5 Cheap Eats in West London

5 choices for fuss-free cheap eats in West London

By Chane Scallan (follow Chane on: @Chane_Scallan)

You don’t usually find cheap places to eat in London but when you do, you don’t. If trying to source restaurant vouchers is too much admin and you’re not particularly proud of what you’ve done for free food in the past, you could always become a mystery diner. If none of the above works for you then here are five places that won’t really break the bank…at least not that much..

#1 Franco Manca | 144 Chiswick High Rd, London W4 1PU

Sourdough pizza baked at about 550C in a woodfire oven, it’s obviously not going to suit certain British palates but that’s what Dominoes is for. Love it or hate it, (we love it) Franco Manca is the closest you’ll come in London to pizza from a local café unit in Naples. Bridget Hugo (from BreadBread) is the co-founder so you’re in good hands where sourdough and woodoven baking are concerned. Without fussing too much, you can expect a thick-ish base with a slightly crisp outer layer but soft and chewy on the inside. We should all just get a grip- it’s pizza after all- and the cheapest on the menu is the ‘Number 1’ (tomato & herb) which is £ 4.50. Number 4 has no tomato and they will remind you of it every single time without fail. It works out sooooo well with the chilli oil provided, just try it!

#2 La Pizzica | 764-766 Fulham Road, London SW6 5HQ

Another Italian place makes the top 5 list but there are some key differentiators and a few things worth mentioning:

1. You’re not limited to pizza only and a full-on organic experience like Franco Manca.

2. It is like a less pretentious Franco Manca so you can order a coca-cola comfortably and not be forced to drink purely still lemonade from real Amalfi lemons if you don’t want to.

3. They have a delicious house red wine. Granted the food is pretty average, everyone needs their own lovely local Italian to turn to for copious amounts of red wine when it’s still too early in the week for the pub. This could be that place.

4. During the week it’s fairly quiet and you won’t feel awkward eating a whole quatro formaggio pizza alone. Apparently.

Check it out on tripadvisor.

#3 Abu Zaad | 29 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LH

Cheap menu,very big portions! An altogether fuss-free get-in-there type of meal. The café-style seating lends itself to quite a busy atmosphere so it’s a good spot if you’ve got loud friends. The more the merrier so you can get the sharing meze in order to try everything and tuck into some Labneh with some warm stretchy bread. Find more info and reviews through tripadvisor.

 

4# Mr Falafel | Shepherd’s Bush Market, London W12

Maybe Westfield brought you here. Maybe you’re a resident. Either way, don’t leave without trying Palestinian nibbles from Mr Falafel. A little café unit at the entrance of Shepherd’s Bush Market, you shan’t spend more than a fiver.

More passionate about hummus than sodium hydroxide, the owner, Mr Ahmed has a chemical engineering degree but loves what he does now while contributing to the community in London. The classic falafel has tomato, lettuce, aubergine, tahini and a few pickled things that are just pickley enough to add some spike to warm earthy flavours. If it’s pay day, order the Delux. There are fried cauliflower florets and chips in that one (just go with it).

#5 Kebab Kid | 90 New King’s Rd, London, SW6 4LU

We know how nights out and ‘babs go hand in hand, dripping down your arm while you stagger for the last tube regretting decisions. You might even continue eating it on the tube if you’re into that. But if you’d like to keep it classy, Kebab Kid is a good bet. The meat is sourced straight from Smithfield market so no dodgy meat source speculation there.

There you have it, 5 choices for fuss-free cheap eats in West London. Emphasis on cheap so get your tips out!

Check Chane’s Blog.

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You may also want to check our Tips for eating out for cheap.