The word ‘recession’ is back at the forefront of our economic vocabulary, with even local mid-sized restaurants charging bills of £70 per person due to inflation. Snagging a bargain can be a difficult task. But bargains do exist.
This list serves as a reminder that costs don’t have to be dangerously high. Here, 20 of the capital’s best chefs show you where to find affordable dining across the capital, including everything from Chinatown classics to authentic sandwiches. Some have been celebrated for a long time. others are unclear. Please push it in.
Note: The list is ordered by restaurant or cafe location, not by where the chef works.
benjamin mcmahon
kiln (58 Brewer Street, W1F, kilnsoho.com) This is my go-to place for a quick meal in Soho. Thai cuisine is popular, with influences from Myanmar, Loas, and Yunnan, and using British ingredients. The menu changes regularly and most items are priced under £17.
i always go lanzhou lamian (33 Cranbourne Street, WC2H) Located in Leicester Square. The Dandan noodles are delicious and cost around £13. I think they probably just increased the prices, but it’s still very reasonable and very good.
Tom Bouton “The Dorchester”
Via Tukdin
Takdin (41 Craven Rd, London W2, tukdin.com) Paddington is the real winner here for me. Malay cuisine is next level. I love the beef rendang (£15.90), but my favorite is the curry puff (£9) made with the help of Chef Saeed’s mother.
alamy stock photo
A cheap and ace snack is the exquisite ham and cheese croissant (£8). Maison Bertaud (28 Greek Street, W1D, maisonberteau.com). It can be breakfast, eleven, and lunch in one bite, or it can be a hearty meal, even if it is scoffed at in one bite. Whether nibbling while lining up for coffee at Bar Italia or Flat White, Soho offers deliciousness without the steep price tag. Maison Bertaud never disappoints. It’s been my favorite since I first came to this city.
Anna Solgaard, Bistro Freddy
I love Umut 2000 (6th intersection, N16), Turkish restaurant in Dalston. It’s very reasonably priced, filling, always delicious, and it’s close to where I live, so I go there quite often for late night meals. I always opt for the grilled eggplant salad (£8.50) and the hot esme salad (£8.50). The bread doesn’t even seem real.
Meriel Armitage, Club Mexicana
Saravana Bhawan (On the other side of town, saravanabhavanlondon.co.uk) Serving incredibly authentic vegetarian Indian cuisine. He has seven in London, but no one outside the Indian community has ever heard of it. The menu is vast and spans a variety of regions and cuisines, including the North, South, and the Indo-China border. You’ll learn endless things about Indian food by eating there. The star of the show here is the dosa. Each one is huge, packs a punch of flavour, and is served with a generous helping of sambar and chutney. I also love South Indian Thali. For just £8.95 you can get a full meal and don’t need anything else. I go with his wife almost every other Sunday.
Tokonoko (28 Hartford Road, N1, tokonoko.com) This is a cafe that you will come back to again and again. My kids love onigiri (Japanese rice snacks). This ‘mom and pop’ style shop is not only kid-friendly, but also has over a dozen different types of rice balls starting from just £3 each. There’s also great soba noodles (£7) and delicious chawanmushi (£2.40).
Chantel Nicholson, App City
matt lytle
For me, Hawkers Kitchen (64 Caledonian Road, N1, hawkerkitchen.com) It’s my semi-local. From buttery, flaky roti with rich channa masala to fish curry to comforting Punjabi samosas with tamarind sauce, there’s little to dislike here. Or maybe just masala dosa. Don’t forget the coconut chutney and sambar too. heaven.
via Lhasa Facebook
Our favorite local restaurants are not only because they’re cheap, but also because they’re really great. Lhasa in Stoke Newington (55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16, rasarestaurants.com; plates from £9). Favorites are the rava he dosa with green chillies and onions and the bagar he baingan, an eggplant curry with cashew and onion sauce and yogurt.
