Fast Food in London: 10 Quick Stops That Taste Like More

Fast Food, London Style: Not Just Burgers & Fries

In a busy city like London, the food scene has adapted to keep up with the fast pace of life, offering a diverse range of quick eats without sacrificing quality. From Indian curry wraps to traditional British foods like battered cod, you can get a tasty meal in no time. It’s the perfect setup for everyone, from office workers grabbing a quick lunch in London city to travelers hunting down a late-night bite after a day of exploring.

If you’ve ever joined me on one of my London food tours, you’ll already know I’ve got a soft spot for takeaway grub, which is why I’ve scouted out the top places for fast food in London for you to enjoy.

10 Fast Food Spots to Try in London

Master Wei Xi’An

Master Wei Xi’an, beside Queen Squared Gardens, is famous for its healthy Xi’an-style street food. With a Netflix feature under its belt, it now has a loyal customer base, and I, like many, have started to visit their casual location regularly for lunch and dinner to enjoy their aromatic hand-pulled Biangbiang noodles.

Master Wei Xi’An (£7-£15) – London WC1N 3AP – Open every Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Chicken Joint & Taquitos Mexican Grill

Photo credit: Chicken Joint & Taquitos Mexican Grill

On Wilton Road, you’ll come across Chicken Joint & Taquitos Mexican Grill, which is known for its southern-fried chicken recipe. From burgers to burritos, everything can be ordered and ready within minutes at their small walk-in eatery, which attracts many nighttime eaters.

Chicken Joint & Taquitos Mexican Grill (£7-£18) – London SW1V 1DL – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Pizza Pilgrims

Photo credit: Pizza Pilgrims

Pizza Pilgrims specializes in Neapolitan-made pizza right in the heart of Soho. Famed for their unique recipes, such as carbonara and halal pepperoni, and for the high-quality dough and ingredients, I couldn’t believe how affordable the food was at this laidback restaurant. Lunchtime can get busy, so try to come before or after.

Pizza Pilgrims (£10-£16) – London W1B 5PW – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:45 pm and every Sunday from 11:30 am to 8:45 pm.

Hiba Street Food

Hiba Street Food, situated on Tottenham Street, serves up delicious Lebanese and Palestinian dishes. With only a handful of seats, takeaway is the preferred choice at this no-frills spot, where quality and affordability come together. Their creamy hummus and succulent lamb shawarma are some of my favorites.

Hiba Street Food (£8-£16)- London W1T 4RD – Open every Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and closed every Sunday.

Good Fried Chicken

Photo credit: Good Fried Chicken

You can’t come to London without trying the crispy Taiwanese fried chicken at Good Fried Chicken in Chinatown. Many come to this community takeaway for the quality of their chicken, which tastes like it has come straight from the streets of Taipei. Additionally, they serve some amazing bubble tea that comes with their combo deals.

Good Fried Chicken (£6-£9) – London WC2H 7JJ – Open every Monday to Thursday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, and every Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm.

The Kati Roll Company

If you’re looking for food that’s fast and casual in London, look no further than the traditional Indian takeout Kati Roll Company on Poland Street. Every time I’m in the area and want a quick dinner, I order one of their hand-rolled paratha wraps with chicken tika. They also offer other fillings, such as minced lamb, as well as vegetarian options.

The Kati Roll Company (£4-£7) – London W1F 8QL – Open every Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and every Thursday from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm.

Tongue & Brisket

Tongue & Brisket is the place to go for salted beef in all kinds of forms, whether it’s in sandwiches or salad boxes. They have somewhat of a cult status in the Soho area, especially for their breakfast menu, which draws a crowd, and their smoky, salty pastrami sandwiches.

Tongue & Brisket (£4-£8) – London W1F 8JP – Open every Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, and every Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Bánh Mì Hội-An

For cheap eats in London, Bánh Mì Hội-An in Hackney is hard to beat. Their flavorful take on the classic Vietnamese sandwich, bánh mì, has earned them a fierce reputation in the area for those in need of a fast midday meal. However, they also whip up a delicious serving of phở noodle soup if you’re in the mood for something lighter.

Bánh Mì Hội-An (£7-£9) – London E8 1BP – Open every Monday to Thursday from 11:45 am to 3:00 pm, Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and closed every Saturday and Sunday.

Maries Thai Cafe

Photo credit: Maries Thai Cafe

It’s not every day you come across a Thai restaurant serving up a scrumptious English breakfast, but Maries Thai Cafe in Waterloo is the exception. Whether it’s tom yum soup or stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts, this quaint cafe specializes in Thai classics for people on the go, and in the evenings, they even provide BYOB for those who want to stick around.

Maries Thai Cafe (£4-£8) – London SE1 7AB – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and closed every Sunday.

Traditional Pure

Photo credit: Traditional Pure

Some of the best takeaway food in London can be found at Traditional Pure. Centered around wholesome dishes that provide lasting energy, this spot on Queen Victoria Street is busiest at breakfast and lunch with many office-goers flocking to try their salads, burritos, and shawarmas. Given the quality of ingredients they use, I found their menu to be excellent value for money.

Traditional Pure (£4-£8) – London EC4N 4SG – Open every Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm and closed every Saturday and Sunday.

Wok to Walk Brewer

For anyone wondering where to eat fast in London, check out Wok to Walk Brewer in Soho, dedicated to Asian food. Focused on wok-made dishes like pad Thai and drunken noodles, this unassuming haunt serves up freshly made recipes lightning fast until late, with only a few seats available for customers.

