The best affordable restaurants in London

There's a reason this Mexican Taquería has a cult following; it's cheap, cheerful and perfect for a grab-and-go lunch, or you can sit inside downstairs as they have limited seating. Choose from freshly made tortillas and other Mexican snacks, as well as drinks on tap that change regularly. 

The restaurant at London's Indian YMCA might seem like a strange choice for a meal but it serves up some of the city's best-loved Indian cooking. The restaurant here is open to everybody - it's a simple canteen-style venue serving three meals a day. Enjoy authentic and affordable food and meet new people here.

Icco aims to make pizza that's fantastic for everybody. These budget-friendly pies come with a wide range of toppings from four cheeses to meaty feasts. This place is bold and colourful, serving authentic Italian recipes that you can eat in or take away. There are sides, desserts, smoothies, and juices too.

Established in 1972, Lahore Kebab House is an iconic East London restaurant for unpretentious Pakistani kebabs. The dining room is understated – this place isn’t trying to be glamorous. Instead, it wants diners to feel at home. Come here for aromatic curries, flame-grilled kebabs, and lamb chops that fall off the bone.

Roti King has a legendary reputation, with waits at the Euston location lasting up to 45 minutes. Thankfully, a less-crowded other branches can be found as well. This is Malaysian food focused on pillowy rotis. Get one stuffed with a filling or served with your choice of kari for a satisfying affordable meal.

Starting out as a tiny Osaka-style canteen in Brixton, Okan now has three intimate branches. Come for affordable and authentic Japanese dishes, with small plates like gyoza and noodle soup. Other favourites like fried noodles and okonomiyaki are available too. You can also sample sake, sake cocktails, and plum wine.

In Brixton there’s vibrant Caribbean eatery Fish, Wings & Tings. This market restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere and gets busy fast. Expect global cuisine based on timeless family recipes, with fish and prawns featuring heavily. Meat and vegetarian dishes, and roti wraps are also all offered, plus Caribbean rums and beers.

Get classic fish and chips at great-value prices when you visit Sutton & Sons. This place has been cooking up top quality food for more than 20 years, including their homemade pickles. It’s not just the traditional fish and chips you can enjoy here – there are also vegan alternatives, plus pies and sausages.

Located in Chinatown, C&R Café Restaurant is a welcoming place known for its speedy service and comforting Malaysian recipes. This is a petite restaurant with courtyard seating. There's a big choice of affordable dishes including curries, rice, and noodles. The restaurant doesn't accept bookings so you can walk in at any time.

Discover authentic South Korean flavours at Daebak. The eclectic menu includes plenty of cheaper items to create an affordable but filling meal. Japchae, croquettes, fried chicken, bibimbap, and soups are among the Korean favourites on the menu at this laid-back eatery. You can expect classic dining in a smart wood-panelled space.

For tacos and Mexican street food on a budget, check out Del74. Choose tacos with a variety of fillings for every preference, or opt for nachos or an oozing quesadilla. This is a vibrant and friendly spot where the margaritas flow freely and there are fun events like Taco Tuesdays.

Food from the Xi’an region of China is booming in popularity, and Xi’an Impression in Holloway is a great-value local place to try it yourself. This neighbourhood eatery is compact, cosy, and low-key, but serves flavour-filled street food like Xi’an-style burgers, plus hand-pulled noodles. There are cocktails and mocktails to enjoy too.

There are two South London branches of Bánh Bánh, a bright and contemporary eatery serving Vietnamese dishes. When you enter you'll see lots of light, plants, and bursts of colour. There's an affordable menu of small bites and noodles. The Peckham location goes totally meat-free on Mondays and serves a special menu.

Mr Falafel might be low-key but it has a big reputation. This place is serving up some of the capital’s most-wanted falafel wraps, including the budget-friendly classic wrap that's ideal for children or small appetites. Whichever of the many wraps you go for, you’ll get flavour-packed but still cheap Middle Eastern food.

Fancy a burger? Try the budget-friendly options at Bleecker Burger. You can’t argue with the quality – it won the National UK Burger of the Year award in 2020. Expect New York-style burgers made with UK-reared rare-breed and grass-fed beef. The menu offers a simple choice of burgers, fries, shakes, and other drinks.

