I’ve had this guide about the best cheap eats in London and cheapest street food spots in the works for ages…
And I can’t wait for you to discover what may become some of your favorite places to eat on a budget in London!
In this guide, you’ve got some of the cheapest pizza in London, a few of the best Asian street food places, a few dessert places…
Cheap Eats in Central London: 25+ Must-Visit Places
I have not written about affordable restaurants in London for a while, and I have to admit I really missed it.
I’ve told you lots about the best vegan bakeries in London.
I’ve told you about some of the best halal restaurants in Soho.
But aside from my guide to living in London on a budget, I haven’t really explored that side of London on The Working Line.
Maybe with some of the best budget shops in London, and other cool places to go shopping, but not really with food.
And since life is getting more and more (and more) expensive in this dear city I call home and can’t wait to move back to…
Having some of the cheapest street food spots in London at hand can only come in handy.
PS: I’ve also found a couple of places that offer halal street food, and will mention it where applicable. Make sure to always double-check the halal status before visiting!
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Chinatown Bakery
First up, you’ve got Chinatown Bakery on Newport Place, in Chinatown.
I’ll write about the best restaurants in Chinatown in just a bit, but for now, just know Chinatown Bakery is a blast.
It’s basically a bakery where everything is made on spot, from chicken curry puffs to their stunning peanut and cream brioche cake.
If you’re not used to Asian pastries, you might very well fall in love with Chinatown Bakery – and it does make for one of the best cheap eats in Central London.
Read: The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London
Best Street Food in Central London: Chinese Tapas House
Very close to Chinatown Bakery, you have another one of the cheapest places to eat in Central London: Chinese Tapas House.
My favorite item to order there is their buns; they have meat, but they also have a veggie option that is really good.
Last time I visited Chinese Tapas House, each bun retailed for 3 pounds, and you’ll already stop the hunger big time with two buns.
One of the places that makes eating on a budget in London the easiest thing ever.
Best Street Food in Central London: Beijing Dumpling
More expensive than both Chinatown Bakery and Chinese Tapas House, Beijing Dumpling is actually a brick-and-mortar restaurant in which you can sit.
You can’t sit at either Chinese Tapas House and Chinatown Bakery, but you can sit outside on Newport Place, when the tables and chairs are out.
One of my favorite cheap eats in Central London, Beijing Dumpling makes the most amazing dumplings I’ve ever tried.
It’s right next to Leicester Square (think 2 minute walk), and you often have to queue there – that’s how amazing this Chinatown restaurant is.
For just a little over 10 pounds, you can get dumplings and soup, or a starter.
My favorite item to order at Beijing Dumpling is the roast duck and its pancakes, but just be aware this can increase the total price to around 20 pounds.
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Roti King
If you’re looking for ways to eat cheap in London, Roti King is a great option.
A mix between Singaporean and Malaysian food, Roti King is, like Beijing Dumpling, a restaurant you might have to queue for.
It’s located in Euston, and most of the dishes are tagged at the 8 or 9-pound mark.
The most famous dish there is the nasi lemak, but it’s really close to the roti canai, another one of the most luxurious and decadent options.
And if you’re ever looking for halal cheap eats in London, just know that Roti King is halal certified!
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Chopstix Noodle Bar Oxford Street
You can’t get more central than Oxford Street, now can you?
I spend so much time in this area that I literally feel like it’s home.
There aren’t only some of the best shops on Oxford Street, there is also…
Chopstix Noodle Bar.
This is another one of the cheapest places to eat in Central London, with noodle and rice boxes priced around 8 to 10 pounds each.
The sides, from mini veg spring rolls to salt and pepper potatoes, retail for just over 2 pounds – so you basically have plenty to relish here.
Also, not too far, you obviously have some of the best spots for cheap clothes shopping in London, from Primark to TK Maxx, so make good use of a day out!
Best Cheap Street Food in Central London: Good Friend Chicken
Good Friend Chicken is another one of the places that offers the best Asian street food in London.
I simply love this place, from the sweet potato fries (unlike anything you’ve ever tried) to the volcano chicken.
That volcano chicken (pictured above) is filled with scorching hot, melty cheese and while it’s priced at around 9 pounds, it’s worth every penny.
You have one of the coolest Harry Potter shops in London a few minutes away, too, so if you want to grab a bite before browsing magical racks…
Good Friend Chicken is another one of the best cheap eats in Central London, and even offers menus with delicious bubble tea and/or starters!
Read: The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Franco Manca
For the cheapest pizza in London, you have a delicious chain called Franco Manca.
