Best cheap eats in London

It’s no secret that London is an expensive city. Once you’ve budgeted for the essentials – rent, travel, utilities – there might not be all that much left for fine dining. Luckily, the capital has a lot of cafes, restaurants and street food stalls that pack a punch in terms of taste rather than wallet.

Whether you’re looking to make a change from a supermarket meal deal, planning a dinner with friends or just want to try something new, here are a few recommendations for meals across London that won’t break the bank.

Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery

Starting with a classic! The two bagel (or beigel) shops on Brick Lane are far from hidden secrets, but they deserve a place on any list of London cheap eats. The 24-hour bakeries are fitting for any time of day – whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch on the go, buying in bulk or in desperate need of a snack on your way home from one of Shoreditch’s many bars, this is the place to be.

There’s a long-running debate about whether the yellow or white shop has the best bagels – if you’re having trouble deciding, whichever has the shorter queue at the time is probably your best bet.

The salt beef bagels, piled high with juicy cured meat, smeared with spicy mustard and topped with the requisite pickle, are the hero item for obvious reasons, but if that’s not your bag, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the variety of fillings on offer. Both shops also sell a range of cakes and pastries to satiate any saccharine cravings at the end of your sandwich.

Plain beigels 69p; salt beef beigels from £8.18

Brick Lane, E1 | bricklanebeigel.co.uk

House of Momo

Serving Nepalese dumplings, curries, noodles and more, this Dalston spot is an ideal place for a quick meal at a low price and they have another location in Brixton Village if a trip to Dalston is out of your way. The small menu and efficient service mean that food gets to your table in minutes, and although the limited table space and business don’t invite lingering, you won’t feel rushed.

Momos are available freshly steamed or steamed and then deep-fried, and diners can add curry sauce or chilli sauce. The tomato chutney that comes as standard is an ideal condiment, adding extra warmth to the dishes. If dumplings aren’t your thing, the restaurant also offers curries, fried rice, noodles and thali plates, for the indecisive. With a soft jazz soundtrack, a homely vibe and an alcohol licence to boot, House of Momo is somewhere you’ll want to return to again and again.

Five steamed momo £6.50; thali plate from £10

Dalston, N16 / Brixton, SW9 | houseofmomo.co.uk

Horn Ok Please

This street food stall turns out the most delicious dosas filled with lightly spiced masala potatoes and accompanied by flavourful chana chaat. Topped with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds that add a burst of colour—and sweetness—these dosas make for a warm, comforting meal. Other items are available, of course, but there’s really no need to go beyond the first listed on the menu. The dosas are a perfect balance between crispy and chewy and are sturdy enough to hold onto their fillings and survive a sauce dip.

Even better – Horn Ok Please has branches in both Borough Market and the Southbank Centre Food Market, so you’ve got double the opportunity to take advantage of their offerings.

Small plates £6; large plates £9

Borough Market / Southbank Centre, SE1 | Instagram

Marugame Udon

With branches popping up all over London, Marugame Udon has been a real success story over the last few years. And no wonder – with a range of the titular udon, rice bowls and tempura, this growing chain offers tasty meals at tasty prices. While picking up a tray and queuing for your meal may be reminiscent of school lunches, the quality here is far superior to the canteen slop of your memories.

Hot, chewy udon noodles are paired with rich broths and a range of toppings, from classic chicken katsu and pork tonkotsu to sticky yaki chicken meatballs and vegetable curry. With a menu of Japanese favourites and a toppings bar to customise as your heart desires, Marugame is a solid option and a particularly appealing choice as the temperature drops and the nights draw in.

Udon bowls start from £4.95

Various locations | marugame.co.uk

La Porchetta Pollo Bar

If you’re out in the West End and searching for an affordable dinner, look no further than La Porchetta Pollo Bar. With a deceptively small frontage, this buzzing Italian’s extensive menu of pizza and pasta is a real crowd-pleaser and has been for decades. The pizza station is on display as soon as you walk in, and the smells of toasting dough and melting cheese make it difficult to walk past without stopping for a sniff.

Especially compared to the trendy, upmarket restaurants in the area, La Porchetta Pollo Bar offers excellent value for money. The portions are massive, the service is speedy and there’s something special about eating somewhere that has managed to survive for so long.

Pasta dishes and pizzas start from £9.90

Soho, W1D | laporchetta.uk

Chacarero Empanada

A handheld pastry that can accommodate any number of fillings is a staple in many cultures. From the Cornish pasty to golden Jamaican patties and crispy samosas, there’s a reason this formula is always a hit. The Argentinian empanada is another variation on a theme, offering a different range of flavours and providing a convenient grab-and-go (or sit-and-savour) meal.

Chacarero Empanada, first of food-market fame at Victoria Park’s weekend markets and now with an established brick-and-mortar in East Dulwich, has a compact and delicious menu. From traditional fillings like beef or spiced chicken to more international pairings of ham and cheese or spinach and mozzarella, there’s an empanada for everyone. While all of the pastries are a delight, the sweetcorn humita is like a sunny day captured in edible form.

Make sure to accept offers of chimichurri on the side, too – the homemade sauce adds an extra kick of flavour.

Three empanadas for £13

East Dulwich / Victoria Park, SE22 / E2 | chacarerolondon.co.uk

Editor's note: Spot any incorrect information? Or have an article idea for HeadBox.com? Get in touch at submissions@headbox.com