London is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world-but you don’t need to spend £20 on a quinoa bowl to eat well. If you’re living on a budget or just trying to save cash, you can still eat full, flavorful, plant-based meals for under £8. And yes, they’re actually satisfying. No kale salads that leave you hungry an hour later. No overpriced ‘artisan’ tofu wraps. Just real food that fills you up without draining your wallet.
Where to Find the Best Budget Vegan Meals in London
You don’t need to hunt down fancy cafes in Shoreditch or Camden. Some of the cheapest and tastiest vegan meals are hiding in plain sight-in markets, high street chains, and local delis.
Wagamama has a whole vegan menu, and their Spicy Miso Ramen with tofu and veggie dumplings costs £11.95. But here’s the trick: order the Small Ramen with no sides, and you’re at £9.50. Add a side of steamed rice for £2.50, and you’ve got a meal that lasts until bedtime. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s reliable, quick, and tastes like home.
Head to Leon-they’ve got vegan bowls starting at £6.99. The Superfood Bowl with chickpeas, sweet potato, quinoa, and tahini dressing is hearty, warm, and packed with fiber. You can even swap the quinoa for brown rice to save 50p. Their vegan falafel wrap is £5.99 and comes with hummus and pickled veggies. Eat it on the go, or sit in and enjoy the free refills on water and tea.
For something more local, try The Vurger Co. in Brixton. Their Classic Vegan Burger with jackfruit, cashew cheese, and house sauce is £8.50. It’s not just vegan-it’s juicy, crispy, and actually tastes like a real burger. No one’s going to ask, “Is this really plant-based?”
Markets That Serve Real Vegan Food for Less
London’s markets are where the real budget vegan magic happens. You’ll find stalls that serve hot, fresh, made-to-order meals for under £5.
Borough Market has Mr. Falafel, where a double falafel wrap with tahini and pickled turnips costs £4.50. It’s crunchy, spicy, and packed with protein. Walk a few steps to Yum Yum Vegan and grab a vegan sausage roll for £2.80. Yes, it’s pastry-wrapped, deep-fried, and completely animal-free. It’s the kind of snack that makes you forget you’re saving money.
In Camden Market, Plant Power serves a Big Vegan Burrito with black beans, rice, guac, and salsa for £7. It’s huge. Two people could easily share it. And if you’re there on a Tuesday, they do a Buy One Get One Half Price deal on wraps after 4pm.
Don’t miss Brick Lane Market on Sundays. Yum Yum Vegan has a vegan Jamaican jerk jackfruit wrap for £5. It’s sweet, smoky, and spicy-all in one bite. Pair it with a £1.50 plant-based milkshake, and you’ve got a full meal for under £7.
Supermarket Hacks for Vegan Meals Under £3
Some of the best vegan meals in London don’t come from restaurants at all. They come from your local Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Aldi.
Look for Waitrose’s vegan chilli-it’s £2.20 for a 400g tub. Heat it up, add a side of rice (£0.60 from the bulk bin), and top it with a spoonful of cashew sour cream (you can buy a small tub for £1.80). Total cost: £4.60. You could feed two people with one tub.
Aldi’s vegan meatballs (in the frozen aisle) are £2.49 for 500g. Toss them in a tomato sauce, serve over pasta (£0.80), and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. You’ve got a warm, comforting meal for under £5. And they taste better than most restaurant versions.
Try Lidl’s vegan cheese slices with whole grain bread and sliced tomato. That’s a sandwich for £1.99. Add a banana for 35p, and you’ve got lunch for £2.34. It’s simple, but it works.
Stock up on lentils (£1.20 per bag), canned chickpeas (£0.80), and oats (£1.10). Make a big pot of lentil curry on Sunday and eat it all week. That’s £1.50 per meal. No cooking skills needed.
Free Vegan Food in London (Yes, Really)
Some places give away vegan food for free-no catch, no donation required.
FoodCycle runs weekly vegan meals in community centers across London. In places like Hackney, Islington, and Southwark, you can show up, sit down, and get a hot three-course meal cooked by volunteers. No ID needed. Just bring your appetite. They serve from 6pm-8pm on weekdays.
The Real Junk Food Project in Leeds may be famous, but they have a branch in London Bridge too. They rescue food that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into vegan meals. Pay what you can-sometimes it’s £2, sometimes it’s £0.50. The food is fresh, seasonal, and delicious.
