Soho is one of the most expensive postcodes in London. Most travel blogs will point you toward restaurants where a main course costs £20+ and call it "affordable." That's not this list.
We combed through hundreds of Reddit posts from r/london, r/LondonFood, and r/uktravel to find the spots that actual Londoners and budget-conscious travelers recommend when someone asks "where can I eat cheap in Soho?" Every spot on this list is under £15 per meal, and most are well under £10.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 150+ Reddit posts and 1,000+ comments across r/london, r/LondonFood, r/uktravel, r/AskUK, and r/travel — spanning 2020 to 2026. Restaurants were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent users (not just one viral post). Every spot was mentioned in at least 3 separate threads. We weighted recommendations from self-identified Londoners and Soho workers more heavily than tourist drive-bys.
What to order: Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) — their signature. Also the pan-fried dumplings and the prawn dumplings. A plate of 12 runs around £6.
"The obvious easy answer for a range of cheap eats is Chinatown, but they can be a bit hit or miss — my rec is Beijing Dumpling on Lisle St."
— u/CleanEnd5930, r/LondonFood · thread link
"Beijing Dumpling for Xiao Long Bao."
— r/LondonFood · thread link
tabiji verdict: The most consistently recommended Chinatown spot across all of Reddit London. Tiny, no-frills, cash-friendly. The xiao long bao are the real deal — proper soup dumplings at dumpling house prices.
What to order: Any of the rice or noodle dishes — roast duck on rice, char siu on rice, or the wonton noodle soup. Portions are huge and nothing tops £12.
"Wong Kei"
— u/Kaurblimey, r/LondonFood · 3 upvotes
tabiji verdict: London's most infamously rude restaurant — the staff will bark orders at you and slam your food down. That's the charm. Four floors of cheap Cantonese food, lightning-fast service, and it's been a Chinatown institution since 1971. The rudeness has mellowed considerably since the old days, but the prices haven't gone up much.
What to order: The roast duck. It's what they're famous for. Get it on rice with some Chinese greens on the side. The char siu (BBQ pork) is also excellent.
"Four Seasons? Decent Chinese. Get some duck and Chinese tea 🍵"
— u/TechJamo & u/Cyclingcycler, r/LondonFood · 8 upvotes
"Apart from Cantonese roast meats at Four Seasons and noodles at Lan Zhou La Mein, I find most of the options others listed here very average."
— r/LondonFood · thread link
tabiji verdict: One of the only Chinatown restaurants that even Chinese food critics respect. The roast duck is legitimately world-class — lacquered, crispy-skinned, and served over fluffy rice. There's a reason queues form on weekends.
What to order: The classic dolsot bibimbap — rice in a sizzling stone bowl with vegetables, gochujang, and your choice of meat. Mix it all up and scrape the crispy rice from the bottom.
"Also near Chinatown but in Soho there is Bibimbap (Korean) where you can get a good filling meal for a reasonable price."
— r/london · thread link
tabiji verdict: When Redditors are asked for cheap Soho food, Bibimbap is consistently the top-voted answer. A sizzling stone bowl of bibimbap for under £10 in the heart of Soho is hard to beat.
What to order: The chicken tikka kati roll or the paneer kati roll. They're Kolkata-style paratha wraps filled with spiced meat or veg. Two rolls and a lassi will fill you up for under £10.
"Kati Roll"
— u/PeeOnYoFace007, r/LondonFood · 7 upvotes
tabiji verdict: The best £5 you'll spend in Soho. Kolkata street food wrapped in buttery paratha — quick, messy, and deeply satisfying. The kind of place that makes you wonder why you'd ever pay £15 for a mediocre sandwich.
What to order: The classic bao (steamed bun with braised pork, peanut powder, and coriander). Add the fried chicken and the 40-day aged beef bao. Individual items are £4–£7.
"Bao is always a solid pick tho might not be 'cheap' if you're quite hungry."
— r/london · thread link
"Bao is designed for solo dinners, especially their Soho restaurant, they do a lonely man's set menu."
— r/finedining · thread link
tabiji verdict: A Soho icon. The steamed buns are pillowy perfection, and if you order strategically (2–3 bao + a side), you can eat for under £15. The queue is the main cost — but it moves fast.
