The best meal deals in London under £30

You may be familiar with our guide to the best set lunches in London. However, we've noticed that the lunch prices have been getting ever higher of late, so here's our companion guide, highlighting the very best deals across town that don't break the £30 barrier. 

 

 

Central London

Covent Garden

Poon's

At Somerset House, Amy Poon's Chinese restaurant is a fantastic continuation and evolution of her family's legacy. The set menu features three dishes (including a daily special) and a house soup.

Set menu deal: Three courses £28

Availability: Pre-theatre

 

Town

Stevie Parle's Covent Garden restaurant brings together modern British cuisine with local produce and focuses on regenerative farming. It also looks fantastic. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £28 (three courses £32)

Availability: Lunch and dinner

 

Dim Sum Library

This restaurant from the people behind Aqua has a special deal that's only on in the afternoon, but it's weell worth a look for a (very) late lunch. Dumpling, rolls and waguy puffs are on offer as well as unlimited tea.

Set menu deal: Three courses £25

Availability: Monday - Friday, 2-5pm

 

Henri

This Parisian-inspired restaurant inside The Henrietta hotel comes from Jackson Boxer (Brunswick House) and features classic French cooking through a modern lens. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £26, three courses £30

Availability: Pre-theatre

 

Cicoria by Angela Harnett

Angela Hartnett is now in charge of the restaurant at the top of the Royal Opera House, overlooking the piazza. Serving a traditional Italian menu, you don't have to be visiting the opera to dine here. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £29 (three courses £35)

Availability: Lunch

 

Delamina Townhouse

This comes from the Delamina restaurant group (also in Marylebone and Shoreditch) and they're serving up Eastern Mediterranean dishes in a gorgeous old Georgian building just off the Covent Garden piazza.

Set menu deal: Two courses £27.50

Availability: Pre-theatre

 

Thirty7

Thirty7 comes from the Oystermen team and they see it as a neighbourhood restaurant and bar which goes beyond the seafood focus of before (although you will find oysters on the menu if you want to add on a few extras). 

Set menu deal: Two courses £27

Availability: 12-6pm

 

 

Mayfair & St James

Arlington

Jeremy King's Le Caprice reboot has one of the best weekend meal deals in central London. Pairing this with a martini will blow the budget somewhat but it's a stellar way to spend a Saturday or Sunday lunchtime.

Set menu deal:Two courses for £21, three for £24.75

Availability: Weekend lunchtimese

 

Ambassador's Clubhouse

The very fancy Indian restaurant on Heddon Street (from the people behind Gymkhana) has a combined lunch and pre-theatre menu with dishes including chicken burrah, chicken keema pilau, and signature haryali rabbit keema cheela.

Set menu deal: One course £21, Two courses £29 (three courses £35).

Availability: Daily until 6pm

 

Bistrot at Wild Honey

This is a spin-off from Anthony Demetre's Wild Honey (right beside that restaurant inside the Sofitel St James). It's a more casual affair, inspired by French bistros and seasonal ingredients. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £25, three courses £29

Availability: 12 - 6.30pm

 

Noble Rot Mayfair

The Noble Rot team have another winner in Mayfair with this restaurant on Shepherd Market which also has two bars that are very handy for popping for snacks and a glass or two of wine. The set menu is also available in their other restaurants at the same price. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £24, three courses £28

Availability: Every day

 

Bombay Bustle

This Indian restaurant is inspired by the street food of Mumbai Bombay Bustle. It has a menu that specialises in the city's most loved dishes. 

Set menu deal: Several "Bustle Bowls" under £30

Availability: Mon - Fri, 12pm - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 6:30pm

 

 

Soho

The Devonshire

This is still the hottest restaurant (and pub) in Soho and it has one of the best set-menu deals too. There's a single set menu which has steak and chips as a main course. Now all you need to do is get an actual table.

Set menu deal: Two courses £25, three courses £29

Availability: All day

 

Maresco

A popular Soho Spanish tapas restaurant, this gets much of its seafood produce directly from Scotland, and it's great for counter dining (or Soho people watching). The tapas options can include everything from pan con tomate to crab croquetas.

Set menu deal: £23, either as three tapas dishes for one, or three starters and a main for two. 

Availability: Lunch & pre-theatre

 

Manzi's

This seafood restaurant comes from the same group that runs The Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel. There are a few meal-deal options here, but this is the entry level where options at the time of writing include veal polpette and a bream fillet.

Set menu deal: Two courses for £16, 3 courses £20

Availability: All day, Tuesday - Saturday

 

Korean Dinner Party

In the heart of Carnaby, you'll find this Korean restaurant which is aiming for an LA Koreatown vibe. The corndogs are top-notch and you can get one of those with this set menu, alongside KFC tacos and more. 

