What to eat in London. London's top cheap food spots. Cheap and not at all cheerful. Restaurants with national cuisine

While vacationing in the capital of Great Britain, any traveler will invariably face the question: “Where to eat in London?” For gourmets, there are more than 7,000 restaurants serving different cuisines from around the world (most restaurants are concentrated in the West End and Soho).

It is worth noting that you will have to pay a lot for good food in London, but during lunch hours many ethnic restaurants offer cheap menus to their guests.

In the British capital you will be able to taste traditional English tea (16:00-17:30). So, for example, for a tea ceremony (it is advisable to book places for this event in advance) you can go to the Ritz Hotel’s Palm Court - here you will be served sandwiches and cookies for tea. If you wish, you can drink tea at any tea or coffee establishment along with a sandwich, cake or pastry.

Where to eat inexpensively in London?

Restaurants serving Chinese, Caribbean, and Indian cuisines offer high-quality and inexpensive menus.

You can eat on a budget at chain establishments “Coffee Rebublik”, “Costa”, “Aroma”, “Starbucks”, “Pret a Manger” (sandwiches cost 2.5-3 pounds, coffee - 1.8-2 pounds, soup - 3 pound).

You can try different types of beer and snacks in English pubs. You can also have dinner here: as a rule, on their menu you can find potato pudding, fried beef, and fish and chips.

Where to eat delicious food in London?

St. John: in this restaurant you can taste traditional English dishes - smoked eel with bacon and mashed potatoes, ox tongue with chicory, real English pudding.
Hakkasan: This Chinese restaurant offers its guests specialties - Peking duck with royal beluga caviar, silver cod soaked in Chinese honey and champagne.
Le Gavroche: This 2-Michelin-starred French restaurant features dishes such as cinnamon pie and foie gras, venison fillet with spicy cranberry sauce, and truffled scallops.
Louis Hungarian Patisserie: this pastry shop will appeal to those with a sweet tooth - here you can enjoy almond and marzipan cookies, eclairs, almond pretzels and other sweets.

Gastronomic excursions in London

If you go on a gastronomic tour of London, designed for several days, you can stroll around the City of London, visit pubs from the 17th to 19th centuries (here you will be offered to taste English ale), go on an evening river cruise on the Thames (there will be an exquisite English dinner of 4-5 courses, an aperitif, tea/coffee, musical accompaniment, dancing after dinner), attend a tea ceremony in one of the restaurants, as well as a master class in one of the local culinary schools.

While relaxing in London, you can try not only traditional, but also dishes from almost all cuisines of the world.

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Where once children were barely tolerated and shushed in London restaurants, families are now treated with greater courtesy, and the meal itself is becoming increasingly informal. Noisy children won't be welcome in any restaurant, but even top-notch establishments will be happy to accommodate well-behaved ones, offering high chairs, coloring books and crayons for little ones. The choice of cuisines is huge, dishes are collected literally from all over the world. Prices quoted in the guide include a two-course meal for a family of four, excluding wine but including soft drinks.

Chinese cuisine in London

Obviously, the best Chinese food is to be found in Chinatown in the West End. The neighborhood's energetic heart beats on pedestrianized Gerard Street, which is lined with supermarkets and restaurants of all stripes, from modest eateries with tableless tables and rows of glazed ducks in their windows to elegant establishments with lengthy menus. Chinese families regularly eat out and therefore all restaurants are child-friendly. Many have high chairs for children, and food is served in small portions - the dim sum is especially worth trying. Children generally prefer dishes that have a delicate flavor - from rice, noodles and dim sum dumplings to spring rolls and crispy, aromatic pieces of duck.

Indian cuisinein London

Indian curries are one of the most popular dishes in the UK. For authentic Indian food, head to the Indian-inhabited areas of Southall, in west London, or Brick Lane and Bethnal Greene, in the east, where you'll also find Pakistani and Bangladeshi restaurants. While many dishes are likely to be too hot and spicy for children, there are plenty of milder options that older children will enjoy, such as tandoori, tikka masala, korma and pasanda. Mild curries are usually prepared with coconut milk. The curry is served with rice or flatbreads such as naan or chapatis and crispy pop pads. Vindaloo, Madras and jalfrezi are perhaps some of the spicier dishes. Two family restaurants with children's menus are Imlie, in whose dining room there is always liveliness, and Masala Zone in Covent Garden, where puppets from Rajasthan hang from the ceiling.

