The best affordable restaurants in South Bank and Waterloo

Mamuśka! brings a traditional Polish milk bar cafeteria vibe to a large, sociable dining hall. The menu at this affordable South Bank restaurant 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 sweet or savoury fillings – are a good choice as well.

Fishcotheque is a well-established destination for fish 'n' chips, sourcing fresh fish from Billingsgate Market every day. The affordable restaurant in Waterloo 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.

The largest US dive bar in London, this buzzing Waterloo restaurant brings the sights, aromas, and flavours of Philadelphia to the Big Smoke. 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.

Crust Bros have come a long way since opening their first market stall. They now operate several pizzerias 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 at their affordable restaurant in Waterloo.

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 okonomiyaki pancakes, fried noodles, curries, and more. The dishes at this affordable South Bank restaurant 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 South Bank and Waterloo. 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, and affordable Waterloo restaurant also 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. There are branches of this affordable restaurant in South Bank and Waterloo.

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. This is reliably one of the best choices for dining on a budget in Waterloo.

Marugame Udon is a counter-service eatery 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 tempura. The budget-friendly Waterloo restaurant is located at Waterloo Station, making it a good choice for refuelling before or after a journey.

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 affordable restaurants feature 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.