To eat in London on a budget

[mummyof2boys30]

We are heading to London in August for almost a week for 2 adults and 2 kids( who eat adult meals). So need some budget places to eat for dinner. Will get sandwich meal deals for lunch. No cooking facilities in hotel.

Oh just realised it's dinner you're after. I think Lower Marsh is a daytime thing. It's nice anyway and in your vicinity.

Franco manca

No suggestions but could you look at getting a meerkat meals offer so atleast the meals will be 2for1

Eating out, it’s often the drinks that increase the prices of the total bill dramatically- stick to water

Eating out at lunch can work out cheaper, then a meal deal later in the evening or Tesco express/Mark’s pasta picnic type meals

Bar Bruno at 101 Wardour street is great for brunch or lunch or supper, great pizza etc and very economical

I’d suggest Food markets for a wander round and something to eat

If you are planning to go to restaurants that you queue for rather than book, get the Walkup app which queues virtually for you. There is nothing more enraging than standing in your cagoule with your kids for an hour while flicky haired 20 somethings whisk past you saying 'our table's up'. The restaurants don't tell you that either they just say they don't do reservations!

Not terribly exciting but plenty of chains around you can visit that aren’t too expensive in Southwark - Nando’s, Wagamama, giraffe, Leon etc.

Pizza union
We also like wahaca, as you can choose lots of different food rather than big main.

Believe it or not, the Ottolenghi restaurants are rather inexpensive for brunch. Their very rich shakshuka is only £11 and service is ace. Beautiful restaurants too.

And if you want to eat a nice take away meal and save the planet by reducing waste, download the too good to go app. Loads of places in London have signed up

For lunch get bread and cheese/ham etc from M&S simple food, nicer and cheaper than most sandwich places. Find yourself a spot in a park, churchyard, bench along the river. Take a pocket knife and some cheap cutlery with you.

Proper lunch takes time from sightseeing I found, it depends what you want to do during the day.

Agree with the suggestion for Pizza Union, really good value.

Borough Market is lovely but very expensive.

Flat Iron London Bridge

flatironsteak.co.uk/restaurant/london-bridge

Really good steak and chips for £15 which is fantastic value in London.

Try first table if you want to eat fairly early. Lots of restaurants on there - the concept is you get the first table of the night (when they are usually less busy) and get 50% off the meal.

Also try specific areas for specific cuisines. For example Elephant and castle - amazing Polish food. New Malden - excellent Korean. Soho- loads of sushi bars that sell trays of sushi at rock bottom prices before they close every evening. There are many areas and foods like this that are excellent value.

@edwinbear

Flat Iron London Bridge

flatironsteak.co.uk/restaurant/london-bridge

Really good steak and chips for £15 which is fantastic value in London.

Flat Iron lovely. Also one in Covent Garden.

Love flat iron too. Really great value. There’s a lot to be said for the places that do one thing well. The little deli cafe next door to Cafe Murano in Covent Garden is spectacular value for a plate of pasta and slice of cake too.

Thank you for all your suggestions. Plenty of options. We are from NI so even the chains we hadn't heard of, so glad i asked. Cant wait now 😋

Third Pizza Union. Really quick to serve too.

I love Wahaca too, think there’s a fixed menu thing. Not dirt cheap but not madly expensive either.

Dd works in central London and has had some great Too Good To Go deals.

Leon do great value meal boxes which will fill you up for dinner. Fast food, but nutritious and delicious.
Otherwise try the food stalls at the markets