For my daughter meeting a friend. The brief is:
A bit different (not a chain you could get in any town)
Central - she'll be training in to Waterloo so easy reach from there
Not expensive - student budgets
Not pasta
Likes - meat, curry, Thai
Not a fan of - chinese, pasta (can cook that easily enough at home)
Head to Borough Market, a short walk along the south bank from Waterloo. Everything and anything is there...
Cheap too...
What day of the week? Borough Market for street food kind of stuff, can be delicious. There are places to perch and eat, but it’s not a restaurant.
There's a cafe just south of Waterloo on the high street. Cafe in the morning, Thai at lunch and evenings. Very well regarded, and cheap. It's called Marie's
Not a fancy place but student budget friendly. Lots of places nearby for a drink after or before
Borough Market is usually closed Mondays, not sure about BH though.
Casa de Frango at London Bridge is nice. Think posh Nandos in a cool location but not silly expensive.
I thought it said London eels later today
Which is also my suggestion
Kricket
Bao
Bleeker
Humble Bird
Mercato Mayfair - imagine a load of different street food stalls in an old Victorian church with crypt, main area & mezzanine. Great place to just go and see & food not too pricey either.
Japan Centre between Picadilly Circus and Leicester Square. The downstairs cafe is quick and cheap with a good range of Japanese food - and there’s usually plenty of Japanese in there too!
Thanks all - keep 'em coming
Kricket looks interesting but prob a bit expensive for them by the time sides are included.
Bleecker was a potential already
Humble Bird - I can't find in London. I keep getting directed to Humble Chicken but that's ££££ on reviews, def not within the student budget brief!! If there is one I'm missing, can you link?
Maries - def on my list even if it doesn't make theirs.
Mercato Mayfair - love that place, have already suggested several times on here https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/london-travel-advice-please/
Got to be Govindas just off soho Square so 15 mins walk from Waterloo. 10 quid for spicy curry, veg, popadoms, it's the hare krishna cafe but they don't bother you. You can play table tennis in soho Square and have a coffee at bar italia on the brisk walk back. Lunch break sorted.
Smokestack, stick to sides or wings and it doesn't have to be crazy expensive.
Mercato is great, try seven dials market Covent Garden for similar variety of food and vibes
