London is home to a huge range of cheap and affordable eating options – from street markets to restaurant specials, a great meal doesn't have to break the bank. Take a look at our pick of London's best cheap restaurants.
Cheap international restaurants in London
You can find just about every global cuisine in London, often at great value.
1. Chinatown restaurants
Choose from dozens of Chinese restaurants in London's Chinatown for an affordable lunch option. Try the Golden Dragon for cheap dim sum starting at a few pounds each, or Good Friend for Taiwanese street food such as crispy fried chicken wings for under £10.
2. Indian Veg
Head down to Chapel Market in north London to find Indian Veg's all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet. Popular with a younger crowd before a night out, this is definitely good value Indian fare for under £10, and you can bring your own alcohol.
3. E. Pellicci
Step inside this Grade II-listed cafe to discover home-style cooking at prices that are hard to argue with. The family behind E. Pellicci has been serving honest Italian food and amazing sandwiches since 1900 in their Bethnal Green Road spot. Try the great value homemade Penne Pellicci (£13.20) or sausage ciabatta (£14.40) which combines chicken escalope with melted mozzarella and hot ragu at this great cheap London restaurant option.
Cheap street food markets in London
London's street food markets are buzzing and a great place to try a wide range of flavours from around the globe, usually at a low price.
4. Borough Market
Feast on street food and grab lunch on the go at Borough Market by London Bridge. A foodie haven, you’ll find more than 100 food stalls here offering everything from artisanal cheeses to cured meat and the finest sourdough. Seek out the dosas and veggie Indian street food at Horn Ok Please, try Applebee's Fish for fresh seafood wraps, the Black Pig for its signature honey truffle and parmesan pork ciabatta, or traditional Malay clay-pot cooking at Joli.
If you want to discover the best of Borough Market, treat yourself by splashing out on a ticket for the Borough Market Food Tour. Otherwise, come early to avoid the crowds.
5. Berwick Street Market
Get a cheap lunch on the go from the many tempting hot food stalls at Berwick Street Market in Soho. You’ll find food from around the globe including Assam belly pork noodles at Pit Stop Noodles, a falafel wrap from Jerusalem Falafels, curried goat from Dope Birdz or authentic Egyptian flavours at WowShee. Open Monday to Saturday.
6. Brixton Village Market
Whether you’re craving dumplings, crepes, sushi, tacos or jollof rice, Brixton Village Market has it all. Tucked under the arcades of buzzing Brixton Village are more than 20 cafes and restaurants serving dishes from all over the world, every day of the week. Go for slow-cooked Venezuelan beef at Arepa, a seafood platter at Etta’s Seafood Kitchen, Nepalese dumplings at House of Momo or Ghanian igusu soup and pounded yam at May Foods.
7. Lower Marsh Market
Waterloo’s historic street market, Lower Marsh Market lets you combine a spot of artisan shopping with a great bite to eat. Expect tasty Korean street food at Bibimbab, fresh Cuban flavours at Cubana Waterloo, authentic Pakistani food at Lahori Spice and the tastiest of sweet French treats at Péché Mignon Londres. Drop in and feast Monday to Saturday every week.
Best London fast food restaurants
Fast food isn't limited to global chains – London has plenty of unique cheap fast food options.
8. Honest Burgers
You’ll find Honest Burgers locations across the city and its burgers are a cut above the rest. With patties made from scratch with meat from its butchery, a commitment to better farming practices, and a loyal following for the double-cooked rosemary salted chips alone, it’s a win all round. And you can still get a burger, fries and a homemade lemonade for just £8.95.
9. Wingstop
Wingstop is the ideal cheap fast food lunch option for chicken wings, tenders and platters bursting with flavour. Choose from a range of rubs and glazes on the heat scale, from sweet and tangy Hawaiian to spicy Korean with crushed red pepper. Elevate your meal with a choice of sides and drinks and save some room for the churros for dessert!
Best cheap London restaurants for vegans and vegetarians
London's budget-friendly bites are not limited to meat-eaters. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian cheap eats to hunt down in the city.
10. Club Mexicana
Spice up your lunch at Club Mexicana with cheeseburger tacos, "short rib" burritos and frozen Margaritas. The 100% vegan eatery can be found in Soho, Mayfair, Hoxton and Boxhall City, with deals including three tacos for £13.50 and a burrito wrap or bowl for £13.
11. 222 Vegan
Known for its great value, tasty vegan food, 222 Vegan in West Kensington won't put a big dent in your wallet. With no fried foods or refined ingredients, it’s healthy fare too. Go for an oyster mushroom and spinach raclette with chard, lentils and cashew cream sauce or maybe a carrot tart with a generous side of salads, baked sweet potato and tomato and basil sauce.
Top lunch deals in London
Some of London's top restaurants have lunch deals that allow you to eat well without breaking the bank.
12. The Real Greek
Stop at any of The Real Greek's 12 London locations for the Filoxenia all day menu which incudes four dishes for £22. Choose from dips, salads and sides, and hot and cold mezze that includes chicken skewers, fried meatballs, grilled aubergine or spanakopita. This low-cost lunch menu makes this a great affordable restaurant in London.
13. BAO
The BAO15 menu deal at BAO costs just £15 for three courses, but it includes a bao bun, xiao chi (lamb dumplings or soy-glazed aubergine) and a rice bowl or noodles. It’s so good there are often queues outside the door at lunchtime, so come early or late for quicker service. There are seven BAO outlets across London with the set menu available noon-6pm on weekdays.
14. Ugly Dumpling
Enjoy tasty dumplings for tasty prices at Ugly Dumpling in Soho and Brixton. Choose between a meat, vegetarian or vegan platter of eight dumplings for £16.50. Flavours include sweet duck, sticky-glazed pork and crispy tempura aubergine drizzled in sweet honey.
Find out how to save money in London, discover 101 cheap things to do in the city, or build your itinerary around London's free attractions.
