London has a reputation for being punishingly expensive, but Londoners will tell you there's a vast, delicious world of budget eating hiding in plain sight — you just need to know where to look. From £3.50 pizzas that have fed generations of university students to £1.50 freshly baked Kurdish naan, the city's extraordinary diversity means you can eat a different cuisine every day for a month and never spend more than a tenner.
We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts from r/london, r/LondonFood, r/uktravel, and r/solotravel to find the spots that actual Londoners and budget-savvy travelers recommend again and again. These aren't the polished picks from food magazines — these are the places that make London locals fiercely protective when they share them.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 150+ Reddit posts and 1,200+ comments across r/london, r/LondonFood, r/uktravel, r/AskLondon, and r/solotravel — spanning 2020 to 2026. Spots were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent users across separate threads. Every place on this list was mentioned by at least 3 different people. We weighted long-term London residents' tips more heavily than tourist impressions.
1ICCO Pizza
Italian Pizza
What to order: A 10-inch margherita for under £4 — one of the best value meals in central London. The garlic and chilli oils on the counter are essential additions. Tuna pizza is an unexpected fan favorite.
"ICCO pizza on Goodge St! Used to work around the corner and ate there 3 times a week! Amazing value and quality."
— r/london · 63 upvotes · view thread
"I can't believe this place still sells pizza for under £4. When I was at UCL a decade ago, I thought it was cheap at £3.50 for a 10in margherita."
— r/london · 31 upvotes · view thread
"25 years later… and they're still keeping the prices low. I can't imagine how they juggle their finances to make that happen."
— r/london · 18 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: The undisputed king of cheap eats in central London. ICCO has been feeding generations of UCL students and Fitzrovia office workers since the late '90s, and somehow still sells pizza for less than the price of a pint. The quality-to-price ratio is genuinely staggering — there's a reason every single cheap eats thread on r/london mentions it. An institution.
2Baban's Naan
Kurdish
What to order: A freshly made garlic naan for £1.50 — hot, fluffy, and absurdly good for the price. The za'atar naan with falafel is the move if you want a proper meal. Kurdish wraps are also excellent.
"Babans Naan is legit. £1.50 for a freshly made garlic naan and its banging."
— r/london · 42 upvotes · view thread
"I'm only here to tell you that Baban's Naan is the absolute business and a non-zero reason why I will stay in the Finsbury Park area when I next move house."
— r/london · 28 upvotes · view thread
"Baban's naan in Finsbury Park for great Kurdish wraps."
— r/LondonFood · 14 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: A tiny shop that's become a Finsbury Park institution. The business model is beautifully simple: just naan, made fresh, priced to make you question how anything in London can still cost £1.50. When Redditors say a naan shop is a reason not to move house, you know it's special. The za'atar naan with falafel is one of the best £4 meals in the city.
3Eat Tokyo
Japanese
What to order: The large katsu curry (about £9.50) — it's a frankly ridiculous portion that could feed two normal humans. The bentos are also excellent value at around £15 with an absurd amount of food.
"Eat Tokyo - the large (which is frankly a ridiculous portion) Katsu curry is like £9.50 I believe and holy hell does it hit the spot!"
— r/london · 89 upvotes · view thread
"I was in Eat Tokyo for the first time on Friday. The bill for two of us was under £40. And really good too!"
— r/london · 53 upvotes · view thread
"I genuinely think their bentos are good value too! So much stuff for like £15."
— r/london · 22 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: Eat Tokyo is that rare thing in London — genuinely good Japanese food at prices that don't make you wince. The katsu curry portion is almost comically large, and the quality holds up against places charging twice as much. Multiple locations mean you're never far from one. Reddit's sweating-after-eating-too-much testimonials are the highest praise.
4Indian YMCA
Indian Buffet
What to order: The takeaway buffet — pile your container high and it'll last two days for about £7.50. Curries rotate daily, and the quality is honest, home-style Indian cooking. No frills, but nobody comes here for the décor.
"Indian YMCA near Warren Street. I suggest doing a takeaway of their buffet. Always lasts me two days for 7.5 a piece."
— r/london · 35 upvotes · view thread
"The Indian YMCA on Fitzroy St. I've not been for a while but you can get a full Indian meal for £5."
— r/LondonFood · 18 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: One of London's worst-kept secrets. The Indian YMCA's canteen has been serving generous, authentic Indian food at genuinely astonishing prices for decades. Yes, anyone can eat here — you don't need to be a member. The no-frills dining room and rotating daily curries give it a home-kitchen feel that no £15 curry on Brick Lane can match. Get the takeaway and you've got two meals for the price of one.
5Pizza Union
Italian Pizza
What to order: A 12-inch margherita for £3.95 — arguably the best value meal in London full stop. The thin-crust Roman-style pizzas come out fast and are genuinely good. Add toppings for a pound or two more.
"Pizza Union do a 12inch pizza for £3.95. That will be hard to beat for value."
— r/LondonFood · 24 upvotes · view thread
"Pizza Union near Holborn - not a big meal but a nice atmosphere and a reasonable pizza for under a tenner."
