Best Cheap Meals London: Where to Eat Well Without Spending Much

When you’re looking for the best cheap meals London has to offer, you’re not just chasing low prices—you’re chasing real flavor, local culture, and meals that actually fill you up. These aren’t the overpriced tourist traps near Big Ben. These are the spots where Londoners grab a bite after work, where families eat on Sundays, and where a £5 meal can be more satisfying than a £20 plate elsewhere. London street food, a vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted part of the city’s eating culture. Also known as fast, affordable, and often global-inspired eats, it’s where you’ll find jerk chicken wraps, fresh dumplings, and crispy falafel piled high with tahini—all for under £7. And it’s not just about grabbing food on the go. Some of the most memorable cheap meals in London come from tucked-away pubs serving proper pie and mash, or family-run bakeries handing out warm sausage rolls still steaming from the oven.

affordable food London, doesn’t mean compromise—it means knowing where to look. Budget dining London thrives in places like Brixton Market, Camden’s food stalls, and the back alleys of Brick Lane, where curry houses serve massive plates of butter chicken for less than £10. Even in central zones, you’ll find hidden gems: a Polish deli in East London with homemade pierogi, a Turkish bakery in Peckham with flaky borek, or a tiny Vietnamese spot in Walthamstow that does pho for £6.50. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re institutions built on repetition, loyalty, and the simple truth that great food doesn’t need a fancy name or a white tablecloth. And while some might assume cheap means processed or bland, the opposite is often true. Many of these meals are made from scratch, using ingredients sourced daily, cooked slow, and served with pride. You’re not just eating—you’re tasting generations of immigrant traditions that shaped London’s real food scene.

What ties all these spots together? They’re all places you’ll find in the posts below. You’ll see where to get the crispiest fish and chips, the juiciest burgers under £8, and the most comforting bowls of ramen that won’t break the bank. You’ll learn which markets open early for breakfast deals, which pubs have £5 lunch specials that locals guard like secrets, and why a £3.50 sandwich from a corner shop can outshine a Michelin-starred starter. This isn’t a list of gimmicks or viral TikTok finds. These are the real, repeatable, reliable places that keep Londoners fed, happy, and coming back week after week. If you want to eat like someone who actually lives here—not just visits—this collection is your map.