Eating Out
London has so much to choose from and finding a cheap and decent meal can be challenging. Here are my suggestions for when you are in my neck of the woods.
Toptable is really useful and indicates prices, has some great offers (including Michelin star restaurants). Some places offer 50% off, so it is worth checking out. You can also make reservations through them so you can plan your meals ahead of your trip.
Vouchers - The internet is a huge resource for Londoners for shopping and going out. Print vouchers and sign up to sites (eg. Zizzi's and GBK run 2 for 1 deals).
Theatre Deals are great value if you don't mind eating early and you are wandering around the West End.
Sandwiches are a London staple for lunch or before you pop to the pub in the evening. Pop into the High St chains M&S or pret a manger. Supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury are cheaper if you are on a tight budget.
Cheaper Neighborhoods will get you better value for money, but you need to be careful as some spots in London can be rather dodgy. Old St is a great local area that comes to mind, lots of bars and Vietnamese restaurants. Around Old Street is Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, but you should book if you want to get a table. The best thing is coming out of the tube and heading East towards Shoreditch High Street as there is plenty to choose from.
Find affordable places to eat as you sight see around London in Affordable Food in London.
Real London
Public Transport - Take the DLR and bus rather than the tube, you will see much more. The 15 bus takes you from Trafalgar Square, St Paul's and the Tower of London. An oyster card saves you money but always remember to tap in and out as you'll be charged more otherwise.
Free Newspapers - around tube stations, collect a Metro or Evening Standard newspapers. Aside from all the celebrity gossip, they often have deals and information about what's on in London. On Friday mornings there's a free sports magazine that has some interesting bits of news.
Free London - There are a few sites which list free things to do in London, there is always a lot on. I've seen festivals, pillow fights and galleries on these sites. They are pretty cool.
Theatre - I buy my tickets from lastminute which often has deals.When I was a student, I use to go to the afternoon sessions and buy great seats directly from the theatre just before the shows started. There are also booths in Leicester Square which offer discounted prices.
Walking tours are a fantastic way to see a different London. There's a celebrity one in Nottinghill, in which we saw Elle Macpherson's apartment, the blue door from the Nottinghill movie and recording studios for major pop artists. It was very informative and enjoyable, as well as giving you a sense of a London neighborhood. There is also a Will & Kate Royal Wedding Walk, the Beatles London Walk, a Jack the Ripper Walk and a Harry Potter's London Walk for the kids.
For a taste of Nottinghill, check out this clip from the movie.
Read Battle of the London Tourist Attractions to help you decide which ones to visit.
Music Festivals - Over for the summer, the music festivals are fun and a real cultural experience - it's all about wellies and rainy weather, camping out amongst celebrities, drinking and having fun! Book early as tickets sell out. Glastonbury is the most famous UK one in South West England. London has several Hyde Park concerts and this year, the Black Eyed Peas, the Chemical Brothers and Kings of Leon are performing.
Read Top Ten Tips For an Unforgettable European Holiday for how to make the most of your trip.
Useful sites -
- www.toptable.com
- www.london-eating.co.uk
- For free things to do in London - www.allinlondon.co.uk and www.freelondonevents.co.uk
- www.vouchercodes.co.uk and www.myvouchercodes.co.uk are directories listing many places. Or sign up to www.zizzi.co.uk and www.gbk.co.uk if you want to grab a cheap fast Italian meal or burger. They seem to have buy one get one free deals almost all year round.
- www.lastminute.com
- www.tfl.gov.uk is a useful site to plan journeys around London, as well as view timetables and maps.
- www.thecelebrityplanet.com has tickets ranging from £15 - £20 and tours take around 2 hours.
A little planning before going will save you money as there is a plethora of deals, free things and off the beaten track experiences to see the real London.
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