It may be summer but we’re about ready to go into financial hibernation from all this spending. Whether it’s countless pricey gelatos in the park, or gourmet riverside dining al fresco, we’ve noticed an irresistible tendency to become spend-happy during the glorious summer months. If exposure to sunshine has done funny things to your head and devastating things to your wallet, cut back on costs with Britain’s best budget eats.
Pompoko, Brighton
This compact Japanese café is a godsend to hungry locals and budget travellers alike, as almost every item on the menu is less than five pounds. Aside from stir-fried noodle dishes and flavoursome kimchi udon, Pompoko specialises in a variety of simple donburi rice bowls, which economise on price and invest in flavour.
110 Church St, The Lanes, Brighton, BN1 1UD
Slice, Manchester
For pizza al taglio the Italians would be proud of, head to Slice in Manchester, where you can afford one or two pizza slices for five pounds. Authentic creations include prosciutto with buffalo mozzarella, rocket and tomato, and the pizza bianca with mozzarella, potato and rosemary.
1A Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN
Attendant, London
Some people might have a problem with eating inside a public toilet, but we don’t. This ex-Victorian bathroom has been ingeniously repurposed into a hipster coffee house below street level – where urinals provide the seating, and friendly baristas serve delicious market garden sandwiches prepared fresh onsite.
Downstairs, 27a Foley Street, London, W1W 6DY
Eat a Pitta, Bristol
Quiz any Bristolian on their favourite budget eat and they’ll point you in the direction of Eat a Pitta, at the old Georgian market of St Nicholas. Here you’ll find generous pittas stuffed with handmade falafel, hummus, sauces and salad for only £4.50, and every bite loaded with fragrant herbs and zingy spice.
1-3 Glass arcade, St Nicholas Market, Bristol, BS1 1LJ
Los Cardos, Edinburgh
OK, so it may be 35 pence over the maximum five-pound limit – but for the gargantuan burritos of Los Cardos, it’s worth it. Try their signature Haggis burrito stuffed with black beans, seasoned rice, and a flavoursome choice of salsas. Needless to say, the locals are mad for it.
281 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 8PD
The Alternative Tuck Shop, Oxford
If sandwiches are your thing, there’s only one place for it. Tucked away down a narrow side street in Oxford, The Alternative Tuck Shop is an expert operation of slicing, dicing, and assembling mouth-watering sandwiches that puts the competition to shame. You’d better be good at decisions, mind: with hundreds of combinations to choose from, hungry punters won’t want to wait for long.
24 Holywell St, Oxford, OX1 3SB
Feature image © Shaiith/iStock/Thinkstock
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
