If you have had a sinking feeling as the bill arrives at the end of a meal recently, well, us too. Dining out has never felt so expensive, with the cost of ingredients, labour and rent pushing prices ever-upward. It’s not that we’re being ripped off necessarily, with UK restaurants are currently going bankrupt at a faster rate than during the pandemic due to surging energy costs, staff shortages and a decline in bookings.
But there are more affordable ways to still eat out and support restaurants, and with so many different places to eat so many different types of food in London, you really can eat lavishly well while on a budget. For every £200 tasting menu in the city, there’s a smash hit meal to be had elsewhere for a whole lot less. Some of these eateries are under the radar, others have queues around the block. We asked London’s best chefs to name their go-to spots for cheap eats. At these London restaurants, you can indulge more freely.
Saravana Bhavan
“A venerable temple of vegetarian South Indian Tamil food. It’s a big menu with lots of fantastic treats, but my favourite is to eat rava masala dosa, piping hot crispy lacy dosas, with tomato chutney, coriander chutney and usually a coconut chutney, filled with a spicy potato filling with plenty of cashew nuts and whole black peppercorns. If you’re really feeling hungry get a “meal” or a thali – you’ll get change from £8 and a feast of vegetable curries, rasam, yoghurt, a sweet, rice, puris and unlimited refills.” – Cynthia Shanmugalingam, Rambutan
Silk Road
“I’ve been going here for years – it’s a real South London institution. It’s food from a region of China which you don’t see a lot in London, so it’s a really different food experience to other kinds of Chinese restaurants you might come across. They do these really amazing skewers of lamb and red snapper, which are just dripping in fat and loaded up with the most insane spice mix. You can still get a beer there for £2.50, which is unheard of now, and a big place of 10 dumplings for £3.50. – Sophie Wyburd
Roti King
“Standing in line, especially when you are a certain age, provokes a mixture of apprehension, gloom, and infuriation. But the misery of standing in a snaking queue in the cold outside Roti King in Euston is justified by the terrific food. I can’t resist the flaky chew of their freshly made Roti canai dipped in fragrant dhal, the funk of the morning glory cooked in shrimp paste or the jolt of the kari laksa. I always order far too much but it’s a treat as leftovers the next day.” – Ravinder Bhogal, Jikoni
Kiln
“Kiln in Soho is one of our favourite restaurants in London. The crab noodles are a sublime and wonderful thing. Such a clever use of space – theatre, drama and the passion of good cooking is packed into this little space. I love their no-dessert policy: no room for that.” – Margot Henderson, Rochelle Canteen & The Three Horseshoes
Smoking Goat
“I recently had one of the best meals that I’ve ever had in London at the Smoking Goat Chicken Shop. Both the menu format and the dishes really blew my mind. It’s the perfect place to go in, over-order and smash loads of beers alongside spicy Thai food.” – John Javier, The Tent (at the end of the universe)
Sushi Show
“I love Sushi Show in Islington. I had a meeting in the area and happened to end up there for a quick bite and ended up in love with their food. I recommend the Beef Gyudon, all the sashimi and the miso soup. It’s also the best place to buy mochi and miso paste in town.” – Santiago Lastra, KOL
Casse-Croûte
“Casse-Croûte is a Bermondsey Street staple and a must-visit for anyone in the area. They change their menu daily; the food is authentic, and everything they plate up is super tasty. It’s a small neighbourhood bistro, and they really understand hospitality. You always feel welcome when you walk through the door.” – Tom Sellers, Restaurant Story, Story Celler & Dovetale
Pockets
“Pockets in Nettle Market is my guilty pleasure, offering the city’s best falafel, from handmade, fluffiest pita to salads, pickles, and sauces, all made from scratch. Exciting news: they’re finally leaving Nettle Market and launching their permanent restaurant at 367 Mentmore Terrace!” – Eran Tibi, Bala Baya & Kapara
Dilara Uyghur Restaurant
“I love Dilara in Finsbury Park, the most amazing hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers and dumplings. Always delivers flavours that I am unfamiliar with and are utterly delicious.” – Ben Marks, Perilla
Xi’an Impression
“One place I’ve gone to for a long time is Xi’an Impression in North London. I think it’s sort of a rite of passage – I know a lot of chefs who enjoy it. It’s tiny, they’ve got like four micro tables. But if you go on a day when there’s not a match on, it could be quiet when you go there.” – Chris Leach, Manteca
Lucky & Joy
“I go to Lucky & Joy as often as I possibly can. I love their fresh take on regional Chinese food, the cosy and fun vibe and bold, flavour-packed dishes.” – Ollie Templeton, Carousel
Sacre Cuore
“I love Sacre Cuore near Kensal Green station, such a lovely neighbourhood pizza place. My good friend Anna – who is from Napoli, the home of pizza – first took me there, and I have been hooked ever since. You can get a Marinara here for £9, and it doesn’t miss.” – Adriana Cavita, Cavita
Morley’s Fried Chicken
“It has to be Morley’s Fried Chicken. The reason I love this place is that it’s a working-class institution that was founded in 1985 in southeast London and has now branched out. Despite this, it’s still 4 wings for £1!” – James Cochran, 12:51
Bánh Mì Hội-An
“Bánh Mì Hội-An on Graham Road in Hackney is incredible. The owners are lovely and the ingredients always shine: warm, freshly baked bread, crunchy veg, great roasted meats. I usually go for the catfish or pork belly banh mi, always with extra chilli, or the omelette banh mi for a lighter option.” – Ixta Belfrage, author of Ottolenghi FLAVOUR