We’ve spent more hours than we can count wandering London’s streets with an empty stomach and a very firm budget. From grabbing £5 curries in tucked‑away markets to squeezing into tiny cafés that locals guard like secrets, eating cheaply in London became its own adventure. And if you’re pairing your food hunt with cost‑free exploring, don’t miss our guide to the best free things to do in London — it’s the perfect companion to these wallet‑friendly eats. So if you want the spots that actually deliver flavour without the price shock, let us take you through the best cheap places to eat in London — tried, tested, and absolutely worth it.
Supermarket Hacks: Eating Well for Less
If you’re staying in a hostel, Airbnb or anywhere with a fridge, supermarkets will save you a lot of money, or if you have no access to a fridge, grabbing on-the-go can work well for snacks and lunches.
Tesco Meal Deal
The holy grail of budget eating and what we ate for lunch most days! For around £3–£5 you get:
A main (sandwich, wrap, salad or pasta pot)
A snack (chips, fruit, chocolate or a pastry)
A drink (juice, softdrink or water)
Visit any Tesco at lunctime and it’s packed with locals plus there are over 300 stores so you’re bound to be nearby.
Sainsbury’s & M&S
Sainsbury’s has great ready meals and also offer ‘meal deals’ however not quite as cheap as Tesco’s. M&S is slightly pricier but the quality is excellent — perfect for a treat night in.
Aldi & Lidl
By far the cheapest groceries in London. If you’re cooking for yourself, this is where you stock up or if you want something to snack on throughout the day this is the place.
Bonus tip: Look for yellow-sticker items — these are discounted foods nearing their sell-by date. You can score huge savings.
Cheap Eats That Locals Actually Love
Greggs
I know, it’s certainly not the healthiest option but, it is a British institution and it’s cheap as chips. This is what we love to get:
Sausage roll or vegan sausage roll for only £1.35
Savoury and hot drink deal from £2.85 – we got this deal so many times, it’s a perfect warm up in the winter months
Yum yums (dangerously addictive!)
- After 4pm deals, look for pizza slices and drinks reduced
Greggs is perfect for breakfast or a quick snack and the bonus – you will find them on just about every corner.
Franco Manca
These guys offer sourdough pizza that tastes like it should cost £15 but usually sits around £7–£10. Their rotating specials are always excellent and they are super filling.
Top Tip – if you download the Franco Manca app, they often offer new users a $5 pizza deal, win-win!
Pret a Manger
Pret is everywhere, and while it’s not glamorous, it’s reliable.
They are great for fresh sandwiches, hot soups, flaky pastrie, and surprisingly good coffee—all at prices that won’t derail your travel budget. Their £3–£5 sandwich range and rotating hot options make it easy to grab something wholesome without hunting for a sit‑down spot.
Plus, they offer a 50p discount on hot drinks if you bring your own cup.
Top Apps for Cheap Meals in London
These apps have saved us so much money during our visits. They help you unlock discounts, rescue surplus food and score you last‑minute offers.
Too Good To Go
Best for: Huge discounts on surplus food. How it works: Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and supermarkets sell “Magic Bags” of unsold food at the end of the day. You don’t choose the exact items, but the value is always far higher than what you pay and we haven’t had a bag deal as yet.
Why we love it:
You can get £12–£20 worth of food for £3–£5
Works with Pret, Costa, Paul, YO! Sushi, local bakeries, and grocery stores
Great for breakfast, pastries, sushi, and ready meals
EatClub
Best for: Last‑minute restaurant discounts. How it works: Restaurants list time‑sensitive deals to fill empty tables. You book through the app and show the offer when you arrive.
Why we use it:
Great for spontaneous meals but mainly mid-week or off-peak
Discounts at independent restaurants
Often includes trendy spots in Shoreditch, Soho, and Camden
- When you first use the app, check for any promo codes. On our first use, we got an additonal £10 off our total bill
Appetite
Best for: Exclusive dining deals & hidden gems. How it works: A curated app offering discounts at hand‑picked restaurants, including new openings and local favourites.
