- 1️⃣ Introduction: Is cheap food in London a myth?
- 2️⃣ Street food - the best street food in London
- 3️⃣ Cheap and tasty places with British cuisine
- 4️⃣ London food markets you must visit
- 5️⃣ Where to have lunch for less than £10?
- 6️⃣ Best curries and Asian cuisine at a good price
- 7️⃣ Cheap burgers, fish & chips and other classics
1️⃣ Introduction: Is cheap food in London a myth?
London has for years been associated with high prices - Both in terms of accommodation and food. Many tourists assume even before they arrive that they will have to spend a fortune on every meal. Fortunately, this is not true.
All you need to know, where to look, to discover places serving tasty, filling and inexpensive dishes - Often in a local, authentic style.
🌍 London's multiculturalism is a huge advantage - it makes it possible to find cheap food in almost any neighborhood. From classic fish & chips, by aromatic Indian curry, right down to the fresh asian dumplings - The choice is huge.
In this guide, we will show you that eating out in London doesn't have to ruin your budget. All you need is a little cleverness and openness to new flavors!
2️⃣ Street food - the best street food in London
If you want to eat well and not spend a fortune, street food is your best friend in London. The city is famous for its food trucks, stalls and temporary kitchens that serve dishes from all over the world - fast, cheap and delicious.
🧆 Na Borough Market You'll find aromatic curries, fresh seafood and artisan baked goods. Prices start as low as £5-6 per serving, and the quality can surprise even picky eaters.
🌯 Camden Market is a paradise for fans of fusion cuisine - jackfruit tacos, Korean bao, Chinese dumplings or juicy Moroccan-style lamb burgers.
🍜 Also worth a visit KERB - A network of food truck rallies that pop up in various parts of the city, such as King's Cross and Canary Wharf. Always something new, always at a good price.
💡 Tip: Don't be afraid of queues - they often mean it's worth the wait. And if you want to save even more, come at the end of the day - many vendors offer discounts on unsold portions.
3️⃣ Cheap and tasty places with British cuisine
British cuisine is often underrated, but in London you can experience its best side - and without straining your wallet. You just need to know where to look!
🥧 Pie and mash shops This is a classic of cheap, homemade food. The meat casserole with potatoes and green parsley "liquor" is a feast for less than £7. Recommended place? M. Manze - One of the oldest in the city.
🐟 Fish & chips is a must-visit - and you can eat well and cheaply! Choose a restaurant with a high turnover of customers, such as. Poppies Fish & Chips in Soho or Golden Union. The portions are large and the taste is truly traditional.
🍳 For classic english breakfast go to one of the numerous caffs. On the menu you'll find eggs, sausages, bacon, toast and beans - for about £6-8. Simple, filling and very British.
💂 If you want to try Sunday roast, i.e., roast meat with vegetables and Yorkshire pudding, visit local pubs on Sundays - many offer promotional sets for £10-12.
4️⃣ London food markets you must visit
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London's food markets are true treasure troves of flavor - and a great option for a cheap yet unique meal. They offer both ready-made dishes and local products that you can take away for later.
🧀 Borough Market - London's oldest and most famous market. Here you'll find artisan cheeses, fresh seafood, sourdough breads and cuisine from around the world. Prices vary, but many takeaway dishes cost £6-10.
🌮 Camden Market - colorful, energetic and full of street food from all corners of the world. Tacos, pad thai, falafel, Korean BBQ are just some of the offerings. A great place for a quick lunch in a non-touristy atmosphere.
🥙 Maltby Street Market - smaller, more local, perfect for a weekend stroll. A narrow street full of food trucks and craft stalls. Prices slightly lower than at Borough, and the atmosphere very intimate.
🍞 Broadway Market - perfect for a Saturday breakfast or lunch in Hackney. In addition to great food, you'll also find fresh breads, baked goods, preserves and organic products.
💡 Tip: It's worth coming early, before it gets crowded - and before the best portions are gone!
5️⃣ Where to have lunch for less than £10?
Despite appearances, it is possible to eat in London A tasty and filling lunch for under £10 - Even in the city center. You just have to know where to look.
🥪 Pret a Manger, Itsu, Wasabi and other chain stores offer ready-made lunch kits, wraps, salads and soups at reasonable prices. After 3pm, there are often discounts on short-order items!
🍛 Koshari Street (Covent Garden) - Egyptian koshari is a mix of rice, noodles, lentils and tomato sauce - a healthy, cheap and very filling dish for about £7-8.
🥘 Roti King (Euston) - Malaysian curry with roti pancake for about £9 is one of the best-rated cheap dishes in London. Note: the queues are long, but it's worth it!
🥙 Maoz Falafel (Soho) - vege option. For £6-7 you get a pita with falafel and unlimited access to the toppings bar. Tasty, healthy and cheap.
🍜 Tonkotsu (Various locations) - at lunchtime they offer bowls of ramen or sets for £9-10. Portions large, taste - a Japanese feast.
💡 Tip: In applications such as Too Good To Go You'll find lunch kits and unsold portions at venues for as little as £3-4.
6️⃣ Best curries and Asian cuisine at a good price
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London is a real paradise for fans of Asian cuisine - especially when it comes to aromatic curries, dumplings, pho or ramen. Importantly: many of these flavors can be discovered without spending a fortune.
🍛 Brick Lane - the iconic curry street. Here you'll find dozens of cheap Indian and Bengali restaurants, where aromatic dishes are served from as little as £7-8. Many establishments tempt you with discounts or free naan.
