Five Places to Eat in London on a Student Budget

There are endless places to eat in Central London, but how do you find great food that doesn’t cost a fortune? If you’re studying abroad in London, the chances are you have a budget to stick to, but you still want to explore the city and find great places to eat. This guide uncovers the best dining for the best prices and near to campus. So, enjoy budget breakfasts, lunch spots for less, and hearty evening meals that are light on your wallet with these recommendations.

1. Honest Burgers

Just a short stroll from both the London College of Fashion and the London School of Economics and Political Science, this burger restaurant prides itself on using the best quality meat, affordably. Honest Burger is modern and welcoming, and along with classic beef burgers, it serves vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options, too. The cocktails, local beers and wines are very affordable, and there are usually special burger deals with a side for under £10.

2. My Old Dutch

Head to this Holborn restaurant close to campus for large fluffy pancakes at a wallet-friendly price. My Old Dutch cooks crepe-style flat pancakes, fluffy American pancakes and savoury pancakes, too. The best part for students is the 10% discount when you show your student ID, and there’s a special Monday Madness deal every week where you can dine for under £10. This place is popular at the weekends, and often has queues out of the door, so pop along on a Monday for that meal deal.

4. Fryer’s Delight

The classic British fish and chips in an authentic chippy: Fryer’s Delight has been serving customers in Holborn since 1968 and is just a short walk from campus. The décor feels like it hasn’t changed since the 60s, with wood-paneled walls and red canteen booths that comfortably fit six hungry students. Try a classic plaice, haddock, or cod fried in a crispy batter with a portion of chips. You could also add mushy peas if you’ve never tried them before. Prices are almost as retro as the décor at Fryer’s Delight, and it’s also a popular spot for hungry London cab drivers, also known as cabbies.

5. Leather Lane Food Market

Every weekday from around 10am to 2pm, there’s so much street food from around the world at this food market. So if you’re looking for a lunch deal for under £5 but you don’t know exactly what you fancy yet, pop down to Leather Lane Food Market and let the stalls tempt you: Caribbean wraps? Turkish pizzas? Halloumi fries? There’s fresh coffee and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, too.