Thai cuisine in London

Kensington and Fulham have a large selection of Thai restaurants, including the famous Blue elephant with its stunning garden interior. There are also many modern local restaurants, pubs and cafes serving Thai food. Although some dishes are incredibly spicy, the Thai menu certainly contains milder options, often inspired by Chinese cuisine. Children typically enjoy satay (made with peanuts), noodle dishes such as pad thai, sweet and sour dishes, and pork ribs.

Greek and Turkish cuisine in London

Cuisine typical of Middle Eastern countries with the inevitable meze (light snacks and sauces). Traditional Greek dishes include tzatziki (cucumbers in a yogurt and garlic sauce), dolmadakia (grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs and sometimes meat), spanakotirapita (puff pastry with spinach and feta cheese), keftedes (meatballs with mint and shallots) , moussaka (layer-baked slices of potatoes, eggplant, zucchini and minced lamb with bechamel sauce and grated cheese), lamb and chicken kebabs, as well as grilled meat and fish.

Turkish dishes are distinguished by slight differences in names: for example, dzhadzhik instead of tzatziki and dolma instead of dolmadakia. It is traditional to start the meal with soup, after which children can be offered kuzu tandoor (baked lamb), ex-ile-kofte (meatballs in lemon sauce) or iskender (grilled lamb and beef with yogurt and tomato sauce, served on thin pita bread). Both cuisines are characterized by sweet desserts drowning in syrup, such as baklava. Restaurants are located in central and northern London, the meal is often accompanied by music and dancing, and in Greek restaurants sometimes even breaking of dishes. You can try Greek cuisine in traditional taverns Four lanterns And Konaki, and Turkish - in Sofra

Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine in London

Most Indonesian and Malaysian restaurants are located in central London, including Melati And Bali Bali, where food from both countries is served. Both cuisines are characterized by influences from Thai, Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern culinary traditions. The staples are rice and noodles, while chicken satay and beef kebabs are a must-have on any restaurant menu. Among the Indonesian dishes that can tempt little gourmets are, in particular, gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut dressing) and nasi uduk (rice in coconut milk). Less spicy Malaysian dishes include Hainanese chicken and noodle dishes such as Hokkien mee and koh long mee. Finish your meal with aromatic purple mangosteen (a tropical fruit) or goreng pisang (fried plantains).

Middle Eastern cuisine

The selection of hot and cold Middle Eastern mezes served in small portions is a special treat for children. Most children know what hummus is (a smooth, mild chickpea puree), but there are many other new dishes worth trying: sambousek (triangles of dough filled with meat, cheese or vegetables), tabbouleh (bulgur salad with mint leaves, parsley , tomatoes and green onions, with a lemon juice and olive oil dressing) and fattoush (a salad with parsley, mint and thin, crisp pieces of toasted pita bread, with a lemon dressing), as well as more substantial dishes with marinated chicken and lamb. When properly prepared, these dishes are very flavorful without being too spicy. The Edgware Road area has a range of Middle Eastern, mostly Lebanese, restaurants, including several that are part of the chain Maroush, and a little further west you will find AIWaha.

English cuisine

Previously, British cuisine, considered tasteless and difficult to digest, was unpopular with other nations. But time has made its own adjustments, and a whole galaxy of outstanding chefs, such as Jeremy Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay, miraculously transformed it, borrowing something from others, but remaining faithful to their roots.

Some English restaurants are doing their best to attract diners with children: one such place is called Roast, located in a real paradise for food lovers, Borough Food Market. Here you'll find highchairs, coloring books and a children's menu, as well as excellent traditional British cuisine made from local, organic produce. Excellent food can also be found at several of the city's gastropubs, pub-restaurants that opened in the 1990s, serving quality food in a pleasant environment; In most of them, children will receive the warmest welcome.

Italian Cuisine

Of all the world's cuisines, Italian is the most kid-friendly, at least when it comes to pizza, pasta and ice cream. In addition, the friendly staff of Italian restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias will surround them with care and attention. Typically, there will be a special menu for children, probably including pasta with a simple sauce such as pesto (basil and cheese), pomodoro (tomato), bolognese (meat) or carbonara (eggs, cheese and ham or bacon), homemade pizza or simply cooked meat. Usually these places have a wide selection of ice cream varieties.