Set menu deal: Two courses for £19 

Availability: Lunchtime, daily

 

Blanchette Soho

Think French tapas and you’ve got the concept of this cosy Soho spot. The set menu is low on choices but features decent options - dishes could include moules marinière or peach pavlova.

Set menu deal: Two courses £19.50, three courses £23

Availability: Lunch and pre-theatre, Monday to Saturday

 

Bocca di Lupo

As one of London’s best Italian restaurants, any deal at Jacob Kenedy’s Bocca di Lupo is going to be well worth trying. In addition to the set menu, look out for a daily changing (and good value) lunch special.

Set menu deal: £18 for starter and main

Availability: Pre and post-theatre

 

Mele E Pere

Billed as an independent trattoria with a bit of Soho spirit, Mele e Pere’s set menu makes the most of vegetable-led Italian dishes with the odd meaty hit.

Set menu deal: Two courses including a glass of wine for £17.50, three courses £22.50

Availability: Lunch and pre/post-theatre, Monday to Friday and all day Sunday

 

Noble Rot

Both the Noble Rot establishments offer a very good value set lunch - which you could either use to save yourself money in general, or put the money you’ve saved to better use and hit up their excellent wine lists. The same deal is available in Bloomsbury and Mayfair. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £24, three courses £28

Availability: Lunchtime, every day

 

Nessa

This is a bistro with a few notably very modern British touches. At the time of writing, the express lunch features dishes like pumpkin and spelt risotto and a roast rump of West Country lamb. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £22, three courses £27

Availability: Monday - Friday

 

 

Fitzrovia

Richoux

This sees the return to London of the classic French restaurant (which also does a great line in patisserie). At the time of writing, the menu includes dishes like French onion soup and steak frites and you could order a dessert on top and still be under £30. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £19.50

Availability: Lunch Monday - Friday

 

Arros QD

This is the London outpost for Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Quique Dacosta and there's a big focus on paella  For lunch, you can have three courses, or substitute the first two for a paella dish. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £29 (three courses £34)

Availability: Lunch Monday - Friday

 

Norma

This is an Italian grand cafe-style restaurant from the people behind Mayfair's Stafford Hotel which centres on Sicilian cooking. Recent options here included Sicilian caponata and rigatoni with beef ragu and Grano Padano.

Set menu deal: Two courses £25

Availability: Monday - Saturday lunch and pre theatre

 

Lima

Take a culinary trip to Peru through the dishes at Lima which aims to showcase traditional Peruvian cooking through a modern lens.

Set menu deal: Chef's menu, one courses £19, two courses £27

Availability: Daytime, Monday-Saturday

 

Sushi Atelier

Sit up at the long counter at this central Japanese spot and enjoy a menu of modern sushi offerings - think yellowtail maki with truffle mayo. They have a range of set lunch and bento boxes, all with miso soup and a side salad.

Set menu deal: The Atelier Bento £29 includes two sashimi, three pieces of nigiri, four maki, plus pickles and a small starter

Availability: Lunchtime

 

 

Marylebone

28-50

The single remaining 28-50 in London is still one of the best wine bars in Marylebone and it has a pretty great value set menu too with dishes including tiger prawns and chicken supreme. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £19.95, three courses £24.95

Availability: Lunch Monday - Sunday

 

Blandford Comptoir

This is a Mediterranean restaurant from restaurateur Xavier Rousset and there's always a special dish on the menu. At the time of writing that was a 6oz sirloin steak, with parmesan & truffle fries, oakleaf salad and salsa verde or peppercorn sauce.

Set menu deal: Dinner specials from £29

Availability: Dinner only

 

Zoilo

If you go to an Argentine restaurant for any meal, even a set lunch, you’ll probably want to know there’s red meat as an option and the set menu here doesn’t disappoint with dish options including carpaccio and beef and bone marrow burgers.

Set menu deal: Two courses for £24.90, three for £28.90

Availability: Tuesday to Saturday

 

 

East London

Daffodil Mulligan (Old Street)

This Old Street restaurant is from Richard Corrigan, the top Irish chef who's also behind Bentley's in Mayfair. Here, options on the set menu include dishes like sugar pit pork with cabbage, caraway and smoked apple. Make sure to pop down to the basement pub for a quick Guinness too. 

Set menu deal: Lunch specials around £15

Availability: Lunch

 

Leydi (City)

This restaurant from Selin Kiazim (previously Oklava) is inside the Hyde London City hotel and is a Turkish restaurant that takes its specific inspiration from Istanbul. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £26, three courses £29

Availability: Lunchtime only

 

Kolamba East (City)

The sibling to Kolamba in Soho is in a much larger location, still focusing specifically on Sri Lankan cuisine and dishes remembered from the childhood of the founders.

Set menu deal: Two courses £25, three courses £30

Availability: Lunchtime only

 

Le Relais de Venise (City)

This classic French steak restaurant in The City is mainly all about its steak and chips and they're still offering one of the great deals in town. The same offer is at their Marylebone location. 

