Cheap Eats: 20 Affordable Restaurants We Love
We’re all feeling the pinch right now. With the cost of living continuing to soar, we’re on the hunt for cheaper ways to experience the best of London, and when it comes to food, that doesn’t have to mean we’re missing out.
We’ve rounded up the best affordable places to eat in London worth trying, from creamy pastas from Padella to moreish bao buns from BAO.
View this post on Instagram
Kaleido Rolls
If you’re searching for a healthy lunch spot that is both nourishing and guaranteed to keep you full until dinner, look no further than Kaleido Rolls. The healthy salad roll bar is renowned for its nutritious rice paper rolls and unique flavour combinations, from parma ham and melon to chicken Caesar and roasted aubergine. Made fresh daily using natural ingredients, the rolls are a great grab-and-go lunch option.
The brand has recently opened up a new location on Kingly Street, featuring its first-ever on-site rolling station where the rolls are made fresh in the morning and throughout the day. Colourful, light and delicious, you can’t go wrong.
Various locations
Bun House
Cantonese steamed bun specialists Bun House is renowned for its dishes that offer a playful approach to traditional dishes across Southern China.
Order a round of their buns, from the veg bun packed with mixed mushroom, water chestnut and kow choi to their sticky BBQ pork belly bun with lardo and yam. As well as steamed wontons, salted lemon wings and squid ink congee.
26-27 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Padella
Everyone’s favourite Italian spot, Padella is the perfect restaurant to head to for authentic and affordable pasta dishes. Order their tagliarini with dried chilli, garlic and pangrattato – simple but extremely delicious. Don’t forget to load it up with fresh parmesan.
Those willing to spend an extra pound can enjoy the legendary creamy pici cacio e pepe, for just £12.
Shoreditch locals (or visitors) can enjoy £2 Negroni’s with every plate of pasta, from Monday to Friday. Make sure to head there from 5pm to 6:30pm for the perfect post-work dinner.
Bao
When you want something speedy, affordable and satisfying, Bao always comes to the rescue. Now with multiple locations across the city, it’s the place to go to for a speedy dinner date ahead of a show.
There are plenty of delicious small plates and options to choose from, from sanbei tofu balls with basil ranch and beef short rib bao at Bao Fitz to dan dan tofu noodles and prawn croquettes from Bao Noodle Shop.
Soho, Shoreditch, King’s Cross & Borough
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Yard Sale Pizza
An 18 inch piece for two for under £10 each? Sign us up! Yard Sale Pizza is renowned for its hearty pizzas packed with flavour and authenticity.
Now with venues all across the city, there’s no excuse to get your hands on one of their legendary slices. Go classic with their 12 inch options or catch-up with friends over their 18 inch options.
Their margarita is £9.50 for a 12 inch or £18.00 for their giant 18 inch options.
Various Locations
The Cheese Barge
From the team behind The Cheese Bar and Pick & Cheese, this Paddington vessel is home to copious amounts of cheese and wine. Designed by Adam Richards Architects, the design draws influences from the Electra bookstore in Venice, and boasts a copper ‘veil’ that acts as an awning for the lower deck dining room. While ‘upstairs’ is home to a 20-cover open-air area that’s perfect for wining and dining the night away.
The menu is centred around sharing, with various cheese board options and small plates to tuck into. Or, go simple with one of their iconic grilled cheese sandwiches, from the Cropwell Bishop stilton and Ampleforth beef fruit chutney to the Keen’s cheddar, Montgomery’s ogleshield and mixed onion. Expect some seriously great cheese pulling action to commence.
Sheldon Square, Paddington, W2 6DL
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Berber & Q
If your bank balance isn’t stretching enough to head abroad this season, let the holiday come to you thanks to Berber & Q, the fire and smoke shop specialising in Middle Eastern, African and Ottoman flavours.
Expect there to be an emphasis on vegetables just as much as there is on fish and meats, from Moroccan aubergine dip with wild zahter, pine nuts and chilli to their infamous cauliflower shawarma. As well as sharing smoked plates like smoked lamb neck mechoui with harissa, cumin salt & fermented cabbage; and grilled whole mackerel with green chermoula and pickled red onion.
338 Acton Mews, London E8 4EA
Roti King
Serving up some of London’s best Malaysian and Singaporean style street food, Roti King is renowned for its intense flavour combinations and small prices.
If you’re unsure what to choice, take a peek at the signature dishes including seafood kari laksa packed with noodles, seafood and chicken in a coconut curry broth; and their nasi lemak, a steamed coconut rice dish with peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber, egg, sambal and spiced fried chicken. Expect some fiery heat packed into every bite.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Lina Stores
A London institute, Lina Stores may have expanded over the years but it’s kept its menu items authentic and affordable for all to enjoy.
Now with five locations across Soho, King’s Cross, City and Marylebone, its Pistachio hue interiors can be experienced in all of their might.
Look forward to moreish pasta dishes like the pea and ricotta ravioli with mint and pecorino romano for just £7 or go all out with the tagliolini al tartufo e parmigiano, a 30-egg yolk tagliolini with black truffle, butter and parmigiano reggiano. It’s Italian food done right.
