As well as being an incredible place to explore [1], London is also the perfect place to find the widest variety of domestic and international cuisine. But when it comes to reserving a table somewhere that serves the perfect aubergine-pita-filled brunch, katsu curry dish, health food salad box, or Instagram-friendly salmon and cream cheese bun, prices can be off-putting. Luckily, there are still some bargains to be found in the capital. We've selected the yummiest dishes in London that come in at well under a tenner, so you can fuel your tour of the city [2] without breaking the bank!
Shawarma From Cafe Helen
Head to Edgware Road, otherwise known as the Mecca of Middle Eastern food, for a Shawarma at Cafe Helen for just £4. The lamb is absolutely heavenly. The meat is marinated in spices (nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon) and lemon juice overnight before being threaded onto a large spit, which means it's not your typical greasy, after-hours drunken kebab.
105A Edgware Rd, Paddington, London W2 2HX
Mega Falafel Salad From Pilpel For the People
Get on your way to your five a day with a hearty falafel salad from Pilpel. The good news is that your salad can be completely customised, allowing you to select from a wide variety including bread base, green salad, tabouleh, red & white cabbage, jalapeños, as well as delish toppings such as aubergine, guacamole, feta, or hard boiled egg. The best part? It's all under a fiver.
Various locations. Find your closest branch here. [3]
A Slice From Home Slice Pizza
Indulge in a crispy, mouth-watering slice of pizza at Home Slice. The Covent Garden branch, just off the busy Neal’s Yard, serves whole 20-inch pizzas in a variety of gourmet flavours for £20 or individual slices for £4. Choose from three of the most popular flavours including margherita.
Three locations across London. Find your closest branch here. [4]
A Mixed Box From Kim's Vietnamese Food Hut
If you find yourself famished while vintage shopping in Camden Market, have a lunch break at Kim's for a plethora of Vietnamese delicacies. Enjoy a box of fried vegetables, Singapore noodles, breaded chicken breast, and battered king prawns with plum sauce for just £5. Are you there already?
Market Hall, Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AL
A Big Plate of Katsu Curry From Eat Tokyo
Gulp up a plate of katsu curry in the heart of Soho for just £7. The queues may be daunting but can be avoided through online booking. You can be seated instantly with your friends and order one of the largest portions of katsu curry (the plate is actually 28 cm.). Ginormous yum!
Various locations. Find your nearest branch here [5].
Pho From Mien Tay
This is the best pho in London, and it's only £7.50! The delicate Vietnamese noodle soup consists of broth, rice noodles with added herbs, and your choice of meat. It is absolutely addictive and oh so filling when you need that extra something in your belly. Get the salt and pepper prawns for starters as well.
Branches in Battersea, Fulham, and Kingsland Road. [6]
A Bao Bun From Bao Bar
Although it's a rarity not to find a queue at this Taiwanese restaurant on Windmill street in Fitzrovia, you can always go for a late dinner after 10 p.m. or book in advance. Indulge in Bao's signature buns and join the hoards of #foodporn addicts ready to take a snap of some of London's best buns. We suggest going for the tender pork belly, peanut powder, and pickled lettuce that you can enjoy for a mere fiver or less.
Three branches across London. Find your closest here [7].
A Lunch Special at Sagar
If you're after quality Indian food on a budget, look no further than Sagar. You can indulge in South Indian vegetarian food like poppas, vegetable curry, pilau rice, sambar, plus a filling dessert for less than a tenner. Prices start at £3.50.
Branches in Covent Garden, Hammersmith, and Tottenham Court Road [8].
Bibimbap From Woo Jung
Formerly a standalone restaurant, Woo Jung is located at the back of the Centre Point Food Store in New Oxford Street. The minuscule establishment has an extensive menu including a bibimbap for £7.50, omurice for £7.50, and bulgogi, meaning sliced beef marinated in soy sauce and wrapped in lettuce leaves. Yum!
73 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1DG
A Filling Brunch at The Good Egg
Get a good start to your day with a vitamin-packed brunch at The Good Egg. We suggest an aubergine pita with eggs, tahini, and dak dak salad for £8. Also, don't miss out on the fine selection of dinner dishes, snacks, and drinks.
93 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0AS
A Smack Lobster Roll
In the mood for seafood? Make your way to Smack Lobster and pick your flavour: California, a classic, or a seven masterpiece with Japanese mayo, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, pickled ginger, spring onions, and togarashi spice. Your brioche roll filled with shrimp will only set you back £8.
58 Dean Street, London, W1D 6AL
Vibrant Californian Salad Boxes With Protein From Bel-Air Food
Bel-Air Food is the Feel Good Fast Food, as the website tagline suggests. Pimp out your meal by customising it from scratch and choosing between a vast array of ingredients including cranberries, chicken, fish, and a delectable sauce selection. You can opt to have your health fix in the Shoreditch or Farringdon branch or simply order online.
54 Paul St, London EC2A 4LN or 12 New Fetter Ln, London, EC4A 1AG
Aubergine Age Bitashi From Tokyo Diner
It's hard to believe that you can discover authentic Japanese food in London, but Tokyo Diner has been doing a great job since 1992. Small selections of sushi and sashimi are also available. Benefit from their lunchtime deals from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and get a further £1 off your order between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. For example, enjoy the age bitashi with roasted aubergines tampered in cold dashi stock served with delicious miso soup and a huge portion of rice, pickles, and a seaweed salad. Did we mention all of this costs £7?
2 Newport Pl, London, WC2H 7JJ
Char Kway Teow From Ekachai
How do you fancy delicious stir-fried rice cake strips for £7 in Flat Iron Square? Or opt for a full nasi goreng (stir-fried rice with sweet soy sauce, shallot, garlic accompanied by egg, chicken, or prawns) for £7.50. You can find more budget-friendly authentic Thai, Malay, and Cantonese cooking at branches across the city.
Find your nearest branch here. [9]