On a budget? Make the most of this guide to dining well for less in London
Guest post by Nina K
It’s a well known fact that London is an expensive city. Ask any Londoner and they will tell you that transport is expensive, bars and restaurants can be crippling and housing prices are astronomical.
When you are spending so much on necessities, it can be tempting to live on a roster of beans on toast and cheesy chips in an effort to keep costs down. Just because you don’t have lots of money to spend on food, doesn’t mean you can’t eat well – London’s full of opportunities for you to eat like a king, just on a smaller budget.
#1 | Rustle up Something Delicious
Although cooking isn’t always cheaper than eating out, it’s a great way to ensure that you are eating a balanced diet that’s full of tasty meals, particularly if you plan ahead. The so-called supermarket wars mean that buying food is cheaper than ever before as the big names vie to undercut each other on prices.
Cooking is the perfect opportunity to try new dishes and cuisines – there are recipes for virtually every food imaginable on the internet, and Instagram is always around to provide extra culinary inspiration should you need it. Why not invite a few friends over and make a night of it – just try and make something tasty if you do or they will remember it.
Green peas & mint soup – Photo credits: Amaryllis Tsegou
#2 | Make Your Way to a Market
Wherever you are in London, there’s almost certainly a market near you. London’s markets are as varied and interesting as the city itself. Head to the foodie mecca that is Borough Market and nibble on some artisan treats (be warned, it’s almost impossible to come home empty-handed). Looking for a few unusual ingredients and the freshest fruit and veg – make your way to the multicultural Ridley Road in Dalston. Want to take your pick from a number of food stalls – Maltby Street market in Bermondsey is one of the many street-food markets that have popped up across the capital over the past few years.
Taken from wikimedia.org
#3 | Bargain Hour
Lots of daytime restaurants and eateries slash their prices just before they close for the day. If you get the timing right, you can get a meal for a fraction of the cost it would have cost you mere minutes before. Have a look anywhere that relies on super-fresh ingredients – Asian-food eateries Itsu and Abokado both do this – closing times are different depending on the branch so do a bit of research before heading out.
#4 | Grow Some Veg
If you have any kind of outdoor space (and even if you don’t), you can try your hand at growing some vegetables. Growing vegetables is inexpensive and infinitely satisfying. Salad leaves, herbs and even chillies can be grown on a sunny windowsill and if you have a bit more space, the possibilities are endless. In the summer, few things can beat the taste of home-grown tomatoes and you can also grow things that can be more difficult or expensive to buy on supermarket shelves such as rainbow chard. Just work out what you want to grow in the space you have and go ahead.
If you want to be even more self sufficient, you could even keep a chicken for fresh daily eggs!
Pic taken from pixabay.com
#5 | Book A Set Menu
There are lots of platforms, such as OpenTable or Bookatable where you can book a table at some of London’s best restaurants and dine on a set menu for a lot less than the a la carte. Though you might have less choice, the set menus often feature many of the restaurant’s best dishes. You also have the added advantage of knowing how much the meal will cost (+ service and drinks) when you go, so you can budget accordingly. This is the perfect way to dine in some of the best restaurants on a smaller budget – if you go for lunch rather than dinner, the deals are often even better.
