All through 2024 we’ve been asking Michelin-starred cooks throughout the UK to select their favorite low cost eats – a meal for 2 for lower than £40. Right here, we’ve got rounded up the place London’s greatest cooks eat once they get an evening off.
Central
Notto, Piccadilly Circus
Beneficial by two Michelin-starred Alex Dilling, of Alex Dilling at Resort Cafe Royal on Regent Avenue: “Nice worth and well-cooked pasta. Essential programs are all underneath £20. Michelin-star chef Phil Howard is behind it and his cooking approach comes by way of even in these informal dishes. I additionally love Bancone for pasta.”
Kati Roll Firm, Soho
Beneficial by Sameer Taneja, govt chef at one-starred Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair: “My go-to eatery for Kolkata-inspired meat and vegetable wraps which are completely scrumptious. My spouse and I’ve been common guests since earlier than our children have been born, and I’ve fond recollections of this little place. It’s all the time a deal with to take pleasure in their wonderful spicy wraps, a bottle of beer, and good outdated Bollywood music.”
Learn extra:
Low-cost eats throughout the UK as really helpful by the nation’s favorite cooks
Bar Italia, Soho
Beneficial by Benjamin Ferra Y Castell from one-starred Pavyllon on the 4 Seasons Resort: “They provide nice Italian espresso with genuine merchandise from completely different areas of Italy. You possibly can attempt completely different sandwiches they usually have a wonderful burrata. They serve actual espresso, the way it ought to be made.”
Yauatcha, Soho
Beneficial by Rob Chambers, govt chef at one Michelin-starred LUCA in Clerkenwell: “Though a traditional meal there isn’t underneath £40, they’re presently operating a £20 menu to have fun their twentieth anniversary which is a extremely whole lot and a superb solution to expertise certainly one of London’s most-loved dim sum eating places.”
BAO, Soho (and elsewhere)
Beneficial by, Sofian Msetfi (amongst others), govt chef at Mayfair’s one-starred Ormer restaurant: “An excellent eating expertise with high-quality and contemporary substances. With places in Battersea Energy Station, Borough, King’s Cross, Marylebone and Shoreditch, BAO is understood for its artistic tackle Taiwanese avenue meals. They provide among the greatest bao buns within the metropolis which begin from simply £6, plus there’s affordably priced small plates, permitting for a various tasting expertise with out overspending.”
Berenjak, Soho (and Borough)
Beneficial by Sofian Msetfi: “A conventional Persian eating expertise – I’d advocate ordering a charcoal grilled kebab for the desk plus a number of the mezeh-style sharing plates to accommodate a finances of £40 for 2.”
Tongue and Brisket, Goodge Avenue
Beneficial by Pied à Terre proprietor David Moore: “Deliver your urge for food as parts are beneficiant. I’ve a big salt beef on rye, pickles and mustard, £10 take away, a bit extra to eat in. If eating in, attempt the latka, fish balls and a very good chopped liver, cucumber salad on aspect. No licence for booze… not a foul factor.”
Shoop, Tottenham Avenue
Beneficial by David Moore: “This tiny, hole-in-the-wall spot serves up among the tastiest soups you’ll discover this aspect of Tel Aviv, nevertheless it doesn’t cease there. Falafel, £8.20; shakshuka, £8.20; and hen schnitzel, £9.00, are my agency favourites. Every part is cooked contemporary on the premises.”
Palms of Goa, Charlotte Avenue
Beneficial by David Moore: “They’ve been on Charlotte Avenue near 30 years, you don’t do this with out stable regulars and good meals. My favorite is king prawn masala, £15.95, or lamb biryani, £15.95 – plus a few naans at £2.95 every and a few faucet water simply to remain on finances. I’ve to say I often want a nap after an Indian lunch… there are worse issues to have.”
Paul Rothe & So, Marylebone
Beneficial by TV chef Judy Joo, restaurateur at Seoul Fowl: “Fortunate for me, I reside simply across the nook from this charming, historic deli. My go-to is their well-known pastrami and cheese, piled excessive with pickle, mayo and mustard. Sometimes, I’ll change issues up with their epic coronation hen, or if I’m feeling adventurous, a jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn. It’s quintessentially British, and I adore it.”
Liu Xiaomian, Marylebone
Beneficial by Judy Joo: “Tucked away within the basement of an unassuming British pub down a quaint mews avenue. I often order the minced pork xiaomian – toothsome wheat noodles swimming in a purple chili broth, then dressed with seasoned pork and aromatic spring onions. The numbing pork wontons are one other standout, delivering what their title guarantees in true mala model. Don’t miss the cucumber aspect salad which presents a refreshing respite to your palate.”