Why we find it useful:
Helps you discover lesser‑known spots
Offers include free dishes, off‑peak discounts, and set‑menu deals
Street Food Markets: Cheap Eats
If you want to eat cheaply in London without sacrificing flavour, atmosphere or authenticity, there’s one place you should head first: the markets. They are packed with stalls serving dishes that are both delicious and affordable, here is our top picks.
Borough Market (Southwark)
Borough is a foodie pilgrimage site — and yes, it’s busy, but it’s worth it. What to try:
Kappacasein’s Grilled Cheese Toastie A molten, crispy, deeply savoury masterpiece. It’s filling enough to count as a full meal.
Bread Ahead Doughnuts Huge, fluffy, and generously filled — perfect for a sweet treat under £5.
Juma Kitchen (when available) Iraqi street food with bold flavours and reasonable prices.
Go early in the morning or after 3pm if you want to avoid the crowds.
Location
The market sits right beside London Bridge rail station and the London Underground (Jubilee and Northern lines). For exact navigation, the address is 8 Southwark Street, London.
Opening Hours
- Tuesday-Friday: 10AM-5PM
- Saturday: 9AM-5PM
- Sunday 10AM-4PM
Camden Market
Camden Market felt like stepping straight into London’s creative heart. Everywhere we turned there was something new — sizzling food stalls, neon‑bright shop fronts. It’s chaotic in the best way and packed with incredible global eats that won’t drain your travel budget.
Cheap Eats to Try
Oli Baba’s Halloumi Fries Crispy, salty, drizzled with pomegranate and herbs — a Camden classic. We could have seriously eaten these every day if given the chance!
Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen We highly recommend the corn bread with meat, plantain, black beans and guacamole – it’s highly addictive.
Korean BBQ Burritos Fusion food done right, one of our favourites for under £10.
Location
The market is located at Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Road, London. The nearest tube stops are Camden Town and Chalk Farm (Northern Line). Camden Town station is a 4-minute walk away, while Chalk Farm is about 5 minutes.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 10AM with the food hall open until 11PM.
Brick Lane: Bagels, Curries, and Late-Night Bargains
Brick Lane is legendary for its curry houses and 24/7 bagel shops. It’s one of the best places in London to eat cheaply at any hour.
Just be prepared: like most London food markets, seating is a bit of a free‑for‑all. We’ve spent plenty of afternoons hovering hopefully near a table before giving up and doing what we always end up doing anyway — eating as we wander.
Must-Try Cheap Eats
Beigel Bake’s Salt Beef Bagel A London icon — warm, soft, stuffed with tender beef, and incredibly affordable. And yes, they really are open 24/7.
Street Vendors Samosas, kebabs, sweets, and snacks that won’t break the bank.
Curry Houses Many of the curry houses along Brick Lane run great lunchtime offers that are ideal for anyone exploring London on a budget. Our top pick is Standard Brick Lane, which does an impressive 50% off lunch from 12pm–5pm when you book online and mention the offer. They also run a 25% off food deal all day on Mondays under the same conditions. It’s a brilliant spot for hearty, flavourful Indian and Bangladeshi curries without the hefty price tag.
Why Brick Lane Is a Budget Haven
It’s one of the few places in London where you can get a satisfying meal for under £6 — and the atmosphere is unbeatable. We had such a good time checking out the street art, every corner felt like a mini gallery and the live music just made the whole place buzz.
Location
Brick Lane is located at 91 Brick Lane, London. The nearest station to Brick Lane is Shoreditch High Street (Windrush Line), just an eight‑minute walk away. Aldgate East Underground station (District and Hammersmith & City lines) is a nine‑minute walk.
