The best affordable restaurants in South Bank and Waterloo

Crust Bros have come a long way since opening their first market stall. They now operate several restaurants around London, offering a range of pizzas. You can get classic tomato, white, or pesto sauce pies with tasty toppings, but the real joy comes in creating your dream pizza. Go ham and choose your base, sauce, cheeses and toppings to build the pizza you've always wanted.

Mamuśka! brings a traditional Polish milk bar cafeteria vibe to South Bank, boasting a large, sociable dining hall. The menu is slanted towards affordability and features Polish classics such as the Schabowy pork schnitzel or the bigos sauerkraut stew. For a quick and cheap meal, the handmade pierogi - traditional Polish dumplings with various fillings - are a good choice as well.

The South Bank branch of Okan serves authentic Japanese dishes in a relaxed setting. You can start your meal at this traditionally decorated eatery with one of the Japanese tapas-style small plates, including gyoza and onigiri, then continue with one of the famous okonomiyaki pancakes, fried noodle, curries and more. The affordable dishes are available in a variety of flavours, and you can even customise them with your choice of toppings.

Committed to championing sustainability, high-quality ingredients and transparent sourcing, the Honest Burgers joints can be found all over the city, including two in the wider South Bank area. Choose between flavourful chicken, beef or veggie burgers, served in simple, unpretentious settings and at budget-friendly prices. Sides and drinks are available too, and there are monthly and location -specific exclusives as well. Head to the South Bank branch if you want to sit outside by the river.

Maries Café is known far and wide for its low prices that don't come at the expense of the portion sizes. It's also one of the few places in London where you can get a proper full English in the morning and pad Thai in the afternoon. The casual, simply furnished Waterloo eatery Maries Café offers stir fries, rice and noodle dishes, prawn toast and other Thai staples. With the friendly staff helping create a welcoming atmosphere, it's no wonder Maries Café is a local favourite.

The first carbon-neutral restaurant group in the entire country, Wahaca is committed not just to great food, but to sustainability and protecting the environment as well. There's a ton of choice on the menu, ranging from casual Mexican street food such as tacos, to set menus designed for sharing. The vibrant and colourful joint also offers vegan, gluten-free and children's menus.

Fishcotheque is a well-established destination for fish 'n' chips, sourcing fresh fish from Billingsgate Market every day. The restaurant uses high-quality ingredients, including specially selected Maris Piper potatoes for the chips. You can enjoy your battered comfort food in the smart restaurant area with tables, booths, and a striking mosaic. Takeaway is also an option, and the desserts are definitely worth a look – you'll even find the legendary deep-fried Mars bar here.

Roti King Waterloo is another expansion of the Euston original on the south bank of the Thames. The queues for the rotis filled with cheese, chicken, or accompanied by a selection of kari, are less daunting here, with the 50-cap venue offering both dine-in and takeaway options. Notably, the Waterloo location highlights a range of plant-based choices.

You can choose from a stacked range of dim sum at the Ping Pong restaurants around the capital. All sorts of dumplings, gyoza and bao are available at different prices, meaning you can compile the right assortment for your budget. Another budget-friendly option is the all-you-can-eat dim sum menu on Sundays. The Southbank branch of Ping Pong also has a heated terrace for alfresco dining.

The Marugame Udon restaurants are counter-service eateries where you can try traditional Japanese food, particularly udon noodle dishes and tempura. You can watch the chefs prepare the noodles and the mounds of crispy-fried deliciousness right in front of you. Grab a tray and load up on udon and rice bowls with various toppings, omusubi rice balls, and various tempura pieces. Grab a tray at this casual spot and head to the counter to get started. 

The Steam Engine is one of PubLove's combination pubs and backpackers' hostels, aimed at youthful international travellers on a budget. The in-house Burger Craft kitchen is therefore budget-friendly and well-versed in the flavour arts, serving proper burgers such as the Cheesus Christ with a beef patty, a grilled cheese slab, burger sauce and lettuce. If you prefer soaking up the sun to hanging out in the vibrant pub interior, there's a spacious beer garden as well.

The largest US dive bar in London, this buzzing Waterloo venue brings the sights, smells and flavours of Philadelphia to the city. The lively destination, covered in memorabilia and full of character, serves Philly-style cuisine such as buffalo wings, platters, cheesesteaks and more, perfect for soaking up the various booze served by the bar. Prices at Passyunk Avenue are on the affordable side of things, but cosy up to your wallet even more with the help of the many different deals that are offered regularly.

Serving up a quick hunger fix in the form of flavourful Mexican food, Tortilla offers street-style staples such as burritos, tacos and quesadillas. The group's restaurants features a range of fillings and sauces, so you can dress up your meal to your liking. At the Southwark branch of this popular chain, you can enjoy your meal inside, as takeaway, or on the outdoor tables, if the weather is right.

The Gail's Bakery is a fixture all over London, sourcing the finest ingredients from small business and using them to bake its own bread, pastries and cakes. In addition to the baked goods, however, they also serve a breakfast and lunch menu comprised of seasonal snacks such as spiced cauliflower and pickled aubergine sandwich, or soufflé egg and cheddar sliders. All Gail's Bakeries are bright and fitted with front counters displaying the tasty treats of the day.