Many good things come in threes: the three little pigs, the three musketeers, and the three wise men. But if you thought a restaurant needs three Michelin stars to make it worth your visit, you’d be sorely mistaken. Here are 10 superb one-star restaurants that uphold high quality standards, all while keeping it nice and frugal. The price range? $25-$50 for the typical entrée.

#10 – Bistro Na’s
Location: Temple City, CA
Food: Chinese
Cheapest edible: Milky cheese (dessert) – $6

The illustrious Asian eatery of Bistro Na’s has earned its reputation as one of the west coast’s finest, and for good reason. Although its exterior may strike you as somewhat bland or even barren, looks deceive. What the restaurant lacks in external decoration, it makes up for manifold with a delightful repertoire of everything between seared lamb chops a’ la New Zealand and succulent shrimp in various forms. Couple this with a classic, imperial atmosphere and extremely accommodating staff and you’ll be having this pleasant cookery on your mind long after you’ve left.

#9 – Tuome
Location: New York, NY
Food: Fusion
Cheapest edible: Egg (appetizer) – $11

There are more ways than one to prepare Asian cuisine. Instead of taking the traditional (but sometimes painfully predictable) route of many restaurants, Tuome lays it all on the line by defying convention, and it does so with unabashed pizzazz. The result is a mix of experimental cooking and established expertise that challenges your preconceived tastes while still, somehow, satisfying the palate of even the most squeamish food lover. A glance at the menu reveals some of Tuome’s most cherished delicacies, including chicken liver and fluke credo, both prepared to perfection with the chef’s signature delivery.

#8 – State Bird Provisions
Location: San Francisco, CA
Food: American
Cheapest edible: Giardiniera pickles (larder) – $7

If Asian cuisine doesn’t spark your appetite, some good ol’ American food just might. That is, if you give State Bird Provisions a go. Nestled in the serene milieu of California’s Bay Area, this inviting restaurant holds no punches when it comes to culinary diversity. In a veritable dim-sum fashion, visitors have the pleasure to choose from a fauna of different foods, served by waiters traversing the room while closely eyed by eager guests. Give the buttermilk-fried quail a chance and you will quickly discover what makes this restaurant so special.

#7 – Al’s Place
Location: San Francisco, CA
Food: Californian
Cheapest edible: Poached farm egg with olive oil (side) – $3

When USA Today set out to locate the most inexpensive main course meal of any Michelin star restaurant, they found it in AI’s Place. For a measly $18, guests can bite into a meal fit for a king, even if most items on the menu will run you a little bit extra. However, don’t sleep on the exquisite fish and vegetable dishes offered, as they are the center of focus at this accessible, bright-lit establishment. Add to this the upbeat atmosphere of a cozy, family-run restaurant and you’ll surely be back sooner rather than later.

#6 – Maydān
Location: Washington, D.C.
Food: Middle Eastern
Cheapest edible: N/A

When people muse over our nation’s capital, restaurants aren’t necessarily the first thing that come to mind. But that’s because they haven’t visited Maydān. Residing at the intersection of rustic realness and cosmopolitan elegance, expect only the highest quality edibles and service as you get willfully lost in a world of culinary bliss. The roaring heat of the kitchen’s robust grills and ovens run the risk of deterring some particular visitors. However, most guests will find it heartwarming rather than anything else.

#5 – Rasa
Location: Burlingame, CA
Food: Indian
Cheapest edible: Coconut & tomato chutney (side) – $2

With the plethora of culinary choices out there, it is easy to overlook Indian food. But places like Rasa will remind you why you shouldn’t. This fine eatery doesn’t just cater to formally dressed business people, but also to casual guests looking for an explorative journey into rich culinary traditions. Mix in a superb selection of delicacies such as dosa, uttapam and “Bombay slider” buns, a local favorite, and you will quickly forget everything you thought you knew about Indian cuisine.

#4 – Claro
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Food: Mexican
Cheapest edible: Salsa roja (side) – $4

When delicious Mexican food is the name of the game, look no further than Brooklyn’s own Claro. Filled to the brim with Latin charm, this restaurant goes all in on Oaxaca-style dishes, such as barbacoa tacos, seared octopus and its own local take on consommé. The bright, uplifting interior will make you want to pay it a visit, and the cordial guidance of your servers will make you want to come back for more.

#3 – Kin Khao
Location: San Francisco, CA
Food: Thai
Cheapest edible: N/A

The third and final San Francisco entry on this list, Kin Khao isn’t the prettiest cookery you’ll step foot in, but it is one of the best. Choose from a bevy of delicious Thai foods, including spicy noodle soup with duck bones and bok choy as well as som tum accompanied by fried shrimp. Visiting Kin Khao won’t be a shoo-in for someone averse to spicy cuisine, but should be if you’re open to a wide range of sprawling, culinary offerings.

#2 – Tail Up Goat
Location: Washington, D.C.
Food: Contemporary
Cheapest edible: Fried & salted marcona almonds (snacks) – $2

Take a sleek, minimalistic setting, add colorful, vibrant food, and sprinkle in the unmistakable presence of an inviting, contemporary atmosphere. What do you get? Washington D.C.’s Tail Up Goat. What’s more, dining in at this fabulous restaurant won’t cost you an arm and a leg, even if you do feel like feasting on its juicy signature lamb ribs. Other delicacies include triangoli with pea-shoot pesto, as well as red fife sourdough with a touch of lettuce. If you plan to visit a single one-starred restaurant in our nation’s capital, consider this unassuming one.

# 1 – Jeju Noodle Bar
Location: New York, NY
Food: Korean
Cheapest edible: Bansuk egg (side) – $2

Speaking of establishments that punch far above their weight class, don’t overlook Jeju Noodle Bar. To say that Korean cuisine is overshadowed by the popularity of its Chinese and Japanese counterparts would be putting it mildly. But this place might just change your preconceptions. Enjoy ramyun or explore new, less treaded grounds by indulging in sushi-style amberjack or cucumber kimchi. Whatever you choose, expect nothing but culinary excellence from this quaint establishment as its fiery passion for food is superseded only by its joyful celebration of life.

A Potpourri Of Choices
Whichever eatery will have you as their honorary guest, any and all of these restaurants are worthy not only of your time, but also – more importantly, for this purpose – your money. For a fraction of the cost of your monthly phone bill, you get the solemn privilege of delving straight into, and savoring, some of the world’s most coveted culinary traditions. What’s more, since you are not emptying your wallet in process, you might even be drawn to visiting multiple establishments on your culinary crawl, which means more pleasurable experiences for you and more sweet memories to cherish, long after that check has been paid. At the end of the day, isn’t the pampered feeling of professional accommodation and the lingering taste of exquisite edibles what visiting a world class restaurant is all about?