This is a London food guide for every budget.
London’s food scene is one of my favourite things about this city! It’s as diverse as its people. I know London’s just been (nominated) the most expensive city and, trust me, it often feels like that, but whether you’re on a tight backpacker’s budget or looking to treat yourself to a memorable meal, the city has endless options. You can grab a full lunch for under a fiver or splurge on an elegant dinner with skyline views.
I’m not gonna lie…this is a hard post for me to write. There’s just SO much I could say, SO many options! I could literally make separate lists of burger places, pizza places, Korean food, sushi and so on. But let’s see how we go and let me know in the comments if you’re looking for anything in particular and I’ll give you a recommendation.
In this London food guide we’ll explore how to eat your way around London no matter what your budget looks like, from cheap eats to mid-range gems to special occasion spots.
If you’re looking specifically for information about British food, I’ve got a list here of the very best British food you can find in London.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to the Best London Food Markets
London Food Guide For Every Budget
Low Budget
Let’s start at the budget end. London might have a reputation for being expensive but there are plenty of ways to eat well without breaking the bank. One of the best tips is to take advantage of supermarket meal deals. You’ll find them in supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots drugstore and even WHSmith. For about £3 to £4.50 you get a sandwich or wrap, a drink and a snack. Perfect for grabbing lunch on the go or eating in a park when the weather’s nice.
Sainsbury’s actually has 3 different tiers of meal deal according to all the different items they sell. Waitrose, a more upscale supermarket chain, has pretty decent sushi on their meal deal for £5! (I wouldn’t recommend sushi from other chains though…so dry!!)
Tesco meal deal: £3.60-£5
Sainsbury’s meal deal: £3.75-£7
Waitrose meal deal: £5
Co-Op meal deal: £4-£6
Boots meal deal: £3.60-£4
Superdrug meal deal: ~£4
WHSmith meal deal: £5
M&S doesn’t have a meal deal but they have pretty good sandwiches, wraps and salads for ok prices. Not to mention the bakery items!
You can find these supermarkets everywhere in London, even if just smaller versions.
On the Go
For cheap hot meals, head to one of London’s many food markets. Places like Camden Market, Borough Market, Maltby Street Market and Spitalfields are full of affordable global street food. Whether you fancy Ethiopian injera, Indian dosas, Korean fried chicken or Venezuelan arepas, you can find meals for around £6 to £10. These markets are also a great way to try new foods without committing to a full restaurant experience.
One thing I love about these markets is that you can try out different things. A Korean burrito with a side of arancini and a cookie for dessert?! Well, why the hell not!
If you’re in central London and need a quick hot bite, Pret a Manger and Itsu are reliable options. Pret has a wide range of soups, hot wraps, baguettes, salads from about £4 to £8. Itsu offers fresh sushi and Asian-inspired rice or noodle boxes and half an hour before closing they often do a 50% discount to reduce food waste. If sushi/donburi is your vibe, there’s also Wasabi and Kokoro and they’re all pretty decent for about £10!
Another budget-friendly pick is Greggs which is a British institution. You probably should stop by for a sausage roll!
For an indulgent treat on the go, pop in to one of the various buns from home shops around town. They literally started making buns FROM HOME during lockdown and now have taken over the city!
Quick Bites
All the most popular neigbourhoods are packed with little restaurants and cafes…I’m telling you, this is a hard post. Come back and I’ll do one just about cafes, one just about bakeries, etc.
Cafes will generally offer quick bites such as yoghurt bowls, avocado toast, etc. One you’ll find everywhere is Gail’s. I have one round the corner from my house and girl, it’s dangerous! Their food is SO good if a bit pricey…expect to pay between £10-£13 for a food item + drink. I’d recommend a side of honey cake for dessert!
London is full of coffee shop chains and they can be convenient but, quite frankly, the food is mediocre at best. You pay just a little more at Gail’s (also a chain!) but get way better stuff. And no, they’re not paying me for all this praise (but they’re welcome to!).
You know something somewhat healthy, decently-priced, quick and widely available? Texmex! You can find Chipotle around but don’t sleep on Tortilla – they’re everywhere!