🥟 BaoziInn (Soho) - colorful dim sum dumplings and dishes from Sichuan. Lunch sets are within 10 pounds, and the taste is delightful - spicy, intense, authentic.
🍲 Pho Café - A chain with Vietnamese pho soups and bao buns. Large portions and fair prices - you'll eat deliciously for about £9-10.
🍜 Ramen at Kanada-Ya - authentic Japanese ramen at several locations. Lunch options and bowls in the basic version cost less than £10 - a soup that puts you on your feet!
🍚 Indian Veg (Islington) - a vegetarian Indian buffet with food "by weight" or in the form of "you eat as much as you want". An iconic restaurant, cheap and... full of inspiring slogans on the walls.
💡 Tip: In many Asian restaurants, the prices of take-out dishes are lower than on the spot - it's worth asking!
7️⃣ Cheap burgers, fish & chips and other classics
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While in London, it's impossible to miss the culinary classics. The good news? You don't have to spend a lotto try the iconic fish & chips, a juicy burger or a full English breakfast.
🐟 Fish & Chips - still the king of street food in the UK. Locals such as Poppies, Golden Union whether The Fryer's Delight They serve fresh fish in a crispy batter with fries for £9-10. It comes with the obligatory pea purée and malt vinegar!
🍔 Honest Burgers - A chain with a local flair and homemade rosemary fries. Lunch sets and promotions allow you to eat a good burger for less than £10, especially outside the center.
🥓 GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen). - A burger shop classic at an affordable price. At certain times, there are often promotions like "burger + fries" for £9.95.
🍳 Caffes and local pubs - You'll have a typical English breakfast of eggs, sausages, beans and toast in many places for £6-8. Look for establishments that say "All Day Breakfast".
🥧 Greggs - A bakery chain where you can buy a hot casserole, sandwich or pastry for 2-3 pounds. Perfect for a quick and cheap lunch.
💡 Tip: It's worth checking daily deals and "meal deals" - many establishments offer sets (e.g., burger + drink) at discounted prices, especially at lunchtime.
8️⃣ Supermarket food - what's worth buying?
Don't feel like going to restaurants, or maybe you want to eat something quick and cheap in a park or hostel? Supermarkets in London are a great option, to save money and eat well at the same time.
🥪 Meal deal - an absolute classic! In Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons or Boots you can buy a set consisting of a sandwich or salad, a drink and a snack (e.g., chips, fruit) starting from 3-4 pounds. A great option for lunch on the run.
🥗 Prepared salads and cold dishes - Healthy, convenient and inexpensive. The selection is huge - from Asian noodles to hummus with vegetables.
🍗 Prepared hot dishes - In larger markets (e.g., M&S Food, Waitrose) you'll find hot food sections: chicken with rice, lasagne, curry - for £4-6. All you need is a microwave in your hostel or Airbnb.
🥣 Flakes, milk, fruit and yogurt - perfect for a quick breakfast. You can prepare several meals a day on your own for a fraction of the restaurant price.
🍞 Baked goods and snacks by weight - Baked goods, cheese rolls, sweet yeast - delicious and often overpriced after 5pm.
💡 Tip: Look for yellow stickers that say "Reduced" - denote discounted products with a short shelf life, sometimes by as much as 70%.
9️⃣ Apps and sites for finding promotions and discounts
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In London, you don't have to overpay - just use the Apps and sites that help you find discounts, promotions and cheap food. It's a smart way to eat well and cheaply even in popular establishments.
📱 Too Good To Go - an absolute hit! With this app, you can buy unsold food from restaurants, cafes or bakeries at a fraction of the price - often at £3-4. A surprise package is a great option for a cheap lunch or dinner.
📱 OLIO - An app based on the idea of sharing food. Residents and stores give away excess food for free - just book and pick it up at an agreed location. Zero waste + saving money!
💻 HotUKDeals - A site and app with the latest promotions, including dining out. You'll find discounts to chain stores, discount coupons and 2-for-1 deals.
📱 Vouchercloud, Groupon i Wowcher - classic coupon portals, often offer discounts to restaurants, bars or food trucks - such as dinner for two for £10-12.
📍 Google Maps + reviews - sometimes the best way to find a cheap place in the area is... to look at ratings and photos. It's also worth filtering the results by "$" and "$-$$."
💡 Tip: At some establishments, you just need to show the app or coupon when ordering, but sometimes you need to book a table through the platform - read the terms and conditions carefully!
🔟 Tips at the end - how to eat well and cheaply in London?
Finally, some proven tips to help you eat cheap, tasty and with your head While in London:
✅ Avoid touristy places - The restaurants at the main attractions (such as those at the London Eye or Tower Bridge) tend to be expensive and mediocre. Just walk 2-3 streets away to find something better and cheaper.
✅ Choose lunches over dinners - Many establishments offer cheaper menus from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The same dishes can be as much as 30% more expensive in the evening.
✅ Use the app with promotions - Too Good To Go, OLIO or Groupon really make a difference to your budget. Get them before you leave.
✅ Take away food - Many establishments offer lower prices on takeaway dishes, especially compared to the "dine in" version.
✅ Cook if you have access to a kitchen - Supermarket shopping and simple meals prepared by yourself are huge savings.
✅ Tap water is safe and free - In restaurants you can ask for "tap water" and no one will be offended. Avoid buying bottled water.
✅ Don't be afraid of markets and street food - is often the best that London has to offer in terms of taste, authenticity and price.
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