We all like to go out for dinner occasionally, whether as a celebration, to have a catch up with friends; or simply to break up the monotony and routine of cooking every day. But I’m sure you also all know that eating out can be expensive, and in London, it can be really expensive. Believe it or not, there are options in-between McDonalds, and tea at the Ritz, and I will relay them to you as I come across them so that you too can enjoy an evening out without wondering how you are going to afford food for the rest of the week!
#1 – Bistro 1
I stumbled across this small Mediterranean restaurant one evening last year and decided to try it out. Despite its location on Southampton Street, right in-between The Savoy and Covent Garden, it is easily overlooked and, with such a prestigious and touristy location, you’d expect the prices to be quite extortionate. However, with a Prix Fixe menu of 2 courses for £14.90, or 3 courses for £16.90, it most certainly is not. If you do not wish to indulge in 2+ courses, then a main will cost you around £11 – £13 pounds and by main, I mean a full meal such as lamb shish kebab served with rice and salad; and bread for the table - not the £11 – £13 that Pizza Express charge for a salad before adding chicken. I very recently returned to this restaurant for a meal with a friend of mine and for £20, I had 2 courses from the Prix Fixe menu (an extensive menu I might add, not a choice of 3 or 4 dishes), an additional side, and a large glass of wine. And I will definitely be returning again to try the rest of the menu if it tastes half as good as the my last 2 trips. They also have a few vegetarian choices, such as vegetable moussaka.
As I’m not a restaurant critic I’ll quickly summarise the other ‘stuff’: restaurant clean, staff friendly, food good, price good, was busy on a Friday so you may wish to book. You can do this online at this address (where you can also find menu): http://bistro1.co.uk/
As well as their restaurant on Southampton Street, they also have 2 other branches both located in Soho.
#2 – Bodean’s
N.B.: If you’re vegetarian, I’m afraid this one is unlikely to be any good to you! My friend and I were going to the cinema in Fulham Broadway not too long ago and decided to eat first. As cinema tickets have now gone up to around 12 for standard seating in a standard cinema (do not look up the price of a cinema ticket in Leicester Square …) it was very nice to find somewhere that was reasonably priced to eat. My friend had heard about this place called ‘Bodean’s’; an American barbeque place.
Before I continue, anyone heard of Garfunkel’s? Yes, that’s right, the one where they charge you 10 for a hotdog, it’s not very good, not very big, and you get charged extra for everything else (which they don’t tell you when you order).
Continuing: I ordered a hot dog in Bodean’s and as standard it come with chips, and your choice of onions, jalapenos, or cheese (fyi I went with onions). It was huge. A 1/4lb hotdog with plenty of chips … for £6.25 in Fulham Broadway. And it was really, really tasty.
Bodean’s in Fulham Broadway is a small place and is also a sports bar; but a pleasant one that welcomes families and has a children’s menu. They also have restaurants in Clapham, Balham, Tower Hill, and Soho. For myself and my friend in total, 2 mains, an extra portion of chilli cheese fries, and 2 drinks came to around 30. AND we got free magnets when we left! They also do takeaway and delivery; here’s their website: http://www.bodeansbbq.com/site/
#1 – Bistro 1
I stumbled across this small Mediterranean restaurant one evening last year and decided to try it out. Despite its location on Southampton Street, right in-between The Savoy and Covent Garden, it is easily overlooked and, with such a prestigious and touristy location, you’d expect the prices to be quite extortionate. However, with a Prix Fixe menu of 2 courses for £14.90, or 3 courses for £16.90, it most certainly is not. If you do not wish to indulge in 2+ courses, then a main will cost you around £11 – £13 pounds and by main, I mean a full meal such as lamb shish kebab served with rice and salad; and bread for the table - not the £11 – £13 that Pizza Express charge for a salad before adding chicken. I very recently returned to this restaurant for a meal with a friend of mine and for £20, I had 2 courses from the Prix Fixe menu (an extensive menu I might add, not a choice of 3 or 4 dishes), an additional side, and a large glass of wine. And I will definitely be returning again to try the rest of the menu if it tastes half as good as the my last 2 trips. They also have a few vegetarian choices, such as vegetable moussaka.
As I’m not a restaurant critic I’ll quickly summarise the other ‘stuff’: restaurant clean, staff friendly, food good, price good, was busy on a Friday so you may wish to book. You can do this online at this address (where you can also find menu): http://bistro1.co.uk/
As well as their restaurant on Southampton Street, they also have 2 other branches both located in Soho.
#2 – Bodean’s
N.B.: If you’re vegetarian, I’m afraid this one is unlikely to be any good to you! My friend and I were going to the cinema in Fulham Broadway not too long ago and decided to eat first. As cinema tickets have now gone up to around 12 for standard seating in a standard cinema (do not look up the price of a cinema ticket in Leicester Square …) it was very nice to find somewhere that was reasonably priced to eat. My friend had heard about this place called ‘Bodean’s’; an American barbeque place.
Before I continue, anyone heard of Garfunkel’s? Yes, that’s right, the one where they charge you 10 for a hotdog, it’s not very good, not very big, and you get charged extra for everything else (which they don’t tell you when you order).
Continuing: I ordered a hot dog in Bodean’s and as standard it come with chips, and your choice of onions, jalapenos, or cheese (fyi I went with onions). It was huge. A 1/4lb hotdog with plenty of chips … for £6.25 in Fulham Broadway. And it was really, really tasty.
Bodean’s in Fulham Broadway is a small place and is also a sports bar; but a pleasant one that welcomes families and has a children’s menu. They also have restaurants in Clapham, Balham, Tower Hill, and Soho. For myself and my friend in total, 2 mains, an extra portion of chilli cheese fries, and 2 drinks came to around 30. AND we got free magnets when we left! They also do takeaway and delivery; here’s their website: http://www.bodeansbbq.com/site/
If you’re thinking that cheap doesn’t always mean good quality, I can firstly assure you that I would not be eating in places that weren’t; and secondly, please find here details on their produce: http://www.bodeansbbq.com/site/public/img/adds/food_provenance_v22.pdf
Like I said, I’m aiming to provide you with places that aren’t McDonalds.
So, my first 2 best cheap eats in London are a Mediterranean bistro in Covent Garden, and an American sports/BBQ bar in Fulham Broadway. Can’t say there’s no variation in there. Enjoy!
Like I said, I’m aiming to provide you with places that aren’t McDonalds.
So, my first 2 best cheap eats in London are a Mediterranean bistro in Covent Garden, and an American sports/BBQ bar in Fulham Broadway. Can’t say there’s no variation in there. Enjoy!