Fancy an amazing ethnic meal that won’t break the bank? Try these places for under £15 a head
By The Swindian
London’s foodie scene is so vast that whenever the topic of restaurants comes up, it usually turns into a long and rambling discussion about the pros and cons of every restaurant from Soho to Stockwell. Pricing is often the most contentious point, as this city has a habit of just sucking all the money out of you! But if you’re looking for a great meal for under £15 per head (note: this does not include drinks), here’s a list of the 5 best budget restaurants as chosen by The Swindian, serving up the best in international cuisine, in no particular order.
What are your top budget restaurants in London? Leave a comment below!
#1 Mandalay | Burmese | £
Cost per person: All main courses (bar one or two) are under £10
Address: 444 Edgware Road, W2 1EG
Details: This family-run establishment on Edgware Road only has around 6 tables, which makes for a very cosy atmosphere. Their awards accolade is very impressive, and their food is stellar. Be sure to make a reservation!
Suggested dish: Raw papaya and cucumber salad (starter), Lamb in tamarind sauce (main)
Mandalay on Tripadvisor
Photo by the Swindian: lamb in tamarind sauce
#2 Brasserie Zédel | French | £
Cost per person: 2-course menu for £8.75
Address: 20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED
Details: You’d never even know it was there… the expansive, high-ceilinged restaurant, bar and cabaret, hidden underground behind an unassuming façade on Sherwood Street, right behind Piccadilly Circus. This French bistro boasts a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, impeccably dressed staff and superb food quality for an unbeatable price.
Suggested dish: Steak hachée avec frites, and for dessert, the crème brulée
Brasserie Zédel on Tripadvisor
Photo by the Swindian: crème brulée
#3 Dishoom – Specifically Breakfast | Indian | £
Cost per person: Breakfast dishes from £4-8
Address: 12 Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9FB / 7 Boundary Street, E2 7JE / 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB
Details: A Bombay Café decor, the sight of the upside-down tawa, the huge stretchy roomali rotis, the pictures on the wall, the smell of home, and of course the actual food itself, all make Dishoom an authentic, delicious experience.
Suggested dish: House granola. Trust me on this one… It is drizzled with yogurt of the gods, packed with gloriously fresh fruit, and toasted to perfection
Dishoom on Tripadvisor
Photo by the Swindian: House granola at Dishoom
#4 Yalla Yalla | Lebanese | ££
Cost per person: £10-15
Address: 1 Green’s Court, W1F 0HA
Details: A small establishment in Soho, with the feeling of having stepped into somebody’s living room. The smell of spices fills the air like the food will fill your belly.
Suggested dish: Soujoc (spicy sausages), lahem shawarma and the ever-comforting hummus
Yalla Yalla on Tripadvisor
Photo by the Swindian: lahem shawarma
#5 Bi Bim Bap | Korean | £
Cost per person: £8-10
Address: 11 Greek Street, W1D 4DJ
Details: Polaroids on the wall, Ikea chairs at the tables and piping hot stone bowls filled with rice, vegetables and meat. What more could you ask for?
Suggested dish: Beef bulgogi bibimbap with raw egg for an extra £1. For indulgence, order the pajeon (seafood pancake) to start
Bi Bim Bap on Tripadvisor
Photo by the Swindian: Beef bulgogi bibimbap
A bit about The Swindian
The Swindian is a London-based blog that covers all things edible, from Korean food in Soho to French fusion in Battersea. Always on the hunt for better food, she loves improvising in the kitchen as well as snapping up a bargain in the expensive city of London!
You can find the Swindian on Twitter and on Instagram.
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