London can be expensive to eat in, but good value is not limited to supermarket sandwiches. A well-chosen lunch menu, an off-peak restaurant offer or a market stall can leave you eating well without spending a fortune. The trick is to compare the final bill, not just the headline discount.
About the prices below: the three bands are rough guides per person, not fixed offers. Restaurant prices exclude drinks and service unless stated otherwise. Details were checked in September 2026; always confirm the current menu and offer terms.
Quality sit-down meals - around £20-£35
Look for set lunch menus: two or three courses can cost considerably less than ordering separately from the à la carte menu. Search for 'set lunch', 'prix fixe' or 'pre-theatre' when checking a restaurant's website. Check which days and times the menu applies, whether particular dishes carry a supplement and whether you need to book that specific offer.
Some come in below this budget. For example, Brasserie Zédel in Piccadilly currently advertises two courses for £16.95 or three for £19.95. Use it as a starting point, then check the current menu and any additional charges before booking.
Discount apps
EatClub lists time-limited offers at restaurants, cafés and bars. Redeem an offer before arriving, then pay with its virtual card through Apple Pay or Google Wallet so the discount is applied. Offers can include drinks, but check the conditions and the app's transaction fee. A walk-in offer is not a confirmed table reservation and should not be combined with a separate booking or another discount. Set up the payment card before you go.
First Table offers 50% off food at selected sittings in exchange for a booking fee. That fee is separate from the restaurant bill, not a deposit deducted from it. Drinks remain full price, service charges are not discounted, and some restaurants require a drink purchase or exclude certain dishes. Read the special conditions and arrive on time. It can be good value, but '50% off food' does not mean half-price dining overall.
Choose somewhere you would actually like to eat, then look for a deal. A large percentage off an expensive menu is not necessarily better value than a straightforward set lunch.
Street food and casual lunches - around £6-£15
Food markets are a useful starting point for a casual lunch, with different cuisines gathered in one place. Compare the price of a full portion rather than a snack or small plate: several tempting little purchases can add up to restaurant money. Treat the lower end of this budget as a light bite and allow more for a substantial hot lunch.
Borough Market is worth exploring for its variety, but do not assume a famous market is automatically the cheapest place to eat. Compare it with smaller markets and nearby sandwich shops, bakeries and cafés. Check trading days and hours before making a special trip, and whether there is somewhere to sit. An inexpensive takeaway is less appealing when you are balancing it in the rain.
Shoestring meals - around £4-£6
Supermarket meal deals bundle a main, a drink and a snack. Tesco and Sainsbury's offer sandwiches, wraps and other lunch options, but only items marked as part of the deal qualify. Check the shelf labels and the total at the till. Some retailers reserve their lowest price for loyalty-card holders: Tesco currently advertises its standard meal deal at £4.25, or £3.85 with a Clubcard. Check eligibility before relying on a members-only price. These make practical picnic lunches between sightseeing stops.
Too Good To Go lets cafés, bakeries, shops and restaurants sell surplus food in discounted 'Surprise Bags'. Reserve and pay in the app, then collect during the stated window. Check earlier in the day rather than assuming bags only appear at closing time: the app lists collections for today and tomorrow. Contents and prices vary, so a bag is not a guaranteed complete meal. For allergies or strict dietary requirements, check with the business before reserving. Choose a collection near your plans; a long detour can erase the saving.
End-of-day reductions are another option. itsu's half-price sale applies to eligible food during the final 30 minutes before a branch closes. Check the branch's hours and what qualifies, and treat it as a chance to save on remaining stock rather than a guaranteed choice of dishes.
Keep the extras in check
Ask for tap water. There is no need to order bottled water with a meal. Make the request explicit rather than simply asking for 'still water', which may be interpreted as a bottle or chargeable filtered water.
Read the final bill. Check for service charges before adding a tip; there is no expectation to tip if a service charge is already included. With a discount, check whether service is calculated before or after the reduction. Drinks, sides, supplements and booking fees can make a low headline price much less impressive.
The best bargain is a meal you enjoy at a price you are comfortable paying. Use discounts to improve your options, rather than letting the offer decide what you eat.