Top 10 Affordable Eats in London You Can't Miss
You don’t need to spend a fortune to eat well in London. In fact, some of the best meals in the city cost less than a coffee at a chain cafe. I’ve walked the streets of Peckham, wandered through Brick Lane, and queued at hidden stalls in Camden-all just to find out what’s actually worth your time and cash. Here are the 10 spots where you get serious flavor for under £10, and sometimes under £5.
Forget the tourist traps with £25 sandwiches. London’s real food magic lives in its markets, street vendors, and family-run shops. These aren’t just cheap-they’re unforgettable.
1. The Cheese Truck (Columbia Road, Bethnal Green)
Don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t just cheese on toast. The Cheese Truck serves a grilled cheese sandwich so good, people line up before 11 a.m. They use aged cheddar, sourdough baked daily, and a touch of caramelized onion. It’s £6.50. Add a side of pickled beetroot for £1.50, and you’ve got a meal that beats most pub lunches. They only open Friday to Sunday, so plan ahead. Pro tip: Go right when they open. By noon, they’re sold out.
2. Brick Lane Bagels (Brick Lane, East London)
Bagels in London aren’t just a snack-they’re a culture. At Brick Lane Bagels, you get a fresh, chewy, hand-rolled bagel toasted to perfection, stuffed with cream cheese, smoked salmon, or salt beef. The classic salt beef bagel? £6. It’s piled high, juicy, and served with a side of tangy mustard. This place has been around since the 1950s, run by the same family. No frills. No menus. Just pure, old-school London flavor. If you’re in the area on a Sunday morning, this is your stop.
3. Wahaca (Multiple Locations, But the Tottenham Court Road Spot Wins)
Wahaca is a chain, but don’t write it off. Their Street Food Tacos are £3.50 each, and you can mix and match. Try the carnitas with pickled red onion and lime, or the roasted sweet potato with black beans. Two tacos, a side of guacamole, and a small bottle of Mexican Coke? That’s £11. But here’s the trick: go during weekday lunch (12-2 p.m.) and you’ll get a two tacos + drink for £6 deal. It’s the best value Mexican in the city.
4. Bao (Soho)
If you’ve never had a steamed pork bun, you’re missing out. Bao’s signature char siu pork bao is soft, fluffy, and dripping with sweet-savory sauce. One bun is £3.80. Get two, add a side of spicy pickled cabbage for £1.50, and you’re done. It’s filling, flavorful, and way better than any fast food burger. They’re open late, too-perfect for a post-night-out snack.
5. Poppies Fish & Chips (Southwark)
Forget the greasy, soggy fish and chips you remember from your childhood. Poppies uses fresh, sustainably caught cod, hand-cut potatoes, and batter that’s light as air. A full portion with mushy peas and tartar sauce? £8.95. They’ve been doing this since 1972. No plastic trays. No ketchup sachets. Just newspaper-wrapped goodness. Eat it by the Thames while watching the sunset. It’s the real deal.
6. Momo (Kensington)
Not many people know this, but London has some of the best Tibetan momos outside of the Himalayas. Momo’s steamed momos come in packs of six for £5.50. Fillings include spiced beef, chicken, or vegetable. Dip them in their fiery chili sauce, and you’ll feel your taste buds wake up. They also serve thukpa (noodle soup) for £6.50. It’s warming, hearty, and perfect for a rainy afternoon.
7. The Breakfast Club (Multiple Locations)
Yes, this place is popular. But here’s why it’s still worth it: their Full English Breakfast is £9.95. That’s bacon, sausage, eggs, baked beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and toast. All cooked to order. They use free-range eggs and locally sourced pork. And they serve it until 4 p.m. So if you’re running late or just want a big meal at 3 p.m., go for it. It’s the kind of breakfast that sticks with you all day.
8. Karam’s (Harrow)
Head northwest to Harrow, and you’ll find Karam’s, a tiny Pakistani spot that serves the best chicken karahi in the UK. A large portion with rice and naan? £8.50. The chicken is tender, the sauce is spicy and tangy, and the garlic naan is warm and buttery. This place doesn’t have a website. No Instagram. Just a handwritten menu and a line of locals who come every Friday. If you’re brave enough to take the Tube out of central London, you’ll be rewarded.
