London


<p>January&#8217;s a seemingly endless month, and if you feel like you have less cash to splash as the days drag on but you still want to eat out, here&#8217;s our pick of the best places in the capital that don&#8217;t skimp on taste even if the bill&#8217;s the skinniest in town. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rosa-s-soho"><a href="https://rosasthai.com/locations/rosas-thai-restaurant-delivery-takeaway-soho" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ROSA&#8217;S</a>, Soho</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Make_it_a_Meal_-_papaya_salad_-_satay_5-1024x768.jpg" alt="Rosa's in Soho " class="wp-image-8125" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Make_it_a_Meal_-_papaya_salad_-_satay_5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Make_it_a_Meal_-_papaya_salad_-_satay_5-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Make_it_a_Meal_-_papaya_salad_-_satay_5-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Make_it_a_Meal_-_papaya_salad_-_satay_5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>You won&#8217;t need big bucks to eat at this cosy little Thai restaurant on Dean Street which started out as a pop-up noodle shop back in 2010. Diners are encouraged to order like they&#8217;re in Thailand, starting with a veggie sharing platter full of yummy snacks, followed by a curry or noodle dish for two &#8211; think Wok Star classic stir fry with soy, cashew nuts, spring onion, fresh chillies, mushrooms and chicken for £14.50. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cheese-fizz-brixton"><a href="https://cheeseandfizz.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CheeseFizz_Menu_February_2023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CHEESE + FIZZ</a>, Brixton </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/angela-pham-vo7GGTh6sXM-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cheese + Fizz in Brixton " class="wp-image-8126" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/angela-pham-vo7GGTh6sXM-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/angela-pham-vo7GGTh6sXM-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/angela-pham-vo7GGTh6sXM-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/angela-pham-vo7GGTh6sXM-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Brixton&#8217;s home to loads of decent restaurants that won&#8217;t break the bank and this is one of our favourites. Perfect for winter months is the fondue experience (served with baguette and cornichons) which is £15pp when shared, or how about Montbeliarde Sausage, potatoes and mustard for £15? If you&#8217;re looking for something lighter, the goats cheese salad is £8. Don&#8217;t mind if we do. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sarracino-west-hampstead"><a href="https://www.sarracinorestaurant.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SARRACINO</a>, West Hampstead </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Sarracino in West Hampstead " class="wp-image-8130" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/GN_0377.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>For some of the best pasta and pizza in the city hop on the Jubilee line and head north to hunt out Sarracino just off West End Lane. It&#8217;s a traditional, family-run joint that&#8217;s been running for decades and never disappoints &#8211; order the spiral-shaped pasta with lamb and porcini ragout served with parmesan shavings (£13.95) or try the classic handmade quattro formaggi pizza with parmesan shavings and basil (£13.95). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-master-wei-holborn"><a href="https://master-wei.com/about-master-wei/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MASTER WEI</a>, Holborn </h2>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Master Wei - Chinese Cooking" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mp7W24RI26k?start=24&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p>More dash than cash right now? Try this exceptionally good, award-winning Chinese restaurant run by female chef Guirong Wei. Specialising in dishes from where she grew up in China&#8217;s Xian Region, you can dine out on biang biang chilli noodles (£12.80) and fried chicken and pot sticker dumplings (£7) for under £20, which for Central London is a complete win. A new branch has just opened in Hammersmith. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taqueria-notting-hill"><a href="https://taqueria.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TAQUERIA</a>, Notting Hill </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="685" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-16.32.59-1024x685.png" alt="Taqueria Notting Hill " class="wp-image-8131" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-16.32.59-1024x685.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-16.32.59-300x201.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-16.32.59-768x514.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-16.32.59.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Spicing up Westbourne Grove with Mexican bites since 2005, Taquería makes a refreshing change in a &#8216;hood dominated by chic yet pricey restaurants. Its tacos are legendary, thing loaded roadside chicken (£10.50), while the steak quesadillas (£5.50) are worth travelling west for. Wash it all down with a Sunrise mocktail (£5.85) and it&#8217;s almost like Dry Jan isn&#8217;t happening. A new branch has just opened at Exmouth Market if you&#8217;re looking for affordable food in a more central location. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brasserie-zedel-piccadilly"><a href="https://www.brasseriezedel.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BRASSERIE ZEDEL</a>, Piccadilly </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-1-1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Brasserie Zedel " class="wp-image-8134" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-1-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-1-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-1-1-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-1-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>One of Muddy&#8217;s top-rated restaurants for a good evening out is surprisingly affordable despite the glam surroundings. It&#8217;s like stepping into a bustling Parisian bistro when you descend the stairs to Zedel, despite the fact it&#8217;s just off Piccadilly in the heart of Central London. <a href="https://www.brasseriezedel.com/bar-americain/">Bar Américain</a> is fun too, but if you&#8217;re saving cash and/or doing Dry Jan, head straight to the huge restaurant and order from the prix-fixe menu &#8211; two courses for £16.50, think roasted celeriac soup&nbsp;and curried butter Dhal. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-padella-borough-market"><a href="https://www.padella.co/#find-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PADELLA</a>, Borough Market </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="594" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.06.20-1024x594.png" alt="Padella restaurant in Borough Market " class="wp-image-8135" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.06.20-1024x594.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.06.20-300x174.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.06.20-768x445.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.06.20.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Borough Market&#8217;s THE place to go for amazing cheap eats, but if we have to choose one place to dine it would be this buzzy, handmade pasta bar. Muddy can&#8217;t think of many places serving tastier dishes for less &#8211; try the fettuccine with Cobble Lane ndjua mascarpone and lemon (£13.50), or the tagliarini, with anchovy butter and lemon pangrattato (£12). There&#8217;s a no booking policy and it is small, so best arrive early. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cocotte-parson-s-green"><a href="https://mycocotte.uk/menu/#all_day_dining" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COCOTTE</a>, Parson&#8217;s Green </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="678" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.18.26-1024x678.png" alt="Cocotte in Parson's Green " class="wp-image-8136" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.18.26-1024x678.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.18.26-300x199.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.18.26-768x508.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-17.18.26.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>A delightful Parson&#8217;s Green institution close to the tube that&#8217;s open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and all-day dining until 7pm. If you&#8217;ve got a big appetite but don&#8217;t have the bank account to match right now, order the set menu (served Mon-Fri until 7pm) and you&#8217;ll get a starter, quarter rotisserie chicken, side dish or salad and &#8216;secret sauce&#8217; all for £19. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hoppers-marylebone"><a href="https://www.hopperslondon.com/menus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HOPPERS</a>, Marylebone</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-4-2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Hoppers Marylebone" class="wp-image-8139" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-4-2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-4-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-4-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Unknown-4-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>If carbs are going to get you through &#8217;til March, drop by this Sri Lankan eatery where &#8216;hoppers&#8217; (bowl-shaped pancakes, £5.75) are used to mop up mouth-watering jackfruit curries (£10.95) with coconut chutney (£1.50). There are also branches in King&#8217;s Cross and Soho which are always busy, and little wonder. </p>


Cheap eats: London’s best restaurants on a budget

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