The best set menus in London offering excellent lunch and dinner deals

Love a deal? Us too. Some might argue that it’s near impossible to enjoy a multi-course meal on a budget in the capital these days, but our round-up of the best set menus in London is here to put the record straight. These fixed-price offerings prove it's possible to enjoy everything from classic pub grub to Michelin-starred fare at a snip of the regular price.  

First, what is a set menu? Set menus are a wondrous invention in which a restaurant offers multiple courses, usually two or three, for a fixed price. They tend to be shorter than regular a la carte offerings and are available at specific times throughout the day and week. So, if you’re the kind of person who always struggles to decide what to order, or even what time to book, then a set menu is the perfect solution, naturally narrowing down the options for you.  

Set menus are most commonly available at lunchtime, which is why you’ll notice that this guide is largely geared towards the best set lunch menus in London. However, plenty of the best and most affordable set menus London has to offer are available throughout the day too, including in the evening, so don’t forget to skip to the most relevant section below if you’re on the hunt for a delicious dinner spot.  

In this list, you'll find a range of restaurants suited to all budgets, styles and occasions. One of our favourites for more casual dining will forever be BAO's £15 set menu, which gets you one of its signature buns along with two tasty sides. On the other end of the spectrum, you have Kitchen W8, a Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant in Kensington known for its super classic, fine dining cooking. Here you can still enjoy three courses for little more than £30 per head, which is a steal if you ask us.  

Ready to be stunned? Keep scrolling for the best set menu restaurants in central London and beyond, and don’t forget to make the most of these stellar deals while you can. You’ll find they’re always changing and don’t stick around for long! 

Best set lunch menus in London

Whether it's a smart business lunch or a Friday treat, these excellent-value set lunch deals in London include options for every occasion.

Boxcar Bar & Grill, Marylebone 

What: Boxcar Bar & Grill’s three-course set lunch menu is almost too good to be true. It starts with a tasty snack, like a haggis sausage roll with homemade ketchup or Welsh rarebit with Guinness pickled onions, followed by your choice of main - sirloin and fries with red wine jus would be our choice. All of that for just £19! Or, add dessert for an extra fiver to indulge in rhubarb fool with oat crumble. We know what we’d do... 
How much: Three courses for £19 
Where: 23 New Quebec Street, W1H 7SD 
Book now: Boxcar Bar & Grill 

The Pem, Westminster 

What: Sally Abe’s beautiful pink restaurant in the Conrad London St. James hotel is a must-visit for a knockout lunch in the centre of town. The menu champions British ingredients and sustainable suppliers, and for quality this high, is exceptional value at only £35 for two courses. Start with white asparagus velouté and lovage, followed by confit guinea fowl with creamed polenta and loquats. 
How much: Two courses for £35 
Where: 22-28 Broadway, SW1H 0BH 
Book now: The Pem

Big Easy, Covent Garden 

What: Have you ever come across a one-course set menu? Well, now you have, in the form of Big Easy’s weekday set lunch which includes one course with a choice of drink for just £11 per person. You can always add an extra course for a fiver, and dishes stay true to its American smokehouse roots, with the likes of a Pitmaster Bar.B.Q sandwich made with brisket, smoked sausage, pickles and BBQ sauce, and a lobster and shrimp roll on the menu. 
How much: One course and a drink for £11 
Where: 12 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NA 
Book now: Big Easy Covent Garden

Bocconcino, Soho

What: Considering a starter alone at Bocconcino will set you back about £20, its set lunch menu seems like even more of a steal at £26 for two courses or £29 for three. Uber glamorous interiors will have you feeling like a prince or princess while you dine, and dishes are refined but luxurious – think burrata with tomatoes and pesto followed by tagliatelle with slow cooked braised beef ragu. Finish with a round of tiramisu and call it a very good day indeed.
How much: Two courses for £26, three courses for £29
Where: 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JY
Book now: Bocconcino Soho

