10 lunches in SE1 London for under a tenner
Eating out without splashing out
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Eating out without splashing out 〰️
According to concrete facts*, SE1 is hands down the best area of London for eating out. With the restaurants and wine bars of Bermondsey Street, the plethora of pubs around London Bridge and Waterloo, and the incredible street food of Borough Market, not to mention Maltby Street Market, Lower Marsh Market, Mercato Metropolitano – we really are spoiled for choice.
But at times when the choice can get overwhelming, it’s worth reminding ourselves that eating out doesn’t need to break the bank.
From special lunch menus to all-round bargains, we’ve got the low down on the best lunches for under a tenner in Bermondsey and SE1.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch – but we think this is the next best thing.
(* or maybe just our opinion)
The Black Pig, Borough Market
1.
Padre at Borough Market
In the mood for Mexican? There’s plenty of choice in SE1, and one of our top picks is Tacos Padre. The menu reflects the incredible street food culture of Mexico City, with taco fillings varying from carne asada (beef steak) to cauliflower al pastor.
What better excuse to try the range than their lunch offer – 3 tacos for £9.
📍Tacos Padre, Borough Market Kitchens, Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG
Mon - Wed 12-3, Thurs, Fri 12-4, Sat 12-5
2.
Caphe House
This pick is a real hidden gem! Caphe House dishes up healthy, quality Vietnamese food, with no less than 11 choices of bánh mì filling, fresh bowls of pho and spring and summer rolls, there’s something for everyone. Not sure where to start? Go for the Phõ Tôm – Prawn Noodle Soup with flat rice noodles, beansprouts, gingerm onions, spring onions, coriander, thai basil, lemon and chilli – a Vietnamese feast for under £10.
📍Caphe House 114 Bermondsey St London SE13TX
Mon - Wed 12-4, Thurs - Sat 12-8
3.
Juma Kitchen at Borough Market
British-Iraqi chef Philip Juma is delivering flavour to Borough Market with a taste of traditional Iraqi cuisine. The handmade ‘kubba’, fried and braised stuffed dumplings, are a great place to start. Juma Kitchen’s signature ‘kubba haleb’, lamb and onion dumplings served with mango dipping sauce, are mouthwatering – as are the vegan dumplings filled with warming okra stew.
📍Juma Kitchen, Unit 53, Borough Market Kitchens, Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG
Mon - Sat 10-5
4.
Kin + Deum
A stone’s throw from London Bridge station, Kin + Deum is one of our favourite spots in SE1. Run by three siblings, Kin + Deum (‘eat and drink’ in Thai) serves up mouthwatering Thai dishes in a beautiful setting. Bank’s signature Massaman is honestly heaven – and served with jasmine rice, will only set you back £9.50.
📍Kin + Deum, 2 Crucifix Ln, London SE1 3JW
Mon - Fri 10-3, 5-10.30 Sat-Sun 12-10.30
5.
The Green Greengrocers
Lower Marsh is more than just the market – even when the stalls are down, the neighbourhood has a whole host of cafés and restaurants. Check out The Green Greengrocers, which prides itself on sustainable, locally-grown produce. While you may shop here for fruit and veg, why not try their weekday lunch offer – a homemade quiche or sandwich with a side salad for just £5.
📍The Green Greengrocers, 134 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE
Mon - Sat 7-7 Sun 10-4
6.
Maestri della Pasta
Maestri della Pasta (‘masters of pasta’) let you build your ideal dish by choosing your pasta shape, pasta sauce and pasta toppings. Like Subway except classy, tasty, Italian and… actually not like Subway at all. This fresh and filling bowl of rigatoni carbonara with extra grana Padano came to £9.50 – bargain.
📍Maestri della Pasta, 218-220 Borough High St, London SE1 1JX
Mon - Sun 11.30-11.30pm
7.
Hakata Ramen + Bar
If it’s winter warming that you’re after, look no further. Hakata dishes up delicious, authentically Japanese ramen for £9.95 a bowl. And with about 50% of their menu being vegan, there’s enough choice for everyone.
📍Hakata Ramen + Bar, 177 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UW
Mon - Tue 5-10.30, Wed - Fri 12-3, 5-10.30, Sat - Sun 12-10.30
8.
The Black Pig at Borough Market
Another foolproof lunch at Borough Market is a roast pork ciabatta at The Black Pig. All options feature slow roast, Italian pork shoulder. The Honey Truffle Parmesan pairs the pork with truffle mayo, fennel and apple slaw with 30-month aged parmesan. The Smoked Scamorza, is bursting with aioli, apple slaw, basil, passata and scamorza cheese. I’m salivating too much to tell you the other options but basically – go check them out.
📍The Black Pig, Borough Market Kitchen, Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AG
Mon - Sat 10-5
9.
Padella
Does Padella need an introduction? This pasta bar is an SE1 institution – if you don’t know, get to know! Fresh, hand rolled pasta is paired with delicious sauces. Dinner here is a must, when you can take your time over the pasta and antipasta sharing plates. But with half their pasta dishes priced at £10 or under, it can make a great value lunch too.
📍Padella, 6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ
Mon - Sun 12-3.45, 5-10.30
10.
Lower Marsh Market
Just round the corner from Waterloo station is Lower Marsh Market – a historic south London street which, during the week, hosts a market full of tasty and affordable street food. You’ll find everything here, from Indian to Portuguese, to Moroccan and Peruvian.
📍Lower Marsh Market, London SE1 7AE
Mon - Fri 11.30-3