Grasp Wei, Holborn
Beneficial by Gary Foulkes, govt chef at Cornus in Belgravia: “Actually tasty hand-pulled Xian noodles and the meat pao mo soup is especially good. My son all the time goes for the tomato and egg hand-pulled noodles served in soup. It’s simply actually tasty meals served in a pleasant, bustling setting.”
Pastaio, Soho
Beneficial by two Michelin-starred Henrique Sa Pessoa from Alma in Lisbon and idea chef at JOIA in Battersea: “You’ll find Pastaio simply off Carnaby Avenue serving artistic contemporary pasta dishes daily. From Stevie Parle, it’s received a playful inside and all the time has a superb playlist on. Preserve a watch out on their specials board for commonly altering plates – however my favorite traditional is the eight-hour beef and porcini bolognese with hand-cut pappardelle and parmesan.”
Koya (Soho and Bloomberg Arcade)
Henrique Sa Pessoa says: “My go-to is the unique, on Frith Avenue. A conventional Japanese udon bar, that is the type of place that may elevate spirits on a gray London day. Their udon noodles and dashi are made contemporary daily, and the menu lets you personalise your order relying on whether or not you need chilly noodles in sizzling broth or vice versa. Their prawn tempura can be out of this world.”
CDMX Tacos, Soho
Beneficial by Miller Prada, govt chef at one Michelin-starred HUMO in Mayfair: “So tasty and the closest factor that I’ve tried to Mexican avenue tacos in London. They’ve 4 tacos (£4.25 every) and 4 quesadillas (£5.25 every) primarily based on the identical 4 substances (marinated pork, crispy pork stomach, grilled beef and grilled cactus). It’s situated down a small alleyway in the course of Soho, and should you don’t thoughts standing up whereas consuming, you may have three tacos, and one Modello beer, for £17.75, it’s superb! Soiled however yummy.”
Tommi’s Burger Joint, Soho
Miller Prada says: “Since I got here to London I’ve been going to right here for burgers, nice music, fries and soda for £12.90.”
Chinatown picks
Beneficial by Jeff Tan, one-time Michelin-starred chef who now runs Viet Meals in Chinatown: “I’ll advocate having dim sum with Chinese language tea for lunch which represents each culinary and cultural significance in Chinese language custom. The three eating places that I like to recommend are Orient London, Bun Home and Golden Dragon. Orient London and Golden Dragon will likely be round £40 when it comes to budgeting whereas Bun Home is lower than £40.”
Beneficial by James Knappett, chef-patron of two Michelin-starred Kitchen Desk in Fitzrovia: “New Loon Fung Restaurant for dim sum in Chinatown – for his or her steamed ribs, hen ft, prawn dumplings and hen and sausage claypot rice.”
North London
Hala, Haringey
James Knappett, from Kitchen Desk: “A neighbourhood Turkish restaurant in Inexperienced Lanes that we frequently go to as a household of 4 – sharing a combined grill platter between us. It’s nice worth for cash and all the time open late, so I can often get a grilled shish on the best way again house after service too.”
Max’s Sandwich Store, Crouch Hill
Beneficial by Tom Brown, from Michelin Information-recommended Pearly Queen in Shoreditch: “My all-time favorite low cost eat, which has a tremendous popularity – their traditional ‘Ham, Egg ‘n’ Chips’ sandwich is undoubtedly one of the best. I’m massive on my soccer, and the place it’s situated in Finsbury Park, it’s an important spot to hit earlier than Arsenal.”
Lemonia, Regent’s Park Highway
Beneficial by Theo Randall, Saturday Kitchen common and chef patron at Theo Randall on the Intercontinental: “It’s an actual household favorite of mine – we’ve had many a party at this genuine Greek establishment. The restaurant is household run and the meals is persistently good and nice worth; the set lunch menu from Monday to Friday is £19.50 for 3 programs, plus espresso! The service is great too.”
Yipin China, Highbury and Islington
Beneficial by Meedu Saad, head chef and co-owner of Kiln in Soho – which, in addition to being within the Michelin Information, was topped the UK’s greatest restaurant in 2018: “Specialises in Hunanese dishes and strategies. They’ve an important number of offal dishes and bitter soup – certainly one of my favourites being white fish and mustard greens.”
Durak Tantuni, Haringey
Beneficial by Meedu Saad: “This place specialises in tantuni, a meat wrap that originates from Mersin within the south of Turkey. It’s finely diced lamb boiled after which calmly fried with spices, topped with contemporary tomatoes and parsley earlier than being wrapped in lavash and served with a monster plate of pickled chillies and lemon wedges.”
Haringey Corbacisi
Beneficial by Meedu Saad: “A no-menu restaurant specialising in each day made soups and stews at very cheap costs. My private favorite is a soup by the title of kelle paca, which is a sheep’s head soup in a broth topped with garlic and ghee.”