9. Pad Thai at Thai Street Food (Camden Market)
Camden Market is packed with overpriced food stalls. But one stall-Thai Street Food-stands out. Their pad thai is cooked fresh to order, with tamarind, palm sugar, peanuts, and shrimp. A full portion? £7.50. It’s not the fanciest presentation, but the flavor? Pure Bangkok. They also do mango sticky rice for £4.50. If you’re walking through Camden, skip the £12 burgers and grab this instead.
10. The Market Kitchen (Borough Market)
Borough Market is expensive-unless you know where to look. Head to The Market Kitchen stall and order their £5 falafel wrap. It’s packed with crispy chickpea balls, tahini sauce, pickled turnips, and fresh herbs. Wrap it in warm pita. Eat it standing up. It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re in one of London’s most touristy spots. They also do a £4.50 roasted vegetable bowl if you want something lighter.
Why These Spots Work
What makes these places special isn’t just the price. It’s the care. These aren’t corporate chains. They’re run by people who’ve been making the same dish for decades. The dough for the bagels is proofed overnight. The fish is caught the day before. The spices are toasted fresh. You taste that difference.
London’s food scene thrives on diversity, and the cheapest meals often come from communities that have been here the longest. The Bangladeshi families in Brick Lane. The Thai vendors in Camden. The Nigerian cooks in Peckham. Their food isn’t just affordable-it’s authentic.
How to Eat Cheap in London Without Sacrificing Quality
- Go for lunch specials. Many places offer cheaper menus between 12-3 p.m.
- Use apps like Too Good To Go. You can get a surprise bag of food from restaurants for £3-£5-often full meals.
- Visit markets. Borough, Camden, and Broadway Market have dozens of affordable stalls with no markup.
- Avoid tourist zones like Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square. Walk just 10 minutes away, and prices drop by half.
- Bring your own bottle of water. Drinks can double your bill.
What to Skip
Don’t waste money on:
- Pre-packaged sandwiches from supermarkets labeled “artisan.” They’re overpriced and bland.
- “Gourmet” burgers in Soho. £15 for a patty with truffle oil? Not worth it.
- Food courts in shopping malls. The prices are inflated, and the quality is low.
Final Tip: Eat Like a Local
The best way to find cheap eats? Ask someone who works in a shop, a bus driver, or a barista. They’ll point you to the places they eat after their shift. That’s how I found Karam’s. That’s how most locals find their favorites. Don’t rely on Google reviews. Talk to people.
Is it safe to eat street food in London?
Absolutely. All street food vendors in London must pass strict hygiene inspections. You’ll see their ratings displayed on the stall or website. Stick to places with high ratings and busy lines-it’s a sign they’re doing something right. Most of the vendors on this list have been operating for over 10 years.
Can I eat these meals on a budget if I’m visiting for a week?
Yes. If you stick to these 10 spots and skip fancy restaurants, you can easily eat for under £50 a week. That’s £7 a day. Most people spend double that on coffee and snacks alone. Plan one or two bigger meals a week, and fill the rest with street food and market bites.
Are these places open on Sundays?
Most are, but not all. The Cheese Truck is closed Monday-Thursday. Brick Lane Bagels is open every day. Thai Street Food in Camden is open daily. Always check their Instagram or Google listing before heading out. Many small spots close on Sundays for family time.
Do any of these places accept card payments?
Yes, nearly all of them do now. But always carry a little cash. Some stalls, especially in markets, have minimum card payments or poor Wi-Fi. £10 in change covers you for snacks, tips, and unexpected buys.
What’s the cheapest meal in London?
The absolute cheapest satisfying meal? A £2.50 samosa from a South Asian corner shop in Southall or Wembley, with a £1 chai tea. It’s not glamorous, but it’s filling, spicy, and delicious. For a full meal under £5, go for the falafel wrap or momos.
Next Steps
Grab a map. Pick three spots from this list. Walk to one, take the Tube to another, and bike to the third. Eat your way through London without spending more than £30. You’ll taste more culture, more history, and more heart than you would at any fancy restaurant.
And when you do? Come back and tell me which one blew your mind.
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