Spanish cuisine

The growing popularity of tapas restaurants and bars has contributed to increased interest in Spanish cuisine among residents and visitors of the English capital. The Spanish, like the Italians, are very child-friendly and traditional tapas (small portions of various dishes) allow young gourmets to try new flavors and ingredients without having to order a whole dish. Some have a children's menu, and tapas such as jamon Serrano and jamon Ibérico (both cured), calamares fritos (fried squid), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), tortilla (Spanish omelette) are not very sophisticated, but very tasty.

French cuisine

The French, whose culinary tradition is considered one of the best in the world, have influenced British cuisine since the Norman Conquest, and today there are many good French restaurants in London serving excellent French food. As people have become more health conscious, the old traditional rich and creamy sauces have given way to lighter ones. Children's menus are more likely to be found in brasseries and bistros than in upscale restaurants, and they also offer lunchtime favorites such as steak or steak (burger) and fries, chicken, omelette and salad Niçoise, as well as a wide selection desserts - from apple and lemon pie to chocolate mousse and ice cream.

North Americankitchen

Londoners have had a fondness for North American cuisine since the Hard Rock Cafe opened in the city in 1971. With its juicy burgers and fries, hot dogs, grilled chicken and ribs, thick milkshakes, American style décor and rock 'n' roll music, the cafe is an authentic slice of the United States brought to Old Park Lane. Other restaurants followed, including the authentic, child-friendly Chicago Rib Shack in Knightsbridge and a range of diner joints.

Restaurant chains

It may not be the most original choice, but chain restaurants are a guaranteed reliable option for families - with highchairs and affordable food. This is not necessarily the ubiquitous, but globally popular burger and fries in MeDonald‘ s. You can try North American cuisine at Ed‘ sEasyDiner And TheDiner, copies of those that existed in the 1950s. in the US snack bars; you can find great burgers in GourmetBurgerKitchen. Another popular network Nanado‘ s, specializes in Portuguese chicken dishes. For Chinese food, go to one of the chain's establishments PingPong, where dumplings are served in aile dim sum, and pan-Asian dishes form the basis of the menu in Wagamama. On the Japanese network Benihana All ingredients are prepared right before your eyes. Maroush And Noura— networks of Lebanese restaurants; RealGreek— truly a Greek establishment; Tas- Turkish; a BrasserieGerard And CafeRouge- French. Some of the most family-oriented Italian chain restaurants are Ask, Carluccio‘ s, PizzaExpress, SpaghettiHouse, Strada And Zizzi. You will find the international food loved by all children in Giraffe.

It will not be a revelation to anyone that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to find affordable and high-quality goods and services, and food is no exception. Most food can be found in all kinds of restaurants, pubs, cafes, with the exception of tents and markets. Pubs are of greatest interest among tourists. To visit them means to plunge into the ancient English era, since some of them are more than one century old. Each has its own history, traditions and customs, Therefore, pubs are very popular and in great demand among both the British and tourists. Word Pub in English means public house (literally people's or public house). It is very easy for an experienced tourist to find a pub. Its walls are usually painted in rich red, green, blue, and sometimes black colors, and the façade is decorated with an abundance of flower beds and flowerpots.

Pub Features

the order must be made independently at the bar, so waiting for the waiter or raising your hand is simply pointless;
After choosing the menu, you must immediately pay the bill on the spot;
Pub owners hold weekly quizzes, the essence of which is to test the competence of their customers, who correctly answer the questions and receive prizes;
In pubs it is customary to treat your neighbor to beer, no matter what this person may be seeing for the first time. Thus, everyone in the chain treats the person sitting next to them with beer. If you are offered beer, and you do not want to treat anyone, then you should refuse such a generous offer;
in modern pubs, the client has the opportunity to watch the news, the game of his favorite team, play billiards, listen to live music and much more.

Pubs are found both in the city center and on the outskirts, so no matter where you are, there is always the opportunity to visit this establishment. The food selection is quite varied, and the menu includes dishes from various corners of British cuisine. As mentioned above, the vast majority of establishments are designed for people with average incomes, and by our standards they may even seem above average, but there are still budget places with good quality cuisine!

So where to eat in London?

