With purse strings a bit tight nowadays, we're all looking for ways to save. But that doesn't mean you have to hold back when it comes to London's dining scene.
From restaurant deals to affordable restaurants and reasonable set menus, we're giving you all the best places for a cheap meal under £25 in London. Pig out without breaking the old piggy bank.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 5th June 2025
If you're craving cheap street food in London, the quaint and relaxed Arepa & Co in Haggerston and Bethnal Green has a budget-friendly menu. During the week, you and your pals can pop in for a quick meal for £13 and under, including arepas, cachapas or house rice bowls alongside a jug of fresh sugarcane lemonade.
The Rose Fulham is your place for cheap London meals, dishing up affordable Sunday roasts, plus lip-smackingly good drinks. They offer three small plates for £20, including squid rings, battered cauliflower bites and Buffalo chicken wings. Chow down on pub classics without breaking the bank. Mmm.
Across Venn St. Records, Old Street Records, Northcote Records and Eastcheap Records, you can bag a stellar deal from Sunday to Thursday. Grab your friends to dine among music memorabilia and head down between 5pm and 8pm to make the most of its two drinks and two pizzas for £25 package. Bargain.
Whether you fancy loaded fries for under a tenner, or jerk chicken burgers smothered in pineapple-rum sauce for just £16.50, The Street Easy is the place to head. Not only that but there's also a range of other affordable beef, crab and plant-based patties, as well as salads, tacos and chicken strips here too.
Whether you're in Victoria, Canary Wharf or Oxford Street, Market Halls is the place to be for affordable fare from all sorts of street food vendors. There are countless London favourites selling scrumptious eats here, from £10 burgers at Black Bear to £6.50 chicken wings from Butchies.
They serve every cuisine under the sun here, and there are multiple bars if you fancy a tipple alongside your meal. Expect sleek, modern interiors across their sites, with a buzzing atmosphere at all times.
Honest Burgers in Kings Cross, Spitalfields, Holborn and beyond is a sure bet when it comes to looking for something delicious to eat that's not going to wipe your bank account. Grab the classic beef for only £11.50 and yes, it does come with fries. The veggie burgers are out of this world, as well as the light and crispy onion rings.
Along with 2-4-1 veggie or vegan mains on Mondays from 12pm to 10pm, BrewDog has a varied menu packed with £10 wings, burgers with fries for under £20 and pizza for under £15, as well as 'hoppy meals' for £16.50. Check out locations in Waterloo, Clerkenwell and beyond.
Make your way to Old Compton Street to discover Bar Soho, a buzzing destination that's filled with bright red decor. Think plush leather booths, dark wooden furniture and colourful posters lining the walls - open until late every single day.
There's also an extensive, affordable menu to choose from. There are tapas plates from only £6, £14 sharing platters and a number of deals too - we're talking 40p wings on Wednesdays and a burger and a drink for £13 between 4 and 8pm on weekdays.
Along with a sprawling beer garden and cheap drinks, Effra Social is also an affordable restaurant. From burgers with fries for around £15 to surf and turf platters between two for under £40, there's plenty of top quality eats to be had on a budget. Our favourite deal? Nab three small plates for £21. We recommend pairing the halloumi fries with the crispy, cheesy jalapeno bites and padron peppers.
The beach-inspired bar in Chelsea, Ollie's House is a chic space that promises an exciting Asian fusion menu. Whether you're cosying up on a sofa with your other half or heading here with friends for dinner, drinks or bottomless brunch, you won't need to break the bank to enjoy your meal.
Not only do they offer 50p gyoza from 3 to 6pm every day, but you can also nab three courses for £22.90 on their evening set menu, or two for £18.90. Available Sunday to Thursday from 3pm until close, this offering features chicken katsu curry, Thai drunken noodles, halloumi fries and much more.
If you're a lover of all things cheesy, then Pizza Pilgrims will surely fill the void. Enjoy excellent toppings on your scrumptious slices such as pesto, pepperoni and much more, as well as tasty cocktails and Nutella pizza rings.
Nestled in the heart of Soho, The Palomar is a vibrant and trendy restaurant offering an exceptional taste of Jerusalem-style dishes with a modern twist. Known for its warm, inviting atmosphere and impeccable service, it's no surprise this spot has earned a coveted Bib Gourmand recognition from Michelin.
For those looking to enjoy a delicious lunch without breaking the bank, The Palomar offers a fantastic three-course £25 lunch deal featuring the likes of chicken labneh with yoghurt and chilli butter, and grilled hake. There's also a baklava and pistachio ice cream sandwich for dessert. Phwoar.
The Bib Gourmand-awarded Bancone is a real gem - not only for its sleek interiors and cosy dining spaces but for its exceptional menu at an affordable price. You can easily dine here for under £25 with pasta dishes starting from a humble £9.50 per person, and negronis coming in at £7 each. Look forward to the likes of silk handkerchiefs with egg yolk in walnut butter for £12 and so much more.
With venues in Soho, Shoreditch and King's Cross, Flat Iron is an affordable steakhouse that promises an entire meal for under £20. Their signature cut costs just £14, which you can pair with everything from homemade beef dripping chips to truffled macaroni cheese or crispy bone marrow garlic mash.
They're also slinging out cocktails for jut £9 each - our favourite is the Sherbet Bellini. The sleek basement space is perfect for date night, especially if you're after an affordable treat.
With other locations in Borough and King's Cross, BAO is a fab cheap restaurant. Offering the best set lunch, this quaint spot has a £15 menu from 12pm to 6pm during the week, complete with a bao bun, xiao chi dish and rice bowl.
Located in Shoreditch, Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles is an authentic Chinese restaurant that specialises in hand-pulled noodles. They serve a mix of thin and belt noodles, which you can pair with everything from braised beef to chunky pork belly or a sour and spicy soup.
Their main courses start from as little as £11.90 each, while small plates start from only £6.80. Enjoy these dishes in casual, laid-back surrounds.
