Cheap Eats London: Best Budget Food Spots and Hidden Gems

When you’re looking for cheap eats London, affordable, satisfying meals that don’t require a credit card upgrade. Also known as budget food London, these spots are where locals grab lunch between meetings, students refuel after class, and visitors eat like they live here—not just visit. You don’t need to book a table at a Michelin-starred place to eat well in this city. The real magic happens in market stalls, unmarked kitchens, and corner shops where the food is fresh, bold, and costs less than your morning coffee.

Many of the best cheap vegan meals London, plant-based food that’s hearty, flavorful, and priced for everyday budgets. Also known as affordable vegan London, these meals come from bakeries that make flaky pastries without butter, food trucks serving jackfruit tacos, and supermarkets with pre-packaged bowls that cost less than £4. You’ll find them in Peckham, Camden, and even near tourist hotspots—just not always on the map. Then there’s London street food, quick, portable meals sold by vendors in alleys, squares, and train station exits. Also known as fast food London, it’s not the greasy kind you think of. It’s spicy Nigerian jollof rice, warm Turkish gözleme, or vegan donuts glazed with oat milk caramel—all served in paper wrap or on a paper plate. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re daily rituals. People line up for them. They’re the reason you don’t need to spend £20 on a sandwich to feel full.

What makes cheap eats London different from other cities? It’s the mix. You can grab a £3 falafel wrap next to a £5 bowl of pho, then walk five minutes to a vegan bakery selling £2.50 cinnamon rolls. There’s no single place that owns this scene. It’s spread across neighborhoods, shaped by immigrant communities, and kept alive by people who care more about flavor than fancy decor. You won’t find a single sign that says "Best Cheap Meal in London"—because the best ones don’t advertise. They just have a line out the door.

What you’ll find below are real, tested spots—no influencers, no paid promotions. Just the places where people actually eat. Whether you’re vegan, on a student budget, or just tired of overpriced salads, you’ll find meals here that fill you up, taste amazing, and leave cash in your pocket. No fluff. No fake reviews. Just food that works.