Guide to affordable restaurants in Central London

Guide to affordable restaurants in Central London

Tamsin Spargo, Thatsup
Tamsin Spargo

If you feel like it costs you money every time you step outside in London, don't worry – you're certainly not alone. The city can be expensive, including when it comes to eating out. If you're wondering how you'll ever afford a delicious meal in Central London, you can rest assured that there are plenty of low-cost, affordable options and cheap eats, despite the capital's reputation for sky-high prices. From American diner food to authentic Asian cooking, get some inspiration with our guide to affordable restaurants in central London.

  1. Cheap eats in Central London
    1. 1
      Padella In-demand pasta bar
    2. 2
      Wok to Walk Customised Asian cooking
    3. 3
      Maries Café Low-key local favourite
    4. 4
      Passyunk Avenue Authentic American cooking
    5. 5
      Bun House Modern spot for dim sum
    6. 6
      Bancone Fresh house-made pasta
    7. 7
      Golden Union Classic Soho chippy
    8. 8
      Pizza Pilgrims Real Neapolitan taste
    9. 9
      The Kati Roll Company Portable street food
    10. 10
      Lanzhou Noodle Bar Chinese hand-pulled noodles
    11. 11
      Club Mexicana Colourful plant-based destination
    12. 12
      Viet Food Modern Vietnamese cooking
    13. 13
      Brasserie Zédel A taste of Paris
    14. 14
      Homeslice Pizza for sharing
    15. 15
      Chick 'n' Sours Contemporary chicken spot
    16. 16
      Machiya Comfortable Japanese dining
    17. 17
      Bleecker Burger High-ranking burgers
    18. 18
      Flat Iron Treat yourself to steak
    19. 19
      Koshari Street Classic Egyptian street food
    20. 20
      Bao London's go-to for Taiwanese food
    21. 21
      Le Bab Extra-special kebabs
    22. 22
      Pizza Union Fresh pizza in a flash
    23. 23
      Pastaio Vibrant place for pasta
    24. 24
      Icco No one gets left behind
    25. 25
      Lina Stores Much-celebrated pasta
    26. 26
      Café TPT Intimate spot in Chinatown
    27. 27
      Poke House Vibrant and healthy meals
    28. 28
      Kanada-Ya Award-winning tonkotsu
    29. 29
      Govinda's Budget-friendly veggie food

Jump to

Cheap eats in Central London

Padella

In-demand pasta bar

Some of London’s most sought-after pasta can be found at Padella in Borough Market. This classic and low-key venue often has a wait for tables but dedicated diners are willing to queue. On the menu you’ll find hand-rolled pasta served with various delicious sauces and fillings, providing top quality cooking at reasonable prices.

Customised Asian cooking

Craft your ideal stir-fry at Wok to Walk. These colourful and casual spots are modern, dishing up food that’s ideal when you’re on-the-go. Choose your base – rice, noodles, or mixed veg – then pick your favourite ingredients, sauces, and extra toppings for custom Asian food that’s cooked to order just for you.

  • 21 Cranbourn Street, Covent Garden 22 Cranbourn Street, Covent Garden 15 Argyll Street, Soho 129 Baker Street, Marylebone 4 Brewer Street, Soho 45 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia

Maries Café

Low-key local favourite

Maries Café in Waterloo is a versatile eatery dishing up affordable food. Early on in the day you can enjoy café classics like filling fried breakfasts and later munch on authentic Thai cuisine. It’s a casual and low-key eatery but the service is friendly and welcoming and it’s a firm local favourite.

Passyunk Avenue Waterloo – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Passyunk Avenue Waterloo

Authentic American cooking

Discover Philadelphia in London at Passyunk Avenue. These buzzy bars and restaurants have a lively atmosphere and an affordable menu of regional American classics. Try out a Philly cheesesteak, a hot dog or meatball sandwich, or a plant-based alternative. The bar serves a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

  • Leake Street, South Bank/Lambeth/Southwark 80 Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia

Bun House

Modern spot for dim sum

Set over two floors, Bun House is a favourite for steaming dumplings in Chinatown. The restaurant’s style is elegant and modern, and the menu offers up fluffy Asian buns with a variety of mouthwatering fillings – curry chicken, BBQ pork belly, and pork with prawns are just some of the options available.

Fresh house-made pasta

For top quality pasta that won’t break the bank, visit one of Bancone’s restaurants. Pasta is made in-house at this stylish modern eatery, served with sauces like cacio e pepe, braised ox cheek, and spicy meat ragu. You can complete a meal at this respected venue with wine or signature cocktails.