Franco Manca offers 10 pound lunch deals during the week, and their Margherita is one of the best I’ve ever tried.
When I used to live in East London, I visited the Bishopsgate branch pretty often, and always loved the quality of the ingredients.
Depending on the branches you go, I feel like the quality varies.
For instance, Franco Manca Muswell Hill disappointed me a little, but I love the Kilburn High Road branch.
Yet, my favorite Franco Manca is the one in Soho, on Berwick Street.
Just get the pizza to go if you don’t want to pay for service charge, but for the lunch menu, you’ll basically pay 11 pounds for a drink and a pizza.
Not too shabby!
Best Street Food in Central London: 50 Kalo di Ciro
If you want to find other cheap street food places in London and already know Franco Manca, you also have 50 Kalo di Ciro.
It’s located in a street across Trafalgar Square, and also offers some of the best Neapolitan pizza in London.
The prices are quite affordable, with a Margherita priced at a little over 10 pounds.
However, if there’s one thing I can recommend if you’re just a bit hungry, is to order a potato croquette and a suppli (one of the best street foods in Rome!) to go.
In any case, yet again a great spot to eat in London on a budget, and right in front of Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
Read: The Best Restaurants in Whitechapel
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Pizza Union
The authentic Pizza Union in my opinion is the one in Spitalfields, but there is a cool branch in Holborn you shouldn’t overlook for cheap pizza.
Pizza Union offers Roman pizza, whereas Franco Manca and 50 Kalo offer Neapolitan pizza.
This means the dough is thinner and crispier, and still one of the best cheap eats in Central London if you want to spend less than a tenner.
Pizza Union are large restaurants, lively, with almost a warehouse type of vibe that you’d find in places like Boxpark in Shoreditch.
A 12-inch Margherita pizza there only retails for 4.95 pounds, so we’re clearly in one of the best places to eat cheap in London.
Read: The Best Restaurants in Walthamstow
Best Street Food in Central London: Bao London
Bao London, in Carnaby, offers, well, affordable Asian buns.
From lamb shoulder to fried chicken buns, all those white delicacies retail for 5 pounds only.
You’ll also find other bits at Bao London, but if there’s one thing you need to order, it’s the fried chicken buns – in my humble opinion.
I’m talking about real taste and the fluffiest buns in Central London.
There are actually a few locations of Bao London that also include Borough and King’s Cross – so if you’re ever in one of these areas…
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Mamuska Waterloo
Weirdly, when I used to live in Tottenham in North London, I used to pay a visit to Szampion a lot.
That’s one of the best Polish food shops in London, and there’s something about Polish food I can’t get enough of.
Pierogi are life.
If you’re the same, one of the coolest Polish cheap eats in Central London is Mamuska in Waterloo.
From placki to chicken fingers and of course, pierogi, you can enjoy small portions of their famous dishes for cheaper during lunchtime.
For only 9 pounds, you can have a small dish and a drink, perfect to try some of the best Polish food in London.
Best Street Food in Central London: Oodles Chinese Holborn
I visited Oodles Chinese Holborn a few months ago, and really enjoyed the noodle and rice boxes.
The offer is slightly comparable to Chopstix Noodle Bar in Oxford Street, really, but if you’re closer to Holborn, that’s one of the best hidden gem foods in London.
The offer is entirely halal, for starters.
With a beautiful lunch menu as low as 6.50 pounds, it’s a great place for noodle boxes in London.
You have anything there from entirely veggie options to fried chicken and sweet and sour chicken, and a few seats to rest and relish your food.
Another one of the best cheap eats in Central London, especially if you only eat halal food – but tasty for absolutely everyone.
Read: The Best Free Rooftops in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Bread Ahead Bakery
When it comes to eating on a budget in London, one of my tricks is to almost only eat snacks when I’m outside.
That means little street food joints, but that also means cookies, brownies, a slice of rainbow cake at Kahaila...
Or doughnuts.
Some of the best doughnuts in London are to be found in the heart of Borough Market.
At Bread Ahead Bakery, to be more specific.
You’ll find a few other branches at Wembley near the London Designer Outlet, and South Kensington.
And they’re all absolutely astonishing.
At just under 5 pounds a pop, Bread Ahead Bakery is not exactly cheap – but if that’s all you’re craving, then it’s much cheaper than a full-on restaurant.
Best Street Food in Central London: Bunsik Charing Cross
One of my favorite places for corn dogs in London is Uh K Dogs n Juicy in Camden, but if you’re in Central London, you also have Bunsik.
