There are many reasons why it might be difficult to find the time to cook. Sometimes, the reasons are as basic as not wanting to bother with cooking (especially on days when it’s cold and raining outside). Other times, you might not have the ingredients or utensils you need. Or you might just want to treat yourself and beat the winter blues. But it can be so expensive and you might be wishing you could afford to eat out. Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive restaurants on a budget that offer great food at more than reasonable prices.
These affordable restaurants are across the whole of the UK. Below are my top 5 restaurants to visit on a budget:
Top 5 restaurants to visit on a budget across the UK
1. Shake Shack in Leicester Square
Eating out in London is expensive right, especially somewhere like Leicester Square? Well, yes it can be but it doesn’t have to! Shake Shack’s Leicester Square restaurants average price comes in at under £30.
Why it’s a great place to eat?
Shake Shack is conscientious about sourcing its ingredients. The UK burgers use Aberdeen Angus beef and the hot dogs are made with free-range pork from an East Anglian farmer. Shake Shack is well know for their frozen custards with flavours that range from toffee apple to chocolate-covered marshmallow, served as ‘concrete’ ice creams or thick shakes. It’s dog-friendly with a food hygiene rating of 5. There are also Shake Shack restaurants in other locations including Cardiff and Gatwick Airport.
2. Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly Circus
Brasserie Zedel looks like it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg. It’s a very classy looking restaurant in Piccadilly Circus so it’s not going to be cheap. Well, that’s where you’re wrong. There are lots of affordable options on the menu at this popular French brasserie including the two-course prix-fixe menu, which includes steak frites and dessert for just £12.25
Why it’s a great place to eat?
Set in the glitzy surrounds of a former ballroom and decorated with marble-clad charm, Brasserie Zedel offers a fantastic Gallic dining experience. It often has live music, it’s child friendly and there’s a separate gluten-free menus with a wide selection of choices. This restaurant comes highly recommended and it also has private hire available so perfect for group dining and special occasions.
3. Franco Manca in Edinburgh
With the price of a pizza starting from £5.55 and an accompanying side salad for £3.25, Franco Manca is incredibly affordable. There are Franco Manca restaurants across the UK but we love this one in Edinburgh as it’s a great option for a city restaurant on a budget.
Why it’s a great place to eat?
The location on St. Andrew Square is perfect for anyone looking to explore Edinburgh. It’s just off the main shopping destination Princes Street and not far from the mainline Waverly Station.
The signature slow-rise dough at Franco Manca is proved for a minimum of 20 hours to create the ultimate tangy flavour and chewy, yet crunchy texture. The ovens are heated to 500 degrees for a 40-second bake. The incredible ingredients used for the pizzas are well-sourced from regions all over Italy, and counties in the UK.
There are gluten-free options, Vegan options, and Vegetarian options available.
4. Shoryu Ramen in Manchester
This authentic noodle joint Shoryu Ramen in Manchester has some great special offers to look out for including the Detox Set Menu in January which includes 2 courses and a drink for £20 and the ‘Bun Mondays’ offer where you buy one and get one free on Mondays on any ramen or curry.
Why it’s a great place to eat?
With a buzzy and upbeat atmosphere and a wide variety of mouth-watering meals on the menu, the staff are on hand to make you feel welcome. Don’t leave without trying one of the Asian-inflected cocktails or a cleansing tea from the concise but perfectly formed menu.
5. Las Iguanas in Newcastle
With amazing offers including 2-for-1 cocktails and a bottomless meal offer for £29.95, which includes 2 courses and as much prosecco or beer as you want to drink in your sitting, this is a fun and affordable restaurant option in Newcastle.
Why it’s a great place to eat?
Las Iguanas adds a modern twist to authentic South American food. You can sample food from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and beyond. In close proximity to Newcastle’s town centre it’s the perfect affordable restaurant to enjoy on a night out in town or for a lunch date.
How to find restaurants on a budget
It’s very easy to search for a restaurant on a budget with SquareMeal as you can type in your location and then filter by price range.
It’s also worth checking with the restaurant to see if they have nay special offers or discount codes to make your meal more affordable.
Let me know in the comments below your top restaurants on a budget.
I love Franco Manca! Their pizzas are so good, I went to the one in Bournemouth and it was a brilliant night out. Shake Shack sounds like a fun place too 🙂 x