  • 39 William IV Street, Covent Garden 8-10 Lower James Street, Soho

Golden Union

Classic Soho chippy

For tasty fish and chips in Soho, check out Golden Union. This casual eatery has distinctive tiled walls in the dining room and a classic style. Traditional fish and chips are on the menu made with sustainably-sourced fish, plus there are pies and a broad choice of vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

Real Neapolitan taste

When you're craving authentic Neapolitan pizza you can get a budget-friendly pie from Pizza Pilgrims. The chain has a number of locations around Central London. These restaurants are bold and contemporary, using ingredients imported from Italy to create pizzas ranging from a simple marinara to Italian sausage with broccoletti.

  • 11 Kingly St, Soho 23 Garrick St, Covent Garden Bermondsey Street, Southwark 100 Oxford St, Marylebone 82 Lower Marsh, South Bank/Lambeth/Southwark 11 Dean St, Soho 32 Buckingham Palace Rd

The Kati Roll Company

Portable street food

Grab casual street food from The Kati Roll Company. This cosy eatery has a colourful orange canopy and specialises in hot wraps with an Indian influence, ideal for eating-in or takeaways. Each wrap is made from an Indian paratha stuffed with fillings like chicken tikka or potato and vegetable patties.

Lanzhou Noodle Bar

Chinese hand-pulled noodles

When you fancy authentic Chinese cooking try Lanzhou Noodle Bar. This humble restaurant is lively and unpretentious, specialising in hand-pulled noodles. A range of noodle dishes are served. The menu also includes rice dishes and a small selection of dim sum. Have your noodles with additions like tomato and egg or wontons.

Club Mexicana

Colourful plant-based destination

Try plant-based Mexican street food at Club Mexicana. This bold and colourful eatery in Kingly Court is decorated in an eye-popping shade of pink. You can try tacos, burritos, and nachos with flavoursome vegan ingredients like BBQ jackfruit and plant-based meat alternatives. Cocktails and beer, including the famous lagerita, are available here.

Viet Food

Modern Vietnamese cooking

In Chinatown you can experience modern Vietnamese street food at Viet Food. The menu includes dishes at a range of price points, including wallet-friendly options. Lunchtime has a particularly good selection of affordable dishes including pho and bun. The interior is spacious and contemporary with lots of light flooding in.

Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Brasserie Zédel

Brasserie Zédel

A taste of Paris

Experience a Parisian brasserie in London at Brasserie Zédel. With authentic Art Deco interiors, this place is crammed with classic style. You can choose from several menus here but the casual café menu or the two course prix fixe option are ideal if you want an affordable taste of France.

Pizza for sharing

Homeslice cooks up whopping 20 inch pizzas with both classic and innovative toppings. With chequered tablecloths and banquettes, the restaurant has a classic feel. Some pizzas are available by the slice for a really cheap option but sharing a whole pizza still makes an affordable meal. You can get half and half too.

  • 13 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden 69-71 Queen Street, The City/City of London

Chick 'n' Sours

Contemporary chicken spot

For fried chicken without the grease, don’t miss Chick ‘n’ Sours. This contemporary Seven Dials restaurant has a vibrant and comfortable interior. Halal fried chicken is the focus of most of the dishes here, with spices and sauces for full-on flavour. Choose sandwiches, wings, or tenders, plus there’s nachos and chicken toast.

Machiya

Comfortable Japanese dining

Japanese restaurant Machiya feels homey and comfortable. The dining room is bright and modern, with intriguing light fixtures as a centrepiece. The menu offers affordable donburi, curries, and small plates like miso soup, teriyaki-glazed salmon, or pickled cucumber. Complete the meal with sake for an authentic dining experience.

High-ranking burgers

You don’t have to miss a great burger when you’re on a budget – Bleecker Burger is affordable and won National Burger of the Year in 2020. These eateries are cool, contemporary, and low-key. Burgers are made from rare-breed grass-fed beef and cooked to order. The menu is straightforward – simply burgers, fries, and drinks.

  • 205 Victoria St, Westminster 16 Bloomberg Arcade, The City/City of London 195 Baker St, Marylebone

Treat yourself to steak

Premium steak is usually pricey but you can get a budget-friendly version that lacks none of the quality at Flat Iron. These restaurants are full of plants and distinctive style. Premium cuts of steak are available with various sides and you get a free ice cream cone at the end of your meal.

