Would appreciate your suggestions on moderate (20 Pounds and below)restaurants and pubs around these areas. Not picky and like a wide range of food, especially Italian, Indian, and Asian food.

Not expecting anything fancy at those prices, but was hoping for good value and/or fun places to eat.

Here's a few I've found so far: Salsa, La Quercia D'Oro, Pasta Brown's,The Rock and Sole Place, Lamb and Flag, Sofra-Travistock, and Belgo Central.

By coincidence I've just researched this very topic for myself--for Covent Garden only. Three restaurants at 21, 27, and 28 Wellington are Livebait (seafood), Orso (Italian--a branch of the popular NY theater row restaurant), and Le Cafe du Jardin (casual continental). I've been to the last two and would go again. Also nearby is Joe Allen, the 'brother restaurant' of Orso and another NY offshoot.
Finally, for good breakfasts, light lunches, and pastries, try Patisserie Valerie.
Bon appetit.
--Logan

Logan69, thanks for the feedback. I just learned about the pre-theater specials that some places run so that will also expand my possibilities.

If you're happy to eat early then you can extend your list by including the many restaurants that offer pre theatre dinner menus at low prices.

Circus offers a menu for about £13 for 2 courses and £16 for three (not including drinks and tip) which gives 3 choices for each course and has to be ordered before 7 pm or thereabouts.

Criterion's three course menu must be ordered by 6.30 and was about £18 last time I was there.

Main thing at these places is to be moderate in your drinks order - don't feel pressured to order bottled water if you're happy with tap - be specific when asking - as they charge high prices for drinks.

But this should open up a lot more options for you.

Near Leicester Square is China Town and you can always find a good meal there for a good price. Both Chinese and Japanese can be found.

I wrote my reply above 4 hours ago but couldn't post it so left the window open to try again at lunch time.

It did indeed post but I notice now that you've since already found out about the pre theatre specials...



Sorry to be redundant...

Just a word of caution to all tourists - NEVER eat in Leicester Square (or on one of the short orads that lead to it, except for Wagamamas) - it's full of awful rip-off restaurants which leave people with a terrible impression of British food.

Check out www.coventgardenlife.com. Once on the site you can click or restaurants or bars/pubs. This will give you a list of restaurants in the area and the costs. We love the Covent Garden Area. There is always something to see and do. Be sure and try the meat/veg pies in the Covent Garden. I can't remember the name of the place. It is street food, something like welsh pies. They are great!

The Stockpot in Panton Street, off Leicester Square, does good cheap meals. Two courses with wine normally comes to about £10.

The flat I rent every year is in Covent Garden and I can vouch for just about every place already mentioned above. Logan's recommendations are good, but at the upper end of the "moderate" scale. The only more obvious omission is Wagamama -- there are a couple of them in the area.
But for my other budget places, I head into Soho. There are great little Italian places (Picolo Diavolo -- the "little devil" comes to mind), as well as others. Just wander the streets, look for places that appear popular and check out their posted menus and/or specials. Chinatown is a similar option.

Patrick, can you provide details on the flat you rent in Covent Gardens? I'm looking for one in the area and am interested. Sorry for being off-topic.
Aloha

Thanks for all the inputs - my list is growing. Anybody else have any suggestions?

Have a drink and a snack at The Savoy - American Bar still makes a mean martini.

that'll be the lunch budget blown then...

Try the Palm Court Brasserie. We had a terrific meal there and it was very reasonable (39 King Street Covent Garden).

Yes, I too have to laugh at the suggestion for the Savoy in any post titled "moderate".

During lunch today (John's Pizza in New York City) I was suddenly reminded of another great bargain place for you -- Pizza Express. There are a number of them, including one half way between Leicester Square and Covent Garden Market. Their pizzas are outstanding and reasonable and their other dishes are good too (great salads by the way). Although the name sounds like some tacky counter place, the interiors are nice, modern, and have friendly table service -- a much better restaurant than the name would indicate.

Also look for Thai Pot, very reasonable and excellent.

I did not mention the Grill Room or any of the other restaurants - only the bar. A couple of drinks would be around 20 pounds with perhaps some bar snacks too. An enjoyable option.

Two drinks and some peanuts at the Savoy for $30? Does that come with an autographed picture of the Queen?

No, I heard you loud and clear about the bar, not the restaurant, but 20 pounds or over $30 US for two drinks doesn't usually fit into a "moderate" scheme. I think that's the amount hansikday was planning to spend on dinner for two -- not just two drinks. Incidentally our round of drinks at The Savoy was higher than 10 pounds each, and they were some of the worst drinks ever -- particularly the bellini. Plus we had to listen to our aged server rant and rave about how nothing at the Savoy is like it used to be and they can't get good help there anymore. For us it was not a pleasant way to spend an hour or two.

Patrick--You're my kinda guy. I've eaten at John's Pizza many times--at 3 locations. And I agree with your Pizza Express rec between C'vnt Gdn & Leicester Sq. Been there once. Thanks for the help on the Irish ferry, too. Email me sometime at [email protected].

Thanks Logan, but I didn't offer any help about an Irish ferry. Maybe you have me confused with a PatrickW, whom I believe lives in London, or at least in the UK?