budget travel

London is absolutely packed to the rafters with jolly good eats, from your celebrity chef-owned restaurants dripping in Michelin stars to your family-run bistros. Honestly though, you don’t need to dig too deep into your pockets here in London to find decently priced bites to devour… in fact, the hardest part of collating this post was choosing what to leave out! Dive on in and let’s explore our 10 favorite cheap eats in London for under £15, with most under £10. An absolute bargain, every single one. 

Cheap eats in North London

Tagine and couscous dishes at Le Rif

A cafe that wouldn’t look out of place in the souks of Marrakech, Le Rif graces the thoroughly local hinterlands off Seven Sisters Road and has a menu with prices will make you do a double take. Sip on mint tea while enjoying properly made tagine of lamb with prunes and cinnamon… or basically any other variety of tagine you can think of. It’s not fancy, but it most definitely is tasty.

Tube stop: Finsbury Park 

Curry and rice at the Indian YMCA Dining Hall

Those in the know do not need the concept-heavy modern Indian restaurants down in the West End when, tucked away around the corner, you find the dining hall of the Indian YMCA. With low prices in a canteen setting, it’s authentic and it’s available to non-guests for lunch and dinner services most days of the week. If it’s meat you’re hankering for alongside your spiced lentils, the tandoori chicken should do the trick. 

Tube stop: Warren Street

Cheap eats in South London

Roti jerk chicken wrap at Rudie’s

We adore Rudie’s, home to super nice staff and authentic tastes of the Caribbean, from saltfish and ackee to curry goat, all very well priced. For unbelievable bang for your buck, opt for their signature jerk chicken in a roti wrap with slaw, crunchy salad, and a kick of homemade hot sauce. Sunny island vibes, even on the wettest of days. 

Tube stop: London Bridge 

Pie, double mash, and liquor at Goddards at Greenwich

This dish is an absolute classic here in London and we all have our favorite pie shops to visit. Visit Goddards and you can guarantee you’re in safe hands: this family has been bringing the goods since 1890 and their liquor (not alcohol, but secret recipe green parsley sauce) is some of the tastiest around.

Tube stop: Cutty Sark DLR 

Cheap eats in East London

Pho at Viet Hoa

One of the pioneer restaurants on London’s so-called “Pho Mile,” Viet Hoa was founded by refugees who fled to London to escape the Vietnam War. With lines out the door on certain days, their bun hue is game-changing—imagine pho, but spicy with heavy hits of lemongrass and shrimp paste. We are here for it all day. 

Tube stop: Hoxton 

Full English breakfast at E Pellicci

Family-run for more than a century? Check. Housed in a Grade II-listed building? Check. Absolutely gut-busting full English breakfast with all the trimmings for a knock-out price? Check. E Pellicci really does have it all—and it doesn’t hurt that, as an Italian family, their amazing pastas are cheap as chips, too. When you know, you know. 

Tube stop: Bethnal Green 

Cheap eats in West London

Shrimp dumpling noodle soup at Cafe TPT

This tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it joint (21 Wardour St.) on the edge of Soho’s Chinatown is a must for hawker-style dishes, from char siu pork and rice to chow mein. It’s is a welcome flashback to the old school Chinatown of 10 years ago and stays open until 1 a.m. for the post-pub munchies. 

Tube stop: Piccadilly Circus 

Customizable box at Grain Shop

A Notting Hill stalwart, this predominantly vegetarian hole-in-the-wall (269A Portobello Road) is worth the journey from any part of town, as evidenced by the lines of locals every day at lunchtime. Choose what you would like from the daily changing dishes to take out or eat at the little counter. Our pick: cauliflower cheese, dal, roasted new potatoes and as many veggies as can fit in the box—a surprisingly satisfying combo. 

Tube stop: Ladbroke Grove 

Cheap eats in The City (the square mile technically known as the City of London) 

Philly cheesesteak baguette at Porterford Butchers

A top-notch butchers on Cannon Street since 1983, Porterford is a go-to for brilliant bangers and luscious lamb chops—and they even have a hot food counter. With a vast array of hot sandwiches to take out, our (small amount of) money is on the one filled with beautiful short-rib beef, Monterey Jack cheese, and stacks of grilled onions. 

Tube stop: St Pauls 

£1 Oyster Happy Hour at Wright Brothers

Really fresh, high quality seafood is always a good shout, and for that, we recommend a trip to Wright Brothers. These seafood specialists have a lively smart-casual restaurant in that can satisfy all your pescetarian needs. They use fresh fish daily from their own wholesale company so you can be sure you’re getting the best of the best. 

Their undercover, heated terrace makes al fresco dining an option all year round! And everyday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (as well as during Saturday and Sunday brunch) you can get oysters at Wright Brothers for £1 a pop. Now that’s our kind of happy hour! 

Tube stop: Battersea Power Station

Update notice: This article was updated on July 31, 2023.