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Original poster

We went to Wagamama’s last night…

232 replies

Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 10:20

We had one main course each, some edamame, some cucumbers, two glasses of wine and two soft drinks.

What do you think this cost in this day and age?

OP posts:
IcedPurple · 16/08/2026 11:14

AnnaBelIa · 16/08/2026 11:13

Probably not wine, I think the alcohol adds to the price a lot, but yes, things are so much cheaper. Even in South Italy and France you will see places so much cheaper.

I don't completely understand the justification for UK charging significantly more than most other countries in the world for food tbh. I am sure there is a reason.

Just as an example, a Big Mac meal (Big Mac + medium fries + medium soft drink) in Shanghai cost me £2-3 with the app offers/discounts (£3.80 menu price), but in London it's costing me over £10 menu price for meals now?? (with the app I can sometimes get offers for £2.99-3.99 without the drink).

In USA the prices are not only lower but their portions are HUGE. lol. I am rarely full after a meal in the UK anymore.

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I don't completely understand the justification for UK charging significantly more than most other countries in the world for food tbh.

A country doesn't 'charge' for food.

WhisperingAngelisnotbad · 16/08/2026 11:15

We do eat out, but I plan a bit and make sure there is a decent lunch offer or a set menu.

I do quite like the Ivy for that. 2 courses for £20, and the service is good, and the restaurants I have visited have been air conditioned.

Especially, some local ethnic restaurants can be very good.

Tiddlywinkly · 16/08/2026 11:15

Sadly, I'm not surprised. We popped there recently after a cinema trip - 2 adults, 2 tweens. 4 soft drinks, 2 kids meals and 2 adult mains. It came to to over £80. I was a bit shocked. We don't eat out much these days. I was reminded why.

Original poster
Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 11:18

LadyMacbethWasFierce · 16/08/2026 11:01

Sorry OP I was too late. But hadn’t seen your update. We used to go there a lot so I was fairly confident of the prices. Just added on a tiny bit too much. Did you enjoy it though?

I mean not particularly, it was fine, a decent tasting quick meal, not amazing tasting, not a great atmosphere. Which was what we needed. I just didn’t expect to shell out £80 for that!

OP posts:
AImportantMermaid · 16/08/2026 11:18

That’s about the standard price for two at any standard restaurant or bar these days. Even our local corner curry house out in the burbs easily charges that for a couple of poppadoms and dips, two mains, two rice, 2 alcoholic drinks, no starters, puddings, or coffees. The portions are also smaller. I don’t mind that so much as I used to come out stuffed and with food left over and now I don’t, but if we have 2 drinks each we’re pushing £100 before tip.

whippersnapper55 · 16/08/2026 11:19

You could have cut that price down considerably by just having water instead of 2 soft and 2 alcoholic drinks! That was probably half the bill 🤷‍♀️

Cherrysoup · 16/08/2026 11:23

We went to a nice country pub last week, 2 mains, 3 alcoholic, one soft drink, was £49, so I think your bill was quite high for a 40 minute experience!

Chrissytommo · 16/08/2026 11:24

I think this is a bit of a pointless post

IStillHearTheWaves · 16/08/2026 11:25

£115

KrazyKatty · 16/08/2026 11:25

AnnaBelIa · 16/08/2026 10:46

Nope, but I've been living in Shanghai since 2012, recently back to the UK. In Shanghai a bubble tea outside the station costs me 50p and a full meal costs me from £4+ (current prices).

I went to Hong Kong on vacation and we ate at a Michelin starred dumpling place and it cost 2 of us less than £20 for multiple dishes until we couldn't eat anymore.

UK is ripping the public off. There is no justification for these prices, even other European countries don't charge this much for food.

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You’re quite wrong. Try living in Ireland or one of the Scandinavian countries. UK is cheap in comparison.

IStillHearTheWaves · 16/08/2026 11:25

I'm assuming cheap wine though.