Soho, King’s Cross, City & Marylebone
Operation: Falafel
Despite them being on most menus, finding a falafel in London that’s fresh, flavourful and not ridiculously dry is harder than you think. That was until you find Operation: Falafel.
Order direct to your desk and you could be working your way through falafels every kind of way, from pitas stuffed with veggies to bowls packed with rice, salad and dips.
Their chicken shawarma is a Handbook favourite too for when you want something heartier.
59 Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm, NW1 8AN
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Honest Burgers
Burgers feature on just about every menu these days, but for one that’s packed with juicy beef patties and loaded with toppings, it’s got to be Honest Burgers.
It has a whole host of options available, from the classic beef burger with red onion relish and lettuce to the free-range buttermilk fried chicken thigh with American cheese, Frank’s RedHot buffalo sauce, ranch mayo, lettuce and pickles. Plus plenty of veggie options too.
All burgers come with homemade rosemary salted chips, coleslaw or green salad – it’s nice not having to fork out for a side order for once!
Various Locations
Hoppers
If you’re still dreaming about the egg hopper you had last time you were visiting Sri Lanka, fear not as you can get an authentic taste of the country’s toddy shops right here in London. With three locations across Soho, Marylebone and King’s Cross, the restaurant serves up dishes packed with spice.
Order to share or enjoy solo from its menu, from the plantain and moju cutlets to the lamb kothu roti, chicken kari to the hot butter squid. And don’t forget to add an order of string hoppers or chilli cheese dosa on the side.
Soho, Marylebone & King’s Cross
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Bánh Bánh
Built on rich family heritage, Banh Banh is a love letter from five grandchildren to their grandmother, one who was a Vietnamese chef in the 1940s and transposed her love for the pastime onto her family. The restaurant, now boasting brick and mortar venues in Peckham and Brixton, specialises in steaming bowls of pho, zesty salads and curries that you won’t be able to fault.
From Saigon to London, the food is light but the flavours are rich, leaving the taste buds satisfied with every bite. If you’re plant-based, fear not as every Monday is meat-free Monday at this family-run spot.
Club Mexicana
Club Mexicana is Mexican food veganised. Since setting up in 2014, it’s helped revolutionise what plant-based dining looks like today, and we couldn’t be happier as it means we can enjoy tasty street food without the guilt.
Located in Kingly Court, Seven Dials Market, and Spitafields, look forward to diving into the likes of nachos loaded with queso, pico de gallo, pink onions, pickled jalapenos, chipotle oil and chilli lime salt; al pastor tacos with adobo marinated shawarma, red onion, salsa verde and charred pineapple; and their hearty BBQ short rib burrito packed with sticked glazed jackfruit ‘ribs’, hickory smoked BBQ sauce, pico de gallo, pink onions, pickled cabbage, garlic mayo, salsa verde and pickled jalapenos.
Ground Floor, Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
Seven Dials Market, Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX
46-48 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LT
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Willows Clapham
Do you love putting together a charcuterie board? Then you will love Willows Clapham, a new restaurant that opened in December 2022.
A brilliant concept of checking off 3-5 of any items on the menu to create your perfect and reasonably priced meal. You can choose from the bakery, dairy, protein, and green choices to have savoury, sweet, or a mix of both. With delicious food and a refreshing ambiance, Willows is going to be the next big thing.
11 The Polygon, London SW4 0JG
Bone Daddies
On a rainy day, make your way over to the closest Bone Daddies for comforting and mouth-watering ramen. A mix of rock n roll and chill, the vibes in this restaurant are outstanding.
Savory and however spicy, if you are a ramen lover you are definitely going to want to try this one. With seven different locations, Bone Daddies is accessible and affordable, giving you a specific craving on a daily basis…
Multiple Locations
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Bocca Bocca
Inspired by the Amalfi land and sea, Bocca Bocca is the place to go for a peaceful and relaxing vibe.
Choose from five delicious pasta plates and other pizza options and feel like you are on the coast of Italy. Pastel colours, lively music, banquette eats, and terrazzo-topped tables, join with friends at this dining area.
781 High Rd Leytonstone, Bushwood, London E11 4QS
Opera Tavern
If you want to continue this global journey right here in London, take a trip over to Opera Tavern for delectable tapas.
The buzzing bar and restaurant will make you feel like you are in Italy and Spain. Think of a warm atmosphere, communal tables, striking graphic prints, and a bustling bar.
23 Catherine St, London WC2B 5JS
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Dirty Bones Shoreditch
Onto the next location…New York City. Dirty Bones is known for serving classic American food from buffalo wings to chicken and waffles. Looking for chic and stylish? Dirty Bones Shoreditch will do just the trick.
A full cocktail bar full of character with dinner and drinks. You could even make it a pre-dinner warm-up spot. With immaculate vibes and aesthetic, Dirty Bones will give you and your friends a good time.
1 Club Row, London E1 6JX
Market Halls Victoria
On the tube home from a long day at work? Hop off at Victoria Station and head over across the street to Market Halls Victoria for amazing food and drinks.
Set in a beautiful old building, the vista is stained-glass windows, baroque cornices, and skylights (all with modern touches). Bring friends, because these are communal tables with eight different food options, and 60 dishes on the count.
191 Victoria St, London SW1E 5NE
View this post on Instagram
Looking for more affordable places to eat in London? check out these affordable michelin star restaurants
