Is it possible to grab a bite in London for five quid or less that’s still tasty and filling? Yep – especially in my neck of the woods.
Let’s tuck in to another list in my Best of 2017 series and take a look at my rather Walthamstow-centric assemblage of London’s best cheap eats.
Please note, this list merely reflects how I chose to spend my time during the year and is comprised of well established and brand new venues as well as businesses that are somehow related to where work and play took me.
Items appear in alphabetic order, not ranked.
Best Cheap Eats in London
Fresh Nan Bakery
143A High Street, E17 7DB
As the name implies, this shop on the High Street in Walthamstow bakes a variety of South Asian style flatbreads fresh on the spot in a tandoor. Get four for a quid. The place does a decent lahmacun for a mere £1.50 as well as pretty good falafel and a range of kebabs.
This is the third time that Fresh Nan Bakery has made the ‘best of’ list.
Homies on Donkeys
Wood Street Market, 98-100 Wood Street, E17 3HX
When Homies on Donkeys rode into Walthamstow to set up a taqueria in Wood Street Market, they commenced a mini-revolution for me and my E17 foraging for food. Prices are so very right and the tacos are delish! Viva!
Icco
46 Goodge Street, W1T 4LU
An Icco margherita sets you back for less than £4. This stalwart Goodge Street pizzeria remains a hero for budget conscious and time strapped folks seeking a warm and tasty meal without fuss.
This is the second time that Icco has made the ‘best of’ list.
Pilpel
Pilpel has five locations
Pilpel for the people! A fluffy wholemeal pita stuffed with freshly made falafel and loads of salads and sauces weighs in at just under £5 and is guaranteed to keep you going well beyond time for your next meal. Look for Pilpel healthy and flavoursome falafel around Spitalfields, Aldgate, St Paul’s and Fleet Street.
This is the second time that Pilpel has made the ‘best of’ list.
Seth’s Spice Hut
Walthamstow Market, High Street, E17 7DB
Follow your nose to the end of the (inevitably long but usually swiftly moving) queue at Seth’s Spice Hut: a street market trailer nearer the Hoe Street End of Walthamstow Market. Seth’s £3.50 double kebab roll is stuffed with the juiciest and tastiest marinated lamb – and is probably the one food in London I crave the most.
This is the third year in a row that Seth’s made the ‘best of’ list.
Sud Italia
Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, E1 6AA
Some of London’s best Neapolitan style pizzas are baked in the wood-fired oven of the Sud Italia van near the Lamb Street entrance to Old Spitalfields Market. And if you see a queue when you go – don’t worry it’ll move fast and the pizzas are definitely worth a wait anyway! Thee margherita only costs a fiver and is made as it should be (DOP San Marzano tomato sauce, Extra virgin olive oil, Fresh basil, Parmesan, and Fior di latte mozzarella).
More of the Best of 2017 to follow!
