Cheap Food in London: Your Guide to Affordable Dining

Trying to eat well in London without draining your wallet? You're definitely not alone. Eating out in the capital can get pricey, but there are tons of ways to find cheap, tasty food—if you know where to look.

Street food markets, little hole-in-the-wall takeaways, and grocery store meal deals can all save you cash. Ever heard of £4 curry deals in Brick Lane? Or £3 Vietnamese banh mi in Shoreditch? These aren't just myths—they're real hacks locals use all the time.

If big chains aren't your thing, check for daily lunch offers at independent cafes or go for markets like Camden or Borough, where you can try global dishes for a fraction of restaurant prices. Even just getting to know which supermarkets have the best ready-meals can help you fill up on the cheap.

Don't forget happy hour deals or “meal of the day” specials you’ll see in many pubs and small family-run eateries. If you’re willing to walk a few extra streets away from busy tourist areas, prices usually drop fast. Some apps even help track down the nearest food bargains in real time.

• Key Points For Cheap Eats
• Direct Answer: Where to Find Cheap Food in London
• Types of Budget Food Options in London
• Tips for Scoring the Best Food Deals
• Affordable Meal Spots by Area

Key Points For Cheap Eats

Getting cheap food in London is 100% possible—if you know how the city works. London might have its fancy restaurants, but tucked between them are gems serving full meals for under a tenner. Here’s what you need to nail a good, filling meal without burning through your cash.

• Street food markets like Camden, Borough, and Brick Lane are not just for tourists. These places offer proper meals starting from around £4–£7. Look out for lunch-only deals and smaller vendors tucked away from the main strip—they’re often even cheaper.
• Meal deals at supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots) can save you loads. For £3 to £4, you’ll get a sandwich, snack, and drink. No shame in eating these on a park bench—locals do it all the time.
• Check student and early bird discounts at popular affordable restaurants in London—chains like Leon, Wasabi, and Pizza Union regularly offer deals around lunchtime or before 6pm.
• Follow social media for pop-up food stalls and day-specific offers. Instagram and TikTok always have the lowdown on flash deals, especially in busy areas like Shoreditch or Soho.
• Budget eats in London often means Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean spots in places like Whitechapel and Brixton. You’ll find gigantic portions for small money—no frills, just flavor.
• Apps like Too Good To Go let you snap up end-of-day food bargains from restaurants and bakeries that don’t want to toss out food. You might get a surprise meal for less than £4.
• Avoid super-touristy spots right outside stations or next to big attractions. Walk 5–10 minutes away, and you’ll usually see prices drop by a couple of quid per dish.

To sum up, knowing the local tricks will get you the most value for your money. From food markets to supermarket deals, cheap food in London is always up for grabs if you keep your eyes peeled and don’t mind trying something new.

Direct Answer: Where to Find Cheap Food in London

If you want cheap food in London, you've got plenty of options scattered all over the city. Some of the best deals you’ll find are at street food stalls and markets that offer big flavor for small change. Places like Borough Market, Camden Market, and Spitalfields have food vendors selling everything from hearty curries to dumplings and burgers, usually for less than a tenner.

Chain cafes and bakeries—like Pret, Greggs, and Wasabi—are everywhere and handy when you're on a budget. Most supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Marks & Spencer offer meal deals with a main, side, and a drink for around £3.50. Easy win for lunch, right?

Looking for something a bit different? Head to Brick Lane for Indian curries that won’t break the bank, or Chinatown for filling noodle and rice dishes at prices starting around £5. Near universities and busy transport stations, you'll spot tons of small, independent shops advertising lunch specials and wraps under £4.50. Keep an eye out for the daily deals board—a little wandering pays off.

• Affordable restaurants London neighborhoods: Soho (cafes with meal deals), Brixton (Caribbean and African food stalls), Dalston (Turkish and Middle Eastern kebab shops).
• Where to eat cheap in London: Food trucks at King’s Cross (varied options), street food at Southbank Centre (try the Venezuelan arepas), market food in Whitechapel (Bangladeshi snacks).
• Budget eats London: London’s university quarters (Bloomsbury, UCL area) are packed with inexpensive lunch spots and grab-and-go delis.

Pro tip: Download apps like Too Good To Go and Karma for last-minute surplus food at steep discounts. You can score a proper meal for less than £3 through these apps, especially toward closing time.

Want more up-to-date deals? Keep an eye on local Facebook groups or check Google Maps for reviews on cheap eats near wherever you’re heading in the city.

Types of Budget Food Options in London

If you’re after cheap food in London, you’ve got more choices than just fast food. The city is a goldmine for budget eats if you know where to look. Here’s the lowdown on what you’ll find and where your pounds go furthest.

Street food markets are one of the best places for a quality meal that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Spots like Borough Market, Camden Market, and Southbank Centre Food Market offer everything from vegan curries to fresh falafels, usually between £5 and £9. You get flavor, speed, and variety in one stop.

