London’s Food Scene: Best Eateries & Street Food

London, a city steeped in history and culture, has also earned a well-deserved reputation as a foodie’s paradise. Its culinary landscape is a melting pot of flavours, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures around the world. From bustling street food markets to sit down bistros and cosy cafes, London offers a gastronomic adventure like no other.

LHA London wants everyone to experience the best food that the big city has to offer, regardless of budget, which is why we’ve taken a dive into the heart of London’s food scene, exploring the city’s best eateries and the hidden gems of its vibrant street food culture.

Eating out on a Budget

Being able to enjoy the best food that London has to offer shouldn’t be impacted by your budget – you just need to know where to look and how to keep yourself honest.

Amazing food doesn’t always equal expensive food, and this guide will explain exactly how to find stunning foodstuffs wherever you go. But first, we thought we’d give you our best tips for keeping yourself within your designated spending limit:

• Know where the best places to eat are
• Buy things when you need them, not just because you want them
• Set aside money specifically for food, including little treats
• Put the rest in a savings account if possible
• Use grocery store meal deals and offers
• Buy supermarket brand food over branded food
• Set yourself a daily spending limit
• Utilise your student discount

Brunches

There really is no experience quite the same as a weekend brunch date, whether you’re going with your partner or your friends.

London’s brunch scene is a culinary phenomenon that continues to captivate both locals and tourists alike. Brunch, a delightful combination of breakfast and lunch, has evolved into a cherished weekend ritual for many Londoners.

And, when brunch is bottomless, you’ll be able to drink fantastic amounts of orange juice, Prosecco or the much beloved combination of the two to your heart’s content, without worrying about the added expense.

Check out these phenomenal brunch spots that are ideal for treating yourself and friends on a sunny Sunday:

• The Breakfast Club Soho
• Benitos
• Forge & Co
• The Blues Kitchen
• The Clapham North
• Aquum
• BabaBoom

Food markets

Exploring the vibrant street food scene is one of the best ways to embrace the flavours of London without spending a fortune.

Whilst most market towns and squares will have street food vans that you can sample on a whim, there are an array of street food markets that boast the very best gourmet burgers, authentic Thai cuisine and artisanal desserts.

Discover an affordable culinary adventure that won’t disappoint your tastebuds or your wallet at the following fan favourites:

Borough Market: Borough Market celebrates food in all its splendour, including the way it connects us to the culture in which it originated, and the people we share it with. Sate your appetite in the historic setting with street food stalls that sell everything from deli and seafood to Taiwanese and Persian delicacies.

You can even experience hands-on workshops on Tasty Tuesdays.

Camden Market: This market is most famous for its roots in indie and alternative culture and the colour it exudes extends to the magnitude of food options on site. You’ll be able to sample blinding brewery beers, cheeky finger food and decadent dining whether you’re into cheeky chips, soft tacos or crepes.

That’s not even mentioning the rustic view over Camden Lock that makes the area so distinctive.

KERB: KERB grew from the kerb up by championing the true spirit of street food in all its glory. A true street food entrepreneur, KERB pops up on various streets including Farringdon, Blackfriars and London Bridge City. Traders are at the heart and soul of their business so if you fancy some glorious handmade cuisine, their weekly markets are the place to be.

Pop Brixton: If you like the sound of drinking rum and sampling food from shipping containers then head down to Pop Brixton where you’ll find street food stalls, micro-restaurants and community hubs alike.

Portobello Road Market: Portobello Road Market is known not just by Londoners, but worldwide. Established over 150 years ago, this antique attraction brings hundreds of traders together from across the globe and is constantly changing, so you’ll find new and exciting food stalls each time you visit. This is all part of its charm.

Vegan eateries

Of course, aside from everyone having a favourite type of cuisine or different tastes in flavour combinations, you may be at a loss as to where exactly the best vegetarian and vegan options are in the big city.

Luckily, vegan food can be more affordable and accessible for budget eaters because it misses out the most expensive element. As all vegans know, food free from animal products is anything other than boring and you’ll find some of the most exciting eats at the following eateries across London:

• Mildreds Soho
• Vegan Yes Shoreditch
• Itadaki Zen, Kings Cross
• Holy Carrot, Knightsbridge
• En Root, Clapham
• Black Cat, Hackney
• Eat of Eden, Brixton
• Temple of Seitan, Camden
• The Gate, Islington

Restaurant chains

Sometimes, restaurant chains can be more affordable than independent establishments but you’ll need to pick wisely. The best way to make the most out of your budget is to utilise money-saving apps and UNIDAYS discounts.

UNIDAYS gives you significant savings off some of the tastiest restaurant chains including:

• Pizza Express
• TGI Fridays
• YO! Sushi
• Domino’s
• Harvester
• Toby Carvery
• O’Neills
• Las Iguanas

Ethnic Cuisine

London’s culinary landscape offers diverse cuisines, and some are naturally more budget-friendly than others. For example, exploring the city’s Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern restaurants can lead you to delicious, hearty meals that won’t dent your wallet.

Of course, there are too many to list in one blog, but a great place to start hunting for your favourite spot for a bite is at street markets or by checking local reviews on Google, Instagram and TikTok.

The hashtags don’t lie.

BYOB

If you’re a fan of fine dining but want to save on the drinks, consider visiting BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurants. These establishments allow you to bring your favourite wine or beer, helping you cut down on the overall cost of your dining experience. Just be sure to check the restaurant’s BYOB policy in advance, as corkage fees may apply.

Pay-as-you-feel

One of the latest developments in bringing affordable food to the streets of London are pay-as-you-feel community hubs where you can relax, enjoy a coffee or meal and pay what you can afford towards the bill.

Your budget should never be a barrier to living in London, whether you’re shopping for groceries, treating yourself to a meal out or hunting for affordable accommodation.

That’s why, at LHA London, we take the burden off living costs so you can use your money more wisely wherever you need it. Our charity offers a wide range of youth hostels across the capital city for young working people, domestic students, international students and interns & apprentices.

For more information about how we can help you get set up in the big city, take a look at our available accommodation and don’t forget to check out our offer to discover what we can offer you.