That’s again one of the best cheap eats in Central London, given that most of the corn dogs are priced under 6/7 pounds each.
A vegetarian potato and mozzarella corn dog will only set you back 5.90 pounds.
You have a cheaper option (for those who eat meat) with the beef corn dog at 4.80, and those are simply some pleasures you can’t miss out on.
Close by, you have some of the coolest secondhand bookshops in London, right on Charing Cross Road.
Perfect for book lovers to enjoy, as long as that stomach is full!
Read: The Most Secret Places in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Ben’s Traditional Fish and Chips
Ben’s Traditional Fish and Chips on Shaftesbury Avenue is another one of London’s best cheap eats – especially considering the location.
My favorite fish and chips in London is from Poppie’s, but that place can become utterly expensive instantly.
However, Ben’s Traditional Fish and Chips still offers fried cod at around 12.50, and the plate is so full you probably won’t be able to finish it.
Crispy, tasty, flavorful and a good representation of British food, that’s another one of the best cheap eats in Central London and located really close to Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard!
Read: The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
Best Street Food in Central London: Crispy Rolls Charing Cross
Crispy Rolls opened a couple of years ago, if I’m not mistaken, and if you’re looking for the cheapest places to eat in Central London, don’t miss this one.
It basically offers sushi rolls with beautiful chicken, falafel and other fillings for under 4 pounds a pop.
The cookies at Crispy Rolls, really close to Charing Cross Road station, are also freshly baked and decadent – something you wouldn’t expect to order there.
This small restaurant just off Victoria Embankment Gardens (one of the most secret gardens in London!) is a winner all around.
There are no seats, but walking around Southbank and London Bridge while eating one of their amazing sushi rolls is priceless.
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Coffee Academy Oxo Tower
Coffee Academy at Brand Academy, at the bottom of the Oxo Tower, offers some of the best hot chocolate in London.
I’ve mentioned this place in passing a couple of times already, and I absolutely love spending some time at Coffee Academy.
There are only three tables outside the coffee shop, and they offer plenty to eat from brownies to cookies, and the decadent Crosstown Doughnuts.
Brand Academy is one of the coolest concept stores in London, perfect for silly gifts and stunning stationery, so make sure you take a look after your doughnut.
You can get a doughnut for around 4.75 pounds and a hot chocolate for around 4 pounds.
Plus, there are even menus and discounts at Coffee Academy to help you save money.
Read: The Best Shopping Centers in London
Best Street Food in Central London: Viet Soho
One of Central London’s best cheap eats, and one of my favorite places for Vietnamese pho in London…
Viet Soho, on Greek Street!
This one right here is one of the smallest Asian restaurants in London, and it’s a family-run business that offers nothing but flavor.
Flavor, flavor, and more flavor.
I’ve written here about some of the best halal pho in London, and unfortunately, this one isn’t.
However, at 12 pounds for the classic pho (+ 1.20 pounds for service charged), you have here a really affordable place considering the location.
You’re still in Soho but almost at Shaftesbury Avenue, and you will really only need the one pho to be completely full.
Just know there is often a queue of people waiting at Viet Soho – it’s really, really that delicious.
Read: The Best Makeup Stores in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Caffè Napoli Goodge Street
If you’re ever looking for some cheap breakfast in Central London, you have Caffè Napoli on Goodge Street.
It’s one of my favorite Italian cafes in London, and I pay it a visit whenever I get the chance.
Caffè Napoli is located right in the heart of Fitzrovia, and there are only literally two seats just outside this gem of an Italian coffee shop.
From ginseng caffè (a type of coffee I’d typically order when I’m having breakfast in Rome!) to beautiful Neapolitan pastries, you have it all here.
Caffè Napoli is still one of those really hidden gems in London, and you won’t regret visiting for some proper Italian breakfast.
Read: The Best Candle Shops in London
Best Street Food in Central London: Icco Pizza Goodge Street
Another one of the best cheap eats in Central London is actually located a few minutes walk from Caffè Napoli, and that’s Icco Pizza.
There’s another Icco Pizza on Camden High Street, but well, we’re talking about places to eat on a budget in Central London here.
These are some of the cheapest pizza in London you’ll find aside from Franco Manca and 50 Kalo di Ciro – and even then.
Icco Pizza is that mix of New York pizza and cheap street food pizza – what you pay is what you get, basically.
No fluff, no extra quality, Italian sourced mozzarella, but still one of the most affordable halal Italian restaurants in London.