— r/london · 579 upvotes (post) · view thread
tabiji verdict: If ICCO is the cult classic, Pizza Union is the polished successor. A 12-inch pizza for under £4 in central London feels like a glitch in the matrix. The atmosphere is modern and buzzy — it doesn't feel "cheap" in any way other than the price. Multiple locations mean it's a reliable fallback wherever you are. No wonder it appears in every single London cheap eats discussion.
6Lahore Kebab House
Pakistani
What to order: The lamb chops sizzling on the grill at the front are legendary — get those with a naan and a curry. The seekh kebabs are also outstanding. BYO is allowed, which saves even more.
"Lahore Kebab House in Whitechapel. A legendary curry house and rightly so. I've had better but not for such value."
— r/london · 45 upvotes · view thread
"If you go to Whitechapel and walk down Commercial Road, the kebab houses there are unreal. Lahore Kebab House is the most famous but Tayyabs next door is also brilliant."
— r/uktravel · 12 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: A Whitechapel institution since 1972 that's earned its legendary status through sheer, relentless quality. The front grill sends smoke signals down the street that are basically free marketing. It's not the cheapest on this list, but the lamb chops and curries are serious food at prices that would cost three times as much in a Mayfair restaurant. The BYO policy is the cherry on top.
7Falafel & Shawarma
Middle Eastern
What to order: The mixed falafel and shawarma wrap — enormous, messy, and deeply satisfying. The platter feeds two people and costs about £7. The queue at lunchtime tells you everything you need to know.
"Falafel & Shawarma in Camberwell, their wraps are amazing and they've barely changed their prices in years - the queue speaks for itself!"
— r/london · 38 upvotes · view thread
"Love this place. Their platter thing would nearly do 2 people and is like £7 or something."
— r/london · 15 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: The permanent queue outside is Camberwell's most reliable landmark. Falafel & Shawarma has built a cult following by doing one thing extraordinarily well: massive, fresh wraps at prices that haven't kept pace with inflation. The fact that locals have a "deep and long alliance" to this place and refuse to even try competitors tells you everything. Get the platter, share with a friend, spend £3.50 each.
8Govinda's Pure Vegetarian
Indian Vegetarian
What to order: The thali — between £7 and £12 depending on how many items you choose. Just off Oxford Street, this is seriously cheap for the area. No alcohol, no frills, just excellent vegetarian Indian food.
"Govinda's Pure Vegetarian Restaurant on Soho St, great vegetarian food, thali from £7-12 depending on number of items, no booze and no frills. Just off Oxford Street."
— r/london · 28 upvotes · view thread
"Ate here several times, great food and was never asked to join their cult. Best cult grub in London hands down."
— r/london · 19 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: A vegetarian restaurant run by the Hare Krishna temple that consistently surprises first-timers with how good the food is. Steps from Oxford Street, a £7 thali here would cost £15+ at any other Soho restaurant. The no-alcohol, no-frills approach keeps costs down and the food honest. As one Redditor perfectly put it: "Best cult grub in London." You won't be preached at, just very well fed.
9Petticoat Lane Market
Street Food Market
What to order: The chicken katsu wrap from "the shouty lady" is legendary. Giant falafel wraps for under a fiver. Tikka express does a chicken tikka rice box for £7. Weekday lunchtimes only — this is a City workers' market.
"Petticoat Lane market has some super cheap stalls, I'm talking less than a fiver for a giant falafel wrap."
— r/london · 22 upvotes · view thread
"Second Petticoat Lane, particularly the Chicken Katsu wrap from the shouty lady, they are the most efficient food servers to ever live."
— r/london · 18 upvotes · view thread
"Go to Petticoat Lane market on weekday lunch, it's behind Liverpool Street, stalls like tikka express £7 for chicken tikka rice box."
— r/LondonFood · 11 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: London's cheapest street food and nobody talks about it because it's a weekday-only lunchtime secret. The market stall operators here are a different breed — efficient, loud, and serving portions that defy the prices. "The shouty lady" selling chicken katsu wraps has achieved folk hero status on Reddit. Get here between 11:30 and 2pm on a weekday or miss out entirely.
10Jai Krishna
Indian Vegetarian
What to order: Any curry on the menu for £5–£6, then BYO your own drinks (40p corkage!). The dosas are particularly good. Simple, home-style South Indian vegetarian cooking at its finest.
"I go to Jai Krishna in Finsbury Park, amazing vegetarian Indian food, £5/6 for a curry BYOB 40p corkage. Never lets me down."
— r/LondonFood · 16 upvotes · view thread
"Last time I went there was 35 years ago. Glad to see it's still going!"
— r/LondonFood · 8 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: A Finsbury Park legend that's been going for over 35 years and still charges £5 for a curry. The 40p corkage for BYO might be the most London thing on this entire list. Jai Krishna doesn't try to be trendy or Instagram-worthy — it's just consistently excellent vegetarian Indian food at prices that make you feel like you're stealing. The kind of place that makes London's food scene genuinely world-class.
11Marugame Udon
Japanese Udon
What to order: The katsu curry udon — hearty, warming, and under £10. The double katsu is dangerously filling. Watch the udon being made fresh through the window as you queue.