Xi’an Bianbian noodles (62 Wentworth Street, E1, xianbiangbianoodles.com) At Spitalfields. I’ve been going here for years. I ordered a pork burger, their signature pork dumplings, and boneless cold chicken with special sauce. Or hand-stretched noodles with beef and dried kidney beans. All of these dishes range from £6.90 to £13.50. Dogs are allowed, so I go most weeks after my work shift with my girlfriend and most importantly my son (Joey the Cockapoo).
Mangal 1 (10 Arcola Street, E8), Without a doubt. It doesn’t hurt that I live less than 2 minutes away, but my girlfriend and I are there at every opportunity. You can’t recreate the taste of grilled food over coal. For me, there are two essential dishes. I ordered tubules (4 lbs.) and patrican salata (8 lbs.), along with chilli sauce to drizzle on top.
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This is a difficult problem, but for me it would be like this Dom’s sub (262 Hackney Road, E2, doms-subs.slerp.com). I live near Hackney and most Subways are only £9. It’s quite large so you don’t need much else for lunch. Grapau made with Thai-style spiced chicken is spicy and very delicious.
sushi cafe (555 Battersea Park Road, SW11, sushicafe.co.uk) That would be my choice. On Sundays there is a buffet (£28) where you can order as much as you want for an hour and a half. Since it’s freshly made, if you’re greedy and don’t eat it all, you may be charged an additional fee for wasting your food. I like it very much. Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach, so keeping it straight and narrow is the rule. I sometimes stop by to buy lunch boxes (starting from £11.50).
April Jackson “Wood and Water”
Via Healthy Eaters Facebook
What is your favorite cheap meal in London? person who eats a healthy diet (17 Electric Avenue, SW9, healthyeaters.co.uk) In Brixton. I often eat chicken soup (£5) to remind me of being in Jamaica. This place is run by a couple, Stafford and Rose, and the atmosphere always gives us a good laugh. It’s like coming out of London and landing in Kingston.
Via Facebook
One of my budget friendly options is Cento Uno (KT6, Maple Road 101, centuno.co.jp) At Surbiton. This area is often overlooked, but owners Sam and Alex represent the best of the vibrant restaurant culture that is rapidly arriving in these parts of town. I really like the pizza topped with fior de latte, fresh tomatoes, arugula and burrata (£17).
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Efes Restaurant in Tulse Hill (336 Norwood Road, SE27) is my destination. When I returned to the UK, I quickly discovered this amazing Turkish kebab shop near where I live. And I was completely hooked. Lamb kofte (£14.90) is a city of pure flavour.
Tom Sellers, Restaurant Story, Dovetail, Story Sellers
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Cass Klute (109 Bermondsey Street, SE1, casecruit.co.jp; plates from £11) I don’t think I can choose one dish because it’s always been my favorite. A small neighborhood bistro offering a daily menu of authentic and delicious French cuisine. The team understands the spirit of hospitality. I feel welcomed every time I walk through the door. A true Bermondsey Street staple.
Chet Sharma, Bibi Mayfair
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Kanenas (65 The Grove, W5, Kanenas Coffee.com) It’s my top recommendation. I usually start my Sunday morning with about 3 cups of coffee because I’m a zombie after church on Saturday. The donuts are also great and my wife loves them too. I go there for brunch and have Greek fry-ups. Great value at less than £14.
James Goodyear “Evelyn’s Table”
Via restaurant
My favorites are: santa maria pizza (Across London, Santamariapizzeria.com). I live in South West London and regularly visit the stores in Fulham or Brentford. I love Neapolitan pizza, and although it may be controversial, I always choose the white base. I always opt for the San Mattia (£13.95) with buffalo mozzarella, mushrooms and truffle oil.
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When I have free time, I go to Hammersmith. Tosa (332 King Street, W6, www.tosa.uk). He is one of the best spots to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at an amazing value. Yakitori is my favorite in London and starts from just £2.40. It’s a wonderful combination of the simplicity of robatayaki and the homely atmosphere.