King Edward VII

One of the inexpensive – by London standards – pubs, where the atmosphere of the Victorian era reigns, which, however, does not prevent the owners of the establishment from offering visitors a modern and tasty menu. The set of dishes, the number of which is usually no more than ten, can hardly be called exquisite, but here you can eat quite decently, tasting salads, cheeses, fish and chicken pie, sausages, smoked meats, and drink a glass of beer or ale. The latter will cost a tourist £1.65 for a half pint. A lunch of sandwiches and soup will cost around £6.50.

Restaurant address: 47 Broadway E15

The Counter

A rather peculiar establishment, located in the “outskirts” of the Olympic stadium, in the warehouse area, which is far from the most presentable. However, this is one of those places that will give a comprehensive answer to the question of where to eat in London. Young talented chefs will be happy to offer tired tourists hearty, tasty and - most importantly - inexpensive dishes: huge scrambled eggs with wonderful watercress, an equally impressive sized pie to choose from (Moroccan, apple, meat), interesting dishes of Indian cuisine . All the pleasure will cost the tourist approximately at 10 or 15 pounds.

The cafe is located at 7 Roach Road E3.

The Harp

Walking through Trafalgar Square and near Cowan Harvard, you can stop by this cozy little pub. Tourists can drink delicious beer and have a sandwich with real English sausages here in a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Such a set will cost approximately at 4.5-5 pounds.

And if you have already decided where to eat in London, then this pub is located in the Covent Garden area, address: 47 Chandos Place.

Londek Cafe, Stratford

A London cafe that offers tourists a closer look at Polish cuisine. Here you can have a fairly hearty meal, ordering delicious vegetable dishes, soups, goulash, potato pie with meat. The portions offered are impressive, but lunch will cost - depending on appetite, of course - somewhere around at 6-8 lbs.

The cafe is located at 198 The Grove E15, and you can take food away. By the way, you can also have dinner here, as the establishment is open until 22:00.

Yalla Yalla

An establishment of Lebanese cuisine that deserves the attention of every tourist. The interior of the cafe, not without a certain charm and a certain personality (here the ceiling and walls are decorated with rough wood, there are simple tables and Arabic pillows scattered everywhere - even on the floor), offers visitors traditional dishes of oriental cuisine, with which our tourists have long been familiar. So, shawarma can be bought for 3 pounds and a huge flatbread stuffed with young lamb will cost about £10. All dishes can be ordered to take away.

The cafe is located in the Soho area, its address is 1 Green’s Court.

City Cafe

Today, Vietnamese and Indian dishes are very popular among Londoners, which can also be enjoyed on the street. The quality fully lives up to expectations and the amount paid for them. At City Cafe you can have a very satisfying meal for only 3.75 pounds for a Vietnamese sandwich filled with delicious marinated pork, cilantro, cucumbers and carrots. There is an assortment of pastries and, of course, hot noodles.

The establishment is located in the City area at 17 Ironmonger Lane.

Undoubtedly, the list of such establishments where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal is far from complete. But those tourists who are looking for where to eat in London for a relatively small amount should not get hung up on looking for cafes, pubs and restaurants, as there are alternative options. For example, in grocery stores such as Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, M&S, which are scattered throughout London, tourists, and even residents of the capital, can offer all kinds of ready-to-eat sandwiches, various salads - from fruit to hearty meat, pastries, sushi and much more. In addition to shops, on the streets of London you can find small retail outlets, where you will also be offered good cuisine, the range of which will be a little more modest than in the same cafe or pub. The only “but” is that you will have to feast on these products on the benches, but the money spent on them is small (3 to 5 pounds) completely compensate for this shortcoming.

For those who like to have a cup of coffee during the day in London, there is a whole chain of coffee shops - Paul. Here, in addition to the aromatic drink, you can try amazing French pastries, buns, and cakes. I can also recommend from chain establishments Wagamama, Pizza Express, Cafe Rouge, Ed's Easy Diner. And, of course, McDonald's, Subway, Burger King and KFC.

If we talk about dinners, then in the evening the entire range of dishes offered by budget establishments during the day will cost twice as much. As for restaurants, they are not included in our list of “Where to Eat Cheaply in London”. The prices in them, even the simplest ones, are quite high.

It is very difficult to answer correctly, because London can be either a very expensive city or quite a budget one if comfort is not very important to you and you are willing to save money. So I’ll just list the prices and you can do the math for yourself.

