Throughout 2024 we're asking Michelin-starred chefs to pick their favourite cheap eats - a meal for two for less than £40. Here's where London's best chefs eat when they get a rare night off.
Central
Recommended by Sameer Taneja, executive chef at one-starred Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair: "My go-to eatery for Kolkata-inspired meat and vegetable wraps that are absolutely delicious. My wife and I have been regular visitors since before our kids were born, and I have fond memories of this little place. It's always a treat to enjoy their excellent spicy wraps, a bottle of beer, and good old Bollywood music."
Recommended by Benjamin Ferra Y Castell from one-starred Pavyllon at the Four Seasons Hotel: "They offer great Italian coffee with authentic products from different regions of Italy. You can try different sandwiches and they have an excellent burrata. They serve real coffee, how it should be made."
Recommended by Sofian Msetfi, executive chef at Mayfair's one-starred Ormer restaurant: "A brilliant dining experience with high-quality and fresh ingredients. With locations in Battersea Power Station, Borough, King's Cross, Marylebone and Shoreditch, BAO is known for its creative take on Taiwanese street food. They offer some of the best bao buns in the city which start from just £6, plus there's affordably priced small plates, allowing for a diverse tasting experience without overspending."
Recommended by Sofian Msetfi: "A traditional Persian dining experience - I'd recommend ordering a charcoal grilled kebab for the table plus a selection of the mezeh-style sharing plates to accommodate a budget of £40 for two."
Advertisem*nt
Tongue and Brisket, Goodge Street
Recommended by Pied à Terre owner David Moore: "Bring your appetite as portions are generous. I have a large salt beef on rye, pickles and mustard, £10 take away, a bit more to eat in. If dining in, try the latka, fish balls and an excellent chopped liver, cucumber salad on side. No licence for booze… not a bad thing."
Recommended by David Moore: "This tiny, hole-in-the-wall spot serves up some of the tastiest soups you will find this side of Tel Aviv, but it doesn't stop there. Falafel, £8.20; shakshuka, £8.20; and chicken schnitzel, £9.00, are my firm favourites. Everything is cooked fresh on the premises."
Palms of Goa, Charlotte Street
Recommended by David Moore: "They have been on Charlotte Street close to 30 years, you don't do that without solid regulars and good food. My favourite is king prawn masala, £15.95, or lamb biryani, £15.95 - plus a couple of naans at £2.95 each and some tap water just to stay on budget. I have to say I usually need a snooze after an Indian lunch… there are worse problems to have."
Read more:
Cheap eats across the UK as recommended by the nation's favourite chefs
Recommended by TV chef Judy Joo, restaurateur at Seoul Bird: "Lucky for me, I live just around the corner from this charming, historic deli. My go-to is their famous pastrami and cheese, piled high with pickle, mayo and mustard. Occasionally, I'll switch things up with their epic coronation chicken, or if I'm feeling adventurous, a jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn. It's quintessentially British, and I love it."
Recommended by Judy Joo: "Tucked away in the basem*nt of an unassuming British pub down a quaint mews street. I usually order the minced pork xiaomian - toothsome wheat noodles swimming in a red chili broth, then dressed with seasoned pork and fragrant spring onions. The numbing pork wontons are another standout, delivering what their name promises in true mala style. Don't miss the cucumber side salad which offers a refreshing respite for your palate."
Chinatown picks
Recommended by Jeff Tan, one-time Michelin-starred chef who now runs Viet Food in Chinatown: "I will recommend having dim sum with Chinese tea for lunch which represents both culinary and cultural significance in Chinese tradition. The three restaurants that I recommend are Orient London, Bun House and Golden Dragon. Orient London and Golden Dragon will be around £40 in terms of budgeting while Bun House is less than £40."
North London
Max's Sandwich Shop, Crouch Hill
Recommended by Tom Brown, from Michelin Guide-recommended Pearly Queen in Shoreditch: "My all-time favourite cheap eat, which has an amazing reputation - their classic 'Ham, Egg 'n' Chips' sandwich is undoubtedly the best. I'm big on my football, and where it's located in Finsbury Park, it's a great spot to hit before Arsenal."
Recommended by Theo Randall, Saturday Kitchen regular and chef patron at Theo Randall at the Intercontinental: "It's a real family favourite of mine - we've had many a birthday party at this authentic Greek institution. The restaurant is family run and the food is consistently good and great value; the set lunch menu from Monday to Friday is £19.50 for 3 courses, plus coffee! The service is excellent too."
Yipin China, Highbury and Islington
Recommended by Meedu Saad, head chef and co-owner of Kiln in Soho - which, as well as being in the Michelin Guide, was crowned the UK's best restaurant in 2018: "Specialises in Hunanese dishes and techniques. They have a great selection of offal dishes and sour soup - one of my favourites being white fish and mustard greens."