Rick Stein, Barnes

What: From the king of seafood himself, Rick Stein’s Barnes branch in south west London serves an almighty set lunch for no less than £17.50 for three courses. Our jaws hit the ground when we heard about this one too. You don’t get a choice, and the dishes change all the time, but examples include salt cod fritters with aioli, mackerel cooked in a Goan chilli paste with rice and salad, and apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.
How much: Three courses for £17.50
Where: 125 Mortlake High Street, SW14 8SN
Book now: Rick Stein Barnes

The Ninth, Fitzrovia

What: One of the best ways to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant at a snip of the price is with a set lunch menu. You're still able to experience Michelin-quality food, just with a more affordable price tag, and that's exactly what you get at The Ninth. Jun Tanaka's menu changes with the seasons, but examples of dishes include flamed mackerel with red meat radish and lemon to start, grilled seabream with tenderstem broccoli and anchovy dressing for main, and a rhubarb doughnut with lemon curd to finish. All that for just over 30 quid a head? It would be rude not to. 
How much: Two courses for £30, three courses for £35
Where: 22 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NB
Book now: The Ninth

Restaurant St Barts, Farringdon

What: One of London's standout new restaurant openings of the last few years, St Barts boasts an extraordinary setting overlooking the Church of St Bartholomew the Great in Farringdon. The food is just as exceptional as the setting, and now you can eat at this recent Michelin star and Michelin Green star winner for a relatively affordable £55 a head; St Barts' express lunch menu squeezes a three-course experience, plus snacks, into just an hour. 
How much: Three courses for £55
Where: 63 Bartholomew Close, EC1A 7BF
Book now: Restaurant St Barts

Cinnamon Club, Westminster

What: Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Collection has brought a number of first class Indian restaurants to the capital, but Cinnamon Club is the flagship site which opened in 2001. If you’re one of the few people who’s still yet to try this spot, then there’s no better time to visit than at lunch for the set menu between 12-2:15pm on weekdays. Think smoked venison and prune kebab with date chutney and chana masala hummus, and red spiced roast haddock with dried shrimp chutney and Bengali lentil and coconut dal.
How much: Two courses for £30, three courses for £35
Where: The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU
Book now: Cinnamon Club

Piazza Italiana, City

What: Nothing says Friday treat like a three-course menu at the oh-so opulent Piazza Italiana. Skip on over to this stunning Italian restaurant on any weekday to enjoy two or three courses, starting from £30. Kick things off with tuna crudo with avocado mousse, followed by lemon and anchovy linguine. To finish, keep things classic with a tiramisu, or go less traditional with a milk chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo paired with dolce vita ice cream.
How much: Two courses for £30, three courses for £34
Where: 38 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8AY
Book now: Piazza Italiana

Cinnamon Kitchen, Battersea

What: Cinnamon Kitchen is a relaxed all day dining concept that serves modern Indian cuisine with British influences, and can be found both in Battersea at the iconic Power Station, and in the City. There’s always a good reason to head here, but the set lunch menu at its Battersea site makes it particularly tempting. Available Tuesday to Friday, 12-5:30pm, you can enjoy two exquisite courses for as little as £18. If that's not a good deal, we don't know what is. 
How much: Two courses for £18, three courses for £22
Where: 4 Arches Lane, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB
Book now: Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea

Ganymede, Victoria

What: Ganymede is Lunar Pub Company’s take on a classic British boozer, albeit with an upmarket spin suited to its genteel location. If you’re looking to enjoy its classic cooking on a strict budget, you can do so at weekday lunchtimes. Start with the likes of a salmon fishcake with mussel veloute, a poached egg and chives; followed by bavette steak with chimichurri, fries, and red wine; and finish with a spiced plum frangipane tart with crème fraiche.  
How much: Two courses for £23.50, three courses for £29.50 
Where: 139 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QU 
Book now: Ganymede

