This is a London food guide for every budget.
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London’s food scene is one of my favourite things about this city. And I live here, so I’m not just saying that. It’s as diverse as its people, endlessly surprising and genuinely world-class at every price point. Yes, London has just been named one of the most expensive cities in the world and, trust me, we feel it! But whether you’re on a tight backpacker’s budget or looking to treat yourself to something special, there is always somewhere brilliant to eat.
You can grab a full lunch for under a fiver or splurge on an elegant dinner with skyline views. Sometimes on the same day.
I’ll be honest: this is one of the hardest posts I’ve written because there is just SO much to cover. I could write entire separate guides on burger joints, pizza spots, Korean food and sushi alone. And maybe I will! But this is your starting point: a practical London food guide to eat well no matter what your wallet looks like.
If you’re after something more specific, I’ve also got you covered:
- Best British Food in London: 16 Most Popular Dishes and Where to Eat Them
- The Ultimate Guide to the Best London Food Markets
- Viral Foods to Try in London: TikTok Snacks and Famous Bites Worth the Hype
Right. Let’s eat.
Budget Eating in London: How to Eat Well for Less
The Supermarket Meal Deal (a London institution)
If you’re exploring London on a budget, the supermarket meal deal is your best friend. For somewhere between £3.60 and £7 you get a sandwich or wrap, a snack and a drink. Perfect for grabbing before a day of sightseeing or eating in one of London’s many parks.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
| Supermarket | Meal Deal Price |
|---|---|
| Tesco | £3.60 – £5 |
| Sainsbury’s | £3.75 – £7 |
| Waitrose | £5 |
| Co-op | £4 – £6 |
| Boots | £3.60 – £4 |
| Superdrug | ~£4 |
| WHSmith/TG Jones | £5 |
A few notes: Sainsbury’s actually has three tiers depending on what you pick, so you can go pretty upmarket if you want. Waitrose does surprisingly decent sushi on their meal deal for £5, I get it all the time! M&S doesn’t technically do a meal deal but their sandwiches, wraps and bakery items are genuinely good and ok priced.
You’ll find branches of all these supermarkets all over London, even in smaller express formats.
Street Food Markets
For cheap hot meals, London’s food markets are unbeatable. Borough Market, Camden Market, Spitalfields and many others are all packed with global street food stalls. And you can eat extremely well for £6 to £10.
Ethiopian injera, Indian dosas, Korean fried chicken, Venezuelan arepas, Japanese gyoza, it’s all there. What I love most is that you can mix and match completely shamelessly. A Korean burrito, a side of arancini and a cookie for dessert? Why the hell not.
The Ultimate Guide to the Best London Food Markets – everything you need to know about where to go and when.
If you want a more curated introduction to London’s food scene with a local guide, a food tour is genuinely a great way to spend a morning or afternoon here.
I’d recommend this Soho and Chinatown food walking tour. This Borough Market food tour is also quite popular! I personally find it a bit pricey but I’m leaving the link here in case it’s for you.
This one isn’t exactly a food tour but it’s the UK, after all. I’d be remiss if I didn’t leave you with a recommendation for a historical pubs tour!
Quick Bites on the Go
For a fast hot meal in central London, Pret a Manger is very reliable! Soups, hot wraps, baguettes and salads from about £4 to £8. Itsu is great for sushi and Asian-inspired rice or noodle boxes, and crucially: they do 50% off everything in the last half hour before closing to cut food waste. Worth timing your evening around it. Similar vibes at Wasabi and Kokoro, all coming in around £8 to £10.
Greggs needs no introduction if you’ve spent any time in the UK but if it’s your first time: get the sausage roll. It’s a British institution and you should respect it.
For something a bit more indulgent, track down a Buns from Home shop. They literally started making buns from home during lockdown, the word spread and now they’ve taken over London. Absolutely worth it. I’m OBSESSED with the dessert buns, especially the Dubai choc one!
Seriously, look at this ->
For something quick, filling and surprisingly good value: Tortilla and Chipotle are all over the city for Tex-Mex. Don’t overlook Tortilla; they’re everywhere and consistently decent.
Mid-Range London Restaurants: Great Food Without the Stress
When you want to sit down somewhere properly and not worry too much about the bill, London has loads of excellent mid-range options.
Franco Manca does some of the best sourdough pizza in the city for £7 to £10 a pizza. Simple menu, great ingredients, always busy for a reason. Pizza Pilgrims is another great option in the same lane.
Honest Burgers is a London favourite: handmade patties, rosemary salted chips that people genuinely rave about, meals around £12 to £15. Possibly controversial opinion: I’d get a Five Guys burger but with Honest Burgers fries if I could. (I can’t. But I think about it.)