Set lunch deal: Steak, chips and salad for £29

 

South London 

Brunswick House (Nine Elms)

This Jackson Boxer restaurant close to Vauxhall tube is a place where the beautiful surroundings are more than matched by the menu which plunders the best of British and European produce.

Set menu deal: Two courses £15, three courses £19

Availability:  Lunchtimes, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

 

 

West London 

Brasserie Constance (Fulham)

Adam Byatt's restaurant has a British focus and as well as being attache to Fulham's stadium, it has fantastiv views of the Thames. The set menu features a daily changing main, like fish pie, ham, egg & chips or a game dish of the day. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £26, three courses £29

Availability: Lunchtime

 

The Elizabeth (Belgravia)

This Belgravia restaurant features a British/French menu that was created with a little help from Anthony Demetre. Dishes can include a double-baked cheese souffle and grilled merquez with aioli. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £25, three courses £29.50

Availability: Lunchtime

 

Josephine (Chelsea)

Claude and Lucy Bosi's restaurant in Chelsea is modelled after a classic French bouchon with a menu full of French bistro classics and Lyonnaise specialities. The set menu has always been great value fo the area, featuring dishes like saucisson brioché or boudin noir with mash. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £24.50, three courses £29.50

Availability: All day

 

Mignonette (Richmond)

This Richmond restaurant from chef John McClements is a French bistro that's known for great value even on the a la carte menu, but the set menu is an absolute steal. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £20, three courses £23

Availability: Lunch, Tuesday - Friday

 

Rabbit (Chelsea)

The Chelsea outposts of the Gladwin Brothers’ empire focuses on local and seasonal British dishes with a contemporary twist, so there might be tempura English marrow with sweet chilli sauce and a salted caramel chocolate torte on offer. 

Set menu deal: The Farm to Fork menu - Two courses £24, three courses £28

Availability:  Lunchtimes

 

The Holland (Kensington)

Former Oxalis supperclub chef Max de Nahlik is in charge of this Kensington pub and his regularly changing set lunch menu is as super seasonal as the regular menu offering.

Set menu deal: Two courses for £18, three for £23

Availability: Lunchtime, Wednesday to Saturday

 

Mazi (Notting Hill)

The concept at this modern Greek restaurant in Notting Hill is all about sharing which extends to the set lunch here which is perfect for picking a range of plates for the table to devour.

Set menu deal: Two courses £24.95, three courses £29.95

Availability: Lunchtime Monday to Friday

 

Six Portland Road (Notting Hill)

The self-dubbed ‘little lunch’ at this neighbourhood spot in Notting Hill changes daily, so it’s great for popping back to try time and time again. Expect dishes with a Euro-influence that showcase the best seasonal produce.

Set menu deal: Two courses for £25

Availability: Monday to Saturday

 

 

Various locations 

Roka

Their express lunch is available at their Charlotte Street, Mayfair, Aldwych and Canary Wharf robatayaki restaurants. The three courses here includes one disg from the robata, with options including seabream, baby chicken or baby back pork ribs. 

Set menu deal: Three courses for £26

Availability: Times, days and menu options vary according to each restaurant.

 

Harry's

The Italian restaurant group (an offshoot of the main Harry's Bar) now has five locations in London and each does a great Italian menu for a decent price. The set menu here includes dishes like burrata, pollo Milanese and ricotta and spinach ravioli. 

Set menu deal: Two courses £23.95, Three courses £27.95

Availability: Times, days and menu options vary according to each restaurant.

 

Bao

Each of BAO’s five London locations offers a BAO15 set menu where you can choose the components of a small set meal.

Set menu deal: A bao bun, a snack and a rice bowl for £15.

Availability: Times, days and menu options vary according to each restaurant.

 

Blacklock

Every Blacklock restaurant offers the now-infamous ‘All in’ option allowing you to order pre-chop bites, plus a mix of beef, pork and lamb skinny chops on charcoal-grilled flatbreads with a choice of side each.

Set menu deal: £28 per person

Availability: All day, every day

 

Tonkotsu

Even though they now have multiple branches across town, Tonkotsu pride themselves on making all their noodles, broths, katsu curries, gyoza and sides from scratch. The ramen is the big draw here, but there’s plenty more to enjoy too.

Set menu deal: Lunch-sized ramen or hirashi and a side £10

Availability: Lunchtimes

 

Hawksmoor

A normal trip to steak palace Hawksmoor can set you back a bit, but the current set menu that's available in all their branches is particularly good value for money. As you might expect, it's al centred around steak.

Set menu deal: 1 course £19, 2 courses £23, 3 courses £26

Availability: Lunchtimes and early evenings

 

 

And if you're willing to stretch beyond £30...

 

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