Is this an oxymoron? Does anyone have any recommendations for a place in Central London to get a meal for under 10 pounds?

McDonalds

hiya cate... <BR>there are lots of inexpensive places to eat in central london (other than mc d's)..pubs often have tasty food..you can try them, greek resturant called dianysis(sp) on oxford st., pizza exress, not just pizza, pasta as well. they're everywhere.. <BR>all the resturants post menus outside, so you can read before going in...no suprises that way. <BR>there is also an exellent book called "cheap eats in london" its worth buying if you want meals on a budget. <BR> <BR>lisa

Cafe in the Crypt at St. Martin's-in-the Field (across the street from the National Gallery) is one of our favourites. Limited selection - usually 2 main-dish choices, plus sandwiches and salads - but we have always enjoyed it for a quick, cheap meal.

One of my favorites is Belgo Centraal, near Covent Garden in Neal's Yard. Not only do they have wonderful mussels and frites and the best selection of Belgian beers, but they also have wonderful roast chicken. They used to always have a special of mussels and frites where you "pay the time". For example order them at 5:45 PM and you pay 5.45 pounds. Not sure if they still do that, but it's always a bargain anyway. Also, great food and fun times at Wagamama noodle shops -- there are several.

I love Wagamama and take every opportunity to recommend them. <BR> <BR> Restaurants in department stores give you a hearty feed for not much $. <BR> <BR>

Indian, Chinese and Thai restaurants are usually pretty reasonable. <BR> <BR>Look out for special lunchtime deals - you can often get 2/3 courses for under £10. <BR> <BR>If you want a decent sandwich then check out Pret a Manger - found everywhere now. <BR> <BR>And definitely try to get hold of a copy of 'Good Cheap Eats in London' - it's a Hardens Guide and you should find it in most London bookstores.

The "Mel" above wasn't me, but I would have recommended Thai or Indian, as well. Pret a manger is great and cheap as are the deli offerings at Waitrose (grocery store). I'm not as fond of those at Sainsbury's. Marks and Spencer's department stores have wonderful "take away" departments and the packaged sandwiches aren't what we'd recognize from the vending machines here in the states. They are packaged like that, but are really fresh. <BR>I particularly like the upstairs room at the White Lion pub in Covent Garden (next to the tube exit). I don't think I've ever seen anything on the menu tht's over 10lbs--more like 5-6. Great fish & chips, roasted chicken and a chicken/ham/mushroom pot pie to die for!

Many restaurants in the West End have pre-theatre/early evening (eg 17.30-19.00) dinners for under a tenner---- a few on Shaftesbury Avenue (the bit to the east of Charing Cross Road). Otherwise try Chinatown or Bayswater.

Sweetie, darling, why don't you try the cafe at Harvey Nic's? For 10 pounds you can get a Japanese beer and a bag of Kettle Crisps. But, whatever you do, do not eat the pot-pourri......Actually, if you walk past Harvey Nichols on Brompton Road go about two blocks and there is this holistic or naturalistic looking cafe. They have great soup and sadwiches and fabulous little cakes. It is cheap. I can't think of the name because I don't pay attention to things like that. Somebody told me that Linda McCartney used to have lunch here all the time.

<BR>By e-mail I am sending you notes I have on disc on meals in London pubs, and other cheap meals. Please write if I can help further, or if the attachments won't unpack. <BR> <BR>Welcome to London <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR>

We love My Old Dutch on King's Road (great savory crepes), Chelsea Bun Shop, also on Kings Rd, and every single Stock Pot we've tried.

London has some of the best Indian food on the planet, and any number of fish & chips Other cheap eats include cafes in musuems, pizza by the slice, as well as Asian and vegetarian restaurants. Avoid anyplace calling itself a steak house. Some personal favorites: <BR> <BR>Pret A Manger <BR>Seem to be located on every corner. Awide variety of healthy and tasty sandwiches and drinks. <BR> <BR>Food For Thought <BR>Vegetarian, just off Covent Garden <BR> <BR>The Hare & Tortoise <BR>In the Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury. <BR>Similar to Wagamama, butthe menu offers dishes from China and Korea in addition to Japan. <BR> <BR>Jimmy's - Anglo-Greek <BR>Frith St <BR>Greek. Cheap. Fun too <BR>Breads, cakes, pizzas and snacks to eat in the tiny upstairs dining room

"Breads, cakes, pizzas and snacks to eat in the tiny upstairs dining room" Somehow the location for that place - Neal's Yard Bakery - disappeared. sorry.

I second Patrick's recommendation of Belgo Centraal in Covent Garden. We ate there 3 times in ten days this summer! The Beat the Clock special is from 5 - 6:30 pm every day. You can get Mussels, Chicken, or Sausage with fries and a fabulous Belgian beer for 5-6.3GBP. We also ate several times at Wagamama and had several great sandwiches at Pret a Manger. Have fun! <BR>

Try two new pizza chains, that are I M H O, far superior to Pizza Hut and even Pizza Express. They are Zizzi and Strada. There is a Zizzi on the Strand and one right near the Opera House in Covetn Garden, next to Bow Street Court. Strada is just off Kingsway near to the Masons' headquarters. Look them up on the web or in the Yellow Pages. Very good pizzas and free water and breadsticks at Strada. <BR> <BR>Try all the posh restaurants at lunchtime and early/late evening for 2 course for £13 or so. Very good value. (Jago, Dial, Bank, Mezzo). <BR> <BR>Finally, go to www.toptable.co.uk for more offers.