Budget Dining in London Article
 

Greetings fellow fodorites,

I found an interesting article on budget restaurants in London. Been researching here on Fodors and elsewhere for my trip next may.

http://www3.visitbritain.com/uk/pres...get_dining.htm

Monica ((F))

Thanks, Monica. Been looking into restaurants there too.
Have you decided on a place to stay yet?

Sherry

I plan to book my hotel via Priceline, hopefully in a month. My thoughts are for the Kensington area. The Holiday Inn Kensington Forum (4* hotel) has been going for $70-$75/night. Been reading up on restaurants too (budget!) and it seems list most of the restaurants are in the Mayfair/Soho area. So I'm also wondering about staying in that area instead. Decisions, decision. :)

Monica ((F))

There are some corking places in that Article. I am a huge fan of Petit Max and Royal China.

The Gourmet Burger Kitchen is good too (and there are branches in other places) but surely an American wouldn't come to London to aet a burger?

Monica. BA seems to be offering a slightly different hotel grouping with this new flight sale.
The hotels start at $40pp. You might want to keep this in mind for a point of reference with Priceline.

No, I certainly wouldn't go to the gourmet burger place, especially at their price - 20GPB for a burger??? I normally don't go out for burgers at home, so I most certainly won't go out while in London. I'd like to find a place for good fish and chips (inexpensive - say $20/pp). Is that possible? And I'd like to find a good British restaurant for sheppards pie or something like that. I have plenty of time to do my research.

Sher, I'll keep an eye out on BA. I already have my airline tickets, but am considering contacting them to see what they can do for me for a hotel. They have a shuttle service door to door that's a really good price thru their BA holidays link. Otherwise, we'll use justairports.com.

Thanks for the input.

Monica ((F))

You may also be interested in the article on gastropubs on the same site:

http://www3.visitbritain.com/uk/pres...gastropubs.htm

Personally I'm confused at how £50 for two people is considered to a budget option but I can't work out whether it includes a bottle of wine or something. If so, it's not so bad. If it's just for the food it seems a bit high to me.

There are many great places to eat that come in at less than £25 a head including a few drinks.

Monica. I have only been in London once, through BA, and the shuttle service was included.
Some people do not like shuttle services given that you must wait while other people are picked up. But given the prices to book transportation to your hotel(other than the tube) I was very satisfied. They used hotelink.

Kavey, the article did said it included wine, but it didn?t say whether a glass per person or a small bottle. It doesn?t include taxes and tips. After I printed the article and read it, I thought, ?That?s budget??!? I have collected some restaurant recommendations on this web site, as well as from Frommer?s. What are your favorite budget places?

I'll have to call BA today and see what they can offer me. I thought the hotelink transportation was a separate price.

Monica ((F))

Kavey, the article did said it included wine, but it didn?t say whether a glass per person or a small bottle. It doesn?t include taxes and tips. After I printed the article and read it, I thought, ?That?s budget??!? I have collected some restaurant recommendations on this web site, as well as from Frommer?s. What are your favorite budget places?

I'll have to call BA today and see what they can offer me. I thought the hotelink transportation was a separate price.

Monica ((F))

I have often lined up some interesting, good, moderately priced restaurants before going to Europe , and it seems I rarely end up using them. Often they are not very close to our hotel after a long day of walking around....however with enough research and planning you can plan to BE at a particular spot to eat at a certain time. We just never seemed to want to tackle the bus or underground at business "rush" hour...OR try to get a taxi.But it IS fun to read articles and know of some recommended places like budget restaurants, in case you are in the vicinity.

I wrote a looooooooong reply and fodors ate it as it logged me out and wouldn't let me back in for hours.

I haven't the heart to rewrite it all just now but I will tomorrow...

So sorry Kavey!!! That?s happened to me too. Very frustrating. I do appreciate your input.

Mari3, I agree with you. I do my research, take with me a long list of restaurants located in various areas, and either go to one of them while in that particular area or find a different one. At least I'm armed with options.

Thanks,

Monica ((F))

Right then... summary of most of what I said but abbreviated.


For lunch ethnic is good. Recommend dim sum in china town, my favourite is Gerrard's Corner but others recommend other restaurants. If you do some research you might find out what time they finish dim sum as it's usually late afternoon - prob too early for dinner. With 6-7 small dim sum between 2 people plus chinese tea for two you're looking at no more than £10 each.

Also in chinatown Jen's cafe offers really inexpensive chinese in a casual cafe/ diner environment. You can eat a quick meal here for no more than £5-8 each.

Zipangu around the corner offers inexpensive Japanese at lunch and dinner.

Wagamamas isn't my favourite but is nice enough and is no more than £15 a head for a main plus a side each plus a couple of drinks.

Chez Gerard french chain offer good prices in both bar and main restaurant and have a set menu of three courses which is even better than regular menu. Drinks are where they make the money so tap water and one drink each keep costs down.

And then you have all the many top restaurants offering pre theatre dinner menus for no more than £20 for 3 courses. Less for 2 courses. Specify tap water if you don't want to undo the budget by paying for expensive bottled and save the bar drinks for a pub before or after dinner.

Thanks so very much Kavey for your budget suggestions. I'll definitely add that to my list.

Take care,

Monica ((F))

You're welcome.
Drop me an email if you'd like to meet up when you're here (London).
Kavey

I'd love to meet up with you! Maybe we can organize a get together on the 5th. I know already we have plans with our cruise mates on the 6th.

Monica ((F))

monica, Thanks for posting the url to the article tho I have to admit I agree those aren't especially budget options. The article says it includes house wine (I assumed a glass for each diner) and service. Since VAT is inclusive, wouldn't that cover tax and tips?

kavey, Wonderful suggestions! I've added them to my ongoing list. Thank you for reposting. I'm off to check out the gastro pub url.

My email has imploded. Will contact you directly when it's fixed.

Congrat's on your 10 year anniversary! I believe I saw that on another thread.

Thank you! It was on the 3rd! We were on holiday in Devon with a huge bunch of friends so we were able to have a party to celebrate.

What with renewing the vows in June it's been a great year!

There is a wonderful Spanish restaurant in SOHO called Cafe Espana. A small family run place with excellent food. I ate at some very good 5 star restaurants that were pricy and this beat them all. Picture yourself at dinner at a family's home in Spain and this is what you get. 42GBP for the two of us, beverages included.