London’s Best Cheap Lunches For £10 Or Less
Lunch. Forever the most difficult meal. You don’t want to spend too much money, but also you don’t want something that will depress you. In central London, checking both these boxes simultaneously can be a challenge – but really it shouldn’t be. Actually, there are loads of affordable high-quality options, whether you’re after a freshly prepared sandwich, an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet, or even a pizza. Here are nine of the best cheap lunches in London city you can get for under a tenner.
Porterford Butcher
You have two choices when it comes to buying a sandwich in central London. A meal deal – always disappointing – or a proper sandwich – often expensive. At Porterford Butchers, you can have the best of both worlds.
They’ve been serving top-quality sandwiches in the shadow of St Paul’s since the 80s, and you can get anything from a philly cheesesteak to a Carribbean chicken baguette for just £6.50. Don’t let the ever-present weekday queue turn you off, either – it moves exceptionally quickly.
where: 72 Watling St, London EC4M 9EB
website: www.porterfordbutchers.co.uk
Diwana Bhel Poori House
All-you-can-eat restaurants are a lost art in London. Some look like they are fronts for money-laundering schemes, most are of dubious quality, so a proper, good-quality find is special – Diwani Bhel Poori House is exactly that.
Located right by Euston Station, it has been serving lunchtime buffets since 1971 of what happens to be some of London’s most underrated Indian food. Best of all, it costs less than a tenner for, we repeat, all you can eat.
All-you-can-eat restaurants are a lost art in London, so a good-quality find is special
where: 121, 123 Drummond St, London NW1 2HL
It’s Bagels
Serving up classic New York-style bagels, It’s Bagels is another joint doing the rounds on TikTok and for good reason – they are packed with carby goodness.
From garlic and everything seasoning to pumpernickel options, there’s a bagel for every occasion. Load it up with your filling of choice, from tuna fish salads to the ultimate hangover cured – fried egg and cheese for just £7.
If you’re looking to get your hands on the viral rainbow-style bagels, this is the spot for you. Available on the weekend, you can enjoy this colourful combination loaded with your favourite fillings.
where: 65 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 8XD
website: www.itsbagels.com
Pockets
One of those food market stalls (at Netil Market) that was so uber-popular that it blossomed into a permanent location, also in Hackney.
Serving stuffed-to-the-brim pittas (hence the name), this is one of the best full meals you can have in London – anyone who argues a pitta isn’t a full meal clearly hasn’t been to Pockets. For £9, this will keep you full all day.
Arguably the star of the show is the homemade sauces, which include houmous, tahini, red zhug, or amba (pickled mango), and elevate each pitta into another stratosphere.
Serving stuffed-to-the-brim pittas (hence the name), this is one of the best full meals you can have in London
where: 367 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3RT
Bibi’s Kitchen
For a great super-healthy option, head to Bibi’s Kitchen and choose from an array of fresh soups and salads. They prepare their salads freshly in-house every day, and you have the option to either mix and match or even create your own starting from just £5.50.
Choose from homemade hummus, classic salads, and family recipes using traditional bulgur and extras like oven-fried coconut chicken, grilled halloumi, falafel, and fresh avocado.
where: Soho, Covent Garden, Golden Square & Angel
website: www.letsgobibis.co.uk
Sandwich Sandwich
One of the most hyped Sandwich spots, and also one of London’s newest. Sandwich Sandwich made waves in Bristol, winning Uber Eats restaurant of the year in 2023.
2024 saw them move to London, with the small aim of revolutionising the city’s sandwich scene. Their sarnies are enormous and stuffed to the brim with everything from roast chicken to salt beef and fish fingers. They might be £9, which seems steep for a sandwich, but they are huge, and are sure to fill you up until dinner with no need for afternoon snacking.
2024 sees them move to London, with the small aim of revolutionising the city’s sandwich scene
where: 1 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BX.
website: www.sandwichsandwich.co.uk
Paul Rothe & Son
While the London sandwich scene is overcome with TikTok trends, this delicatessen is steeped in tradition. Run by the same family since 1900, this deli specialises in freshly made sandwiches and soup. Expect the classics like handmade pastrami, corned beef or smoked salmon, all with the highest quality ingredients.
The prices are also traditional – a classic tuna mayo sandwich will set you back just £4.
Expect the classics like handmade pastrami, corned beef or smoked salmon, all with the highest quality ingredients
where: 35 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2NN
website: www.marylebonevillage.com
Icco
Pizza for lunch? Sometimes it just has to be done. Especially when you can get one for just £3.95.
Those who know, know. Icco’s is the Marylebone pizza spot of legend, loved by students and all who find themselves hungry on Tottenham Court Road. The pizzas are pretty great, too, and full-sized, tough to believe given the price. A simple marinara is the cheapest, followed by a margarita for just £6. Even if you want to get fancy with it and order a Diavolo or a goat’s cheese number, it will still set you back under £9. A central London marvel.
where: 46 Goodge St, London W1T 4LU
website: www.icco.co.uk
Keu City
Bringing central Saigon to London is Keu City, which provides outstanding Vietnamese bánh mì and other street food.
Ideal as a grab-and-go lunch, their street food-inspired dishes are filled to the brim with vibrant ingredients, bringing you truly authentic Vietnamese flavours. Favourites include the popular crispy pork belly, smoky aubergine, or crispy tofu, all which can be acquired for under £10.
where: 168 London Wall, London EC2M 5QD
website: www.banhmikeu.co.uk
