Restaurants that Won't Break the Bank in London
It is no secret that London is a pricey place to live. Expensive rent, bills and travel costs are just a few of the things your salary must cover – but what about the endless entertainment options constantly tempting you to spend more and more? Instead of having to miss out altogether, we have compiled a list of our favourite spots that won’t break the bank but will still leave you full and satisfied.
Arancini Brothers, Shoreditch
Deep fried Italian deliciousness. These guys started as a modest market stall on Brick Lane in 2009 but their customer-base quickly grew to the point that Brick and Mortar was the only option. These handmade risotto balls are surprisingly wheat-free and vegan, and incredibly tasty. With dishes starting at £5.50 and the option to BYOB, they really do give you nothing to complain about.
Padella, Borough and Shoreditch
Everyone knows Padella. This speedy, walk-in only pasta joint is London famous yet so reasonably priced. Choose from permanent menu fixtures such as cacio e pepe or beef shin ragu or opt for a delicious daily special. Regardless of what you go for, this spot is cheap enough for you to overindulge without breaking the bank.
Banh Banh, Peckham and Brixton
This family-run Vietnamese Street Food restaurant serves up affordable classics including freshly made pho, banh mi, summer rolls and daily-changing specials. All their dishes are inspired by recipes that have been passed down through the family since the 1940s and are insanely good. I can personally advocate going for the beef in betel leaves starter followed by the bún noodle salad.
Berber & Q Shawarma Bar, Clerkenwell
The perfect spot for a boozy catchup. With fire-grilled dinner for under a tenner and the option to add a kick-ass cocktail, what’s not to like? The food is simple, honest and full of bold flavours, and the vibe is laid-back and unique. A real winner.
Bleecker Burger, Victoria/Spitalfields/Bloomberg Arcade
Regularly referred to as ‘London’s best burger’, Bleecker offer up filthy American-style burgers with dry aged beef. Every carnivore’s dream, these oozing burgers literally fly off the shelves. At £6.75 for a cheeseburger, they are priced just right & even leaves you leftover change for some double cooked fries.
The Cheese Bar, Camden
An artisanal cheese bar inspired by a former food truck. With over 30 varieties on offer, this is a cheese-lovers paradise. If you’re not already convinced, then I’m sure the prices will persuade you. Grilled cheese sarnies start at just £7 and their famous chicken poutine and chips is less than a tenner, at £9.50. If these aren’t your jam, take a look at the raclette, five cheese macaroni or other dishes full of melted cheese goodness.
Ciullosteria, Balham
Cheap and cheerful. This Southern-Italy inspired family-run restaurant serves up pizza, pasta and unpretentious meat and fish mains to Balham's hungry locals. The staff are particularly friendly, the service is exceptional & food starts at just £7 for a dine-in experience. This spot is fuss-free, authentic and delicious.
Da Maria, Notting Hill
Pizza and pasta for those on a budget. Da Maria is gloriously authentic with its cramped layout and buzzy atmosphere. The food is simple and Maria takes a no-frills approach to her cooking. Pasta classics such as spag bol, lasagne and carbonara take centre stage and cost less than a tenner for a big steaming bowl of carby goodness. With pizzas from £7 too, head to Da Maria for affordable indulgence.
Daebak, Vauxhall
Korean with a side of karaoke. Fiery flavours, large portions and low prices are Daebak’s specialty. Korean classics are accompanied by some Japanese favs to bulk out the menu, but they have ensured that each and every dish is affordable without compromising on size or quality. Enjoy a big bowl of bibimbap for just £9.50 or slurp ramen for less than £9. Win!
Delhi Grill, Angel
This Indian street food canteen may be small but the food is mighty. It is frill-free but buzzy and atmospheric & the food is spicy and fragrant. This is a super fun spot for a cheap group dinner, as long as you’re not looking for somewhere quiet. With corrugated iron décor, walls plastered with Bollywood posters and dishes starting at a fiver, there really is nothing to complain about here.
Farmstand, Covent Garden
Healthy and sustainable food bursting with flavour. Farmstand is known for their breakfast and lunch offerings, with grab-n-go colourful salads and breakfast pots proving very popular. However their evening menu of small and large plates are equally noteworthy. Fresh, unrefined and seasonal ingredients are used to create food magic for those on a budget.
Fish, Wings & Tings, Brixton
An institution in Brixton Village Market, FW&T is laidback, welcoming and super tasty. With a Jamaican-inspired menu and reggae tunes, this spot really is a slice of the Caribbean in SW9. Their famous goat curry is a tenner, and pairs perfectly with fruity rum punch.
Herman ze German, Soho
Not the wurst place to hangout. Herman ze German specialises in bratwurst, currywurst and schnitzel – serious comfort food basically. With the juiciest sausages and crustiest of rolls in Soho, this spot is really worth a visit.
Pizza Pilgrims, Various Locations
Pizza Pilgrims may be the relatively new kid-on-the-block but they are killing it! Made fresh daily, the quality of their slow-proved, Neapolitan pizza with fresh, seasonal toppings has ensured they have a full house almost all day everyday. With pizzas starting at just £6, we highly recommend.
Machiya, Leicester Square
From the people behind Kanada-Ya, Machiya is an ode to Kyoto-style home cooking. This spot serves up warming comfort food such as tonkatsu, donburi and soba, with an impressive selection of whiskey, cocktails and saké to boot. £9 will buy you enough food to feel full, but if you’ve a little more to spend, it’s definitely worth grabbing something from their patisserie.
Mien Tay, Hoxton/Battersea/Fulham
A family-run restaurant specialising in authentic home-style cooking from South West Vietnam. The dishes served here reflect the fresh and fragrant characteristics of typical Vietnamese cuisine, with a focus on fish and vegetation. It was hard for us to decide what we enjoyed best; the prawn rolls, crispy squid and Vietnamese curry are all surefire crowd-pleasers, but if you're feeling a little more adventurous why not try the goat galangal or chargrilled quail.
Tayyabs, Whitechapel
London-famous Punjabi curry house Tayyabs opened in 1972 and has been frantically busy ever since. The food is fragrant, not-too-heavy and extremely well priced. This is the perfect spot for groups as the portions are generous and ideal for sharing. With corkage-free BYO further sweetening the deal, head here for 4 tandoori lamb chops for just 7 quid.
Theo’s Pizzeria, Camberwell
An unfussy, welcoming spot in Camberwell, Theo's should be your go-to for top quality sourdough pizzas – and they start at just £7! With whitewashed walls, marble-topped tables & friendly staff, it's the perfect spot to sit in with friends & also offers takeaway. The menu consists of antipasti, pizza, panuozzo & desserts and changes weekly to keep giving you reason to return again and again.
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