Learn extra:
Low-cost eats throughout the UK as really helpful by the nation’s favorite cooks
Bang Bang Oriental Meals Corridor, Edgware
Beneficial by Nice British Menu finalist Kerth Gumbs, head chef at Fenchurch, in Sky Backyard: “I first got here throughout this meals corridor model of eating after I lived in Singapore, and it’s truthfully a must-try – you’ll be mesmerised by the big selection of cuisines all underneath one roof, with Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Singaporean to call a number of. I usually take my children and companion there, and our traditional order is particular fried rice, stir-fried noodles and candy and sticky beef. The parts are enormous too so it’s nice for sharing – after ordering these three dishes I’ll often have some spare money to splash out on some bubble tea.”
Afghan Kitchen, Angel
Beneficial by Eran Tibi, govt chef at Michelin-recommended Bala Baya, and Kapara: “It’s low cost, cheerful, scrumptious and genuine. It’s distinctive as not many individuals are acquainted with Afghan delicacies; all of the dishes are nice worth and it’s a improbable place to discover new dishes.”
Diwana Bhel Poori Home, Euston
Beneficial by Gary Foulkes, govt chef at Cornus: “Scrumptious Southern Indian vegetarian meals. I usually go for the bhel poori, samosa chaat and masala dosa – additionally don’t miss the gulab jamun for dessert. It’s superb worth for the standard of the meals you obtain.”
Roti King, Euston
Gary Foulkes says: “A few of – if not the – greatest Malaysian meals in London in my view. Roti canai is my decide after I go right here, however the beef rendang can be very tasty. Be ready to queue, nevertheless it’s well worth the wait.”
East London
Home of Momo, Dalston (and Brixton)
Beneficial by Tom Brown, from Pearly Queen in Shoreditch: “They do quite a lot of fried dumplings served with scrumptious Nepalese curries – a private favorite of mine is the cheese and vegetable momo. The meals is divine. It’s massive parts – the worth for cash is insane.”
Umut 2000, Dalston
Beneficial by Andy Beynon, chef patron of Michelin-starred Behind in Hackney: “My go-to for a kebab repair. Additionally they do that superb chargrilled lamb mince on a mattress of tomato sauce with yoghurt and clarified butter. So good.”
Lahore Kebab Home, Whitechapel
Beneficial by Andy Beynon: “I adore it. I used to go together with my dad – we’d get a few lagers from the store subsequent door, then tuck into lamb chops, tarka daal, the Peshwari naan, which is all the time cooked contemporary on the tandoor, and all of the dips on the menu.”
Dom’s Subs, Hackney
Beneficial by Andy Beynon: “You possibly can’t beat a ‘That Spicy D’. There’s simply one thing about that burnt chilli mayo and schiacciata piccante. It’s my favorite lunch to have on the go, and completely well worth the mess.”
Oi Vita Pizzeria, Stoke Newington
Beneficial by Jun Tanaka, head chef of the Michelin-starred The Ninth: “That is my go-to place after I really feel like a pizza. The service is tremendous pleasant they usually give attention to sourcing one of the best substances, so their pizzas are excellent. I often order the diavola – tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami and basil.”
Viet Grill, Kingsland Highway
Jun Tanaka says: “If I get a takeaway it’s often Vietnamese and that is my favorite. I just about order the identical dish each time which is their authentic pho. Their beef marrow broth may be very tasty, though I do like so as to add dried chill and chilli vinegar for the additional kick.”
The falafel truck, Portobello Highway
Beneficial by two-starred Alex Dilling: “This can be a meals truck close to Soho Home, it doesn’t have a web site. There’s one they do with nice tahini and contemporary salad for £5. Very filling and a fast meal on the go for busy cooks.”
Voodoo Rays (Dalston, London Fields and Peckham)
Beneficial by Eran Tibi from Bala Baya: “It serves New York model pizza which you’ll be able to’t get anyplace. They’ve 22-inch pizzas – good day! You’re in a position to go in, decide slices of no matter pizza you need; in addition they do an important negroni. It’s nice worth and the standard is improbable and constant, so it’s a no brainer.”
Banh Mi Keu, Previous Avenue
Beneficial by Rob Chambers, from LUCA: “I’m keen on a banh mi when on the lookout for a superb worth meal – that is my favorite.”
South London
Shuk, Borough Market
Beneficial by Jun Tanaka, from The Ninth: “I really like Shuk, particularly in the course of the hotter months when you may sit exterior and benefit from the vibe of the market. You must order their pitas. Every part’s scrumptious but when I had to decide on a favorite it could be the spiced lamb meatballs with harissa, yoghurt, and herbs.”
Padella, Borough Market
Beneficial by Miller Prada, from HUMO: “Considered one of my favorite eating places in London. They serve actually good pasta from £9.50 to £16 a dish, with nice substances.”
