Fast Food in London| Eating Europe

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.

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:

Dunn, K. (2023, October 23). Best traditional food in London. Eating Europe. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/london-foods-traditional/ Eating Europe

Eating Europe. (n.d.). London Food Tours. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/ Eating Europe

Master Wei. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://master-wei.com/ master-wei.com

Chicken Joint. (n.d.). Home – Chicken Joint. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.chickenjoint.co.uk/ Chicken Joint

Pizza Pilgrims. (n.d.). Home – Pizza Pilgrims. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk/ pizzapilgrims.co.uk

Hiba Street. (n.d.). About – Hiba Street (W1). Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.hiba-express.co.uk/hiba-street/ Hiba Express

Ji Chickens. (n.d.). Welcome to Ji The Chicken Shop. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://jichickens.com/ Ji Chickens

The Kati Roll Company. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.thekatirollcompany.com/ thekatirollcompany.com

Marie’s Cafe. (2025). Home – Thai restaurant in London. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://mariescafe.has.restaurant/ mariescafe.has.restaurant

Traditional Pure. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://traditionalpuretakeaway.co.uk/ Traditional Pure Takeaway

Wok to Walk. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.woktowalk.com/ Wok to Walk