If you prefer sitting down, think about budget restaurants and diners. Chains like Franco Manca serve fresh sourdough pizzas starting from £7. Wetherspoon pubs, found all over London, are famous for their cheap meal-and-drink deals. Local “greasy spoon” cafes, especially in neighborhoods like Hackney and Shepherd’s Bush, serve huge English breakfasts for under £6.

Ethnic cuisine is a major win for affordable restaurants in London. You can grab Chinese dumplings in Chinatown for £5, or delicious Lebanese wraps in Edgware Road for under £4. Brick Lane's Indian restaurants compete to offer the best curry deals, with lunch mains often cheaper than a fancy coffee.

Don’t forget supermarket meal deals. Nearly every major chain — Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots — does a meal deal (main, snack, drink) for around £3.50. These are lifesavers for quick lunches on-the-go and a huge part of London’s affordable dining scene.

Time Out London says, “You can eat like a king for under a tenner in London if you’re willing to try markets and lesser-known local spots.”

If you want something even cheaper or more adventurous, check out community kitchens and food halls, which sometimes run pay-what-you-can schemes. There’s something for every taste, all across the city.

Mixing things up—trying markets, restaurant deals, and even supermarket options—makes it easy to eat well for less in London.

Tips for Scoring the Best Food Deals

London might be famous for high prices, but you don’t need to pay full whack for tasty food. Here are some proven ways to sniff out cheap food in London—and not just during off-hours, either!

• Snack outside peak hours. Loads of street vendors and cafes slash prices in the hour before closing. Visit after the lunch rush or dinner peak, and you’ll often find food marked down.
• Use food apps. Apps like Too Good To Go and Olio connect you to cafes and bakeries looking to offload unsold food for a steal. A quick scan on your phone can score you a decent meal for under £3.
• Try supermarket meal deals. Major chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Boots sell combo meals (sandwich, snack, drink) for about £3.50, which beats most restaurant prices for a quick lunch.
• Follow local food blogs and newsletters. Sites like Londonist and Secret London dish out daily updates on freebies and special offers. You’ll hear about hidden affordable restaurants before the crowds show up.
• Take student or NHS discount cards. Even if you’re only in London for a semester or a few months, student cards (UNiDAYS, NUS Extra) and NHS IDs get you up to 25% off at chains like Leon and PizzaExpress.
• Order the lunch special. Many Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indian places do fixed-price lunch menus. Chinatown’s £7 set meals or Brick Lane’s curry deals are hard to beat.
• Head to local markets instead of big chains. Places like Ridley Road Market in Dalston or Whitechapel Market have fresh food stalls and global eats way cheaper than what central restaurants charge.

Here’s a look at how much you can typically save using these hacks:

Don’t just take my word for it—food blogger Jade Wright puts it this way:

"London’s best bargains aren’t always on the menu. Dig a bit, walk a block off the main street, and you’ll find eats locals swear by for under a fiver."

Sticking to these tips will multiply your options for budget eats in London—and help you discover some absolute gems you’d never see on a tourist map. The city’s food scene is huge, so a bit of research and smart timing goes a long way.

Affordable Meal Spots by Area

Scoring cheap food in London gets way easier when you know which neighbourhoods deliver real value. Let's break down some top areas where your wallet (and stomach) will thank you.

Central London sounds like budget-eater hell, but quick bites are all over if you know where to look. Chinatown is legendary for filling £7 noodle soups or bakery buns for under £2. Soho’s Flat Iron gives out free popcorn and offers £12 steaks—just order tap water to keep it cheap. The famous Oxford Circus Pret A Manger Meal Deal, with a sandwich, snack, and drink, still lands under £6 in 2025.

In East London, Shoreditch and Brick Lane stand out. You can grab proper Indian curries for £5-£7 on Brick Lane, or a Bahn Mi at Keu Deli for about £5. Boxpark is packed with street food stalls where a full lunch can easily slide in under £10. In Hackney, check out Morito’s weekday lunch plates starting at £6.

Camden Market is heaven for adventurous eaters on a budget. Over 30 global food stands compete, so prices stay low—expect fat burritos, pad thai, falafel wraps, and more for £6-£8 a meal. Plus, many vendors offer student discounts if you flash an ID. On Regent’s Canal, Honest Burgers runs a weekday lunchtime special—proper burger and chips for just £8.

South of the river in Brixton, the covered Brixton Market has everything from Ethiopian injera sets for £7 to Caribbean jerk chicken boxes for a fiver. Franco Manca serves huge sourdough pizzas for £7 and up. Pop Brixton’s mini food village is stacked with £5-£9 plates from all sorts of cuisines.

If you’re near King's Cross, KERB street food market pops up on weekdays with lunch deals from independent stalls—think gourmet tacos or big rice bowls (most for £7-£9). On Euston Road, Icco serves massive slices of pizza for £3 each.

Here’s a quick rundown of typical prices in each area to keep things clear:

Don’t forget, most markets stay open through the afternoon, and lunch always costs less than dinner in London. Look out for combo deals and lunch specials posted on blackboards outside, and don’t be shy about asking what’s cheapest if you’re picking up cheap food in London like a local.