What to order: The falafel pitta or the halloumi pitta. Comes with unlimited salad bar toppings. The falafel is crispy, fresh, and filling.
"Maoz in Soho — 6 quid for a halloumi or falafel pitta. Tasty times for you!"
— r/london · thread link
tabiji verdict: Six quid for a falafel pitta with unlimited toppings in the heart of Soho. It's vegetarian, it's filling, and it's one of the cheapest proper meals you'll find on Old Compton Street.
What to order: A slice of pizza and a soft drink. Simple, fast, under £10. The slices are generous and fresh.
"Breadstall turned out to be the perfect option, for location and service speed and portion size."
— u/Crittenberger, r/LondonFood · thread link
"Breadstall for a slice of Pizza. Pizza & a Soft Drink <£10."
— u/Odd-Statistician7452, r/LondonFood · 8 upvotes
tabiji verdict: Quick, cheap, satisfying. When you just need fuel between shows or shopping and don't want to sit down for 45 minutes, Breadstall delivers.
What to order: Sashimi sets, katsu curry, or the chirashi bowl. Quality sushi and sashimi at prices that would be cheap even outside central London.
"Eat Tokyo — Pretty cheap Japanese in Soho."
— r/uktravel · thread link
tabiji verdict: Reliable, no-frills Japanese food at prices that feel wrong for Soho. The sashimi is fresh, the portions are proper, and it's a genuine alternative to the overpriced sushi chains.
What to order: The thali plate — you get several curries, rice, bread, and sides. It's all vegetarian, all homemade, and absurdly cheap for what you get.
"Govindas in Soho Square is pretty nice and cheap for what it is. It's vegetarian Indian food, it's run by the Hare Krishnas."
— r/AskUK · thread link
tabiji verdict: A genuine hidden gem. Run by the Hare Krishna temple in Soho Square, Govindas serves hearty vegetarian Indian food at prices that feel like a donation. Most tourists don't even know it exists.
What to order: The tonkotsu ramen — rich pork bone broth that's been simmering for 20 hours. Add an extra egg and some bamboo shoots.
"Bone Daddies is good & quick."
— u/odintantrum, r/LondonFood · 2 upvotes
tabiji verdict: Not the cheapest ramen in London, but excellent value for Soho. The tonkotsu is properly rich and the vibe is loud, fun, and rock'n'roll. Good rainy-day pick when you need something warming.
What to order: The 2-course set menu — proper French bistro cooking at prices that would be cheap in a Parisian chain. Steak frites, duck confit, or the fish of the day.
"Pierre Victoire is one of my favourites. The portions were huge and the prices very fair. Def within your budget."
— r/LondonFood · thread link
tabiji verdict: A proper French bistro where two courses cost less than a single main at most Soho restaurants. Huge portions, honest cooking, and the kind of old-school charm that Dean Street was built on.
What to order: The house beef noodles — hand-pulled Lanzhou-style noodles in a clear, spiced broth. They often run 2-for-1 deals.
"Q Beef Noodles is great food and value. Often have 2 for 1 on their house beef noodles."
— u/dinobug77, r/LondonFood · 3 upvotes
"Q Beef Noodles — this is technically in Soho but is right on the periphery. Very solid Lanzhou noodles and a much better alternative to the nearby Kungfu Noodles which I thought was crazy over hyped."
— r/LondonFood · thread link
tabiji verdict: Hand-pulled noodles at 2-for-1 prices? In Soho? Yes. The beef broth is fragrant and the noodles are made fresh. Skip Kungfu Noodles — this is the real thing.
What to order: Browse the stalls — you'll find everything from jerk chicken to Thai curries to wood-fired pizza. Grab whatever smells best and eat on the street.
"There's a market down Berwick St close to Chinatown and St Mary's Courtyard that has a wide variety."
— r/london · thread link
tabiji verdict: Soho's best-kept lunchtime secret. The weekday market has a rotating cast of excellent street food vendors, and you can eat a proper meal for under £8 while soaking up the neighbourhood atmosphere.
What to order: Pad thai, green curry with rice, or the tom yum soup. It's takeaway-style but there's a small eat-in area. Everything is freshly made.
