There's a Marks & Spencer Simply Food in Waterloo station. There should also be a Pret-a-Manger or Eat or M&S Simply Food just across the river, I'd think. M&S sell dinners as well as salads, sandwiches and such for lunch. I'd go there instead of Boots (the Boots at the Waterloo Station doesn't have prepared food like the M&S).

For dinners, most of the restaurants between the Hungerford Bridges and Westminster Bridge on Belvedere Road weren't too expensive. But saying you're on "a budget" is more than somewhat vague -- at dinner time is it a 6GBP per person budget or a 10GBP per person budget?

If it's the former, well . . . there's a Subway on Belvedere Road too.

Along Southbank near where you're staying there are great options - as everyone has mentioned, there's Wagamama, Strada etc. There's also Giraffe, EAT and down at Gabriel's wharf there's the Gourmet Pizza Company, Studio 6 and a great little Creperie. Further along there's Pizza Express and The Real Greek. You won't go hungry!

While CW mentions Anchor and Hope, I agree it's a great place. I just had lunch there on Saturday and loved it. I had one course -- pretty much the median price -- kid chop on a stew of chick peas, fennel, tomatoes, and potatoes -- along with a Bloody Mary. It was delicious and I'm not complaining but that was 24.10 total ($36 to us Yanks). That's hardly what most visitors would call inexpensive for lunch. Sure it's way better than the average pub, but there's a big difference between a two course lunch at a pub for 4 pounds 75 or so and paying 24 pounds for a single course lunch for one. I suspect the original poster is looking more for the former and not for the latter.


I too have written off Wagamama. I like the food fine, but it too is hardly inexpensive any more. Today I ate at a great little noodle shop in Chinatown called the Baozi Inn. I had a huge bowl of wonderful noodles with fragrant slices of beef in a rich stock. It's not unlike many of Wagamama's offerings but was considerably more delicious and only 6 pounds instead of the average of 10 to 12 at Wagamama.

Of course, now it's time for me to be chastised for being a stupid American who can't possibly know anything about London, as CW loves to do everytime I offer a suggestion here.

Does anyone have pre-theater restaurant recommendation? Nearish to the Criterion?

Stokebailey - If you wanted somewhere quite special, but with a well priced pre-theatre menu I would suggest St Alban on Lower Regent St http://www.stalban.net/

Alternatively, you're not to far away from Browns on St Martin's Lane http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/...ventgarden.php or any of the places in Soho.

Great thread - I have always struggled getting value for money in London, but fortunately exchange rates should help those of us traveling there from the antipodes this year. Thanks for the Pub tips. Any others currently good for food around Green Park area up the back of Piccadilly around Brick, Hertford and Curzon Sts ? Oh and is that Polish-Mexican restaurant still there ? Any good ? Thanks

I like Al Hamra in Shepherd Market--I think good quality for the money but not inexpensive. Try lunch.

Thanks, quiUK. Those look very nice.

Even more reasonable if I stick to my policy of pretending the prices are $ and don't convert to £.

Patrick! You've discovered Baozi Inn!

Count me in as another one unimpressed by Wagamama. I've tried it twice in the UK, and after the 2nd time, I told myself I wouldn't bother with it again. The food there is not inexpensive, and fairly mediocre, and most importantly, very inauthentic (esp the Asian noodles).

Wagamama now has 3 branches in Boston, but I'd take any place in Chinatown any day than eat at Wagamama.

Great thread - thanks Therese for the link to Le Pain Quotidien. For some reason, it's a lot fancier than I thought it would be - I didn't realize it was an actual restaurant. I always imagined it sort of being like the Paul chain in Paris - this is the same chain that is also in Paris right?

Ummm, I wouldn't call Le Pain Quotidien "fancy". At least the few I've been to, they aren't. Wooden tables and chairs, no table cloth, and most have a communal table for sharing. They serve mainly soups, salads, and sandwiches; and very popular for families with young kids. I'd say it's a teensy bit better than Paul.

Le Pain Quotidien isn't what I'd call fancy in any respect whatsoever. Very much as yk describes it, with wooden tables, etc. Once you've been in more than one you'll be struck by the corporate sameness of it all (right down to the lavatories), but the food appears to be reliably good (based on my experience of two, and the recommendation of a friend).

As for Wagamama, I very seriously doubt that anybody's under the impression that the food either is or pretends to be "authentic". Chinatown (wherever it may be) offers one sort of experience, and places like Wagamama offer another.

In the end both Le Pain Quotidien and Wagamama are in a sort of gray zone between fast food establishments and stand-alone sit down restaurants, and both come in very handy when it comes to feeding families with children.

As others have said, you can get some very tasty inexpensive pre-made sandwiches at places like Sainsbury's.

We had dinner one night at a restaurant in Soho called the Stockpot. I had lamb cutlets with potato and vegetables for about 6-7 GBP. It's not a fancy place, just good basic food.

Lee Ann

Whats to be expected for tipping, please?

(also bookmarking....)

Stokebailey, last night after Sunset Blvd. at the Comedy I ate right across the street at Strada, a modern Italian place that is very reasonable. I had a great carpaccio of beef for 5.75 and a super rigotoni with a gorgonzola cream sauce topped with large thin slices of proscuitto for 9.25. They also have pre-theatre specials for an even better bargain. The place is very attractive and has delightful young and energetic Italian young people working. This is quite close to the Criterion.

Feldie, this week, I think I've only had one bill that didn't already have the "discretionary" service already added to it -- seems to be between 12 and 15 percent. No need to add anything to that. If there is none added, then do about that same amount.

Anybody been to the Polish-Mexican Restaurant near Shepherds Market in recent years ? Is it worth a visit ? Used to be a reasonably priced tapas restaurant near there too as I remember.

I plan to go to Cafe in the Crypt - http://www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.o...ypt/crypt.html this week when I arrive in London. It was closed for renovations that last time I was there. I hope to go the candlelit dinner on Thurs at 7:30. Looks reasonable with good atmosphere.

Of course, now it's time for me to be chastised for being a stupid American who can't possibly know anything about London, as CW loves to do everytime I offer a suggestion here.>>>>

No. I only call you when you're talking balls (quite often). In this case you're spot on (and I have to admit that I didn't realise the Anchor and Hope was that expensive.)

Re wagamama: I hate this place with every bone in my body because you have to share intimate space with strangers (there is nothing worse for the English than this) and more importantly their brats. Is there anything worse than other people's kids? Having said that the little rug-rats seem to love the place.

Strada is my favourite pizza chain in England ( I know this is a little like being the prettiest girl in Alabama, but hey-ho) I love their rocket pizza (you yanks call it something else that I can't remember).

Goodwill: Shepherd's market eh? Before or after (or don't you know?)

There was a good thread recently on money-off deals at UK restaurants:-
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ndonthe-uk.cfm

I'm also mystified why Wagamama ALWAYS comes up in any discussion here about inexpensive eating in London. I for one don't think £55 for a 2 course meal inc drinks for 2 people (which is exactly what I paid in there last time) is anything like good value. The novelty value of sitting at the long tables long wore off as well, and the whole concept is now looking tired.

Same problem with Wagamama in Sydney - the price is not right but the name attracts. I always thought it was an aboriginal word meaning "starbucks".

C_W not sure about Shepherds Market cryptic comment. Its just behind the posh place we stay at when we visit infrequently. Usually go there before going up the hill for a serious rum drink at Trader Vics then float down the hill after.