Wok to Walk Brewer (£6-£12) – London W1F 0SB – Open every Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 am and every Sunday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am.

Market Stalls & Food Halls That Move Fast

There’s no better place for street food than London’s food stalls and halls. Borough Market serves up a wide mix of gourmet bites, from fresh fish wraps to succulent duck sandwiches. For a more laid-back vibe, head to Mercato Metropolitano, where you’ll find international eats in a relaxed setting, or swing by Spitalfields Market for quick, satisfying plates. Over in Shoreditch, Boxpark is a hipster hangout, dishing out crunchy fried chicken and juicy burgers from repurposed shipping containers.

Local Chains to Know (Beyond McDonald’s)

Morley’s Chicken

For fried chicken, I don’t go anywhere else in the city other than Morley’s. With multiple shops across the capital, this takeaway joint is one of London’s fast food chains that everyone enjoys. While you can order to-go, I prefer to snag a seat inside and tuck into a portion of their salty, golden-coated chicken wings, which is a specialty of theirs.

Morley’s Chicken (£1-£10) – London NW1 8AN – Open every Monday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm and every Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Greggs

Photo credit: Greggs

Most tourists will have never heard of Greggs before they come to London, but by the end of their trip, they will have likely eaten in this famous bakery chain a ton of times. Specializing in sweet and savory snacks, they sell all sorts of baked goods, but their flaky sausage rolls are what I, like everyone else, come for when I want some cheap eats in London.

Greggs (£1-£10) – London WC2R 0PS – Open every Monday to Saturday from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm and every Sunday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm

Wagamama

Photo credit: Wagamama

Have a slice of Tokyo right here in London, with a Japanese meal at a relaxed diner like Wagamama. This Pan-Asian chain has a strong presence all over the UK and serves some of the best fast food in London, with its rich, comforting katsu curry being the choice of many regular customers, including myself.

Wagamama (£10-£20) – London WC2E 9HP – Open every Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thursday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:30 pm

LEON

Photo credit: LEON

Leon is an urban eatery that delivers fast food in a healthy fashion with a strong focus on Mediterranean techniques. They’ve built up a big reputation for their rice boxes, with the sweet, nutty, satay chicken option being my order every time I want fast food in London without feeling guilty afterwards.

LEON (£1-£10) – London W1F 7JF – Open every Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and every Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Tortilla

Photo credit: Tortilla

You’ve got to try Tortilla when in London. It’s a grab-and-go Mexican-style kitchen where every recipe is cooked California-style. Burritos and tacos are what they do best, especially the build-your-own option that lets you choose your preferred rice, beans, meat, veg, sauce, and salsa. There are plenty of options to choose from, with succulent carnitas pork being my top choice.

Tortilla (£10-£20) – London W1F 0TH – Open every Monday to Wednesday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and every Sunday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Street Eats & Grab-and-Go Favourites

Photo credit: Pilpel

London’s fast food chains aren’t just limited to well-known names, you’ll also find plenty of street-style and independent places, like these spots.

• Chicken shops like Morley’s are a popular choice for crispy fried chicken, especially in South London.
• Those who have a hankering for some crunchy falafel or spiced shawarma should check out Pilpel or Lebanese Grill.
• If you’re in the mood to try some British fast food, fish and chip counters like the Fryer’s Delight offer quick service.
• In districts like Soho and Shoreditch, you’ll come across trendy fast casual food options like Honest Burger and MEATliquor Bar & Restaurant.
• Don’t sleep on supermarkets like Tesco Express or cafes such as Pret, which offer plenty of quick, yummy snacks.

Late-Night & 24-Hour Fast Food in London

Those who’ve never been to London before won’t be aware of certain sides of the fast food culture here, but following these tips will allow you to adapt quickly.

• Be sure to check out chicken or fried food shops, as these places are great for late-night food in London, often staying open until around 2:00 am to 3:00 am.
• Don’t forget to swing by Beigel Bake in Brick Lane, which is famed for its iconic salt beef bagel and stays open 24 hours a day.
• Well-known chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and PizzaExpress are reliable options that always have extended opening hours.
• If you don’t want to eat out, download one of the many takeaway food apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat, which offer fast delivery at a cheap price.

Veggie, Vegan & Halal Fast Food Options

Travelers coming to London with specific dietary requirements will also be catered to with fast food, as the city has a sizable collection of places that accommodate these eaters.

• When you need vegan or vegetarian fast food in London, LEON or Pret a Manger will have something for you.
• Stop by a falafel and hummus bar like Pilpel for fast plant-based dishes.
• You’ll spot Halal chains like Pepe’s and Dixy Chicken just about everywhere you go in London.

What to Expect (and How to Eat Like a Local)

• Be prepared to queue up for orders at popular stands, but lines move fast.
• Most vendors stick to card payment, but some may allow you to pay with cash.
• You’ll likely have to order your food for takeaway, as there are often only a few seats available.
• Despite being fast food, most dishes are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Always inform vendors that you prefer your food mild if you’re sensitive to spice, as some may tend to overdo it.

Final Thoughts: Fast Food, But Make It Worth It

Fast food in London is less about big chains and more about nourishing meals that you can savor on the move. Everywhere you look, you’ll find hearty, budget-friendly meals with a local twist, ready to order quickly without any fuss.

Sources:

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