Mid-Range
When you want to sit down somewhere cosy without spending too much, head to a mid-range cafe or casual restaurant. Chains like Honest Burgers and Franco Manca are local favourites. Honest Burgers focuses on handmade patties with rosemary salted chips that people rave about. If I had the choice, I’d get a Five Guys burger with a side oof Honest Burger fries! Although HB burgers are REALLY good too… Meals are around £12 to £15.
Franco Manca offers delicious sourdough pizzas for about £7 to £10. Their simple menu and fresh ingredients make them a hit among Londoners and visitors alike. Another similar option is Pizza Pilgrims.
For vegetarians and vegans, Mildreds is an excellent spot. With several branches across the city, they serve colourful and creative plant-based meals that are satisfying and priced around £10 to £15.
One reliable chain that’s slowly spreading across town is Megan’s – quick, easy and delicious! Think flatbreads, Turkish eggs and delicious mediterranean cakes.
London is also full of international eats at good prices. Head to Brick Lane for affordable Indian food or Kingsland Road in Shoreditch for Vietnamese pho and banh mi. Chinatown near Leicester Square is packed with East Asian restaurants offering everything from dim sum to Korean BBQ. Look out for lunch specials or set menus to make your money go further.
You know what else you can get really decent food for about £15-£20 and steak nonetheless? Flat Iron! Flat Iron Steak is all over town, it’s casual, it’s quick and delicious.
I feel like it’s my duty to tell you about the best chicken wings in town…and that’s Wingman’s! While we used to have to track all the way to Kilburn for that, we now have one right in the heart of Soho. Ps: get the herby ranch sauce!
Higher budget
If you’re looking to enjoy a meal out without the budget stress, lunch menus are your best friend. Many upscale restaurants offer set lunch menus at a fraction of the dinner price. For example, places like Palomar and Barrafina offer elegant small plates in a buzzy atmosphere with set menus starting from £20. Sketch and Duck & Waffle are known for their interiors and views and also have more affordable lunch options compared to their dinner service.
Dishoom, inspired by Bombay’s old Irani cafes, is another mid-range must-try. The bacon naan roll is legendary but the small plates are perfect for sharing and the atmosphere makes it feel much fancier than the price tag suggests. Expect to spend about £15 to £20 per person if you order a few dishes and a drink.
Côte is another reliable one! Serving no-fuss French food, the dishes are delicious and the vibe feels a little fancy without the price tag.
Upscale
When it’s time to treat yourself, there are plenty of upscale and fine dining restaurants to choose from. Think Clos Maggiore, often dubbed London’s most romantic restaurant, or Core by Clare Smyth, a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers exquisite tasting menus. If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, consider booking somewhere like Bob Bob Ricard where you can press a button for champagne, or Restaurant Story, which offers a storytelling-inspired tasting menu. You’ll need to budget £60 to £200 per person at these places so definitely save them for special occasions
Another way to experience higher-end food without spending as much is by visiting hotel afternoon teas. Spots like The Langham, Claridge’s or Fortnum & Mason offer iconic afternoon teas with sandwiches, scones and pastries for about £60 per person. It’s a very British experience and something you’ll remember.
Self-Catering
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or somewhere with a kitchen, a great budget hack is to buy ingredients from local markets or supermarkets and cook at home. You can still eat local food this way. Alternatively, pick up British cheeses, chutneys, pies or even fresh pastries from Gail’s Bakery and Ole & Steen and go for a picnic at one of London’s various parks!
Read more: Best British Food in London: 16 Most Popular Dishes and Where to Eat Them
In short, London doesn’t have to be expensive if you know where to go. From corner-store meal deals and piping hot market food to neighbourhood favourites and high-end tasting menus, the city offers something for every budget and appetite. Try mixing and matching budget eats with one or two treats so you can get a full flavour of London without going overboard. And remember, don’t believe every “viral treat” you see on the socials! (I’m looking at you, Humble Crumble – it’s fine but queueing for it?! Naah)
Is there anything in particular you’d like to know about eating in London? Perhaps a neighbourhood guide? Let me know in the comments!
This was a London food guide for every budget.