IlikethoseBalenciagas · 16/08/2026 11:26

£43 each?

I don't eat meat or drink alcohol in restaurants so I'm not quite sure how much they cost.

HollyhocksandPeons · 16/08/2026 11:27

I remember when it just first opened (I was a student) next to our halls in a Bloomsbury side street, with queues at the door - then it was an unusual experience, but beats me why anybody goes there now - my dc, and I am told that it is now expensive! So maybe £70?

Moreholidaysthanjudithchalmers · 16/08/2026 11:27

Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 11:13

But the only people that can use the discount are the people you mentioned - students and blue light card holders. That’s a very small minority.

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Blue light is pretty wide my friend is civil service nothing to do with nhs or police and I know teaching assistants get it.

Original poster
Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 11:28

whippersnapper55 · 16/08/2026 11:19

You could have cut that price down considerably by just having water instead of 2 soft and 2 alcoholic drinks! That was probably half the bill 🤷‍♀️

I could have cut it down 100% by not going but that’s not really the point of this is it…🥴

OP posts:
Original poster
Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 11:29

Chrissytommo · 16/08/2026 11:24

I think this is a bit of a pointless post

Why did you write it then.

OP posts:
FalteringFledgling · 16/08/2026 11:30

Op I went to a nicely situated but basic cafe recently ,two alcoholic drinks two soft , some tapas plates , 2 x hams 2 X bread.waa 50 pounds. 4 people. Not even a proper dinner

thelegacyofdragons · 16/08/2026 11:30

Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 10:46

Sorry, it was 2 people. The total was £79.

It seems people expect this, but I was shocked. I chose here because we wanted something quick and reasonable. We were in and out in 40 mins. I remember when £100 got you a decent two course meal and bottle of wine at a nice restaurant!

We’re a fairly high income family and used to eat out all the time - at least twice a week- but at these prices it becomes impossible.

Edited

That is a bargain!

Daffodilsinthespring · 16/08/2026 11:31

£100. Only been there once. Never again.

Itiswhysofew · 16/08/2026 11:31

Haven't been there for years, but that price is what I would expect, if not more.

Original poster
Starrylawn · 16/08/2026 11:31

Moreholidaysthanjudithchalmers · 16/08/2026 11:27

Blue light is pretty wide my friend is civil service nothing to do with nhs or police and I know teaching assistants get it.

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Around 7% of the population are eligible, I just checked

OP posts:
Likeiloveyou · 16/08/2026 11:32

That’s about what I would expect.

I stopped eating there when their “You have to come into work even if you’ve got the shits” notices to staff were exposed a few years ago 🤮🤮🤮

ScaryM0nster · 16/08/2026 11:33

From a recent Wagamamas trip - main and a single drink or water kept it at quick and easy nipping in type price point.

Sides and multiple drinks shifted it into ‘I want a nice restaurant for this price’ territory.

Trumptontown · 16/08/2026 11:33

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 16/08/2026 11:14

I went up Wagamamas and was definitely being judged for asking for a wine with my adult son & teenager. Put me off. Just wanted one glass with my meal. Totally sober before. Not at all lush. They did not allow me to order one as son had asked for a beer but did not have ID. Bizarre, but I think ethnicity came into it, was too tired to argue but I won’t bother with them again.

If someone selling alcohol suspects you are purchasing it for an under 18 (or an under 16 in the case of drinking with a meal at a restaurant or pub) then they have to refuse to serve you. Not sure what you think ethnicity has to do with that.

FlakyFox · 16/08/2026 11:34

I used to love Wagamama years ago, it was well priced and the portions were big.

We can’t afford to eat out as a family. Maybe twice a year when we go away for a week. And I’d never have alcohol with a meal. I’m not paying out for one little glass of wine when I can get a bottle for a fiver from Aldi (I’m not a wine snob, it all tastes the same to me).

I was diagnosed with coeliac a few years ago anyway, so eating out isn’t worth the hassle.

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