Visa. The UK is not part of Schengen, unfortunately, and a short-term tourist visa will cost you $129, which is 8,356 rubles at the current exchange rate.

Flight. After EasyJet left Russia, direct flights to London from Moscow remained only quite expensive, about 20 thousand rubles, so it makes sense to look for a transfer. The most budget option is a flight; you can save twice as much on it. Please note that the plane arrives in England at London Heathrow, and your return flight to Moscow will be from Gatwick: this airport is located some distance from the city.

Housing. Six nights in any London hotel from three stars and above will cost the same 20 thousand rubles. If you don’t agree to this, look, there are many of them in the British capital. Six nights for two of them will cost 9 thousand. In the coolest one - 4 stars on TripAdvisor - six nights will cost 14,600 rubles for two.

Nutrition. A three-course dinner in a good restaurant will cost 50-75 pounds, which is 4300-6500 rubles. You can have dinner in an Indian or Chinese restaurant for 1,500 rubles, and in a pub for 1,000 rubles. Lunch at McDonald's will cost 4-7 pounds, that's 350-600 rubles. London has delicious street food: a sandwich can be bought for 200 rubles, and a large portion of kebab for 500-600 rubles. A cappuccino will cost about 200 rubles, and a pint of beer in a pub costs 300 rubles.

Public transport Quite expensive in England. A single ticket to the London Underground will cost 370 rubles for a trip through 2 zones and 470 rubles for a trip through 6 zones. If you use an Oyster card, you can save a lot. A metro pass with no travel limit for a week costs 57 pounds, which is 4,100 rubles. Add to it a weekly bus pass and another 1,500 rubles.

Entertainment. Many museums in London are free, but not all. Entrance to the Churchill Museum, for example, will cost 1,300 rubles, and to the Tower - 1,600 rubles. You can buy a London Pass, which gives you entry to 55 museums. A day pass costs 3,800 rubles, for 3 days - 6,200 rubles. You can go to a Chelsea home match for 1,300 rubles. A ride on the Ferris wheel will cost about the same as a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Yes, everyone’s travel budget may be different, depending on their preferences and needs. But there are plenty of opportunities to save money in London!

Housing. Firstly, this is, of course, couchsurfing. This option is good for many, but it is not suitable for those who travel with a group, do not like to live with strangers, or come to London not for a couple of days, but for a longer period. There are many options for just such travelers on airbnb. It is better to choose housing in zones 4 or 5 close to public transport stops.

Transport. Of course, it is best to travel on foot - this saves a lot of money, and you can get to know the city better. But sometimes you can’t do without transport. To save on transport, it is definitely worth buying a transport card. There are three of them in London: Travelcard, Oyster and London pass. Each of them has its own advantages. By the way, if you prefer the metro to buses, then you can not only get from point A to point B, but also see the city. For example, the 4th route passes Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Waterloo, the theater and Fleet street, and the 88th bus goes from Camden along Regent and Oxford streets and passes Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Tate Britain. More tips and ways to save on transport in London.

Food. The cheapest way is to buy food in supermarkets and cook it yourself. This is especially true if you're staying with local couchsurfers, hostels that have a shared kitchen, or renting an apartment. There are many supermarkets in London, but the most popular chains are Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's. The last two are almost the same, and Asda is cheaper than the rest. But the products there are of worse quality. In addition to products for self-cooking, in stores you can buy Meal Deal - an analogue of a business lunch. And before closing, London department stores start selling baked goods and sandwiches.

You can eat relatively inexpensively in London pubs, some of which offer snacks in addition to drinks. By the way, in any pub you can ask for a glass of water (tap water) for free instead of buying it. There are also all sorts of chain establishments whose prices are lower than in restaurants. And some also have happy hours and promotions. For example, Myolddutch has discounted pancakes on Monday. Details.

Well, for the most ascetic and super-frugal: there are canteens at churches and religious organizations scattered throughout the city, where you can have a soup or sandwich for free or for a small donation. You can find them too.

Entertainment. All public museums in London operate free of charge. Walking through parks, fairs, and streets is also free. But you don’t have to limit yourself to this. If you want to go on a tour, please! Several communities of enthusiastic guides offer free walking tours in different areas of the city. For example, Free London walking tours, Free tours of London and others.

