The best affordable restaurants in Shoreditch

Brick Lane is a hotbed of affordable dining in Shoreditch – nicknamed the Curry Mile, it's been home to numerous curry houses for decades. Since the early 2000s, Preem has been sharing its expertise in balti curries with hungry workers and other regulars, serving a varied menu of authentic Indian dishes like butter chicken, vegetable korma, and other classics. Simply yet prettily furnished with a white-and-blue colour scheme, Preem offers some of the best bang for your buck in the area.

Aba-Ra! is an accessible Georgian restaurant located in Brick Lane. It's not just that the prices per dish are budget-friendly here – the food is hearty and filling, meaning  even just one of their cheesy khachapuri breads will sate your hunger. You'll be sorely tempted to order more of the Georgian delicacies on the menu though, trust us. The affordable restaurant is lively and welcoming, with a homey setting of exposed brick walls, fur seat covers, and colourful chalk scrawls.

Old Spitalfields Market is a historic market located a five-minute walk from London Liverpool Street. You can enjoy a variety of street food here, spanning a range of global cuisines – get your food to go or sit down at one of the communal tables. The prices are appropriately affordable, making this an excellent choice for a budget-friendly meal in Shoreditch when you're with a group of friends, especially if they can't agree on what kind of food they'd like. 

If you like Japanese food, including sushi and sashimi, then this one is for you. Sanjugo is a small Japanese restaurant located on Phipp Street, serving a delectable menu of dishes made with the highest-quality ingredients, including sushi, sashimi, bao buns and donburi. There's even a whisky bar upstairs for post-meal drinks, with a separate sake menu. The lunch deals at this affordable Shoreditch restaurant mean you can enjoy a meal here without breaking the bank.

Butchies is a relaxed American fried chicken shop offering affordable meals in Shoreditch. Everything is made using high-quality ingredients, including high-welfare Red Tractor-accredited birds that are sustainably sourced from a single farm in South Yorkshire. The vibe is on point – it's all about recreating the energy and community of the street-food and music festival scene.

For affordable pizza in Shoreditch, swing by one of the local Pizza Pilgrims branches. These Italian spots are all about authentic Naples-inspired pizza in a friendly setting. Their ingredients are imported from Italy and they use only the highest-quality produce, with all kinds of creative toppings available, from double pepperoni and spicy honey to mushroom and truffle.

There's a reason Padella has a cult following. This iconic pasta spot started in a small restaurant next to Borough Market but quickly gained popularity and later expanded into another premises in Shoreditch. They have a reputation for quality and value. You should expect to wait if you don't make a booking in advance, but you'll be able to get a table eventually.

Bleecker Burger regularly earns itself a spot on many guides to the best burgers in London, including ours, and also won the National UK Burger of the Year award in 2020. The burgers at this affordable Shoreditch restaurant are inspired by the ones found in the classic New York City joint Zaitzeff in the East Village. They're made using rare-breed, grass-fed beef from small farms around the UK for optimum flavour.

Flat Iron specialises in top-quality steak at incredibly reasonable prices, with the London-wide group dedicated to making great steak accessible to everyone. Price-wise, their classic cuts, sourced from their own herd or other sustainable farms, are far from the luxury splurge found at many other steakhouses, while still matching up when it comes to flavour and quality. They're best paired with a side or two (creamy spinach and beef-dripping fries are our favourites).

For banh mi sandwiches done properly, check out Kêu on Old Street. They specialise in serving Vietnamese classics for lunch and dinner, most famously an authentic banh mi made with a crusty baguette, sliced meats, pâté, and pickled vegetables. The budget-friendly restaurant in Shoreditch also serves a range of noodles, rice dishes, and tasty small bites, all for a reasonable price.

You'd be forgiven for not realising that you can pick up a top-notch curry from this unassuming shop, but you can. They specialise in strictly authentic, homemade Indian curries, ideally paired with an onion bhaji or two. Be prepared to queue at lunchtime; this is a local workers' favourite, as it's by far one of the most affordable restaurants in Shoreditch.

Beigel Bake is a long-standing grab-and-go spot located on bustling Brick Lane. It's been around since the '70s, serving its famous salt beef bagels to hungry customers ever since, especially those on a budget. Make sure you ask for your bagel with mustard and gherkins if you want the real Beigel Bake experience.

Sông Quê Café specialises in authentic Vietnamese dishes, like their famous bowls of steaming hot pho. It's a bustling, no-frills Shoreditch spot located on Kingsland Road, otherwise known as Pho Mile, thanks to its many Vietnamese restaurants. They have different options of pho alongside a long menu of other tasty dishes, like their prawn toast, which is a must-order.

You can nab classic Caribbean cuisine at this unpretentious and affordable restaurant in Shoreditch, perfect for swinging by for a pint and a cheap lunch. They also host weekly music events, from open-mic nights to jazz funk jam sessions and more. Enjoy the likes of jerk chicken served with sweet plantain, rice, and peas, a fragrant curry goat, and other typical dishes.

Back when Roti King only operated in Euston, queues of hungry punters waiting for their freshly baked Malaysian rotis, either stuffed various fillings or served alongside your choice of kari, were a regular sight. That hasn't really changed, but the group's new branches have eased or at least spread out the overflow somewhat. The Shoreditch restaurant is spread across two floors and serves all the Roti King classics at budget prices.

Originally a small takeaway spot in Surrey Quays, Nam Nam expanded to Shoreditch in 2024, opening a more spacious eatery that accommodates a couple dozen guests. This Shoreditch restaurant offers affordable Vietnamese street food like banh mi sandwiches, loaded fries, noodle boxes, and other quick eats, making it a convenient choice for those seeking a fast and budget-friendly meal.

With its eclectic atmosphere, Damascus Bite is a late-night staple in Shoreditch, the kind of place that hits the spot after a few drinks – but it's open during the day too. The affordable menu features mezze, hefty grilled meat plates, and toasted wraps stuffed with the likes of falafel, kofta, or halloumi. Whether you're in the mood for a meat feast or a veggie platter, the portions are hearty and the prices are low.