Cheap dining in London?
Cheap dining in London?
May 2, 2008 | 11:16 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: FRA
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Posts: 492
Just try Fish&Chips 
As far as I know London it depends very much on what you demand. You definately have to calculate 10 Pound per day, rather more.
As far as I know London it depends very much on what you demand. You definately have to calculate 10 Pound per day, rather more.
May 2, 2008 | 11:20 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,913
What's cheap??? if your after bottom of the barrel cheapness then by your meals at Tesco's. If you want to eat out then a budget would probably be better...rather than just "cheap dining"
May 2, 2008 | 11:26 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rural Northwestern Virginia - IAD Home Airport
Programs: Lufthansa, AsiaMiles
Posts: 89
What currency will you be using or charging in? If USD, keep in mind it's a 2 to 1 conversion. So 2 USD gets you 1 GBP. 
When my wife and I went last April, we ate quite a bit in the pubs. Sure it's not 5 star, but it's good, local food. If I remember right, that ran about 10 to 18 pounds depending on what we ordered. Fish and Chips was around 10 and maybe Sheppard's Pie or some other meat based food, a bit higher. Also, the beer was quite good!
One place we really liked, just because it was fun, was Giraffe. It's down by the concert hall, lower level, right on the river, about 200 yards from the London Eye. International flavors and atmosphere.
As to a daily total? Wow, that can be anywhere from 20 pounds to ???? It really depends. I can tell you we probably spent 50 pounds easy. But, we ate well, and weren't too concerned about the cost. Plus beer, which is extra of course.
Have fun!!
When my wife and I went last April, we ate quite a bit in the pubs. Sure it's not 5 star, but it's good, local food. If I remember right, that ran about 10 to 18 pounds depending on what we ordered. Fish and Chips was around 10 and maybe Sheppard's Pie or some other meat based food, a bit higher. Also, the beer was quite good!
One place we really liked, just because it was fun, was Giraffe. It's down by the concert hall, lower level, right on the river, about 200 yards from the London Eye. International flavors and atmosphere.
As to a daily total? Wow, that can be anywhere from 20 pounds to ???? It really depends. I can tell you we probably spent 50 pounds easy. But, we ate well, and weren't too concerned about the cost. Plus beer, which is extra of course.
Have fun!!
Last edited by JimmyRay; May 2, 2008 at 11:28 am Reason: Added daily estimate notes
May 2, 2008 | 11:27 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
If you're staying in a hotel that includes breakfast in the price of the room, by all means, take advantage of it. Otherwise, you can grab a pastry from a coffee shop.
There's a chain called Pret a Manger, which sells sandwiches, salads, and soups for reasonable prices, and many supermarkets and coffee shops also offer light meals. A savory pie from a bakery can serve as lunch, too.
Sit-down dining with real meals is another matter entirely. I simply had to save money during the day by having breakfast at my hotel and a light lunch, because, thanks to the lopsided exchange rate, I knew that whatever I ate in the evening would cost twice as much in dollars as a comparable meal in the States. Cheap, expensive, either way, it would be twice as much.
On the whole, I thought that Indian restaurants offered the best value (in terms of both quantity and nutrition) for the money.
I minimized the pain by setting a daily budget in pounds and banishing dollars from my mind as much as possible.
There's a chain called Pret a Manger, which sells sandwiches, salads, and soups for reasonable prices, and many supermarkets and coffee shops also offer light meals. A savory pie from a bakery can serve as lunch, too.
Sit-down dining with real meals is another matter entirely. I simply had to save money during the day by having breakfast at my hotel and a light lunch, because, thanks to the lopsided exchange rate, I knew that whatever I ate in the evening would cost twice as much in dollars as a comparable meal in the States. Cheap, expensive, either way, it would be twice as much.
On the whole, I thought that Indian restaurants offered the best value (in terms of both quantity and nutrition) for the money.
I minimized the pain by setting a daily budget in pounds and banishing dollars from my mind as much as possible.
May 2, 2008 | 11:39 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
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Posts: 2,359
As well as Pret look out for "EAT" who offer a similar style of product but without the smell of herby mayo.
There's a great chain over here called Wagamama, which is great food at a good price (Main Courses from about 7.50). There's also the Fine Burger Co. and Gourmet Burger Kitchen for a better quality of fast food.
You'll find some of the world's finest restaurants offer unbelievable prices for lunches, and people like Gordon Ramsay's "maze" offer a four course lunch for 29.00.
There's a great chain over here called Wagamama, which is great food at a good price (Main Courses from about 7.50). There's also the Fine Burger Co. and Gourmet Burger Kitchen for a better quality of fast food.
You'll find some of the world's finest restaurants offer unbelievable prices for lunches, and people like Gordon Ramsay's "maze" offer a four course lunch for 29.00.
May 2, 2008 | 11:46 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,123
Time out publications do a 'cheap eats' guide to London which is invaluable. Also try http://www.toptable.co.uk/. They have great deals. Many restaurants will have half price menus and sometimes free booze - hooray!
May 2, 2008 | 9:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,201
A baguette, cheese and instant soup (from tea pot hot water in your hotel) at the above mentioned Tesco, etc. will do it.
As an Englishman said, go to one of the Stock Pots where you can still get a meal for a fiver.Pounds that is! There are several in London; Off Leicester Square at 40 Panton St. up from the Comedy theater, behind Harrods, Old Compton St., off Oxford St., etc.
If its fish and chips (or pub grub,) we always get fish and chips at St. Georges Tavern, 14 Belgrave Road. Upstairs in Victoria Station, out the back, turn left, 1 block on the right. Very good. Try one to share first, it's enough for us. You can always order a second. Click on below for more info. About 7 pounds. However, a pint of beer is no longer cheap.
As an Englishman said, go to one of the Stock Pots where you can still get a meal for a fiver.Pounds that is! There are several in London; Off Leicester Square at 40 Panton St. up from the Comedy theater, behind Harrods, Old Compton St., off Oxford St., etc.
If its fish and chips (or pub grub,) we always get fish and chips at St. Georges Tavern, 14 Belgrave Road. Upstairs in Victoria Station, out the back, turn left, 1 block on the right. Very good. Try one to share first, it's enough for us. You can always order a second. Click on below for more info. About 7 pounds. However, a pint of beer is no longer cheap.