The best affordable restaurants in Covent Garden

If you want a great meal in Covent Garden that won't break the bank, Sagar is a solid option. It focuses on South Indian vegetarian and vegan cooking, with crisp dosas, soft idlis, and comforting curries served with sambar and coconut chutney. The room's laid-back, the food's consistent, and the prices are friendly, especially for the middle of town. You'll probably even have change for dessert.

The Great Thai Grab & Go is an affordable Covent Garden restaurant that's the more casual sibling of the established Great Thai Restaurant in nearby Fitzrovia. You can pick up curries, satay skewers, stir-frys, spring rolls, and other classic Thai street food – including the ever-popular pad Thai – here for a meal that fills your belly without clearing out your wallet. There are a few counter seats for dining in, or you can get a takeaway.

Already an established restaurant group in Italy, Vasiniko brings authentic Neapolitan flavours to Covent Garden. The bright dining area fuses modern style with Mediterranean influences. The range of pizzas are popular here but you can also try salads, pasta dishes, and starters like bruschetta or potato croquettes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served.

Since its debut near Leicester Square in 2021, Bunsik has captivated Londoners and tourists with its long queues and vibrant yellow shopfront. The Korean street food spot has become famous for its creative twist on corndogs, featuring inventive toppings like potato cubes or octopus-shaped mozzarella sticks, alongside options like the indulgent "Cheese & Cheese." Bunsik also offers spicy ddukbokki and lighter sides, but the corndogs remain the star attraction drawing the crowds. The group has multiple branches in the Covent Garden area.

Get a gourmet kebab without breaking the bank at Le Bab. This place redefines cheap eats into sophisticated street food. Each kebab is loaded with tempting ingredients and there are meaty and plant-based options, served in a buzzy contemporary environment. Mezze dishes are on offer too.

The award-winning Kanada-Ya group specialises in authentic tonkotsu ramen, made with an 18-hour pork and corn-fed chicken bone broth, chashu pork belly, spring onion, wood-ear fungus and yuzu-shoyu. Different ramen options are available, as well as a concise selection of small plates, onigiri and rice dishes. When it comes to hot, steamy ramen at an affordable rate, Kanada-Ya in Covent Garden is hard to beat.

When it comes to classic Neapolitan pizzas, Pizza Pilgrims and their “in crust we trust” motto are a top choice. They source their high-grade ingredients directly from Italy and combine them in a variety of flavour combinations. The decor at the affordable Covent Garden restaurant is inspired by some of cinema's greatest works.

A vibrant pop-art eatery in St Martin's Lane, Koshari Street offers healthy street food that's ideal for when you're on the go. The titular koshari is a national dish in Egypt and composed of pasta, rice and lentils with tomato sauce. You can add toppings such as jackfruit, spicy potatoes, chicken or lamb to your base for a simple yet satisfying taste.

The colourful Mexican cuisine at Wahaca doesn't just come with a budget-friendly price tag, it also does good for the planet, as this was the country's first carbon neutral restaurant group. There's a ton of choice on the menu, from casual street-food bites and classic mains to shareable set menus. Vegan, gluten-free and children's menus are also offered at this affordable Covent Garden eatery.

French cuisine doesn't have to come at a hefty price, as evidenced by Chez Antoinette. This classic bistro in Covent Garden cooks up contemporary incarnations of traditional recipes in a vibrant, relaxed ambience. The all-day dining here includes savoury breakfast options and a varied main menu with light dishes such as open-faced tartine sandwiches with different fillings, or salads. Weekday lunch deals are also offered.

Homeslice dishes up 20-inch pizzas that are ideal for sharing, but if you don't want to shell out too much, you can also get a slice of pizza for a budget-friendly pick-me-up. Classic and inventive toppings are available, with every pizza made using seasonal produce. The affordable Covent Garden restaurant has a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere.

Championing sustainable farming, best-of-Britain produce and transparent sourcing, Honest Burgers run burger joints all over London, including Covent Garden. You can choose from various chicken, beef or veggie burgers featuring different sauces and toppings. The affordable burgers come with a side, and the drinks are reasonably priced as well. You can eat in or get the food as takeaway.

Fresh and contemporary, Go Falafel offers a straight and to-the-point menu focused on the Middle Eastern staple that is falafel. Choose a wrap, salad box or hummus plate for a light, healthy meal, with sides such as stuffed vine leaves available as well. There's also a large selection of energising juices and smoothies to complement your cheap eats with.

Pasta Brown serves up affordable and authentic Italian food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Classic dishes are on the menu such as bruschetta, pizza with a range of toppings, and a choice of pasta dishes. Gluten-free and wholewheat pasta is offered, and a small selection of Italian wines is also available.

The Blacklock restaurant in Covent Garden is vast and spacious. Top quality meat at reasonable prices is the main focus here, with steaks and chops in two different sizes if you're watching your wallet. This place makes steak affordable and also does a roast on Sundays. Additionally, the restaurant has its own beers that you can't find elsewhere.

Award-winning restaurant Old Chang Kee brings the flavours of Singapore to Covent Garden. The speciality at the affordable eatery is curry puffs, a favourite from Singapore that combines a Western-style pie with Eastern spices. Other dishes at this casual counter service spot include fried chicken, fried noodles, a choice of curries, and laksa.

Banana Tree specialises in vibrant pan-Asian cooking, served in a cosy modern setting. This budget-friendly Covent Garden place is ideal for groups with its diverse menu combining influences from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Children's meals are served here too. From the bar, enjoy Asian beers, wine, and cocktails to complete your meal.

Visit Chill Since '93 to grab a slice of pizza in a chilled contemporary setting. It's a family-friendly spot with a clean look and a simple menu of pizza slices, sandwiches, and cookies for dessert. Various toppings and fillings are on offer. It's an ideal choice for casual cheap eats in Covent Garden.

Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar is a humble eatery with a bustling atmosphere. It can get busy at times. On the menu you'll discover a considerable range of noodle dishes with tasty ingredients like tomato and egg or pork wontons. Try noodles fried or in soup, or go for other options like rice dishes or dim sum.

If you're craving a fresh and healthy, but still affordable lunch in Covent Garden, check out Bibi's. This cute and contemporary spot specialises in salads and you can mix and match your favourites to create your perfect box to eat on-site or take away. You'll find fresh veggies, seasonal salad mixes, and fresh and inspiring bakes as well.

Step into Mother Mash for a hearty dose of traditional comfort food on the cheap. This cosy eatery, easily spotted by its cheerful green canopy, offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Specialising in pie and mash or sausage and mash, the menu caters to all, including gluten-free and vegan diners. Pick from different varieties of mash, an array of pies and sausages, and top it off with rich, flavourful gravy for the perfect warming feast.