Where To Eat Well For £10, £50 & £100
£10 pp
Kung Fu Mama
For handmade noodles and baos that punch well above their price point, Kung Fu Mama is hard to beat. For the baos, you can find generous fillings of crab and chicken, plus comforting bowls of noodles and fragrant broths loaded with mushrooms, tofu, chicken and beef. It’s casual, quick and reliable.
Visit KUNGFUMAMA.CO.UK
Eat Tokyo
A long-time London favourite, Eat Tokyo delivers generous portions of sushi, sashimi and bento boxes without the jacked-up price tag. It’s unfussy and always busy – a good sign – and perfect when you want fresh salmon sashimi or tuna that doesn’t break the bank. You can buy nigiri by the piece, too.
Visit EATTOKYO.CO.UK
Padella
Padella remains the benchmark for affordable fresh pasta in the capital. The cacio e pepe is silky and peppery, the pici with slow-cooked beef shin is a rite of passage and most plates hover comfortably under the £10 mark. Go early or be prepared to queue – it’s worth it either way.
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Breadstall
Breadstall’s Roman-style pizza by the slice is ideal for grab-and-go lunches. Expect crisp, airy bases topped with everything from nduja to seasonal veg. Affordable, satisfying and designed for eating on the move, it’s a savvy choice when you need something quick without compromising on quality. Should you decide to settle in, you can also buy by the quarter, the half or the whole pie.
Visit BREADSTALL.COM
Lanzhou
Lanzhou, located across the road from Leicester Square tube, is a hidden – if slightly cramped – gem. Order the hand-pulled beef noodle soup: springy strands submerged in a rich, aromatic broth with slices of tender beef, fresh coriander and a spoonful of chilli oil. You can also opt for dry versions tossed with cumin-spiced lamb or braised beef – equally satisfying and full of depth. Plus, it’s open into the early hours for a healthier (and more delicious) alternative to other late-night fast eats.
La Maritxu
For those who prefer pudding as the main event – or if you’re just after a quick on-the-go fix – La Maritxu’s Basque cheesecake has achieved near-cult status. Burnished on top and irresistibly creamy in the middle, a slice feels indulgent but accessible at just £6 – proof that sometimes the best things really are the simplest.
Vincenzo’s
This neighbourhood pizzeria keeps things classic: blistered bases, proper tomato sauce and generous toppings. Whether you go for a margherita or something more loaded, it’s the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing supper that delivers big flavour for minimal outlay. And you can get it by the slice too, allowing you to sample all the menu.
Visit VINCENZOSPIZZAS.COM
£50 pp
Lai Rai
Tucked away on Peckham’s Rye Lane, Lai Rai’s is a great Vietnamese spot. Inside, you can expect inventive takes on classic dishes – a must-order are the prawn lollipops – all at a reasonable price. Plus, the spot offers bánh mi and Vietnamese coffee during the day.
Visit LAIRAI.LONDON
Bancone
Bancone has mastered the art of polished-but-approachable dining. Handmade pasta is the star – the silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk are a must-order – while the chic interiors and well-curated wine list make it feel like more than just a pasta spot.
Visit BANCONE.CO.UK
Tiella
Anyone who caught Dara Klein’s Tiella residency at The Compton Arms won’t be surprised to see her open a trattoria of her own. Her recently launched debut delivers the same assured brilliance, with southern Italian cooking taking centre stage. The ragu di carne is a clear standout – and ordering the forno bread alongside is non-negotiable for proper scarpetta.
Visit TIELLA.CO.UK
Belly
Big on flavour and a little playful, Belly champions vibrant Filipino-French cooking with bold sauces and standout dishes like crispy kare-kare ox cheek, lumpia Shanghai and smoky wood-fire grilled meats and veg that always pack punch. Seasonal menus keep things fresh and fun.
Visit BELLYLONDON.COM
DakaDaka
Georgian restaurants are a rarity in London, and DakaDaka does it so well. It’s a modern take with a focus on fire and comfort. Think khachapuri hot from the oven, hand-folded khinkali dumplings and smoky grilled meats, best enjoyed with a glass from the Georgian wine list.
Follow @DAKADAKA.LONDON
The Tamil Crown & The Tamil Prince
These sister pubs blend the comfort of a classic British local with bold Tamil flavours. It serves everything from richly spiced curries to flaky parathas and inventive bar snacks – all in a setting that feels both familiar but fun and modern.
