 3 courses, £22.95.

The Greene Oak, Windsor

Set lunch menu

What to expect: The atmosphere at The Greene Oak is relaxed and the food unpretentious – and we would expect nothing less from owners James Lyon Shaw and Jamie Dobbin, who met while working at The Ivy in London. In fact, they shout from the rooftops that they don’t do tiny portions, deconstructed dishes, frills or foams – just superb food. The dishes are crowd-pleasers with pizzazz, they offer a simple kids menu, an impressive set lunch, brunch and a legendary Sunday Roast. The set menu options include devilled whitebait with tartare sauce, baked camembert, venison cottage pie followed by Granny’s apple pie and dark fondant chocolate tart. Delicious!

££: 2 courses £21, 3 courses £24 available Mon – Fri (12pm-3pm and 5pm-7pm).

• It’s worth noting, veggies, vegans, or allergy sufferers, can all be accommodated at any of the restaurants mentioned above. Just let them know any special dietary requirements when you book. Bon appetit.