  • 17 Beak St, Soho 11 Clink St, Southwark 17-18 Henrietta St, Covent Garden 112-116 Tooley St, Southwark 9 Denmark St 41 The Cut, South Bank/Southwark 47-51 Caledonian Rd, Islington

Classic Egyptian street food

Tuck into Egyptian street food from Koshari Street. This Central London eatery is casual, bold, and vibrant. The speciality is koshari, the Egyptian national dish combining pasta, rice, lentils, and tomato sauce. The classic option is satisfying and vegan-friendly but you can add on extras like jackfruit, spicy potatoes, or chicken.

  • 56 St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden 60b Cannon St, The City/City of London

London's go-to for Taiwanese food

Visit Bao for comforting and low-cost Taiwanese food. Expect clean and simple interiors and a tempting menu of steaming bao buns with fillings like confit pork or daikon radish, plus other Taiwanese small plates like ox heart skewers or fried chicken. A couple of plates makes an authentic and affordable meal.

  • 53 Lexington St, Soho 13 Stoney St, Southwark

Le Bab

Extra-special kebabs

Try an elevated kebab that’s a far cry from your late-night takeaway at Le Bab. Whether you opt for the regular size or go large you’ll get an affordable meal. The interior is bright, contemporary, and sophisticated. Each kebab features fresh and intriguing ingredients, and mezze is served too.

Pizza Union

Fresh pizza in a flash

For speedy pizza, Pizza Union is a go-to destination. These Roman-style pizzas are crispy and thin, served in a buzzy and informal environment. A wide variety of toppings are offered, as well as sides and drinks. Order at the counter and when your buzzer goes off your pizza is ready to devour.

Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio
Pastaio – Affordable restaurants in Central London
Pastaio

Pastaio

Vibrant place for pasta

Pastaio aims to give diners the best plate of pasta they’ve ever had. This Soho restaurant is vibrant and colourful with a modern look. Antipasti is available to start but pasta is the main event. These are generous portions with diverse sauces like slow-cooked tomato, cacio e pepe, or beef and porcini bolognaise.

Icco

No one gets left behind

Bold and colourful pizzeria Icco is inclusive and affordable. From classic Italian recipes to vegan or halal versions, this place does it all. The space is simple, bold, and colourful, and food is available to eat in or take away. Sides, desserts, juices, and smoothies are there to complete a meal.

Much-celebrated pasta

Lina Stores has various sites in London and is a destination for handmade pasta, antipasti, and desserts. Each restaurant has a distinctive contemporary style. Menu choices include stracciatella ravioli and pasta shapes laden with flavourful sauces. Surprisingly low prices mean this is a popular destination for a budget meal.

  • 51 Greek St, Soho 19 Bloomberg Arcade, The City/City of London

Café TPT

Intimate spot in Chinatown

Cosy and intimate Café TPT is one of Chinatown’s most popular restaurants. The dining room has light wood interiors and serves a varied range of Chinese and Malaysian streetfood favourites. Try out fish, noodles, sizzling pot dishes, and a variety of authentic desserts. Set menus are on offer as well.

Vibrant and healthy meals

The fresh and vibrant food and interiors at Poke House will look fab on your Insta grid. The place is full of pink tones and smooth style whilst the food is health-conscious and refreshing. Build a poke bowl customised to your preferences or choose a house bowl with toppings like chicken or vegan nuggets.

  • 14 Bloomberg Arcade, The City/City of London 13 New Row, Covent Garden 3 Percy Street, Fitzrovia 25-27 Ludgate Hill, The City/City of London 11 Sir Simon Milton Square 32 Maddox St, Mayfair

Award-winning tonkotsu

At Kanada-Ya you can sample award-winning tonkotsu ramen bowls, with a variety of affordable options to tempt you. Japanese small plates and onigiri are available for smaller appetites or to add to your meal, and there’s Japanese beer and sake. The restaurants have simple and modern interiors with distinctive lighting.

  • 64 St Giles High St 28 Foubert's Pl, Soho 3 Panton St, Westminster

Govinda's

Budget-friendly veggie food

Get a low-cost vegetarian meal at Govinda's in Soho, one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in the city. It's a straightforward space serving nutritious yet tasty food and has links to the Hare Krishna movement. Thali meals are a popular choice, with several to pick from, but à la carte options are available as well. This restaurant also does catering.

Affordable restaurants in Central London – About the guide

Affordable restaurants in Central London - Our guide to affordable restaurants in Central London is updated regularly. If you know of a great affordable restaurant in Central London that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to cheap restaurants in Central London. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.