In London you can watch plays, movies and listen to concerts for free. The Scoop, an open-air amphitheater near the Tower, hosts free cultural events during the warmer months: film screenings, performances, concerts, and festivals. The Queen Elizabeth Concert Hall hosts concerts every Friday as part of the Commuter Jazz program.

But the most interesting thing, in my opinion, is to witness the ceremony. For example, you can see the Ceremony of the Keys, sittings of Parliament and the trial at the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court. You can also do this for free. Find details, schedule and other ideas.

I went to London for 10 days with a budget of 30 thousand rubles. True, I had a few “buts”. 1) I already had a British visa. 2) This trip was before the exchange rate jump, approximately 54 rubles per 1 British pound. 3) I am a very, very, very unpretentious person :)

Firstly, I flew on a low-cost airline with hand luggage (minimum clothes, one pair of shoes, a minimum set of hygiene products), direct flight from Moscow, 4,000 rubles. Secondly, I lived in a beach hostel, in a room for 15 people, but for 8,000 rubles and a 5-minute walk from Bigben. It's great!

Breakfast at the hostel was poor, so I bought food for breakfast in supermarkets; I went to establishments three or four times during the trip. I usually dined in Chinese eateries; for 5 pounds you can get a large container of food, including seafood, meat, and eat for the week ahead! Pubs were on the program every day.

The main museums were reviewed on the first trip. The biggest expense for me was the ticket for the wheel - something like 19 pounds, if I'm not mistaken. I still don’t know why I decided to go for a ride, because it started to rain at that moment))

I almost always moved around the city on foot. I only used Oyster on buses, they are cheaper than the metro and the bus network covers the whole city. If I weren’t afraid to ride a bike around the city, I would also save on transport. There are plenty of bike parking spots around the city; a day costs 2 pounds, and a week costs 10 pounds. Perhaps something has changed now.

Most likely now you won’t be able to travel for 30 thousand, but at 50 you can try;)

You can save $50 on housing as follows:

1) Register on airbnb.com and confirm your profile.

And so on. We are finally wandering the streets of London.

And, naturally, we are faced with the question - where and what to eat in London?

It is common knowledge that English cuisine does not belong to global culinary brands, such as French or Chinese. And the British themselves are not very proud of their cuisine - the dishes, as a rule, are oversaturated with calories, but frankly, the imagination is rather weak.

How can one not remember the notorious “porridge, Sir”, various puddings and fried lamb with roast beef.

Well, I won’t say anything about oatmeal - no matter how many times I dined in London, I never ordered it. But I have had the opportunity to try the classic English Breakfast more than once. This is just an example of a classic English cuisine.

And I can honestly say that I like him. Although probably not very useful either. Judge for yourself: this is scrambled eggs with slices of bacon fried until crisp, and a couple of sausages fried in good butter. Add beans and fried tomatoes there. Sometimes fried mushrooms are added again. This breakfast will be offered to you in any hotel of three stars or higher.

And yet, despite some asceticism of the English “catering” where to eat in London no problem. Who doesn’t feed the British and tourists, and what they don’t feed them...

London Restaurants They offer cuisine for every taste and every budget - Japanese, Indian, Chinese, in general, you can list all or almost all countries.

The British themselves are very fond of Indian restaurants. How else can we explain their number in London - more than 7 thousand. And on almost any corner. As a rule, these are small restaurants served by real Indians.

The food is tasty, inexpensive and, as is customary in Indian cuisine, very spicy. Be extremely careful when ordering - there is a chance of grabbing something incomprehensible, after which you will not cry. This once happened to a friend of mine - neither before nor after this have I seen so many tears on his sometimes courageous face.

It’s better to immediately warn the waiter - “Not spicy, please,” i.e. without excess spices. As a rule, the staff London restaurants understands the aspirations of tourists. You can read how to explain yourself when traveling abroad in my. The average cost of lunch for two here can be around 20-25 pounds.

Japanese cuisine is also highly revered in London and is a significant competitor to traditional London restaurants. Moreover, in some places sushi in London is sold right on the street or at the station.

You can put different sushi and rolls in a box and eat them somewhere on the side, like pies. They are packaged in clear packaging of one or two pieces (costing £1-1.5 each), and the sauce and ginger come in tiny packets.