Everest Curry King, Lewisham
Recommeded by Vivek Singh from the Cinnamon Assortment, house to fashionable eating places together with the Cinnamon Membership and Cinnamon Bazaar: “I’ll just about eat something at this Sri Lankan place. It’s do-it-yourself in home and the whole lot is contemporary on the day then reheated to order. The dosa is made to order each time. You possibly can positively get a filling meal for 2 right here for lower than £40.”
Babur, Forest Hill
Recommeded by Vivek Singh: “A southeast London establishment to me. It’s particularly nice for lunch. You might get aloo gobi, mushroom corn saag, a aspect of pears and kadai paneer, a few breads (for instance, a cheese and chilli naan), in addition to rice and tomatoes all for underneath £40 for 2 folks.”
West London
The Royal Albion, Hounslow
Beneficial by restaurateur, multi-Michelin star chef and TV common Atul Kocchar: “West London is house to many pubs serving Indian meals. The pub does a roaring takeaway commerce, nevertheless it’s price visiting to eat in for the snug ambiance and the theatre of the tandoor dishes served. It’s the grill dishes that The Royal Albion actually excels with, together with their entire tandoori roast hen, which prices simply £11.95, or the combined grill loaded with two lamb kebabs, hen tikka, tandoori hen wings and succulent lamb chops.”
The DJ’s Kitchen Isleworth
Atul Kocchar says: “A takeaway area arrange throughout lockdown, The DJ’s Kitchen was launched as a aspect venture from a profitable DJ. Right here the crew are doing genuinely very thrilling issues with hen, predominantly serving modern riffs on traditional hen dishes from across the globe, with a deeply comforting American twist. The butter hen burger, as an example, is loaded with butter hen gravy, and the tandoori hen burger has a boneless tandoori hen thigh alongside tandoori mayo and a inexperienced and mango chutney.”
The Lass O’Richmond Hill, Richmond
“The most effective pubs in Richmond,” says Atul Kocchar. “A serene spot on the sting of the park with a hearth and cozy sofas. The meals providing takes British pub meals to absolutely the subsequent degree, utilizing distinctive produce and utilizing fascinating cooking strategies. There’s even a selected barbecue menu, all ready on a kamado grill on the backyard terrace. The Sunday roasts are positively the primary draw right here.”
Mishky in Hux, Kensington
Beneficial by Nice British Menu finalist Kerth Gumbs: “Chef Jorge Pacheco serves a scrumptious number of sharing starters. The ceviches are a must-try. I’ll fortunately share two ceviches, two sides and two cocktails and be happy for an early dinner throughout the £40 finances – it’s contemporary and never too heavy!”
Secret Sandwich Store, Notting Hill
Beneficial by Sofian Msetfi from Ormer restaurant: “Elevates the standard sandwich to new heights – the sheer measurement of the Japanese Wanpaku sandwiches are unbelievable and so filling! It’s an important discover, hidden behind a secret door in Notting Hill, with the signature ‘Secret Sandwich’ priced at £9, that means you may every get a sandwich plus a beneficiant number of traditional snacks and even some Japanese drinks for £40.”
Trejo’s Tacos, Notting Hill
Beneficial by Judy Joo, restaurateur at Seoul Fowl: “Trejo’s Tacos has crossed the pond, opening its first worldwide outpost in Notting Hill. Based by actor Danny Trejo, this canteen boasts a cult following in Los Angeles (myself included) and has rapidly turn into my favorite spot for tacos in London. My traditional order features a plate of Baja fish and spicy shrimp tacos, dosed of their home sizzling sauce and completely complemented by certainly one of their stellar O.G. margaritas or do-it-yourself horchata. I additionally love their house-made guacamole and salsa served with their really addictive freshly fried corn tortilla chips. I simply munch away whereas considering of the southern California solar.”
Maroush, Edgware Highway (and elsewhere)
Beneficial by Judy Joo: “A London establishment with a number of venues throughout the town, stays a favorite, particularly the unique on Edgware Highway. The hen or lamb shawarma is the star dish, slow-cooked on vertical rotisseries, infused with fragrant spices, and expertly sliced off with sabers. It’s the proper late-night snack after a number of too many pints. I really like their tomato okra stew with rice – so comforting and warming.”
Saint George Cafe, Chelsea (and Charing Cross)
Beneficial by Benjamin Ferra Y Castell from one-starred Pavyllon: “This can be a French bakery providing scrumptious sandwiches made with high-quality merchandise. Their bread is made by a French baker with a specifically chosen flour. The pastries are additionally superb – utilizing high-quality butter and the chocolate used within the ache au chocolate makes it certainly one of my greatest candy treats within the metropolis. On high of all of this, their espresso is among the greatest in London.”
Tachbrook Avenue Market, Pimlico
Beneficial by Benjamin Ferra Y Castell: “This market is de facto inexpensive and handy and away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria Station. Genuine Thai meals made with love, obtainable for lower than £10 for a considerable portion.”