Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Save a few pounds with takeout ("take away") food. It's almost always cheaper to get food "to go" because the Value Added Tax (VAT) isn't collected on takeout food, nor is the usual built-in service charge.
Step2
Eat ethnic. There are some great deals in London on curries, kebabs and various specialties from India, Asia, the Middle East and many other regions. Just bear in mind that dishes may sometimes come with french fries ("chips") rather than the rice you might otherwise expect.
Step3
Dine on pub food. It's hard to predict - sometimes heavy and starchy, sometimes wonderful - but it's usually cheap and filling, and you can have a pint of ale or lager while you eat, if you like.
Step4
Go grocery shopping, and buy what you need for a few days. Of course, this works best if you have a fridge or cooler in your room, but you can picnic on nonperishable foods.
Step5
Eat vegetarian. Although not every veggie restaurant in London is cheap, many of them offer excellent value. Try some of the vegetarian restaurants in the Neal's Yard area (near Covent Garden).
Step6
Eat fish and chips. It's still a good budget standby, although the quality varies widely. Stand outside and take a deep breath: If you smell rancid oil, move along to the next fish and chip shop!
Step7
Ask around. People who live in any given neighborhood probably know the best and cheapest places to eat; most will be willing to offer a suggestion or two.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You will find stands that sell "jacket potatoes." These are the English equivalent of a huge baked potato with your choice of toppings. They are deliciously hot in the damp British climate, and they are filling enough to be a meal. Enjoy!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When I was in London with a friend, we were poor students and ate lots of fresh bread, pastries and scones, bought at little bakeries. Maybe we didn't get as many fruits and veggies as we should have, but it was relatively cheap, nourishing and delicious.
Anonymous said
on 12/16/2005 VAT is always included in the price shown in restaurant menus, the price shown is what you pay. Service is normally only included if you are part of a large party (8 people or more, although sometimes 6), details should be given on the menu.
In terms of tipping, just round up the bill to the nearest pound and add a pound on top of that if the meal is under c. £30. If it's more then up to 10% of the bill. Generally, no one tips more than 10% unless:
1. the service was exceptional
2. they're drunk
3. they've just won the lottery
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 London delicatessens, often owned by Cypriot immigrants, provide great, cheap lunches or dinners. I would buy a container of taramasalata (delicious garlicky Greek caviar dip), some "pitta" (we'd say pita) or wholemeal (we'd say whole wheat) bread and an apple or some carrots, and have a small feast to eat in a park or, in bad weather, back in my room. Also, surprisingly, you can eat fairly cheaply by buying small amounts of "take-away" prepared food, cheese or pastries at normally expensive places like the Harrod's Food Hall or Fortnum and Mason. Just be judicious.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If in Leicester Square, try the 5 fixed Chinese menu - both veg & non-veg. They offer up to 15 dishes; eat as much as you want. If in Angel, try the Gupta's for veg buffet priced at 5. Look for such great spots and enjoy a full stomach within budget.