Opening Hours
- Friday – Wednesday: 11AM – 6:30PM
- Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
- Exception: 24/7 bagel shops
Mercato Metropolitano: Community Vibes & Affordable Global Eats
Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant & Castle is actually London’s first sustainable, community‑focused market, created with the goal of revitalising neighbourhoods. We loved the atmosphere — a lively food hall with long communal tables, live music, and an overall friendly, welcoming energy. And if you’re planning to make a full day of it in the area, pair your visit with our complete guide to London’s free museums for even more budget‑friendly exploring.
What to Eat
Tandoori Tadkaa If you’re trying to eat well on a budget, Tandoori Tadkaa is the standout. From Monday to Friday, they offer lunch bowls for £8, which is exceptionally cheap for central London.
These bowls usually include a choice of curry (rotating daily: butter chicken, tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, paneer makhani, chickpea curry, etc.), rice, chickpea chaat salad and mango chutney.
Hermanos Taco House Offer totopos and guac for only £4.50, it’s a great snack.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
It’s less touristy than Borough or Camden, making it a great place to enjoy good food without the crowds.
Location
42 Newington Causeway, London and best accessed via Elephant & Castle tube station (Northern and Bakerloo lines) which is only a 5-minute walk from the markets.
Opening Hours
- Monday – Wednesday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Thursday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Friday: 12 PM – 1 AM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Bring a Water Bottle (Seriously)
London tap water is clean, safe and free. Buying bottled water at £1.50–£2.50 adds up fast.
You’ll find refill stations in:
Train stations
Museums
Parks
Many cafés (just ask, yes we have and most are happy to refill for you at no cost)
Final Tips to Save Money on Food in London
Eat Your Main Meal at Lunch When Prices Are Lower
Many London restaurants offer set lunch menus that are dramatically cheaper than their dinner equivalents. For example:
A £22 dinner dish might appear on a £12–£15 lunch set
Upscale restaurants often run weekday lunch deals to fill seats
Even pubs tend to have cheaper midday pricing
If you’re craving a ‘nice meal out,’ lunch is the time to do it. You get the same quality food, the same atmosphere, and a much smaller bill.
Search “set lunch menu London” on Google Maps — you’ll find hidden gems offering 2‑ or 3‑course meals for the price of a single dinner dish.
Share Dishes at Markets — More Variety, Less Cost
London’s food markets are incredible, but it’s easy to overspend if you buy a full meal from every stall that tempts you. Sharing solves that.
Why it works:
Most market portions are generous
Sharing lets you try 3–4 stalls instead of committing to one
You avoid food waste and save money
Places where sharing works especially well:
Borough Market (grilled cheese + doughnuts + pasta)
Camden Market (halloumi fries + bao buns + arepas)
Mercato Metropolitano (pasta + dumplings + gelato)
Our tip – vendors often give samples — taste before you buy!
Check Google Maps Reviews for “£” or “££” Listings
Google Maps is a surprisingly powerful budget‑food tool if you know how to use it.
Here’s how to filter smartly:
£ = very cheap
££ = moderate
£££ and above = avoid if you’re on a budget!
You can also sort by:
‘Open now’
‘Near me’
‘Takeaway’
‘Top rated’
This helps you avoid overpriced tourist traps and find local favourites that don’t appear on big travel blogs.
Avoid Sit‑Down Restaurants in Tourist Zones (Unless You Want to Splurge)
Tourist-heavy areas are notorious for inflated prices. You’re paying for the location, not the food.
Areas where prices spike:
Leicester Square
Piccadilly Circus
Oxford Street
Covent Garden
South Bank
A simple rule: Walk 5–10 minutes away from any major attraction. You’ll instantly find:
Independent cafés
Family-run restaurants
Cheaper pubs
Better food
Instead of eating in Covent Garden, walk to Holborn or Seven Dials — same vibe, half the price and the food is just as good.
There you have it — proof that eating well doesn’t have to drain your wallet; you just need to know where to look. From bustling markets to tiny neighbourhood gems, the city is packed with flavour, character, and incredible value if you’re willing to explore. And if you want to stretch your savings even further while you’re out discovering these spots, don’t miss our guide on how to get around London on a budget. Happy eating — and even happier saving.
