A French restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, proves Michelin-level dining doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag. Florilège, in the city’s Azabudai Hills district, offers a surprise lunchtime menu for 10,000 yen, or about $65.
For that price, diners enjoy a main dish that’s either a meat or veggie option. Florilège mainly focuses on plant-based dining — offering an experience “that celebrates both sustainability and culinary creativity.” While it’s big on vegetable dishes, other details about the menu aren’t disclosed on the restaurant’s website. However, Florilège’s Instagram account includes images of its “shaved ice,” noodles, and various other dishes.
Accompanying one’s meal, the lunch experience offers alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage pairings. The alcoholic option includes wine and cocktails for 7,700 yen, which is just under $50. The non-alcoholic option is 6,600 yen — a little over $40.
Those interested in dinner reservations can dine at the establishment for 20,000 yen, or around $130, not including additional prices for beverage pairings. Visitors additionally pay a 10% service fee regardless of their mealtime.
Notably, all diners eat communally at an over 42-foot-long table.
“Vegetables everyone knows with flavors you’ve never imagined,” notes the Tokyo restaurant’s site. “As a sustainable approach, our courses prioritize vegetables while reducing consumptions of meat, fish, and dairy… Indulge in exquisite cuisine and wines during warm exchanges with the chef and staff, creating an experience reminiscent of being welcomed into an urban enclave.”
What’s Special About Florilège?
The eatery’s menu has boosted it to world-recognized acclaim. Helmed by Chef Hiroyasu Kawate, Florilège has two Michelin stars for its “excellent cooking” and a Michelin Green Star for its gastronomic and suitability efforts. The restaurant has numerous other awards attached to its name as well. It’s number two on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024 list and 21 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024 list. The latter ranking was a six-spot increase from its number 27 spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2023 list.