Noble Rot, Soho, Mayfair and Holborn 

What: Parisian bistro Noble Rot’s set lunch menu is without a doubt one of the best-value options in this guide, let alone the whole of London. The menu changes every day in line with what’s in season, with the option to enjoy two or three courses for as little as £22. For example, you might expect to enjoy brown crab mayonnaise and crudites to start, followed by braised rabbit with mustard sauce and mash, and finishing with a classic crème brulee. And yes, it is available at all three of its restaurants. 
How much: Two courses for £22, three courses for £26 
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit Street, Noble Rot Soho, Noble Rot Mayfair

28:50, Oxford Circus

What: Finding affordable places to eat near Oxford Circus that aren't Pret can be a challenging task, which is where this central branch from restaurant and wine bar 28-50 comes in handy. Serving a two-course set lunch menu for less than £20, or three courses for an extra £3, this is a steal if you ask us. Better still, it comes with a complimentary glass of house white or red. Choose from seasonal classics such as celeriac remoulade with a soft boiled egg, croutons and chervil, and chicken supreme with tenderstem broccoli, smoked almond and romesco sauce.
How much: Two courses for £19.95, three courses for £22.95 
Where: 4 Great Portland Street, W1W 8QJ
Book now: 28:50 Oxford Circus

Fallow, St James's

What: Fallow is one of London’s best restaurants, and food of such astounding calibre doesn’t usually come cheap. That’s where its set lunch menu lends a helping hand. Punters looking to tuck into the likes of mushroom parfait with shiitake and grey oysters, and its famous Chelsea tart with caramelised whey, can do so for a set price between Monday and Friday, 12-3:30pm. 
How much: £40 per person 
Where: 2 St James’s Market, SW1Y 4RP 
Book now: Fallow

The Holland, Kensington 

What: This smart pub and restaurant in Kensington serves a set lunch menu for the meagre price of £15 for two courses. Designed to serve locals with seasonal, home-cooked food, examples of dishes you can expect to find on the menu include watercress and pea soup with creme fraiche, duck ragu rigatoni, and chocolate mousse with rhubarb and honeycomb to finish.
How much: Two courses for £15, three courses for £20 
Where: 25 Earls Court Road, W8 6EB 
Book now: The Holland 

Best all-day set menus in London

These all-day set menus are extra generous in that they're available for both lunch and dinner! You might have to eat a little earlier than usual if you're dining in the evening, but for these prices, that shouldn't be an issue. 

BAO, Soho 

What: If you don’t know about BAO Soho’s epic set menu deal then where have you been all this time? Available from 12-6pm on weekdays, you can get your choice of bao bun along with one xiao chi and a rice bowl for the modest price of £15. Choose from the likes of fried chicken, confit pork or lamb shoulder bao, along with Taiwanese fried chicken and mapo aubergine chi shang rice. 
How much: Three courses for £15 
Where: 53 Lexington Street, W1F 9AS 
Book now: BAO Soho 

Mildreds, Camden 

What: Veggie favourite Mildreds offers one of the best value set menus in this list. It includes three courses for just over 20 quid, with vibrant dishes like kimchi gyoza, tofu makhani curry and a white chocolate tiramisu to finish. Available Monday to Friday, 12-6pm.  
How much: Two courses for £18, three courses for £22 
Where: 9 Jamestown Road, NW1 7BW 
Book now: Mildreds Camden

Mallow, Canary Wharf 

What: The sister restaurant to vegetarian institution Mildreds, Mallow is its totally vegan little sibling, now with two sites in Borough Market and Canary Wharf. Only available at the latter site, its prix fixe menu is available Monday to Wednesday, 12-6pm, and features a selection of plant-based plates from courgette samphire carpaccio with whipped mascarpone, preserved lemon and sesame za’atar, to spiced coconut curry with lemon grass, stir fried aubergine, five spice tofu and coconut rice. 
How much: Two courses for £24, three courses for £32 
Where: 12 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9ZW 
Book now: Mallow Canary Wharf