Visit THETAMILCROWN.COM & THETAMILPRINCE.COM
2210 By Natty Can Cook
Chef Natty’s Caribbean-inspired cooking is full of personality – think jerk marinades, slow-cooked meats and vibrant sides, all elevated with technical precision. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it somewhere that feels both celebratory and intimate. Naturally, the jerk is a must, but save room for the plantain cake with white chocolate ganache.
Visit 2210BYNATTYCANCOOK.COM
Legado
Legado brings lesser-known regional Spanish cooking to the fore. The regulars are here – gambas al ajillo and pan con tomate – as well as expertly grilled meats and exceptional Iberico pork. Pair your meal with a glass from its wine list, showcasing the best of the region.
Visit LEGADORESTAURANTS.COM
Som Saa
Modern Thai cooking is layered, fragrant and unashamedly bold at Som Saa – sister restaurant to the popular Kolae Punchy salads and punchier curries define the menu, while the industrial-chic space keeps things contemporary. It’s consistently good.
Visit SOMSAA.COM
Mambow
Michelin guide-approved Mambow excels at bold Malaysian flavours. The menu changes often, but the prawn toast is a must, as well as the grilled hogget curry. The deserts and cocktails are just as inventive – so save room (and budget for those). Smaller plates might include punchy kerabu salads or tamarind-glazed seafood, all of which balance sweet, sour and heat in classic Malaysian style.
Visit MAMBOW.CO.UK
£100 pp
OMA
Few put a sophisticated spin on modern Greek cooking quite like OMA. With a focus on open-fire techniques and seasonal ingredients, dishes are refined yet generous. It’s the kind of place where every element – from the cocktails to the plating – feels considered and elevated yet unstuffy. The dips, alongside the pitta, cannot be missed.
Visit OMA.LONDON
CHISHURU
Helmed by Adejoké “Joké” Bakare, Chishuru champions West African flavours – and has retained its Michelin-star this year. Signature dishes include jollof rice elevated with smoky depth, grilled meats coated in complex spice blends and seafood brightened with chilli and citrus. Starters such as akara (bean fritters) or delicately spiced stews are great choices, while desserts incorporate ingredients like groundnut or tropical fruit in unexpected ways.
Visit CHISHURU.COM
One Club Row
Old-school glamour meets modern cooking at One Club Row. One Club Row’s menu riffs on classic European and New York‑style brasserie fare – think pickled jalapeño gougères, lobster & country ham croquettes, steak tartare, moules frites with curry leaf, and a cheeseburger au poivre that’s as fun as it is satisfying. Expect crisp martinis, polished service and luxurious interiors. It’s refined without being stuffy – perfect for celebratory dinners and a favourite among the fashion crowd.
Visit ONECLUBROW.COM
Manteca
Manteca champions nose-to-tail Italian cooking with confidence. House-made charcuterie, fresh pasta and expertly grilled meats headline the menu, all served in a buzzy, industrial setting. Opt for its classics like the rich ragù pappardelle and perfectly grilled steak share the stage with seasonal plates and comforting sides – ideal for lingering over wine with a group. (Tip: portions are generous, so sharing is the way to go.
Visit MANTECARESTAURANT.CO.UK
Poule Au Pot
A Pimlico stalwart, Poule Au Pot is pure French charm. For decades, it’s been serving rich terrines, buttery sauces and hosting guests on candlelit tables that feel as though they’ve been taken straight from a tucked-away corner of Paris. The namesake poule au pot – chicken simmered gently with vegetables in a fragrant broth – is a must-order, as is the duck confit with crisped skin, deeply savoury beef bourguignon and indulgent tarte tatin served warm with cream.
Visit POULEAUPOT.CO.UK
Behind
Michelin-starred Behind is an intimate chef’s table experience centred on seafood. Diners sit at the counter as the kitchen works through a precise, multi-course menu – refined, immersive and ideal for serious foodies. It’s tasting menu snakes above our budget slightly, but it’s lunch offering comes in at £88 and is well worth it.
Visit BEHINDRESTAURANT.CO.UK
ALTA
Inventive and flavour-forward, the new addition at Kingly Court is open-kitchen cooking at its best. Alta’s menu is designed to share and has an ever-changing rotation of small to medium plates such as Cornish mussels and grilled bread; wood-fired courgette with pumpkin seed romesco; razor clams in white escabeche; plus, a choice of meats and fish such as 38-day aged beef sirloin or turbot head.
Visit ALTA-RESTAURANT.COM
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