Family-run restaurant Ariana II gives Londoners an authentic taste of Afghanistan. There's a bold red exterior and a smart dining room with exposed brick and colourful details. Comforting dishes like pastries, dumplings, curries, and kebabs are all on the menu. Guests are also welcome to bring in their own alcohol.

Butchies began in 2013 and is all about spreading love to its customers. This spot specialises in buttermilk-fried chicken, with chicken sandwiches and pieces on the menu, all at affordable prices. Plant-based alternatives are served too. The meat here is halal and sustainably-sourced, and the recipes are always in development.

When you want a great-value curry in Lewisham, check out Everest Curry King. This no-frills canteen shares Sri Lankan recipes with Londoners. The menu features comforting curries, filled roti wraps, and set meals for a complete experience of the cuisine here. There are classic Indian desserts to try out too.

Eat as much Chinese food as you like at Golden Buffet in North London. This friendly place offers affordable meals with its all-you-can-eat selection of popular dishes. You can choose set menus or takeaways too. This is a family-run business that's known as much for its food quality as the welcoming service.

You’ll notice Anima e Cuore straightaway thanks to its vibrant purple exterior. The authentic Italian dishes are a low-cost way to get a taste of the Mediterranean. There’s a broad choice of pasta, plus classic Italian sandwiches. This place also specialises in sorbet and gelato, with different flavours to try every day.

Cravings La Caretta dishes up unpretentious Mexican and Venezuelan street food in a colourful setting with warm and welcoming hospitality. This place makes diners feel right at home whilst they sample a varied choice of street eats. There are familiar burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, or more adventurous Venezuelan arepas and cachapas.

Quirky eatery Indian Veg has been open in Islington since 1985. This place offers an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet of over 30 curries, salads, and snacks, with the offering changing all the time. In colourful surroundings, you can enjoy a big buffet meal for a price that's kind to your bank balance.

At Pizza Union you can enjoy a super-thin and crispy Roman-style pizza, served at lightning speed. These restaurants are informal and cool, offering cheap pizzas with a variety of crowd-pleasing toppings, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Order at the counter and relax at your table until your buzzer goes off.

Classic East London restaurant Tayyabs has been serving Punjabi cuisine since 1972. You can bring your own alcohol into this vast and bustling restaurant that’s almost always busy. There’s a choice of affordable curries and vegetable dishes like saag aloo. Don’t miss the fluffy naan breads available in a number of flavours.

Irresistibly pink restaurant Rasa is well-known to London’s vegetarian diners. The speciality here is vegetarian Keralan cuisine. Try classic curries, snacks, and side dishes made with a whole host of fresh veggies and ingredients. The prices are kind to your wallet so it’s easy to enjoy a South Indian feast here.

Etles Uyghur, known for its unique Uyghur cuisine from Northwest China, quickly became a favourite among adventurous foodies. Recognised as one of London's top restaurants by those in the know, the cosy BYOB restaurant is decorated with traditional instruments and tapestries, enhancing the cultural immersion. Guests can enjoy an array of regional specialities, including endless hand-pulled noodles, various skewers, offal dishes, and more, often featuring a spicy flavour profile.

Phât Phúc Noodle Bar sounds cheeky but its name actually means "happy Buddha" in Vietnamese. It's a courtyard noodle shack with an informal atmosphere and outdoor seating. The menu at this humble eatery has won it many fans - expect choices like laksa and pho, made with stock that's simmered for hours.

At Zia Lucia you can get some of London's best pizza without going over budget. One big attraction here is that you can choose from different bases, such as traditional, wholemeal, charcoal, or gluten-free. Once you've decided, there's a tempting range of toppings to suit all tastes, including spicy options and plant-based pizzas.

Try classic Ethiopian dishes at great-value prices at Wolkite in Holloway. This is a family-run restaurant that’s humble but has gained a serious following. You can try traditional meat and vegetarian dishes piled onto injera bread that you eat by hand. Ethiopian beers and tej, a classic honey wine, are served too.

At Machiya you'll find a homey setting for casual Japanese dining. The curries and small plates here are an affordable and flavoursome way to fill up, with dishes like agedashi tofu and katsu curry. Japanese alcohol is also served. Enjoy a meal in the laid-back dining room with striking round light fixtures.

At Detroit Pizza London you can enjoy Detroit-style pies, pairing a rectangular crispy and chewy crust with generous sauces and ingredients. Both classic and more innovative combinations are available, or you can create your dream pizza by choosing your own toppings. This is a casual spot for indulging in some serious comfort food.

