What to wear for lunch at Michelin starred restaurant?

[CariahMary]

I'm out for a taster menu lunch next week at a Michelin starred restaurant. It doesn't look too stuffy or formal. But it's clearly not MaccyDs 🤣

What does a person wear to this kind of place? I've paid a deposit so hope they won't turn me away for looking a scruff.

My wardrobe is very very casual 🫠

https://www.rootsyork.com/

Here's where I'm going.

I've been to Roots and they will treat you like a rockstar however you are dressed. It's a wonderful experience and not stuffy at all.

From memory I was dressed significantly shabbier than most in the room - on holiday, had mainly packed jeans and jumpers - and I didn't feel awkward at all.

Yes, most people are going to have made an effort and will look fashionable and rich but the vibe of Roots is that you are there to enjoy the food.

Wow. What an incredibly helpful post. Thank you so much.

I feel better.

I might swerve my usual faded mom jeans but glad that casual will be okay.

Thank you!!

That's OK, it's one of my all time favourite restaurant experiences.

If you accept that it's pricey to go so will attract people that can afford it, plus it's Yorkshire so people will dress up for the occasion (I'm from down South where a dress from Fat Face counts as very smart) it's fine.

I've only been to one Michelin starred restaurant, I wore jeans but a decent top.

Something with a bit of room around the middle…

I’m fairly clumsy, so a white dress or top wouldn’t be my first choice (but that’s true for most days, to be honest) 😅

On a more serious note: I’d go with whatever makes you feel comfortable, relaxed and confident. Whether that’s jeans and a jumper, a smart skirt and top or a dress.

smart casual should be acceptable i.e. no jeans, trainers or hoodies! Trousers and a top or dress and tights.

I haven’t been to that one but have been to a few in Birmingham. For lunch there’s usually a mix of smart casual through to very casual including trainers and fleeces, might be different in other areas. I usually wear jeans and a nice top with Doc Marten boots as I don’t own anything smarter.

I’ve found Michelin starred places to be much friendlier and relaxed than just a fancy restaurant. Very enthusiastic and informed staff, helpful and happy to explain things.

I always tune out when they tell me what the food is because I’m too excited and greet every plate with “ooh lovely!” so generally have to ask what I’ve just eaten. I have also had to ask how to eat things a few times, particularly after trying to eat what turned out to be a decorative pebble and not part of a dessert.

Have a lovely time, it’ll be fab!

Thanks all.

I think it'll have to be trainers for footwear because I don't actually own anything else apart from hiking boots 😬I have these which aren't too trainer-ish.

Are you joking? They scream trainer!!

But unless the place has a published dress code it really wont matter

I mean they're a lot less trainer-y than my Nike Air Max or Hoka Challengers which are my other options😂

As I said, I have a very casual wardrobe.

They have a ‘Code of Conduct’ for guests - but no dress code.

Unless for reasons of absolute poverty, I’m not sure I’d want to live without at least one pair of actual shoes. But each to their own.

It looks such a lovely place - with serious food - I’d want to wear something fairly serious and simple - so I could concentrate on what I’m eating.

I am fairly sure I would have worn trainers as I went in summer at the peak of the white trainers trend.

@AnnaMagnani it's Yorkshire so people will dress up for the occasion (I'm from down South where a dress from Fat Face counts as very smart)

What..? 😂This is such a sweeping generalisation, and not remotely true.

Personally I would wear a mini skirt, tights, boots/loafers and a nice jumper, or dark wash jeans/dark wide leg trousers with smart trainers and the same jumper. But that's what I generally wear for smart casual, so replace as appropriate. I think old (or not current style) jeans with those trainers won't look particularly good, although I'd be very surprised if you'd be turned away. Why not call and confirm?

Roots York isn’t stuffy at all, the waiters wore relaxed with aprons etc and some other patrons definitely had trainers on. We went in the summer and I wore a dress and sandals but more relaxed than dressy.

@TheApocalypticiansApprentice Day-to-day I haven't worn anything but trainers (or hiking boots for cold, snowy winter days) since Covid. It's been marvellous.

I begrudgingly wore sandals once to a posh party but took trainers with me and changed into them pretty bloody quickly

That’s fine - but you’ve asked what to wear and sidetracked to footwear!

When I went to a similar place I wore red wide leg trousers and a cream short sleeved cashmere jumper.

I wouldn't wear trainers personally but I'm sure they won't care unless there is a dress code

I’ve been to many. It really doesn’t matter- apart from football shirts usually!

These will be totally fine. If they're really grotty and beaten up they might not fit a smart casual vibe but the staff are unlikely to care. I haven't been to Roots but eaten at a lot of Michelin places and many are just relaxed and pleasant with knowledgeable staff. I usually wear a simple dress - something like Cos which is understated and comfy with room round the tummy! But good jeans and a nice shirt/t shirt/jumper is fine and what my partner always wears. Going for the lambswool or cashmere jumper rather than a hoodie, maybe, but that's it.
Have a great time.

I wear a nice dress or skirt as it’s nice to dress up sometimes I think. Personally I wouldn’t wear jeans and haven’t seen anyone else wearing them but o have been in the evenings and lunchtime may be different.

Your trainers will be fine, they're under the table for a start! Just wear a decent top & you'll be good to go. Have a great lunch, I love a tasting menu lunch, it's the best.

Tis generally v true that the North is dressier than the South

Not everyone everywhere everytime, but the bling factor, it's higher. Also true in Ireland.

I would dress up a bit - it's not every day you go out for tasting menu - maybe it's me but don't go out often so when I do I like to dress up a bit. I would wear a nice wool skirt knee high boots and a nice wool jumper with nice jewellery hair done and make up. all in my wardrobe buts that's me. I like to dress up a bit when go out it makes me feel good. but what I wear is comfortable and warm for me too

That isn't what PP said though. Her comment suggests that people from Yorkshire don't get out much so would 'dress up'. Quite patronising really. And also that people down south consider a dress from FatFace very smart which is, ahem, not the case.