For Londoner’s on a budget, we thought we would shortlist our favourite London-based restaurants with an affordable menu.
Bao
53 Lexington Street, London W1F 9A
You’ve heard the hype, but is Bao really worth the queue? In short, (or long in this case) yes! Outside there’s a constant throng of patient customers waiting to enter the minimalist Taiwanese interior. With only a handful of seats, the atmosphere is certainly cosy, but it adds to the authentic experience. Each dish is well thought out and deserving of its place on the menu, with the limited number of dishes ranging from trotter nuggets, to blood cake, to bao; a steamed bun filled with a choice of meats, fried daikon for the vegetarians and Horlicks ice cream for afters. The drinks list also includes some unusual offerings, such as foam tea, potent oolong and of course, the oh-so heavenly peanut milk.
Bao from £3.50 / Small plates from £3 / Sides from £1.50
Pizza Pilgrims
11 Kingly Street, London W1B 5PW
Forget deep-pan and stuffed crust, we think all pizzas should be as crispy and delicious as the ones served in Pizza Pilgrims. Made using the freshest of ingredients, you can practically taste Italy in every bite. And the accompaniments are equally appetising. Traditional Mediterranean sides include olives, breads and cheeses, while the Nutella and salted ricotta pizza ring sounds too tempting to turn down. It’s the perfect place to pop into for a quick bite to eat before a West End show or whilst shopping on Oxford Street.
Pizza from £5 / Sides from £3 / Dessert from £4
Jackdaw
201 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 8EG
Food and jazz. A tried and tested combination that’s been given the seal of approval by the residents of Clapton after the opening of Jackdaw. Step inside and you’ll find a relaxed, rustic vibe in the ground floor restaurant that perfectly complements the dinner menu of casual, freshly prepared small plates; featuring highland partridge, caramelized cauliflower and Shorthorn onglet. After scoffing down the delicious 5-course tasting menu on a Saturday evening, you can party the night away listening to old school disco and enjoy fresh musical talent throughout the week in the downstairs area. They also serve a cracking Sunday roast!
Breakfast from £2 / Lunch from £4 / Dinner from £6
Green Pea
92 Trafalgar Road, London SE10 9UW
You’d be forgiven for walking straight past this modest British/Irish restaurant opposite Maze Hill Station. But step inside and the constant humdrum of people in Green Pea is a giveaway to the popularity of this local institution. With an infamous proprietor who’s just as sought-after as his traditional pub grub, this place consistently ranks in the heady heights of TripAdvisor’s top 30 restaurants in London. And rightly so. Homemade pies and boiled bacon are just some of the classics on the menu, followed by traditional sponge puddings and sweet English staples like bakewell tart for afters.
Brixton Village
Atlantic Road/Coldharbour Lane
When picking our favourite cheap eats in South London, we must admit that we’ve cheated a little. But with so many places to choose from in Brixton Village, we just couldn’t decide! Whatever cuisine takes your fancy, you’re sure to find it here. Amongst the vintage clothes shops and food stalls, there are no end of casual eateries and all with remarkably affordable menus. Just some of our recommendations include: Federation for coffee and cake, Burnt Toast for brunch, Mama Lan for a quick Chinese lunch and Honest if you’re looking for a satisfying burger dinner to leave you bursting at the seams.
Makiyaki
149 Merton Road, London SW19 1ED
This Japanese restaurant in Wimbledon (and Epsom too) is one of London’s lesser known sushi spots, but we can guarantee you won’t have tried anything like it before. Alongside sushi rolls, noodles, salads and hot food, including a mean chicken katsu curry–to rival the city’s favourite, more well-known Japanese hangouts–they’ve taken a Western twist on traditional Japanese cuisine, like sushi dish `Ocean’ that is oven baked and topped with melted cheese. Now we know it sounds strange, but trust us, it’s delicious! Makiyaki also sells food to take away, so you can enjoy their delicious food from the comfort of your sofa.
Starters from £2.00 / Sushi rolls from £3.50 / Hot dishes from £7.50
Ngon
195 Chiswick High Road, London W4 2DR
When all that is required is comforting, unfussy food, Ngon in Chiswick really hits the spot. On the small but perfected menu, you’ll find warming dishes ideal for the colder months, such as bowls of pho and steaming plates of jasmine rice, while goi cuon (meaning summer rolls), salads and banh mi (Asian-style baguettes) make for the ultimate lunchtime treat. At the back of this narrow Vietnamese takeaway-cum-restaurant, there’s space for small to large groups of diners, which makes it the perfect place for a quick feast with friends.
Banh mi from £5.25 / Salads £5.50 / Pho from £7.50
Meera’s Village
36 Queensbury Station Parade, London HA8 5NN
There are a number of namesakes, but is this the real jewel of India? Finding a decent Indian restaurant in London is a rare and precious thing, which is why we’ve shared our secret with only a few. Until now. Separating authentic South Indian cooking from the very British chicken tikka masala served in other Indian restaurants, Meera’s Village is a vegetarian foodie heaven with a varied menu orchestrated around the all-you-can-eat Thali–meaning plate or platters of multiple dishes. As well as the usual rice and bread accompaniments, there are curries, sides and ‘sizzlers’ that are sure to excite the palate.
Thali £12.99 / Curries from £4.99 / Sides £4.99
One Sixty
291 West End Lane, London NW6 1RD
Gone are the days when Londoners wistfully dreamt of gourmet burgers. But the smokehouse, now that’s something we’re sure is here to stay. Who doesn’t enjoy hearty, slow cooked meat to raise those iron levels? Which paves the way for restaurants like One Sixty on West End Lane. Using produce from local suppliers, their menu of smokehouse classics like pulled pork and beef ribs are intermingled with foodie favourites such as ox cheek and mac ‘n’ cheese, which are accompanied perfectly by their carefully selected craft beers from around the world.
Brunch from £7 / Starters from £5.50 / Mains from £10
Ida
167 Fifth Avenue, London W10 4DT
With so many Italian chains in London, sometimes it’s easy to forget what proper pasta tastes like. But fear not, Ida in Queen’s Park serves the real homemade deal. Freshly made on the premises every day, expect classics like carbonara and simple, unadulterated dishes that hail from the heart of the Marche region. And from Monday to Thursday, you can brood over a bowl of pasta with an accompanying glass of Sicilian vino for just £10!
Starters from £5 / Mains from £8.50 / Sides £3.50
