Tips for eating cheaply in London?

[JacknDiane]

We are visiting next month and im looking for ways to eat within a tight budget. Just dh one dc (teenager) and myself. No allergies or particular needs. Love pub grub and Italian. Would like a sit in meal at night.
We haven't got a particular agenda, just planning on going with the flow.
Any ideas appreciated. We are in a hotel without breakfast so can't sneak the croissants!

Where in London will you want to eat out?

What sort of budget and is this for a one, two or three course meal?

there are supermarkets everywhere (Tesco express etc), so you could get meal deals for lunch to save money for the evening. Then just do one meal out. What areas are you likely to be in? There are good Chinese restaurants that are reasonably priced in China town, and also some good value Ramen restaurants eg Marugame, which have counter service but are pleasant enough to sit in.

I highly recommend Flat Iron if you like steak. It is a chain, but only in London with a few others in big cities. We’ve always had really good food, and it’s really reasonably priced for London. You get free ice cream too!

Lunch:
Wetherspoon's. Chip shop lunch eaten outside watching the world go round.
Supermarket - buy something like a quiche and share it, it will be cheaper than sandwiches.

Time Out cheap eats in London have a list of places, weatherspoons are good for lunches, for breakfast I'd just buy in your own pastries, cereals, fruit, yoghourts. If you like Indian food then Drummond Street near Camden is good, or Brick Lane. MChinatown has good value chinese food and you'll always find a eat as much as you like pizza/pasta restaurant. What sort of area are you staying in.

Check out offers on Groupon and Wowcher - there are often good deals(check small print for valid days/times)

Great tips, thanks

@JacknDiane , one thing I do is to not spend time and money on coffee. If I want a proper coffee, I do it somewhere nice like Fortnum's. While it costs a little more it is more of an experience than somewhere like Starbucks and the loos are nicer.

For a meal, I'd go to somewhere with a bit more atmosphere than a chain.

Too good to go the night before for pastries to eat the next day.

Pizza Union. There are a few branches and it's worth tubing to. Lovely and unbelievably cheap.

www.pizzaunion.com/

If you have Tesco club card points you could triple the value and use the vouchers in restaurants like Zizzi’s or pizza express

Eat early or eat late and take advantage of the pre (before 6:30) or post (after 9:30) fixed menus that a number of the restaurants around theatres do

Since you' re fans of Italian food you could try La Porchetta in Soho for a treat one night, if this will fit into your budget. Huge portions and the food is great - pizzas from £10, pasta from £12 and a glass of house wine £5. It's a bit of an institution and always buzzy.

Food Menu – La Porchetta

When we do city breaks we never take the hotel breakfast as we like to get going early and if we are hungry stop at a Wetherspoons, not so hungry just grab a Greggs. Lunch is always a meal deal - ideal if you have plans on doing a river boat tour - sit and eat and enjoy the sights as you go, but so many parks and squares to enjoy

Evenings we tend to head for an Indian or Chinese and if money is really tight Wetherspoons - it fills , its cheap and a drink is included in the price so you know what you are spending up front

Such great tips 👌

Depending on your budget, somewhere like the Ivy (several branches around London) does set menus which can be decent value if you want a proper sit down meal.

Outdoor food markets such as the one at Southbank can be a good place to try some interesting stuff without too much price tag. Check for times they are open - that one is Fri-sun I think

Try the Too Good To Go app for breakfast meals. All are take out but great value. This will offset the cost of dining in. You can also get lunch, dinner and bakery bags.
You download the app and chose a location and the distance you'll travel.

When dining in, check bills for included service charge. I accidentally left a tip on top of a charge once so I now double-check the bill. Hadn't realised some places add it on.

Edited for typo

Ah, is that the old Pollo which was excellent value and good food

Such great tips That's why I'm here.

Yes! it's back and just as good as ever! ❤️

Came here to say the same! Also if you’re near Highbury & Islington I’d recommend Trevi - family-run Italian.

Download a free trial of taste card.
The firsttable app gives 50% discount for early evening dining. Might be worth calling ahead to check they accept bookings off the app.

Good shout