Even with this city being so expensive, there are plenty of cheap eats in London that are also really good. But the key is, you HAVE to know where to go to find these affordable dishes. So I’m here to help you find some of the best cheap eats around London, so you can eat well without busting your bank account too hard.
Every spot mentioned in this article is super vegetarian-friendly (I’m a veggie myself), and I’ve indicated if it’s vegan-friendly and/or GF-friendly. We have tons of GF, veggie and vegan reccs across all of our Itineraries and Casual Tourists Guides, btw.
For the purpose of this article, I’m defining a “cheap eat” as either street food, or restaurants where you can get a sizeable main course for under £15.
Prefer to see cheap eats in London in video form? Watch the video below.
(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of Chinese Tapas House
Jian bing at Chinese Tapas House
My YouTube friend Shu introduced me to Jian Bing a few months ago and it’s one of the cheapest and most filling street eats in central London. Think of it like a Chinese crepe, which is made with egg and can be filled with any ingredients on offer, like meats, veggies, and more.
Get a big ole Jian Bing from Chinese Tapas House for just £5/6, which is super filling for one but still pretty sizable when split for two.
Chinese Tapas House | Chinatown
There’s plenty to do in Chinatown once you’re there BTW, check out my video on how to spend a day in Chinatown.
Image Courtesy of Arepa & Co via Facebook
Arepa & Co
Arepa and Co is one of my favourite spots to go in London when I want a casual meal with some friends that doesn’t break the bank. Arepa and Co does Venezuelan brunch, lunch and dinner, with a selection of arepas (obviously) and cachapas, which I personally always go for.
They do a great lunch deal during the week from 12pm – 5pm, which gets you a main course plus a glass of fresh lemonade for just £12, making this one of the best lunchtime cheap eats in London.
Arepa & Co | Bethnal Green and Haggerston | WA
Image Courtesy of Club Mexicana via Facebook
Club Mexicana
London is known for not having great Mexican food, but Club Mexicana takes the cake (in my opinion) when you’re after a greasy, cheesy Mexi dish to curb your craving. They in no way serve authentic Mexican, with options like the Cheezburger tacos and the ‘Chorizo’ & Sweet Potato burrito but well, it all just tastes great.
Plus here’s the kicker… it’s all vegan.
Club Mexicana | Seven Dials, Spitalfields and Carnaby
Image Courtesy of Mamason’s via Instagram
Bilog at Mamason Dirty Ice Cream
Mamason is London’s only Filipino dessert shop and they absolutely KILL IT in the sweets scene. They serve up some popular Filipino treats but my absolute favourite is the Bilog, which is like a hot ice cream sandwich. Get it with Ube ice cream (Ube is a Filipino purple yam) and get ready to have a good time.
Mamasons | Chinatown and Camden
Image Courtesy of Itadaki Den via Facebook
Itadaki Zen
This casual Japanese tapas restaurant in Kings Cross serves organic dishes that are fully vegan, yummy and super affordable. Try the tofu and mushroom croquette, vegan calamari with tartar sauce, or the classic gyoza. They also do bento boxes which are great lunchtime options for cheap eats in London.
Itadaki Zen | Kings Cross
Image Courtesy of Taiyakiya
Taiyakiya
Taiyaki is a traditional Japanese fish cake (like a pancake, not an actual fish cake) that is a great street food option. Pop into this cute little shop and the lovely staff will help you choose a savoury Taiyakiya or a sweet one. They also do seasonal options as well as their own bubble tea.
Taiyakiya | Chinatown
Image Courtesy of Le Bab
Le Bab
Need a late night meal after a big night out in Shoreditch? Head to Le Bab in Spitalfields, for what I consider to be an upscale kebab shop. Grab a seat if you can find an empty one, or get yours as a takeaway. There are veggie and vegan options, plus the hummus and double-cooked fries are *chefs kiss*
Le Bab | Old Street | WA
Image Courtesy of Purezza via Facebook
Purezza
If you’re in Camden, pop into Purezza for some of the best pizza in London. In fact, it’s award-winning. Go for the classic Margarita or one of their other inventive options, and the friendly staff will serve it to you with a smile on their faces. Oh also… everything is completely plant-based, even the “pork” and other meaty toppings. And they have plenty of gluten-free options.
Purezza | Camden
BTW if you’re a vegan, we highly recommend hopping on the Plant Power Vegan Food Tour.
Image Courtesy of The Mac Factory via Instagram
Mac Factory
Mac and cheese is hit or miss here in London, but Mac Factory have nailed it. Inspired by NY-style mac and cheese (which basically means, the more cheese, the better) you can get a souped-up m&c for less than a tenner. My go-to’s are Super Mario (hello truffle) and La Med Babe (delicious pesto goodness).
Mac Factory | Camden | WA
Image Courtesy of Bao
Bao
Bao has a small menu of Taiwanese dishes that you might not have ever heard of but I promise that literally everything on the menu is damn good. As a veggie my go-to is the Daikkon Bao (bao are little fluffy buns) and the crispy baonut (bao/donut hybrid) is banging.
Bao | Borough and Soho
Image Courtesy of Padella via Instagram
Padella
Padella, next to Borough Market is one of the most popular restaurants in London but it absolutely deserves the accolades. They serve up delish yet simple pasta dishes at affordable prices. Trust me, I’m picky about my Italian food after having lived in Florence, and as far as Padella goes, it’s one of the best cheap eats in London.
It gets SUPER busy here so be warned, if you visit during a peak time, you could be waiting for up to ninety minutes. However, they do have a good system where they’ll text you when your table is ready so you can pop to one of the many nearby pubs for a drink or two before it’s time to eat. (They do gluten-free pasta for most dishes, just ask them.)
Padella | Borough Market and Shoreditch | WA
BTW, many of these spots are included in our London Itineraries. Have a look at our flexible plans for 3, 4, 5 and 6 days in London.
Image Courtesy of Pastaio via Instagram
Pastaio
A close second for best affordable pasta spot in London is Pastaio, located in Carnaby. Very similar to Padella, they do simple pasta dishes at reasonable prices, and they even have a vegan pasta menu. This is the spot I always try when I’m near Carnaby and need someplace to eat and don’t have a reservation, I have never waited too long to get a spot at one of their long banquet tables. (Although, they don’t have any gluten-free pasta dishes!)
Pastaio | Carnaby and White City | WA
Image Courtesy of Kaosarn
Kaosarn
Londoners looking for a cheap-and-cheerful spot to meet friends for dinner love to book in at one of Kaosarn’s locations. Here you’ll enjoy traditional, simple Thai dishes, and the restaurants are BYOB, saving you even more money. Definitely book ahead as all locations are super popular.
Kaorsan | Brixton (WA), Clapham and Tooting (WA)
Want more locally-loved food recommendations for south London? Grab our Casual Tourist Guide to South London.
Image Courtesy of Dal Fiorentino via Facebook
Dal Fiorentino
Tucked away in two locations across East London and one in Central, Dal Fiorentino brings a slice of Tuscany to our English capital city. This no-frills Italian gem serves up hearty, handmade panini for £5-10 depending on what fillings and size you opt for. Some favourites include the I Medici (Stracciatella Cheese, Grilled Aubergines, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and the Il Magnifico (Whole Burrata, Pistachio Pesto, Grilled Courgettes, Rocket, Extra Virgin Olive Oil), but you can check out the full menu here. You’ll find there’s not much seating at any location, so grab your bite and head to a local park to enjoy.
Dal Fiorentino | Hoxton, Brick Lane & Fitzrovia