This is all we are talking about places and menus that are called a quick “snack”. The same sandwich in London costs from 2 to 4 pounds and is found everywhere - in cafes, pubs, and shops. True, the taste leaves much to be desired.

Therefore, people still prefer Indian, Turkish and Chinese small shops, where the food is very tasty and, most importantly, not expensive. Moreover, in most of them, you can take what you ordered, which is called takeaway. So, fast food lovers have something to do in the capital of England.

In the central London district of Soho is Chinese China Town - a genuine multinational food paradise. It is located at the Leicester Square metro exit, and is within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.

This is where there are countless different not only Chinese, but also Indian, Thai and even African restaurants. You can have dinner here for 10-15 pounds, if there is no fuss.

For lovers of Italian cuisine, I will say that there are also plenty of small Italian restaurants in London, but, as it seemed to me, there are not many specialized pizzerias at all.

Since we're talking about how inexpensive it is eat in London, you must keep in mind that if you went to some large shopping center on your shopping trip, and it’s time for lunch, then take advantage of this opportunity.

All retail establishments of this size have inexpensive snack bars and restaurants. The food here is usually inexpensive and quite tasty.

And of course, you can buy ready-made food in supermarkets. Almost everywhere there are sliced fruits - pineapples, mangoes, apples and others in a box with a fork. A package costs from 2.5 to 5 pounds.

You can also buy sets in boxes - salad and noodles with chicken, couscous, noodles with shrimp, etc. Such boxes also cost 3-6 pounds. When the expiration date expires, they are sold at half the price.

There are also sushi sets in supermarkets, but they are a bit dry and cannot be compared with those sold on the streets or in Japanese restaurants.

To summarize, the average prices for snack-class food will be as follows:

Takeaway food will cost 4-6 pounds. Coffee - Espresso costs 1.2-1.5 pounds, cappuccino - 2-2.2 pounds. Croissant - approximately 2-2.5 pounds. Cake - 2.5-3 pounds.

A typical English dinner of salad, steak and sides will cost a minimum of £10-20 depending on location.

But what are we all about restaurants and snack bars? In London, by the way, there are many real, expensive and famous “A La Carte” restaurants where you can get acquainted with traditional English cuisine.

For example, famous London restaurant Rules. This is the oldest establishment in London: it was opened in 1798 (35 Maide Lane, Covent Garden underground). In this classic English restaurant you will be offered mainly meat dishes - lamb or beef.

You can try a classic English steak in the Aberdeen or Angus chain restaurants.A decent piece of meat, the size of a size 43 sole, will cost you 25-30 pounds.

Yes, don’t forget to check with the waiter what degree of doneness you prefer. Well Done is a well done steak. Its antipode is an almost half-baked, what is called “bloody” piece of meat.

But in general, going to a classic London restaurant It won't cost you less than 50-80 pounds for two. And only if you don’t go too overboard with alcohol.

So, here is the time to remember such a British catering phenomenon as the Pub (the full name is “public house”, abbreviated as “pub”).

A pub is a traditionally British establishment. It is impossible to imagine the UK and London in particular without pubs. Main business pubs in England(And London pubs, naturally) - sale of alcoholic beverages. And in a pub there is usually a lot to choose from, but the main drink remains beer.

The most attractive thing for the British is that in pubs you can meet friends, drink beer, talk, and just watch football. People are also attracted by the presence of slot machines and music in pubs, usually live music. Usually, pubs in England are distinguished by their unusual design and atmosphere. Many of the buildings in which operating pubs are located are architectural monuments of art.

Titles pubs in England- a separate topic. It seems that their owners were competing to see who could come up with a name for the tricky ones. Well, for example, Golden Lion, Rainbow Pub, King's Arms, Green Man, etc.

And the pub next door to the London hotel, where my travel colleague and I once stayed, was called “The Hands of Devonshire” (Devonshire is a locality in England). This London pub We immediately renamed it “Brawler’s Hands” and was marked by repeated tastings of local beers.

Although, I must say, some names fully correspond to the content. For example, the Sherlock Holmes pub, located near London's central Trafalgar Square, is styled after his apartment on Baker Street, where the famous detective allegedly lived.

So, on the issue of having lunch, as they say, cheap and cheerful, London pubs out of competition. The food here is simple, good quality and inexpensive.

