Food Deals London: Save Big on the City’s Best Bites

If you love good food but hate pricey tabs, you’re in the right place. London is packed with restaurants that hand out deals like candy, and knowing where to look can shave hundreds off your bill. Below are the quickest ways to spot a discount, the apps that make hunting easy, and a few secret spots that even locals miss.

Where to Find Real Discounts

First stop: the apps. Too Good To Go, Karma, and Olio list restaurants with unsold meals at a fraction of the price. Open the app, set your location to a London postcode, and you’ll see a list of nearby cafés offering lunch boxes for under £5. It’s a win‑win – you get cheap food and the venue reduces waste.

Next, check the restaurant’s own website or social feeds. Many places post daily happy‑hour menus on Instagram or Twitter. For example, a popular sushi bar in Soho runs a 4‑pm roll special that costs just £6. Snap a quick screenshot, show it to the staff, and you’re eating like a king.

Don’t forget the classic voucher sites. VoucherCodes, HotUKDeals, and the London edition of Time Out regularly share printable or digital coupons. A quick search for "pizza discount London" will pull up a 2‑for‑1 offer at a chain in Camden that’s valid all week.

If you love street food, head to markets like Borough or Camden on weekdays. Vendors often give a free side or a discount when you order a main dish before 2 pm. The rule of thumb: early birds catch the best bites and the best prices.

How to Make the Most of Every Deal

Timing is everything. Most discounts reset at midnight, so plan your dinner or lunch around the reset hour. A quick tip: set a reminder on your phone for 11:55 pm to snag the next day’s offers.

Combine deals when possible. Many restaurants allow a voucher plus a happy‑hour price, which can drop a steak from £20 to under £10. Just ask the staff – they’ll tell you if the offers stack.

Bring a friend. Some places give a “bring a mate” discount where the second plate is half price. Even if you’re solo, you can split the dish and still enjoy the saving.Sign up for loyalty programs. Chains like Nando’s, Pizza Express, and Wahaca hand out points for every pound spent, which later convert into free dishes or discounts. The sign‑up usually takes a few seconds and the first reward often appears after just a handful of visits.

Finally, be flexible with cuisine. If you’re willing to try a new flavor, you’ll discover more deals. A Thai spot in Shoreditch might have a weekday curry combo for £7, while a Lebanese eatery in Kilburn offers a mezze platter at a student price on Tuesdays.

London’s food scene is huge, and the discount scene is even bigger. Use these tips, keep your phone handy, and you’ll be eating great meals without breaking the bank. Happy hunting, and bon appétit!