Some universities, like UCL and King’s College, offer free vegan snacks during orientation week. Even if you’re not a student, check their notice boards. Sometimes they host open vegan potlucks.
What to Avoid When Eating Vegan on a Budget
Not all vegan food is cheap. Some places charge £15 for a salad with three cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of seeds. Here’s what to skip:
- Vegan “luxury” bowls with 12 superfoods and a $10 avocado slice
- Plant-based cheeses that cost £6 per 200g (stick to nutritional yeast or homemade cashew cheese)
- Pre-packaged vegan snacks labeled “artisan” or “gourmet” (they’re almost always overpriced)
- Smoothie bars charging £7 for a banana and almond milk (make your own with frozen fruit and water)
The trick is to focus on whole foods: beans, rice, potatoes, oats, lentils, seasonal veggies. They’re cheap, filling, and nutritious. You don’t need cashew cream to make something taste good.
Pro Tip: Use the Veganuary App
The Veganuary App (free on iOS and Android) has a built-in map of budget vegan spots in London. Filter by price range, distance, and dietary tags like “gluten-free” or “takeaway.” It’s updated weekly with new deals and pop-ups. Last month, it flagged a new vegan taco truck in Peckham serving £4.50 loaded nachos. You’d never find that on Google Maps.
Also, sign up for Too Good To Go. It’s an app that sells surplus food from cafes and bakeries at 70% off. You’ll get a surprise bag for £3.50-sometimes it’s vegan pastries, sometimes it’s a full vegan curry. It’s like a food treasure hunt.
Sample Daily Vegan Budget Meal Plan
Here’s how one person eats vegan in London for under £25 a week:
- Breakfast: Oats with banana and cinnamon (£0.40)
- Lunch: Lentil curry from a pot made Sunday night (£1.20)
- Snack: Apple and peanut butter (£0.80)
- Dinner: Vegan sausage roll + baked beans from Aldi (£2.50)
- Weekend treat: Falafel wrap from Borough Market (£4.50)
Total: £9.40 per week. That’s £1.34 a day. And you’re still full, energized, and eating real food.
Why This Works
Veganism isn’t about expensive ingredients. It’s about shifting your mindset. Instead of thinking, “What can I eat that’s vegan?” ask, “What’s cheap, filling, and delicious?” The answer is almost always beans, rice, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.
London has more vegan options than ever-but the best ones aren’t the ones with the prettiest Instagram photos. They’re the ones that feed you for less than the price of a coffee.
Can you really eat vegan in London for under £5 a meal?
Yes, absolutely. Many markets, supermarkets, and chain restaurants offer vegan meals under £5. Falafel wraps, lentil curries, vegan sausage rolls, and bean burritos are all available for £3-£5. You just need to know where to look.
Are there any free vegan meals in London?
Yes. FoodCycle runs free vegan dinners in community centers across London, including Hackney, Islington, and Southwark. The Real Junk Food Project in London Bridge also serves meals on a pay-what-you-can basis. No ID or donation is required.
What’s the cheapest vegan food in London supermarkets?
Lentils (£1.20 per bag), canned chickpeas (£0.80), oats (£1.10), and Aldi’s vegan meatballs (£2.49) are among the cheapest. Combine them with rice or bread, and you’ve got meals under £2 per serving. Avoid overpriced vegan cheeses and snacks-they’re not worth it.
Is vegan food in London healthier than non-vegan?
Not automatically. A vegan burger from a fast-food chain can be just as processed as a beef burger. But if you focus on whole foods-beans, grains, vegetables, fruits-you’ll eat more fiber, less saturated fat, and fewer additives. The healthiest vegan meals are the ones you make yourself.
What’s the best vegan street food in London?
The best budget vegan street food is the falafel wrap from Mr. Falafel in Borough Market (£4.50), the vegan Jamaican jackfruit wrap from Brick Lane Market (£5), and the vegan sausage roll from Yum Yum Vegan (£2.80). They’re all hearty, flavorful, and under £6.
How do I find vegan deals in London?
Use the Veganuary App-it maps budget-friendly vegan spots and updates weekly. Also download Too Good To Go for surprise bags of discounted vegan food from cafes and bakeries. Follow local vegan Instagram accounts like @veganlondonfood for pop-up deals and new openings.
If you’re eating vegan in London on a budget, you’re not sacrificing flavor or satisfaction-you’re just being smarter. The city is full of cheap, delicious, plant-based food. You just need to know where to find it.