Cheap eats

Here are some of our favourite budget restaurants - look out for them when you visit Britain, but don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for our great local restaurants too!

Far East

With over 60 branches all over Britain, you’ll never be far from Wagamama. There are delicious noodle, soup and rice dishes to choose from, all at purse-friendly prices. Top tip: Green tea is free with meals.

Cha Cha Moon is another cheap eat restaurant from Alan Yau, the man behind Wagamama. Expect dishes from Taiwan, Penang and Singapore, starting at just £3.50! The most expensive dishes are just £9.00 and the portions aren’t tiny either.

Can’t eat sushi on a budget? You couldn’t be more wrong. There are 40 branches of Yo! Sushi in Britain, so you won’t have trouble finding one. Watch delicious sushi, sashimi, nigiri, tempura dishes and much more float by on the conveyor belt, and just pick what you like! Prices range from £1.20 - £5 per dish, so make sure you go with an empty stomach!

European

There’s a Pizza Express in almost every town and city in Britain, and it’s not hard to see why. You’ll find authentic Italian pizzas, pastas and salads, and you won’t pay more than £11 for a dish.  

If you’re in the mood for authentic Greek food, look no further than The Real Greek. Expect delicious hot and cold mezedes, souvlaki, salads and sides, with mains starting at £5.25.

For a taste of France, head to Café Rouge. There are a staggering 104 branches all over Britain – a testament to its popularity. So whether you fancy a Croque Monsieur or Saucisses de Toulouse, you know where to go! Mains start at £6.95.

There are over 50 branches of the fantastic Spanish tapas restaurant, La Tasca, all over Britain. All individual tapas dishes are under £5, and there’s a range of delicious wines and La Tasca sangria to choose from too!

Burgers

Hamburger Union's cheap and cheerful menu features burgers starting at £3.95, plus vegetarian and salad dishes.

If you’re looking for something unusual in your burger, Gourmet Burger Kitchen is the place for you. The Premier Range includes Buffalo and Organic Wild Boar burgers. All burgers under £10.

Everything you could want from a burger, you’ll find at Fine Burger Co. Beef, chicken, lamb, fish and vegetarian burgers are all on the menu, and all under £8.

Indian & curries

If you love Indian food, you’re in for a treat at Masala Zone. Dine on authentic Indian dishes inspired by Indian street food, and don’t miss the delicious thalis! Expect the bill to come to £10-£15 per head for dinner, and even less at lunch.

Curry is one of the most popular dishes in Britain – and because of that, there are loads of brilliant curry houses in almost every British town and city (don’t miss the Rusholme Curry Mile in Manchester!). See our Britain's Best Curries page for our favourites.

Fish 'n' chips

Today there are over 8,000 fish and chip shops in Britain, making it one of the most popular dishes loved by every generation and visitor. Fish and chips have also become very fashionable at some of Britain's best restaurants and are appearing in recipe books as top chefs put their own spin on this great British classic.

As you travel around the country you will find that cod, plaice and haddock are by far the most popular fish. However, there are popular regional variations with whiting in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and skate seen in the South of England. If you’re looking for a more sustainable fish, try Pollock which is a good substitute for cod and haddock.

Check out The Times’ top 10 chip shops