The most popular dish in pubs in England This is Fish and Cheeps. It is cod fillet baked in batter with fried potatoes. Although this is a definite blow to the liver, it is still tasty and relatively inexpensive - 5-8 pounds.

And of course, beer, of which there are simply a huge number of varieties. Moreover, some you will not find anywhere else. And if you can try Irish Guinness in almost any country, then “London Pride” is only here.

When ordering, remember that beer differs not only in name. Stout - black beer, bitter - dark, ale - dark sweet, lager - light. Beer on tap is sold in pints (0.568 l) and half pints. Be careful when ordering cider, especially Scrumpy Jack. After the fourth or fifth glass, the legs begin to work somewhat out of sync.

However, London pubs There is also a colossal drawback. By evening, crowds of screaming people gather in them. The crowd is like in a stadium. And if there is also football on TV...

It is almost impossible to eat at this time, because... there are no seats. What personal service is there, I wish I could find a place to just stand. But still, it’s worth visiting at least once at this time. Not to eat, but just to gaze, plunge into the atmosphere of a real English pub and see real English from the inside.

There are higher class pubs. There are especially many of them in Leicester Square. There is shabby furniture that is at least a hundred years old, walls with cartoons from the century before last, etc.

If you happen to be in the Tower area (and this, I think, is inevitable), I recommend going to The Minories pub, named after the street of the same name on which it is located. This is if you walk from the Tower Bridge (the Tower Fortress will be on your left), then ahead you will see the brick overpass of the Tower Gateway Station railway station. This pub is located right below it.

Here, as in any London pub, your order is taken at the bar counter and then brought to your table. When ordering, you are given an empty bottle with a plate with a number inserted into it. You place this bottle on the table of your choice and the waiter uses this number to determine where to bring the order.

Here are some more pubs worth visiting:

Lamb & Flag.

The oldest London pub in the Covent Garden area - it is more than 300 years old. Today you have to endure a real battle to get to the bar counter - there are usually a lot of people.

In this pub you will feel the atmosphere of a real English pub - stuffy, smoky, noisy. Some people like it, some don't, but be that as it may, this atmosphere is the hallmark of a real London pub.

Up the stairs you reach a restaurant and another bar, popular with those who work in the area, Covent Garden shoppers and tourists.

Address: 33, Rose Street, Covent Garden London Metro: Covent Garden

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

One of the few pubs in London that can truly be called a museum. Entering it, you immediately find yourself in the world of antiquity.

Just outside the entrance there is a plaque that lists the names of the 15 monarchs who reigned during the pub's existence.

The countless narrow, dark corridors leading to the bars and dining rooms can confuse even regulars. The bar on the ground floor is the most interesting. The small room is very dark, even the ceiling is decorated with black wood, not to mention the walls.

In the center of the room there is a fireplace, above which hangs a portrait of the pub's first waiter, who took office in 1829. On a high shelf are leather-bound books that have been signed by prime ministers, ambassadors and peers.

Address: Wine Office Ct., 145, Fleet Street, London Metro: Blackfriars

Black Friar

This pub can be called a kind of “drinking and art gallery” - it is decorated with mosaics not only inside, but also outside. It depicts scenes from the life of the monks and the pub itself.

Black Friar was built on the site of a 13th century Dominican monastery (hence the monastic themes of the mosaics). The pub makes an indelible impression; no wonder this place is very popular among both tourists and local residents.

Address: 174, Queen Victoria Street, London Metro: Blackfriars

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Pubs of London open daily, usually from 11:00 to 23:00. Serving food starts around 16-17 days. However, it is better to check the opening hours of a particular pub.

You can come in any clothes, you can just read the newspaper and you don’t have to order anything.

You must be 18 years old to buy and drink alcohol in pubs. Persons between 14 and 17 years of age may enter pubs, but may not purchase or consume alcohol.

Children under 14 years of age are only allowed into pubs that have a children's certificate, and only if accompanied by an adult and only in areas specially designated for children. Pubs with this certificate must serve food and non-alcoholic drinks, usually until 21:00.

That's actually all I wanted to tell you briefly about how and where to eat in London. I have no doubt that you yourself will find among the huge number London restaurants, pubs and other similar establishments, whatever you like best.

There will be no problems with this. Cases of starvation among tourists visiting London have not yet been recorded.

Valery Maslov was with you

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