Budget Vegan Eating in London: Cheap and Filling Meals
Discover how to eat delicious, filling vegan meals in London for under £5. From market stalls to supermarket hacks, this guide shows you the real budget-friendly spots that locals swear by.
When you think of affordable vegan London, a city where plant-based eating is accessible, not just trendy. Also known as budget-friendly vegan dining, it’s not about fancy superfoods or $20 smoothie bowls—it’s about knowing where to find hearty, delicious meals that won’t drain your account. You don’t need to shop at luxury health stores or dine at Michelin-starred vegan restaurants to eat well. Real people in London—students, freelancers, families—are doing it every day on under £15 a day for food.
It starts with the basics: vegan food London, a wide range of plant-based meals available across neighborhoods, not just in trendy zones. Also known as plant-based eating London, it includes everything from lentil stews at corner cafes to falafel wraps that cost less than a bus ticket. Places like affordable vegan London spots in Brixton, Hackney, and Peckham serve up bowls of rice, beans, and roasted veggies for under £8. Even big chains like Pret and Tesco now have full vegan sections priced to compete with meat options. And don’t overlook the markets—Borough Market and Broadway Market have stalls where you can grab a vegan pie or a tofu scramble for less than £5.
It’s not just about restaurants. cheap vegan meals, simple, home-style dishes made with pantry staples and seasonal produce. Also known as budget vegan cooking, these meals are the backbone of real vegan living in the city. A bag of dried beans, a jar of tomato sauce, some onions, and spices can make three meals for under £2.50. Many Londoners cook in bulk, freeze portions, and take meals to work. You’ll find free vegan meal swaps in community centers, and apps like Too Good To Go let you grab surplus food from bakeries and cafes for as little as £1.99.
Transport helps too. With Oyster cards and weekly caps, getting to a vegan café in Camden or a bulk food store in Walthamstow doesn’t cost much. Many vegan spots are within walking distance of Tube stations or along DLR lines—no need for Ubers. And if you’re on a student budget, you’re not alone. A 2024 survey by a London-based vegan group found that 68% of plant-based eaters under 30 spend less on food than their meat-eating peers, simply because they skip expensive processed substitutes and stick to whole foods.
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to buy organic kale every week. You just need to know where to look. The real secret? It’s not about labels or influencers. It’s about knowing that a plate of chickpea curry at a family-run Indian takeaway, a vegan sausage roll from a local bakery, or a bowl of noodles from a Chinatown stall can be just as satisfying—and cheaper—than any trendy vegan burger.
Below, you’ll find real stories, real spots, and real prices from people who eat vegan in London without living on rice and beans alone. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just how to eat well, stay full, and keep your money where it belongs—in your pocket.
Discover how to eat delicious, filling vegan meals in London for under £5. From market stalls to supermarket hacks, this guide shows you the real budget-friendly spots that locals swear by.