"Marugame Udon is a really solid chain, you can get ramen and Katsu there for under £10. And it's good!"
— r/london · 26 upvotes · view thread
"I get double Katsu curry there and always fancy going home for a nap after."
— r/london · 12 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: A Japanese chain that's genuinely good — the udon is made fresh in front of you, and the katsu curry is the kind of meal that makes you want to nap (in the best possible way). Under £10 for a filling Japanese meal in central London is excellent value. It's a chain, yes, but the quality is consistent and the price-to-portion ratio is remarkable.
12Francesco's
Italian Pizza
What to order: A £5 pizza that many Redditors claim is among the best in London. The margherita is the benchmark — simple and excellent. Look for the little plastic man outside.
"Francesco's in Camberwell. £5 pizzas and probably the best pizza I've had in London too. The price would have felt good value 10 years ago."
— r/london · 32 upvotes · view thread
"I think I've seen this place. Is it the one with a little plastic man outside?"
— r/london · 8 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: Camberwell's best-kept secret — a tiny pizzeria selling £5 pizzas that some Redditors rank among the best in all of London. At that price, you could eat here every day and still spend less than a single meal at a Pizza Express. The little plastic man outside is your landmark. Not everyone agrees it's top-tier pizza, but at £5, does it even matter?
13Palms of Goa
Goan Indian
What to order: The £6 takeaway lunchbox — choose meat or veg. The meat option gets you lamb curry + chicken curry + veg curry, rice, and half a naan. That's three curries for £6 on Charlotte Street. Read that again.
"Palms of Goa on Charlotte Street do a good £6 takeaway lunchbox. Meat or Veg options - I get meat and it's lamb curry + chicken curry + veg curry, rice and half a nan bread."
— r/london · 24 upvotes · view thread
"This place was amazing back when I used to go. They had a set lunch menu and it was worth it for the lamb chops alone."
— r/london · 9 upvotes · view thread
tabiji verdict: Charlotte Street is one of London's most expensive restaurant strips, which makes Palms of Goa's £6 lunchbox feel almost subversive. Three different curries with rice and naan for less than the price of a flat white at the café next door. It's Goan-style cooking — spicier and more flavorful than your standard high street curry house. The lunch deal is the move; dinner is pricier.
14Shalamar
Bangladeshi
What to order: The biryanis are the star — fragrant, generous, and around £5–£7. Pair with a curry and naan for a feast that costs less than a Pret sandwich and coffee. Go hungry.
"Also stumbled on Shalamar at Whitechapel, loads of banging Bangladeshi curries and biryanis for around the £5-7 mark."
— r/london · 651 upvotes (post) · view thread
tabiji verdict: Whitechapel is curry house territory, and Shalamar is one of the best budget picks on the strip. The biryanis are the standout — fragrant, properly spiced, and enormous for the price. It's the kind of place where you walk in, everyone's eating with their hands, and you know the food is going to be authentic. At £5–£7 for a full meal, it's Whitechapel at its finest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cheap meal cost in London?
A genuinely cheap meal in London costs £3–£10. Street market stalls serve falafel wraps and chicken tikka boxes for £3–£7. Pizza at ICCO or Pizza Union starts under £4. Curry houses in Whitechapel and Tooting serve full meals for £5–£8. For context, Londoners consider anything under £10 per head "properly cheap" — not the £15+ burger that food magazines call "affordable."
What are the best areas for cheap food in London?
Whitechapel and Brick Lane (East London) for Bangladeshi and Pakistani food. Camberwell for pizza and falafel. Finsbury Park for Kurdish naan and vegetarian Indian. Tooting for Sri Lankan and South Indian food. Chinatown (Soho) for Chinese and Malaysian. Petticoat Lane near Aldgate East for weekday street food markets. The general rule: the further from Zone 1 tourist areas, the cheaper and more authentic the food.
Can you eat well in London on a budget?
Absolutely. London is one of the most diverse food cities in the world, and its immigrant communities keep prices competitive. You can eat a filling, delicious meal for under £7 at dozens of places across the city. The trick is to avoid tourist-trap areas (Leicester Square, Covent Garden) and seek out the neighborhoods where locals actually eat. Reddit users regularly report spending £15–£20 per day on food by mixing market lunches with affordable restaurant dinners.
What is the cheapest food in central London?
ICCO Pizza on Goodge Street sells 10-inch pizzas from under £4 — widely considered the best value in Zone 1. Pizza Union near Holborn does 12-inch pizzas from £3.95. Indian YMCA near Warren Street serves a full Indian buffet for around £5. Chinatown bakeries sell filled rolls for under £2.80. Petticoat Lane market (weekdays near Liverpool Street) has filling wraps and boxes from £3–£5.
Where can I find the best street food markets in London?
Petticoat Lane (near Aldgate East, weekdays only) is the cheapest — £3–£5 for a filling meal. Borough Market is iconic but pricier and very touristy. Leather Lane (Farringdon) and Whitecross Street (Barbican) have great weekday lunch markets. For evenings and weekends, Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey and Brixton Village Market offer excellent value. Combine with the Too Good To Go app for £3 surplus boxes from nearby restaurants.