Read: The Best Nontouristy Things to Do in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: PaStation Tottenham Court Road
For really cheap Italian restaurants in London, you have PaStation on Tottenham Court Road.
I love the Tottenham Court Road area; from the two amazing Caffè Nero I visit to work to the beautiful Timothy Oulton shop.
Well, PaStation is one of the best cheap eats in London for those who want fresh pasta with tons of sauce and flavor.
From 5.95 pounds, you can create your own delicious pasta; cacio e pepe, arrabbiata, basil and tomatoes…
There are plenty of options here and even a small terrace if you’re also looking for alfresco dining in London!
Read: The Best Halal Fine Dining in London
Best Street Food in Central London: Tongue & Brisket
Tongue and Brisket is not the cheapest of the cheap eats I’ll mention here, but for decadent street food, it’s oh-so-perfect.
Smoked salmon bagels, tender ox tongue sandwiches, and classic salt beef sandwiches are all exquisite pieces of street food.
The smoked brisket there is obviously the highlight of Tongue & Brisket, and I’ve loved the flavors every time I’ve come to eat there.
There are a few seats in the back of the restaurant, and you can even charge your phone at some of the tables.
And for halal diners looking for good, decadent halal street food in Soho, all the meats except for the tongue and salt beef are halal.
Read: The Best Halal Rooftops in London
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Cafe de Nata
Now for one of the cheapest dessert places in London... Cafe de Nata in the heart of Soho!
I absolutely love finding new places for pastel de nata in London, and one of my favorite places, aside from Lisboa Patisserie, is Cafe de Nata.
Here, you’ll find some of the creamiest pastel de nata ever, and variations with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apple and even cinnamon.
You can get a pastel de nata at Cafe de Nata for around 2.50 pounds, and two are enough for a sweet pick-me-up.
This right here is definitely one of the best cheap eats in London if you love Portuguese pastries (or would like to discover something new!).
One of the best TK Maxx in London is also located close by on Charing Cross Road.
So, if you like discounted clothes, makeup, and scented candles, make sure to pop by!
Read: Ole and Steen Leicester Square Review
Best Street Food in London: Beigel Shop Brick Lane
Straying a teeny bit from Central London here with Beigel Shop Brick Lane, which clearly offers some of the best bagels in London!
A historical bagel shop like the Beigel Bake place just a few doors down, Beigel Shop carries any type of bagel you might wish for.
Even rainbow bagels!
This is not only one of the best cheap eats in East London (at around 5/6 pounds a pop depending on the filling), but an inspiring, fast-paced piece of history.
Perfect for days out checking out some of the best markets in Shoreditch and strolling lazily along Brick Lane.
Perfect also if you’re looking for romantic date ideas in London but you’re tight on budget.
Read: Max Orient Camden Buffet Review
Best Cheap Eats in Central London: Old Chang Kee Covent Garden
Old Chang Kee in Covent Garden is one of the institutions of Singaporean curry puffs in London, and you really cannot miss that one.
You’ll pay around 9 pounds for three of their famous curry puffs, but there are also full dishes at Old Chang Kee.
That spans from chicken and beef rendang to nasi lemak, and a few delicious sides like fish ball skewers and chicken spring rolls.
It’s not that common to find cheap eats in Central London around Covent Garden.
Covent Garden is actually one of the most famous shopping areas in London, so the restaurants there are usually hip and more expensive.
So that’s a winner here, especially if you’re looking for halal cheap eats in Central London – Old Chang Kee is completely halal!
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in London
Best Cheap Eats in London: Jamaica Patty Co Covent Garden
Jamaica Patty Co is another one of the perfect places where you’ll be able to eat on a budget in London.
It’s located on New Row, just a few doors from Old Chang Kee, and also offers beautiful, tasty puffs.
Jamaican patties are the Jamaican version of empanadas or curry puffs, and they are some of my favorite street foods in London.
A patty at Jamaica Patty Co in Covent Garden will only set you back 3.50 pounds, and there are plenty of flavors to choose from.
Jerk chicken, curried goat, ackee and saltfish…
The good news is also – for halal diners – that you do have halal options here.
Everything is indeed halal at Jamaica Patty Co except for the beef and goat meats.
Read: The Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
Cheap Eats in Central London: 25+ Must-Visit Places
And there you have them, all the best cheap eats in Central London!
Hopefully, you’ll have found here what will become some of your own favorite street food spots in London!
From Jamaican patties to beautiful curry puffs and pastel de nata, I’ve tried to cover destinations from all over the world.
All that’s left to do is try them!