Recommended by Meedu Saad: "This place specialises in tantuni, a meat wrap that originates from Mersin in the south of Turkey. It's finely diced lamb boiled and then lightly fried with spices, topped with fresh tomatoes and parsley before being wrapped in lavash and served with a monster plate of pickled chillies and lemon wedges."
Recommended by Meedu Saad: "A no-menu restaurant specialising in daily made soups and stews at very reasonable prices. My personal favourite is a soup by the name of kelle paca, which is a sheep's head soup in a broth topped with garlic and ghee."
Recommended by Eran Tibi, executive chef at Michelin-recommended Bala Baya, and Kapara: "It's cheap, cheerful, delicious and authentic. It's unique as not many people are familiar with Afghan cuisine; all the dishes are great value and it's a fantastic place to explore new dishes."
East London
House of Momo, Dalston (and Brixton)
Recommended by Tom Brown, from Pearly Queen in Shoreditch: "They do a variety of fried dumplings served with delicious Nepalese curries - a personal favourite of mine is the cheese and vegetable momo. The food is divine. It's big portions - the value for money is insane."
Recommended by Andy Beynon, chef patron of Michelin-starred Behind in Hackney: "My go-to for a kebab fix. They also do this amazing chargrilled lamb mince on a bed of tomato sauce with yoghurt and clarified butter. So good."
Lahore Kebab House, Whitechapel
Recommended by Andy Beynon: "I love it. I used to go with my dad - we'd get a couple of lagers from the shop next door, then tuck into lamb chops, tarka daal, the Peshwari naan, which is always cooked fresh on the tandoor, and all the dips on the menu."
Recommended by Andy Beynon: "You can't beat a 'That Spicy D'. There's just something about that burnt chilli mayo and schiacciata piccante. It's my favourite lunch to have on the go, and totally worth the mess."
Voodoo Rays (Dalston, London Fields and Peckham)
Recommended by Eran Tibi from Bala Baya: "It serves New York style pizza which you can't get anywhere. They have 22-inch pizzas - hello! You're able to go in, pick slices of whatever pizza you want; they also do a great negroni. It's great value and the quality is fantastic and consistent, so it's a no brainer."
South London
Recommeded by Vivek Singh from the Cinnamon Collection, home to popular restaurants including the Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Bazaar: "I will pretty much eat anything at this Sri Lankan place. It is homemade in house and everything is fresh on the day then reheated to order. The dosa is made to order every time. You can definitely get a filling meal for two here for less than £40."
Recommeded by Vivek Singh: "A southeast London institution to me. It is especially great for lunch. You could get aloo gobi, mushroom corn saag, a side of pears and kadai paneer, a couple of breads (for example, a cheese and chilli naan), as well as rice and tomatoes all for under £40 for two people."
West London
Secret Sandwich Shop, Notting Hill
Recommended by Sofian Msetfi from Ormer restaurant: "Elevates the humble sandwich to new heights - the sheer size of the Japanese Wanpaku sandwiches are incredible and so filling! It's a great find, hidden behind a secret door in Notting Hill, with the signature 'Secret Sandwich' priced at £9, meaning you can each get a sandwich plus a generous selection of classic snacks and even some Japanese drinks for £40."
Recommended by Judy Joo, restaurateur at Seoul Bird: "Trejo's Tacos has crossed the pond, opening its first international outpost in Notting Hill. Founded by actor Danny Trejo, this canteen boasts a cult following in Los Angeles (myself included) and has quickly become my favourite spot for tacos in London. My usual order includes a plate of Baja fish and spicy shrimp tacos, dosed in their house hot sauce and perfectly complemented by one of their stellar O.G. margaritas or homemade horchata. I also love their house-made guacamole and salsa served with their truly addictive freshly fried corn tortilla chips. I just munch away while thinking of the southern California sun."
Maroush, Edgware Road (and elsewhere)
Recommended by Judy Joo: "A London institution with multiple venues across the city, remains a favourite, especially the original on Edgware Road. The chicken or lamb shawarma is the star dish, slow-cooked on vertical rotisseries, infused with aromatic spices, and expertly sliced off with sabers. It's the perfect late-night snack after a few too many pints. I love their tomato okra stew with rice - so comforting and warming."
Saint George Cafe, Chelsea (and Charing Cross)
Recommended by Benjamin Ferra Y Castell from one-starred Pavyllon: "This is a French bakery offering delicious sandwiches made with high-quality products. Their bread is made by a French baker with a specially selected flour. The pastries are also amazing - using high-quality butter and the chocolate used in the pain au chocolate makes it one of my best sweet treats in the city. On top of all of this, their coffee is some of the best in London."
Tachbrook Street Market, Pimlico
Recommended by Benjamin Ferra Y Castell: "This market is really affordable and convenient and away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria Station. Authentic Thai food made with love, available for less than £10 for a substantial portion."
