London has a reputation for being expensive, and honestly, it’s not totally undeserved. But here’s the thing, while prices can run high, London is a huge city, which also means there are endless choices for every kind of budget.
In this guide, I’ll focus on the spots most travelers are likely to spend their time: central London, mostly within Zone 1. Of course, there are great places scattered all over the city, but these options will be your best bet for cheap eats in London without straying too far from the main sights.
📍 Quick Picks: Best Cheap Eats Central London
Short on time? Here are a few of my top budget friendly spots in central London.
- 🥪 Chequers – Great place to grab sandwiches on the go.
- 🍕 Pizza Union – Cheap sit down pizza.
- 🍻 Wetherspoons– Multiple locations across the city, cheap pub style foods and drinks.
- 🥐 Chinatown Bakery – Baked goods, great for breakfasts and snacks.
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Budget Friendly Restaurants in London
Here’s a list of the best sit down cheap eats London has to offer.
- Pizza Union – Kings Cross & Holborn. One of the best sit-down cheap eats in London. Their 12″ pizzas run £4–7.50. Even the cocktails and wine are £5.
- Roti King – Malaysian spot serving curries, rice, and noodles with multiple locations around London. Mains run £9.50–11.95.What to order: The dhal or the murtabak
- Wetherspoons – Classic British pub chain. Breakfasts, pints, burgers, pub classics. Mains range from £9–15.
- Sapori – Italian place known for its sandwiches and pasta at budget-friendly prices. Sandwiches around £9.50, pasta mains £13.50–15.50.
- C & R Cafe Restaurant – Comforting noodle and rice dishes, most mains around £14.50.
- Govinda’s -Longtime vegetarian cafeteria serving vegetarian and vegan dishes. À la carte dishes from £3.50–5.50, full plates £8–15 (huge portion). One of the best deals for cheap eats in London.
- Indian YMCA Restaurant – Canteen-style Indian food at fantastic prices. Dishes run £4.50–9.50. It’s no-frills, and great food.
- Marugame Udon – Japanese noodle chain with steaming bowls of udon and sides. Bowls run £4.95–13.95.
- Cafe Metro Express – Small Moroccan café with budget-friendly wraps in the £7–9 range.
- Gerry’s Hot Subs – American-style sub shop with large, filling sandwiches. Subs run £9–14.
- Devi Dhaba – Small Indian spot with curries and street food style dishes. You can get a choice of 3 curries with rice for £6. Fantastic deal!
- Thenga Café – Vegan friendly café with plant-based dishes at fair prices. Mains around £11.
- Eat Tokyo – Japanese restaurant serving sushi, etc. with large portions for great prices. Mains £10–12.50.
- Marie’s Thai Café – Fry ups by day, Thai dishes in the evening. Mains £8–12.
- ICCO – “The People’s Pizzeria.” – Pizzeria serving 12″ pies, from £4–9.
Grab-and-Go Cheap Eats in London
Grab and go is a great way to keep your budget in check while traveling and London has so many parks that are perfect for a picnic. Some of my favorites are Hyde Park, St. James’s Park, and Trafalgar Square. Bakeries are also great spots to grab a little something for breakfast. China town specifically has loads of bakeries.
- Chequers – Highly rated sandwich shop serving fresh, filling options for just a few pounds.
- Taza Takeaway Kebab House – Simple kebab shop with large portions.
- Petticoat Lane Market – Bustling market where you can grab quick bites and affordable international street food.
- Deli Box – Quick takeaway spot offering sandwiches, wraps, and fast comfort food on the cheap.
- Porterford Butchers – Butcher shop known for hearty sandwiches.
- Chinatown Bakery – Popular bakery for sweet and savory buns and takeaway snacks.
- Aria Golden Grill – One of the street food stalls on Leather Lane. Large portions, great prices.
- Sud Italia – Food truck style wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.
- Beigel Bake – London legend on Brick Lane serving fresh bagels with yummy toppings 24/7.
Save at Grocery Stores
While the most cost effective way to eat while traveling may be to make your own meals at your accommodation, it isn’t always a practical option. I love utilizing grocery stores while traveling for more than just stocking a fridge. Having spent a lot of time in the UK, I can honestly say I have often utilized the meal deal at Tesco or Sainsbury’s. Grocery stores are an easy way to mix things up, don’t sleep on the premade sandwiches and ready to eat options. This is one of the most underrated ways to eat on a budget in London
Tips for Grocery Store Meals in London
- Meal Deals: Tesco and Sainsbury’s both have meal deals that make lunch super affordable.
- Picnic Style: Grab cheese, fruit, or deli items and build your own picnic. M&S is a little pricier but perfect for higher-quality picnic supplies.
Too Good To Go for Cheap Eats in London
I’ve been using the Too Good To Go app more and more while I travel (and even back home), and London is one of the best cities to take advantage of it. The app connects you with restaurants, bakeries, and shops that sell “surprise bags” of leftover food at the end of the day for just a few pounds. It’s a fun way to try new places and save money. Get the Too Good to Go app here.
🇬🇧 London on a Budget: Where Else to Save
Looking for more ways to save while exploring London?
Beyond food, accommodation is usually the biggest expense. Choosing the right place to stay can free up more of your budget for experiences and meals.
If you haven’t booked yet, I’ve put together a full guide to the Best Budget Hotels in London with options that are central and comfortable.
More Cheap Eats Guides
Traveling elsewhere soon? I’ve put together more posts in my Cheap Eats series, including Cheap Eats Lisbon, Cheap Eats Dubrovnik, and more destinations around the world.