Arments Pie & Mash is a century-old traditional London pie shop, famous for its hearty pies using locally sourced ingredients and a family recipe. The shop's vintage vibe, complete with antique London pictures and a Blue Plaque, enhances its historic charm. Renowned for its beef steak pies, vegan options, and unique mash and sauces, Arments has become a beloved fixture in London's food scene for both locals and tourists.

At Dumplings’ Legend you’ll discover a big choice of traditional Chinese dishes and dim sum. This place is well-known for the vast number of dumplings the kitchen produces, right in front of you in the open-plan kitchen. There are intriguing twists on classic recipes, including a vegetarian version of xiaolongbao.

Visit one of Bancone's Italian restaurants for a bowl of fresh pasta at a great-value price. Bancone is modern and stylish, serving flavoursome dishes like cacio e pepe, papardelle with chicken livers, and tagliatelle with Cornish cod. Antipasti and desserts are also available, plus there's cocktails and a curated wine list.

In Homerton there's Souvlakiland, a compact and low-key Greek eatery. It's a cosy place with friendly service and a flavoursome menu of low-cost yeeros and souvlaki wraps with mouthwatering fillings like Greek sausages or halloumi and vegetables. Plates piled high with grilled meat, chips, salad, and bread are also on the menu.

Padella has a big following thanks to its authentic pasta dishes served at budget-friendly prices – there's often a queue. This is a modern pasta bar cooking up hand-rolled pasta with a variety of sauces and fillings like pesto or Dorset crab. The menu changes regularly, too. There's a walk-in-only branch in Borough Market, as well as a bigger venue in Shoreditch.

The vibrant Arepa & Co venues across London serve an extensive menu of Venezuelan street food, including traditional favourites like crispy tajadas, yuca fries, plantain crostini, and cachapas, in addition to their signature arepas. These are filled with various ingredients, including braised pork shoulder with guava chipotle glaze and other meat and vegetable options, with gluten-free diners also catered to.

Based in Chinatown, Bun House is an affordable dim sum destination. Diners come here to enjoy fresh and fluffy steamed buns stuffed with a range of tempting fillings. Opt for BBQ pork belly, mixed mushrooms, or prawns. There are other Cantonese small plates too like salt and pepper fritters and congee.

Homeslice makes whopping 20-inch pizzas that are ideal for sharing with someone else. You can have half-and-half fillings too. When you're looking for a quick bite on a budget, this place also offers three different pizzas by the slice. There's a relaxed atmosphere and seasonal toppings for every preference.

Troy Bar is definitely one of London's best-kept, budget-friendly secrets. They serve a mouthwatering menu of fragrant Caribbean food in a super laid-back, casual setting off Old Street. You can nab a box of jerk chicken or curry goat with rice, peas and plantain for under a tenner to take away or enjoy in-house in their no-frills space. They also host regular open mic nights and live music performances.

Grab some award-winning Mexican street food that won't break the bank at Brorittos in South London. This modern and bold restaurant started as a pop-up during lockdown and is now serving some of the city's most in-demand burritos and tacos. Birria is a speciality but the menu includes vegan dishes, kids' meals, and the option to create your dream custom burrito.

While its once-notoriously rude attitude has mellowed, the restaurant remains one of London's largest and most beloved Chinese restaurants. Offering a selection of Cantonese dishes, including set meals and vegetarian options, Wong Kei is known for serving delicious food at affordable prices. Guests can complement their food with a selection of wines available at the restaurant.

Regency Café is the go-to spot when you crave an authentic British breakfast. Since it opened in 1946, this spot has been featured in various films and television shows; the café specialises in traditional full English breakfasts with sides that can be added for around a quid. There's also a selection of sandwiches, salads, and cooked lunches.

It's all about filled homemade sandwiches at Tongue & Brisket, where you can enjoy lunch for around a tenner. The café takes pride in the high quality of its salt beef, and you can select from a variety of bread options, including bagels, white bread, or rye bread, each loaded with deli fillings such as chopped liver or smoked salmon and cream cheese. There are also soups and salads on the menu.

Located on the corner of Seven Sisters, Blankita is a vibrant restaurant serving delicious home-cooked Colombian cuisine. Their beef tongue dish is a must-order, but their selection of meat dishes is extensive, served alongside rice, plantain, and a dash of Blankita's spicy red chilli salsa.