"Great Thai Rice & Noodle on Noel Street. It's one of those takeaway lunch places but there is a space for you to sit in and eat."
— u/hurricane_venuss, r/LondonFood · 5 upvotes
tabiji verdict: Looks like a takeaway, cooks like a proper Thai kitchen. The kind of place Soho office workers queue at for lunch and tourists walk straight past. Their loss.
What to order: Full English breakfast, hot sandwiches, or the daily hot meal. Everything's freshly cooked every morning. Portions are enormous.
"Petit Dejeuner is cheap (less than £10) and has enormous portions, but it closes at 5 pm. Portuguese people run it, covering everything: English breakfast, cold and hot sandwiches, omelettes and hot meals freshly cooked every morning."
— u/Nikotchan, r/LondonFood · 2 upvotes
tabiji verdict: A tiny Portuguese-run café hiding in Soho with some of the biggest portions and smallest prices in the area. Closes at 5pm and is shut on Sundays, so plan accordingly. The ultimate Soho worker's breakfast spot.
What to order: The Singapore/Malaysian food court-style dishes — char kway teow, laksa, nasi lemak, or Hainan chicken rice. All £6–£12.
"I can recommend Cafe TPT in Chinatown, they have a page on the menu full of Singapore/Malaysian/Macau food court style dishes ranging from about £6-12. Not bad at all."
— r/london · thread link
tabiji verdict: While most Chinatown restaurants serve Cantonese food, Café TPT is a Malaysian-Singaporean gem. The laksa alone is worth the trip — rich, coconutty, and a fraction of what you'd pay at a trendy southeast Asian restaurant.
What to order: Any of the pizzas — they start at around £4 for a personal pizza. Margherita is the classic, but the toppings are generous across the board.
"ICCO provides some of the best value for money food (pizza) in London in a super casual environment."
— u/TetraElemental, r/LondonFood · 2 upvotes
"ICCO is in Soho now."
— u/lordofhousestewart, r/LondonFood · 2 upvotes
tabiji verdict: Originally a student favourite near Goodge Street, ICCO is now in Soho proper. A whole pizza for £4–£5 is genuinely hard to believe until you're eating it. No-frills, just cheap, good pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cheap meal cost in Soho London?
A budget meal in Soho typically costs £5–£12. Chinatown dishes start around £6–£8, falafel wraps and pizza slices run £5–£7, and a filling bowl of noodles or ramen averages £9–£13. You can eat three solid meals a day for under £25 if you mix Chinatown, market food, and café spots.
Is Soho good for cheap food?
Yes — Soho is surprisingly good for budget eating despite being in central London. Chinatown sits right on its southern edge, Berwick Street Market has affordable street food, and the area is packed with quick-service spots catering to the thousands of people who work there. The trick is avoiding tourist-trap restaurants on the main drags.
What is the cheapest food in Soho?
The cheapest sit-down meals are in Chinatown — dumpling houses like Beijing Dumpling serve plates for £5–£7. Falafel wraps at Maoz cost around £6, pizza at ICCO starts under £5, and Govindas vegetarian plates are under £8. Market stalls on Berwick Street also offer meals for £5–£8.
Where should I eat in Chinatown London?
Londoners consistently recommend Four Seasons for roast duck, Beijing Dumpling for xiao long bao, Wong Kei for cheap and fast Cantonese classics, and Café TPT for Malaysian-style noodles. Avoid restaurants with aggressive touts outside — if someone's on the street trying to drag you in, the food probably doesn't speak for itself.
Is Chinatown London a tourist trap?
It's a mix. Some restaurants are genuinely excellent and popular with Chinese Londoners — Four Seasons and Beijing Dumpling have real followings. Others are mediocre and survive purely on tourist foot traffic. As a general rule, if the menu covers every Asian cuisine under the sun, it's probably not great at any of them.
What are the best hidden gems for cheap food in Soho?
Petit Dejeuner is a tiny Portuguese café with enormous portions for under £10. Govindas in Soho Square is a Hare Krishna-run vegetarian spot that's shockingly cheap. Great Thai Rice & Noodle on Noel Street looks like a takeaway but serves excellent Thai food. And Q Beef Noodles often runs 2-for-1 on their hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles.
