It's hungry work, sightseeing in London. But it can be pricey to eat at the capital's tourist hot spots. We've rounded up some of our favourite cheaper places to eat near London's major museums, so you can grab a bite without breaking the budget.
South Kensington: Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A
Raison D'Etre
Find far more than sandwiches at this little French café. Focaccia, panini, salads and pasta are all on the menu too, for a bargain price. We also like the sound of the Too Naughty To Mention Hot Chocolate (£3.50).
Raison D'Etre, 18 Bute Street, SW7 3EX
Caffé Forum
This relaxed, independent coffee house produces good quality food that costs less. For this pricey part of town, it's a steal. Sandwiches start from £2.20 to take away.
Caffé Forum, 146 Gloucester Road, SW7 4SZ
Comptoir Libanais
Informal, but delicious-sounding — the dishes at this Lebanese canteen range from mezze (hot and cold), wraps and tagines. There's also a good children's selection with all kids' meals priced at £5.45, including a dessert and drink. You can't book ahead with this one, so be prepared for a wait at peak times (school holidays, mainly).
Comptoir Libanais, 1-5 Exhibition Road, SW7 2HE
Bella Italia
The bustling chain's South Ken branch is a few seconds from the tube. It's open from 9am-12am (11pm on Sundays), serving up breakfasts (from around £5), pizza, pasta, grills and sandwiches. The children's menu offers a great value three-courses, nibbles and a drink from £5.95.
Bella Italia, 60 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DY
Bloomsbury: British Museum
Bibimbab Cafe
Packed with variations of the Korean rice dish, bibimbab, this little café has got your tasty lunch sorted. From around £6-£8, feast on a rice bowl, noodles or spice meats. We love the Dolsot Bibimbab — served in a hot stone bowl.
Bibimbab Café, 37 Museum Street, WC1A 1LP
Bloomsbury Coffee House
A charming mix of mismatched furniture, good value breakfasts and excellent coffee. The menu's not huge, but if you want a quick cake and brew — this is perfect. They also offer brunch, lunch and tasty-sounding afternoon tea at just £17.50 per person. Sample menu here.
Bloomsbury Coffee House, 20 Tavistock Place, WC1H 9RE
Tea and Tattle
Opposite the British Museum, Tea and Tattle is a quaint tea room within Arthur Probsthain Bookseller. Its menu is packed with a traditional assortment, from ham sandwiches (£4.40) to scones with jam and clotted cream (£3.40). There's more than a touch of Ye Olde England about this one.
Tea and Tattle, 41 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3PE
Camera Museum
A short and simple selection of panini, soups and cakes are on the menu at the Camera Museum. It's not the obvious choice for a café location, but at around £6.50 for a soup with garlic panini bread, it's enough to make anyone say 'cheese'.
Camera Museum, 44 Museum Street, WC1A 1LY
Greenwich: National Maritime Museum
Kings Arms
This Greene King pub gets extra marks for its tucked-away garden and good selection of beer on tap. Food-wise, it's standard pub grub, with some interesting veggie options too. It'll set you back around £6-£7 for a sandwich and £10 plus for a burger, although the Sunday roast is a reasonable £10.95.
Kings Arms, 16 King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9JH
Heap's Sausages
This Sausage Café offers bargain bang(ers) for your buck at two locations. From the All Day Breakfast Plate (£7.50) to Sausage On A Stick (£1.20), there's a full selection of meat-honouring dishes going on here. Veggies won't feel left out either with limited but tasty meat-free choices.
Heap's Sausages, 8 Nevada Street, SE10 9JL and 334 Creek Road, SE10 9SW
Covent Garden: London Transport Museum
Restaurant De Paul
Forget the croissants, patisserie chain Paul's Covent Garden incarnation is a full restaurant offering French fayre and good value pre-theatre menus. There are plenty of gateau, macarons and more for those with a sweeter tooth.
Restaurant De Paul, 29 Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED
Pizza Express
The Bow Street branch of this chain gets plenty of traffic from the nearby Royal Opera House. If you can grab a table, it offers good value Italian classics (including gluten free pizzas), plus a children's menu of three courses for £6.95.
Pizza Express, 9-12 Bow Street, WC2E 7AH
Chez Antoinette
Wildwood
The central London branch of this chain mixes up Italian favourites with grills and salad, plus it has a two-course kids' Monster Menu for just £5.95 and drinks from 80p. It gets major points for its location near the Royal Opera House too.
Wildwood, 35-36 Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AU
Barbican: Museum of London
Wild and Wood Coffee
The endearing (and tiny) store made from reclaimed wooden pews has relocated from its previous Holborn corner. Expect good coffee and scrumptious cakes (from around £2) within walking distance of the Museum Of London.
Wild and Wood Coffee, 47 London Wall, EC2M 5TE
Natural Kitchen
Monday to Friday, Natural Kitchen offers healthy dishes to see you through from breakfast to dinner. Ingredient quality and taste are high priorities, so there are a few pricier options.
For the best value, check out their £7, two-course kids' menu; and the three-course set menu for adults is a steal at around £14, especially as it runs from noon until closing time (which varies depending on the day).
Natural Kitchen, 176 Aldersgate Street, EC1A 4HR
Smithfield Cafe
It's worth the eight minute walk from the museum to eat at this east London institution. Some Trip Advisor reviews claim it serves the "best English breakfast in England".
The food is exceptional value — fill up with a seven-item cooked breakfast for £6.50 or eat lighter with buttered toast for 70p. Lunch times offer jacket potatoes (from £1.60), burgers (from £2), pies and sandwiches. It's also open 24-hours for a truly all-day breakfast experience.
Smithfield Cafe, 59 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ
Prices, menus and opening hours are subject to change, so visit the cafe or restaurant's menu before your visit.
