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!

@Crunchymum , I suggested a chip shop takeaway eaten in the open air.
I suggested having a coffee in F&M as an alternative to a chain.
Not as a tight budget but as a far nicer experience for not much more.

Presumably, OP wants to have good memories and I think it's worth paying more if you get your money's worth in memories.

I could say pack a flask, some weetabix, tea bags, own-brand pot noodles, long-life milk and disposable cutlery and bowls but I think that's probably a bit too tight budget.

Chip shop tea was a good shout actually.

And I love a fancy coffee, am always willing to pay a premium for a special one occasionally, than a mediocre one more regularly. But to me, coffee (even Starbucks shite) is an expense that I could easily do away with if on a budget.

@Crunchymum , I need my coffee. Starbucks IIRC does free refills but it's not cheap and the loos were grotty the last time. I'd be taking instant coffee and kettle probably.

I love getting chips and sitting in the street people-watching. A belly-filler for a few £.

Soft drinks tend to be pricy - milk from a supermarket isn't.

We used First Table. £50 for all 3 of us to eat a beautiful Thai meal in Covent Garden on a Saturday night.

I hate spending money on breakfast in a hotel when I’m eating the other meals out each day, unless it’s just occasional. I take an empty thermos, cereal box and bowls etc, buy cold milk the previous day, fill up thermos and use it the next morning for cereal and tea in the room. Wash and refill with newly bought milk the next day from corner shop etc.

Cheap and excellent lunch in Chinatown: Joy Bao Bao on Newport street. The bao buns are huge and cost about £3.50. https://maps.app.goo.gl/tUzbC37Neg2dHgHc9?g_st=ic

Padella for pasta.

🤢

Get those cappucino sachets for your hotel room and maybe a packet of chocolate brioche for breakfast in your room ? Agree with others about early evening/ lunch time dinning. Pizzahut does a lunchtime buffet. Agree with others around China Town for reasonable prices.

Only on MN could someone post saying they’re on a budget and someone suggests a £50 per person option

Second this - half price at many places if you book the 5pm slot.

Greggs for lunch on the go

If you like vegetarian indian food, Govinda's which is in a back street just off Oxford Street does some absolutely fantastic food. It's not the most fancy surroundings and seating is very much bench style but for a tenner you can get a huge plate of food.

If you qualify for any discounts eg student or blue light card, honest burger tenders are a bargain.

Lol from Wetherspoons to the Ivy in 2 posts. I would avoid pub grub, always overpriced and rarely good unless in those expensive gourmet places. Lots of decent pizza and pasta around though. Indians- Drummond St or masala zone (branches) are good.

One thing that is a rip off in London is ice cream along the south bank et el, and anywhere outside an attraction . When the kids were little we would get them ice cream from Mcdonalds

Oh and bottled water from vendors and the small souvenir shops and kiosks at stations , Boots, Superdrug's, Poundland WHS, etc all sell them cold - even TK maxx does - as well as the usual supermarkets

I don't know how much an ice cream is in the West End, but for 3 you're probably looking at something like £15. (feel free to correct me, i've no idea).

I'd probably be nipping into a M&S or Tesco and buying from the freezer there even if it meant I bought a pack of 4.

(Actually I wouldn't because I love love love ice cream but I'd be choosing either ice cream or chips and I think the chips would win - I rarely have either)

Some hotels have coffee shops, much nicer and often not as expensive as Costa.

Hospitals. OK not anyone's first choice but there is usually a canteen that is open to the public.

I always hate spending money out on a tea. It’s so cheap to make in hotel. So I always take own tea, and have a tea first thing at hotel, and take one out also for mid morning in thermos cup. You could take a small flask also.

Same with any drinks on budget. Take everyone own refillable water bottle. And pop into local supermarket for some fancy but nice other drinks to take out for picnic. Like some sparkling elderflower or peach in can so it feels fancier picnic. Get teen to choose some drinks and basic snacks from supermarket, so when your out your not wasting money on basics and can spend on ice cream or dinner out.

A small thermos picnic bag for your rucksack is handy to take if you want to pop into m and s for picnic food and eat in a park later on.

There lots of reasonable Ramen places within about 10 mins from Covent Garden area.

If you happen to be near Harrods near closing time, they majorly reduce all the fresh food from food hall down. I think it closes at 8pm, so any time after 6.30/7pm. I have seen £40 sushi platters down to £3

Another vote for First Table. We had a delicious Indian meal for 2 with alcoholic drinks for £30 recently! As long as you're happy to eat a bit early, it's brilliant.

@Passwordsaremynemesis wonkei still going.

We used to love it but it got a huge fine over hygiene.

Some hotels have coffee shops, much nicer and often not as expensive as Costa.
I used to go to a big impressive hotel in my then nearest city for a coffee instead of a chain when I was quite young - the difference is worth it. I don't go for a coffee very often. If I am out for the day, I take a bottle of water with me.

I think I'd give the hospital canteen a miss.

Wow - did not realise that they were still going!! Didnt they have a few branches at one point? (Talking 10-15 years ago - I need to revisit)

My advice is download the Too Good to Go app. Amazing value for breakfast/lunches to then have more ££ available for dinner. There are also pretty decent offers on apps like the fork and open table giving discounts or set menus.

Wong Kei is still there. Still looks the same (grubby) but the prices have shot up. Used to be dirt cheap but not so anymore.
Also, it was taken over by new management about 10-15 years ago, and the staff aren't rude anymore. Many a time in the old days I've seen people literally pulled up from their seat and manhandled out of the door by waiters for the most trivial complaint. It was part of the 'ambience'! 😀
I still use it if I'm in the area, as I absolutely adore the crispy belly pork and roast duck with rice, and you still get the complimentary jasmine tea, but cheap it ain't!

Best pizza in London at the moment is definitely Breadstall in Soho - prices start from around £7.50 for huge slices.

For something that feels like a bit more of an event the set menu at brasserie zedel by Picadilly Circus is exceptional value for fairly decent food in a really really fun venue.

We had lunch in Trevi last week - lovely old fashioned Italian - freshly cooked food, friendly and helpful waitress.