HOW TO EAT CHEAP IN LONDON
London. Home of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and “The Tube”. London is one of my favourite places in the world and the city I’ve visited more than anywhere else. There are just so many things to do, so many sights to see, so many experiences to .. experience. I could try to better explain why I love it so much, but I’m not sure I can if I’m being honest. Helpful, right? Don’t worry, you’ll learn how to eat cheap in London here.
You see, I’ve learned some handy tips to travel cheaply in one of Europe’s most expensive cities. A few tips that my friend who was born and raised just outside of London didn’t even know. Not tooting my horn, just saying I know what’s up. (Okay, maybe tooting my horn a little bit, whatever, let me live a little).
I know so many ways to explore London on a budget that I’m actually going to split it up into a few different bite size articles for easier digestion, with the first topic being one of my favourites, FOOD. So here we go, how to eat cheap in London.
1. MEAL DEALS
If you are on a serious budget this is my #1 tip BY FAR. My many trips to London have been heavily fuelled by meal deals. First thing off the plane it’s usually a stop at Costa Coffee and then Sainsburys for a jetlagged meal deal.
In several different chain stores available a short walk from wherever you may find yourself, you can get yourself a drink, snack, and main meal for £3.
Now I will warn you right away, the store and it’s location will reflect the variety. Worst case, you’ll get a water or a Coke, a bag of crisps and a simple sandwich. Still not bad for £3. But you can also end up with some excellent meals. Fruit smoothies, iced lattes, or protein shakes for a drink. Cheesecake, yogurt bowls, or protein bars for a snack. And for an entree a pesto veggie sub, tomato feta pasta, a triple sandwich pack, burritos, falafel quinoa salad… Sorry, got a little carried away, maybe shouldn’t have written this before lunch.
Point is, it’s a great deal and my top tip to eat cheap in London. If you’re on a serious budget you could do all your meals this way for £9 a day and if you varied them up enough it wouldn’t be an awful or nutrient deficient experience (please don’t just get a cheese sandwich every single time like my friend does. Variety is the spice of life). I personally love figuring out what are the most expensive things I can get under the deal and then seeing it all ring up to £13 until I hit the final button and bam. £3. Brilliant.
You can get meal deals at many places like Tesco, Sainsburys, Boots. Waitrose is known for their “posher” £5 ones. I don’t generally bother with those. Meal deals are a great affordable option for eating in London and something you’ll see loads of locals doing, especially at lunchtime. Grab a meal, go see on Hampstead Heath, and eat up.
(Bonus note here. England is serious about their crisps and I highly suggest you explore this world to it’s fullest. I would often come home with a backpack full of crisps from meal deals and I never regretted it. Also bonus bonus note: crisps are chips, as in potatoe chips. And chips in England are french fries. Also takeaway is takeout and don’t ask for coffee with milk, order a flat white. Just throwing some more knowledge at you. You’re welcome)
2. MARKETS
FOOD MARKETS! Maltby Street Market, Broadway Market, Mercato Metropolitano, Leather Lane Street Market, Brick Lane Market… London has a lot of markets.
Most famously is Borough Market, which I highly suggest checking out. It actually makes a perfect start to a day of exploring, just take the Tube to the London Bridge station and head south for two minutes and you’re there. You can fill up on pastries and coffee and begin the day on a sugar high which you can burn off with all the walking you’ll be doing afterwards. Life is all about balance.
At Borough Market you’ll find loads of tourists but just as many locals. It’s an interesting mix of shoppers and makes for some fun people watching while enjoying a tasty treat.
Food markets are a great place to get fresh fruit and veg, cheeses, and breads if you’re staying somewhere with access to a kitchen, or want to put together a nice little picnic, cause who doesn’t love a good picnic? There are also loads of stalls offering freshly made goodies, meals, and drinks ready to sip as you walk around taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells. You can definitely score some cheap London eats here while enjoying the wicked vibe.
3. CHEAP. SUSHI.
Not cheap quality, this grub is great. Itsu is a restaurant chain with a healthy Asian inspired menu and everything being made on location. There’s a list of specific items like soups you can order to be made on the spot or you can peruse a long display fridge of pre-made meals from sushi, dumplings, and salads.
Now, itsu is big on reducing food waste and keeping things fresh from that day. Both excellent company policies on their own. And extra great for you as a customer.
Every evening a half hour before closing itsu sells everything at half price.
With a majority of the mini meals costing less than 6 pounds to begin with, you can end up with a delicious dinner for very cheap. Little tip, people generally start grabbing items and waiting about ten minutes before the half hour mark, which the restaurants are totally okay with and I suggest you do as well in order to get the best stuff. I’ve hit up the one in Camden Town a couple times before or after beers at a pub in the area and ended up with a couple delicious and still fresh rolls of sushi for a fiver.
4. PUB MEALS.
I know very little about “fancy” restaurants in England. Just isn’t my cup of tea (see what I did there?) Usually in London I have a modest breakfast at the hostel I’m staying at or a coffee shop, grab a meal deal for lunch, and dinner you’ll often find me at a pub. It’s a way to eat cheap in London while enjoying a sit down meal in an establishment.
Pub culture is a very big part of British Life and there are 3500 of them in London. They’re not JUST about alcohol either, many of them will have tasty dishes to enjoy while sipping on a beer. One of my favourites is The Worlds End in Camden, a very rock and roll spot with a music venue on the premises. I’ve had cheap meals of hallumi fries (SO FUCKING GOOD) or veggie wraps with a beer for 10 pounds while listening to some good tunes.
There are all sorts of pubs in England with different themes, decor, clientele. I remember walking in with a friend to the The Grapes pub and us laughing as we sipped our drinks in ripped jeans surrounded by wealthy looking grey haired men. (I’ll be honest, we went there cause we heard Ian McKellen frequented the joint, sadly no Gandalf sitings though. I did kind of meet him eventually though, but that’s a story for another time).
Pubs are a great way to enjoy a meal or a drink, especially if you’re travelling alone. Don’t let being a solo travel discourage you. If you’re open to it, they can be an excellent way to meet new people. If you’re more introverted have no fret, you can just grab a spot at the bar and enjoy a pint in solitude. Which brings me to my last point…
5. HAPPY HOUR.
London seems to be really big on happy hour, at least compared to Toronto where it’s not really a big thing. In London it seems like a daily activity to finish work at 5 and go straight to the pub. And you’ll find many places around this times offering deals like half priced drinks or two for the price of one. Once again in Camden where I like to spend a nice chunk of time, you can easily hop from pub to pub quickly taking advantage of all their own happy hour deals.
If you’re on a budget, enjoy alcohol, and want to experience pubs, happy hour is a great way to do it. Have no shame if you’re alone and get in on the two cocktails for the price of one. You are awesome and you deserve it.
So there you have it, a nice little list of tips to help you eat cheap in London and have full belly and a full wallet at the same time. I know this list didn’t offer a lot of specific places to check out, but hopefully it offered a nice comfy foundation of knowledge for you to expand on.
I think the best approach to travelling is roaming around areas and seeing what you stumble upon. Some of the best gems and memories are found and created that way. If you do have any excellent places you’ve discovered and would like to share do it! Either in the comments below, or on social media, or email, courier pigeon..
But for now, I’m going to go eat, cause I’m fucking hungry. Wish I had some halloumi fries though (SERIOUSLY, THEY ARE SO GOOD)
Planning a trip to jolly ol’ England? What to know before going to England may be a useful read. Check ‘er out
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