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  • Cheap lunch spots in London

  • By Time Out Food & Drink editors

    Posted: Fri Nov 7 2008

  • Stumped for interesting places to go for lunch without it costing an arm and a leg? Here are some London alternatives to the dreaded meal deal

    Cheap lunch spots in London

    Galapagos Bistro-Café © Jitka Hynkova

  • Indian | Chinese | Italian | Korean | Vietnamese | Thai & Malaysian | Mexican African & Caribbean | Lunch | Buffets | Comfort | Romantic | Award winners

    • Photo for “Galapagos Bistro-Café”

      Galapagos Bistro-Café

      169 Battersea High Street, Battersea, SW11 3JS

      A small, comfortable café/bistro, run by a husband and wife team who excel in value for money. Everything is made on the premises, and there's a generosity about the place, from the initial greeting to the large measures of wine, that ensures return visits. Meal for two with wine and service: around £40. Read more

    • Benito's Hat

      56 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 4NB

      London’s TexMex eateries are currently ten a peso, and while there’s only one Benito’s Hat, the branded interior looks ripe for replication. The production line serves some of the best burritos in town. We plumped for one loaded with slow-cooked pork and loved the soft, floury tortilla, the freshness of the fiery salsa brava (made several times daily) and the black beans authentically flavoured with avocado leaves. If you’re drinking, the margaritas are suitably merciless. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £20. Read more

    • Byron

      The Loft, Westfield London, Shepherd's Bush, W12 7LS

      How good can a burger get? Just don’t mess with the basic formula. We want a good, soft bun; juicy beef, never overdone; fresh, sprightly toppings – and that's where Byron gets it right. Meal for two with soft drinks and service: around £30. Read more

    • Photo for “Passage Café”

      Passage Café

      12 Jerusalem Passage, City, EC1V 4JP

      The small kitchen works wonders with simplistic, hearty bistro fare. With dinner prices like £5.50 for starters, £10 for mains and £3.50 for puds… well, bon appétit, indeed. Read more

    • Chapters All Day Dining

      43 - 45 Montpelier Vale Blackheath Village , London, Blackheath, SE3 0TJ

      Formerly known as Chapter Two, this esteemed Blackheath restaurant has been transformed into an open-plan café, bar and brasserie. While no cut-price eatery, its menu offers plenty of light meals and main courses for well under a tenner. Light meals start at £3.95 for soup and a roll or a toasted chicken, mozzarella and tomato panini. Dinner for two with wine and service: around £45. Read more

    • Lantana

      13 Charlotte Place, W1T 1SN

      This new Antipodean-style eatery is run by chirpy proprietor Shelagh Ryan. The super salads (smoky aubergine or a crunchy sugar snap and red cabbage combo, for example) are Ottolenghi-esque, the cakes and sunny breakfast offerings already drawing in a band of regulars. The coffee is from Monmouth, and the espresso machine the coffee connoisseur’s choice: La Marzocco. Lunch for two with drinks and service: around £18.

    • Photo for “Tsuru”

      Tsuru

      4 Canvey Street, Bankside, SE1 9AN

      At this daytime caff, the focus is on reasonably priced Japanese food that is ethically and/or locally sourced. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £25. Read more

    • La Voute

      10 Archway Close, Archway Rd, N19 3TD (7281 7314). Archway tube.

      This daytime-only caff is bright and comfortable, offering a range of French-tinged treats for the famished. An elegant counter of pastries and confectionery is expected, and here they come laden with éclairs, croissants and cheesecake. Salads and soups of the day are vibrant and filling – try a Mediterranean-style sarnie filled with goats’ cheese, fresh pear and strawberry jam, paired with a crisp green salad. Perfect for spring and summer days is a sunny back garden, where Archway’s denizens have staked out the seats to enjoy fantastic breakfasts (lamb sausages and halloumi among the offerings) and coffees. Meals served 8am-4pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £35. Unlicensed; no alcohol allowed.

    • Scandinavian Kitchen

      61 Great Titchfield Street, Marylebone, W1W 7PP

      This fun, friendly café welcomes allcomers with its pick ’n’ mix smørrebrød (open sandwich) plates and hot dogs. Smoked salmon, herring, prawns, chicken salad, meatballs, cheese and eggs are prettily arranged on rye and sourdough breads – choose any three (£4.95) for a lovely light meal, or five (£7.75) if you’re really hungry. Weekends see more of an expat crowd, who come to pick up Danish and Swedish groceries. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £25. Read more



    Indian | Chinese | Korean | Vietnamese | Thai & Malaysian Mexican | Italian | African & Caribbean | Lunch | Buffets | Comfort Food | Romantic | Award winners

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