Scott's, Richmond

What: If you're happy to eat dinner before 6:30pm, then the ever-glamorous Scott's gets our seal of approval. Sitting pretty on the banks of the river Thames, this infamous seafood restaurant serves an excellent value all-day deal. Start with the likes of maple cured trout with pickled cucumber, horseradish and
crème fraîche, followed by pan-fried sea bream with grilled peppers, capers, datterini and basil, and pistchio ice cream with hot chocolate sauce and candied pistachios.
How much: Two courses for £28, three courses for £34
Where: 4 Whittaker Avenue, TW9 1EH
Book now: Scott's Richmond

Sucre, Soho

What: Sucre specialises in Latin American open-fire cooking, with diners able to watch the flicker of its centrepiece charcoal oven in the open kitchen while they dine. Opulent interiors include chandeliers crafted out of upside-down glass decanters, and tapestry-covered furniture, all of which makes its set menu feel absurdly-good value given the glamorous setting. Available Monday to Saturday, 12-5pm, guests can select either two or three courses from a flavour-packed menu. Start with its aged cheddar, chilli and onion empanada, followed by sea bream with crushed potatoes and chicken butter. To finish, you can't go wrong with its insanely indulgent dulce de leche fondant. 
How much: Two courses for £29, three courses for £35
Where: 47b Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JP
Book now: Sucre

Swan at the Globe, South Bank

What: Swan is a contemporary British restaurant located at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe along the South Bank. Alongside various brunch, a la carte and afternoon tea offerings, it also serves a set River View menu which highlights the best seasonal British produce. Think garden pea, broad bean and mint soup, or Kentish chicken roulade with green asparagus, mash potato and a creamy wild mushroom sauce. Better still, it’s available for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. 
How much: Two courses for £29, three courses for £35
Where: 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT 
Book now: Swan at the Globe 

Kitchen W8, Kensington

What: Kitchen W8 is a neighbourhood restaurant in Kensington that has held onto its Michelin star since it won one in 2011. Head chef Mark Kempson, who has been at the restaurant all that time, is a huge reason for its success. Focusing on modern English cooking with French soul, examples of his dishes on the menu include raviolo of chicken and morels with wilted lettuce, garlic and smoked bacon, caramelised beef flat iron with wild garlic dauphine, courgette and aioli, and warm almond financiers with gooseberry compote and elderflower cream. It's available Monday to Saturday for lunch, or early evening on any weekday.
How much: Three courses for £34.50 
Where: 11-13 Abingdon Road, W8 6AH 
Book now: Kitchen W8 

Best set dinner menus in London

Dinner deals are more of a rarity in the capital, but that doesn't mean they're nonexistent. In fact, these tasty offers from Townsend and Spring are some of the best set menus in this list, if you ask us.

Townsend, Whitechapel 

What: Decent dinner deals in London are hard to come by, but one worth looking out for is Townsend’s set evening menu. It includes four courses for just over 30 quid, with dishes such as red Leicester croquettes with pickled walnut ketchup, and squid ink dumplings with crab, garlic and chilli up for grabs. You can add bread with whipped Glastonbury butter for an extra £1.50, or a drinks pairing for another £24 a head.  
How much: Four courses for £34 
Where: 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX 
Book now: Townsend

Spring, Temple 

What: Spring’s Scratch menu is the epitome of the perfect set menu. Not only is it a steal at £30 for three courses, but its aim is to offer guests a delicious, nutritious meal for a fair and reasonable price, that makes use of ingredients that would otherwise go to waste. It’s an excellent precedent to set, and one we believe more restaurants should get behind. Because it’s made using ‘waste’ produce, the menu is always changing and cannot be altered to suit dietary requirements. Examples include pasta rags with leeks and sourdough crust pan grattato, and spent vanilla and orange marmalade tart with cream.
How much: Three courses for £30 
Where: Somerset House, WC2R 1LA 
Book now: Spring

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