Flat Iron Steak is one of those places I always mention because people never expect it. You can get a genuinely decent steak dinner for about £15 to £20. Casual, quick and no reservations needed at most branches. Brilliant value. They often give out free soft serve when you exit too!
For wings, and I feel strongly about this: Wingman’s in Soho. Get the herby ranch sauce and, whatever you do, order the mac n cheese. You’re welcome.
Dishoom deserves its own paragraph because it’s not quite mid-range and not quite upscale. It sits beautifully in between. Inspired by Bombay’s old Irani cafes, the atmosphere alone is worth it. The breakfast bacon naan roll is legendary. The small plates are perfect for sharing. Expect around £15 to £25 per person and yes, there will probably be a queue, but it moves. Otherwise, some branches let you book during particular times. I really like the Covent Garden one for that!
Mildreds is the pick for vegetarians and vegans. Several branches across the city, colourful creative plant-based dishes, around £10 to £15.
Megan’s is a reliable one if you want something quick but lovely. Think flatbreads, Turkish eggs, Mediterranean cakes. Very Instagrammable, very tasty.
For international eats at good prices: Brick Lane for Indian food, Kingsland Road in Shoreditch for Vietnamese pho and banh mi and Chinatown near Leicester Square for dim sum, Cantonese roasts and Korean BBQ. Always look for lunch specials or set menus; the savings are significant.
Côte is my go-to recommendation for French food that feels a little fancy without the price tag. No-fuss, reliable and genuinely good.
Upscale and Special Occasion Dining in London
When it’s time to treat yourself, London can absolutely deliver. A few tips before you book anywhere expensive:
Always check the lunch menu first. Many of London’s best restaurants offer set lunch menus at a fraction of the dinner price. Palomar and Barrafina both do this well. Elegant small plates, buzzy atmosphere, set menus from around £20 at lunch versus considerably more in the evening. Sketch and Duck & Waffle are known for their extraordinary interiors and views and are both more accessible at lunch.
For a full-blown special occasion, Clos Maggiore is often called London’s most romantic restaurant and lives up to it. Core by Clare Smyth is Michelin-starred and exceptional. Bob Bob Ricard has a button at every table that you press to order champagne which tells you everything you need to know about the vibe. Restaurant Story does a storytelling-inspired tasting menu that’s genuinely unlike anywhere else. Budget £60 to £200 per person for this tier.
Afternoon tea is one of those quintessentially London experiences that’s worth doing at least once. The Langham, Claridge’s and Fortnum & Mason are the iconic options at around £60 per person. Sandwiches, scones, pastries and an enormous amount of tea. Worth every penny for a special occasion.
And I have to add: Hawksmoor. You’ll spend about £200 for two people (or more), but you’ll have a beautiful, delicious steak meal!
Grab-and-Go Cafes: The Gail’s Situation
London is full of coffee shop chains and, quite frankly, most of them serve mediocre food. The exception is Gail’s, which is technically also a chain but operates on a completely different level. I have one around the corner from my house and it is genuinely dangerous. Expect to pay £10 to £13 for a food item and drink which is more than a coffee chain but the quality difference is significant. Always get a side of honey cake. Always. Although I’m currently addicted to their babka bun…
Ole & Steen is another brilliant option for pastries and baked goods if there’s one near you.
Self-Catering and Picnics
If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, London’s local markets and supermarkets make self-catering really easy. You can also pick up British cheeses, chutneys, fresh bread and pastries from Gail’s or Ole & Steen and have a genuinely excellent picnic in one of London’s parks. Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Victoria Park are all brilliant for this in good weather.
A Word on Viral London Foods
Social media has made London’s food scene even more exciting but also a little exhausting. There are always queues for the latest thing and not all of it is worth it. I’ve got a full guide to viral foods to try in London where I talk about the stuff that’s genuinely worth your time and money and what’s not.
One example: Humble Crumble. It’s fine. It is genuinely fine. But queueing for it? Absolutely not.
London Food Guide: Final Tips
- Markets are your best friend for cheap, diverse and delicious food
- Lunch menus unlock upscale restaurants at accessible prices
- Mix and match: there’s no rule that says you can’t do a street food lunch and a nice dinner on the same day
- Don’t trust every viral recommendation: some are worth it, many aren’t. Check my viral foods guide first
London doesn’t have to be expensive if you know where to look. And now you do.
Is there anything specific you want me to cover that I haven’t? A neighbourhood guide, a particular cuisine, the best spots for a solo lunch? Let me know in the comments!
This was a London food guide for every budget.
