We all know that London is an expensive city. It does, however, harbor a thriving food scene that makes finding a reasonably priced meal much easier than you might think. Here’s a few spots around the capital where you can treat yourself to a delicious lunch without breaking the bank.
The Athenian
Kebabs aren’t just for eating after a heavy night of drinking. There are plenty of joints around London that serve up an authentic souvlaki during the day that can even be considered healthy. At The Athenian, for just £6 you can get yourself a handmade pita bread filled with either pork, chicken, halloumi or falafel, stuffed to the brim with fresh salad. For an extra £3.50 you can opt for an additional filling, bringing your delicious lunch to a grand total of £9.50.
There are several outlets around London including Shoreditch, White City and Belgravia.
The Vurger Co
As the vegan craze sweeps across London, more and more vegan-friendly, affordable eateries are popping up around the city. Serving everything from mac and cheese to milkshakes, The Vurger Co boasts a menu that uses 100% plant-based ingredients sourced from sustainable suppliers. Grab your self an Auburger or Big Mex for less than a tenner!
The Vurger Co can be found in Shoreditch.
Meat Liquor
Vegans look away, this is one for the meat lovers. Established in London in 2011, hungry customers have been queuing up to taste one of their much-revered burgers ever since. Although the original site has recently closed, there are plenty of new venues popping up around London. Not only are their burgers considered to be some of the best in town, but you can bag any burger, fries and unlimited soft drink for ten pounds during any weekday lunchtime!
There are several restaurants around London including Dulwich and Kings Cross.
Pizza Pilgrims
Pizza joints are aplenty in London, but nowhere serves pizza with an authentic Italian base and toppings quite like Pizza Pilgrims. Starting as a street food van, the two founding brothers opened up their original restaurant in 2013 and have now expanded to over seven sites across the city. Treat yourself to a fior de latte mozzarella pizza for £7.50 or add some additional toppings for just a couple of extra pounds.
Pizza Pilgrims can be found in the City, London Bridge, Shoreditch and Covent Garden amongst other locations.
Chick n Sours
Another favorite bred out of a street food stall is Chick n Sours, serving up crispy Korean Fried Chicken paired with sour cocktails. Assuming you’ll be skipping the cocktails at lunch time, you can get a very filling lunch here for just shy of a tenner. Choose the Kung Po Disco Wings or the K-POP chicken burger with a side of beef dripping fries without breaking your budget.
Chick n Sours can be found all over London including Covent Garden, Haggerston and Angel.
Maple & Co
For the health conscious, consider a trip to Maple & Co which serves up a selection of healthy salad boxes for as little as £5. Set out like a salad bar, you can make your box as full or expensive as you want it to be. Pick a few base salads which include sweet potato, quinoa and kale; a choice of protein, chicken, egg or halloumi; and a few extra toppings and you’ll have yourself a nutrient-rich lunch for less than a tenner.
Maple & Co can currently be found in Kings Cross and Fitzrovia, but there are plans to expand further in the near future.
Phat Phuc Noodle Bar
Despite its location in expensive Chelsea, Phat Phuc Noodle Bar is a great place to grab a cheap lunch. Serving up a selection of Vietnamese and Malaysian inspired dishes, you can try something new for lunch for a bargain price. Their laksa, a coconut noodle curry with chicken, beef or prawns, is one of the most popular items on the menu and costs a bargain £7.50 to dine in or take away.
Phat Phuc Noodle Bar currently has one outlet in Chelsea.
Le Rif
A perfect example of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, you could easily walk past Le Rif’s plain exterior and miss out on the delightful treats inside. Specializing in Moroccan cuisine (tagines to be exact) you can grab yourself a hearty lunch for £6 or less. Pair your lunch with a fresh mint tea and a sweet pastry to finish and it might just take you past the £10 mark, but it’ll be worth it.
Le Rif can be found on Seven Sisters Road, not far from Finsbury Park.
