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Sometimes, you just want a quick bite without paying a small fortune—and without succumbing to the temptation of an overfamiliar yet predictable McDonald's either.
In London, it's possible to find piquant pepperoni on an Italian pizza, a wholegrain sandwich packed with organic veggies, or a brie-and-bacon-stuffed French croissant, if you know the affordable spots to look out for. Here's a cheat sheet:
Ready to Eat? Try Pret a Manger
Pret serve pre-prepared sandwiches, salads and lunchtime snacks in slick brushed steel and chrome food bar throughout London (and increasingly in New York). Ingredients are delivered fresh every day and as the name suggests, the huge menu steers away from standard English sandwich fare, aiming for food with a dash of Gallic panache. Instead of ham and tomato sandwiches, Pret offers Brie, tomato and basil baguettes. There are Pret takeaway shops all over the city. Look for the distinctive magenta and white placards. Sandwiches and a drink from $6.
Portuguese fried chicken at Nando's
London's more up-market answer to KFC offers chili-pepper spiced Portuguese peri peri chicken in sit-down restaurants with real crockery and metal cutlery and decorated with splashes of Mediterranean color. Spiciness comes in grades—lemon and herb is for chili novices, then there's medium, hot and extra hot; which in spice-loving London will blow the roof off most American mouths. Nando's are ubiquitous; see an online map. Average price for 2 courses with a drink $20-25.
Value-Priced, Decent Pizza at PizzaExpress
This British chain offers the antidote to the spongy, cheese saturated shopping mall pizza. At PizzaExpress, Italian-style, thin-crust pizzas are prepared in open-plan kitchens, fired in super-hot gas ovens and whisked to marble tables in a matter of minutes by sharply dressed young wait staff. Our favorite is the Fiorentina, with fresh spinach, grana padano, free range egg, garlic oil and olives. Look for the royal blue and white placard near almost every subway station in London. Average price for 2 courses with a drink $20. There are 10 PizzaExpresses across town. See a list here.
Curry in a Hurry at Masala Zone
Indian curry has (thankfully) eclipsed soggy Fish and Chips as Britain's national dish. An end of the week or after work 'Indian' is a national pastime and washing down a hotter-than-hell Vindaloo of Phall and right of passage for adolescent British males from Land's End to John o'Groats. This small London chain offers curry in cool contemporary surrounds—with retro-chic 1930s posters and artifacts, mood-lighting and buzzy young crowd. If you're new to the menu and spice-shy opt for a mild Chicken Korma, cooked in butter and coconut. There are Masala Zones in Covent Garden, Soho, Earl's Court, and Camden. Average price for 2 courses with a drink $25.
FUN FACT
Did you know that most McDonald's locations in London sell the Chicken Tikka Snack Wrap?
MORE LONDON INFO
Check out our London City Destination page, with hotel recommendations, interactive map, and an "ask a local expert" feature
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Where the best restaurant at London - top 10 ?
Posted By roslankasim on January 22, 2010, 10:54 PM
Alex, I would add Byron (7 locations throughout central London) to the list. Their burgers are made with great ingredients and they are among the best burgers in the budget range in the city.
Roslankasim, that is a tough one and it really depends on what you are looking for, but some places I would recommend are: St John, St John Bread and Wine, The Wells, and Barrafina.
Posted By Katie Parla on January 24, 2010, 8:14 PM
Alex is right - I've seen many people struggle to balance the budget in London when it comes to getting affordable eats. These are great recomendations and some extra tips on this other cheap London eating page.
Katie - agree with St John but not convinced by Barrafina!
Posted By Andy on January 25, 2010, 10:01 AM
You can also add Cafe Rouge to the list. French style cuisine. Pretty affordable and they do a decent salade nicoise and steak frites.
And by the way, was the "(thankfully)" comment about fish & chips was necessary??
Posted By Vic on January 25, 2010, 11:41 AM
I'd like to add a small (four or five restaurants) chain of Turkish restaurants: Sofra, in Mayfair, Covent Garden, St John's Wood, and St. Christopher's Place.
We needed a place to eat on Christmas night; this was one of the few places open. It was busy, the food was good (and served hot), and the wait staff were extremely patient in explaining the various dishes to my wife and me.
Posted By Joe G. on January 25, 2010, 2:35 PM
Gotta add Eat to the list-- another inexpensive sandwich chain. Lived on it while in London as a poor vegetarian student....
http://www.eat.co.uk/index.html
Posted By mountaineer47 on January 25, 2010, 6:43 PM
There are other options to eating on a budget in London, and they include ordering from the take away windows at restaurants instead of going inside and eating. VAT taxes are higher on food eaten inside than on take away. Also, some groceries offer a variety of hot food for carry out, and then there is always the option of sitting outside, eating a chunk of cheese, and drinking a pint of milk you bought in a grocery.
Posted By Mike on January 26, 2010, 12:18 PM
Absolutely amazing posting! A great deal of useful info and ideas, both of which young people need! Thanks for the
Posted By WP Robot Discount code on May 9, 2011, 10:32 AM
Thanks for the useful posting!
Posted By Dido on May 23, 2011, 5:26 PM
creriachorned
Posted By 中国語翻訳 on June 11, 2011, 7:40 AM