London’s best cheap eats, according to TikTok foodie Sama Ansari Pour

Every year, Time Out surveys thousands of people around the world to come up with an annual ranking of the world’s greatest cities. This year, for the first time, Time Out discovered which locations were best for Gen Z by asking people under 30 what they thought about their city’s nightlife, food, culture, access to green spaces, and walkability. 

It turns out that the UK’s best city for Gen Z is Edinburgh, with London coming in a not-too-bad second place. 

To celebrate London's high ranking placement, we asked Sama Ansari Pour, a Gen Z journalist and content creator who has been eating her way through a host of global cuisines on her TikTok, to recommend her five favourite meals for under £10 in the city. 

1. Caspian Lounge, Finchley  

What is it? One of the few places in London to score authentic Iranian street food.

Why Sama loves it: Western eats (think burgers and hot dogs) meet Iranian flavours. saffron-marinated chicken burgers, thick beef Iranian sausage hot dogs topped with a healthy amount of yogurt and dill sauce. Traditional Iranian dishes like kotlet (potato and meat patties) and olivieh (potato salad) are stuffed into sandwiches that’ll keep you full all day, but the best thing to order is their special hotdog – tender beef sausage stuffed in a freshly baked baguette with layers of cheese and crunchy vegetables. Thank me later. 

Sama’s tip: Skip the sides (fries and salad) and spend that money on fresh pomegranate juice instead. 

Address: 427 High Road, Finchley, N12 0AP.

Opening hours: 11am-11pm, open every day.

Expect to pay: Between £7.99 to £9.99 depending on the sandwich. 

2. Enfes Ocakbasi, Haringey 

What is it? The best lahmacun in London. 

Why Sama loves it: Because you can order a £4.50 lahmacun and get four to five free starters, as well as free tea, and often free rice pudding as well. It's typical for Turkish restaurants to provide starters for free, but a lot of Turkish restaurants in the city are phasing this out. Not Enfes Ocakbasi. In my experience, no matter what you order, you’ll be served hot bread, hummus, cacik, grilled onions and two types of salad. The lahmacun is made fresh and loaded with flavourful meat. It’s hard to get a better deal.

Sama’s tip: Put the salad in the lahmacun, squeeze lemon on it and make it into a big wrap – that’s the authentic Turkish way to eat it. 

Address: 485-487 Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, N4 1AJ.

Opening hours: 11am-12am, Monday to Friday, 11am-1am on the weekends. 

Expect to pay: Lahmacun costs £4.50. 

3. Salteńas Martin, Old Kent Road  

What is it? A Bolivian cafe serving excellent empanadas.

Why Sama loves it: At Salteńas Martin you can buy multiple baked goods and a drink, and still have change left over from a tenner. Everything is made fresh and you have to try a salteña – a Bolivian-style empanada stuffed with chicken, potatoes, olives and vegetables. Compared to other Latin American empanadas, it kind of reminds me of a xiao long bao because it’s so juicy – the flaky pastry is hiding a little soup inside. 

Sama’s tip: Take a bite of the salteña and eat the fillings with a spoon, the traditional Bolivian way. 

Address: 214 Old Kent Road, SE1 5TY.

Opening hours: Mon closed, Tue and Thu 8.30am–5pm, Wed 8:30am–6pm, Fri-Sat 8am–10pm, Sun 8am–9pm. 

Expect to pay: A salteña costs £2.80, other baked goods start from £1 and the most expensive is £5. 

4. Suya Hut, Barking  

What is it? Perfectly spiced Nigerian barbeque.

Why Sama loves it: You can get a huge portion of jollof rice, barbequed meat and salad for £9-10, depending on if you want chicken or beef. It may be one of the best barbeques you’ll ever try in your life: it’s smoky, spicy, nutty and moreish. The meat is served on a bed of jollof rice, which is possibly one of my favourite rice dishes out there. Spicy, tomatoey, umami – it’s hard to stop eating it. The portions are incredibly generous, you’ll likely have leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. 

Sama’s tip: Order a Nigerian Fanta for the ultimate authentic experience.

Address: 14A London Road, Barking, IG11 8AJ.

Opening hours: Thu-Sat, 12–8pm. 

Expect to pay: £9–10, depending on your choice of meat. 

5. Kulcha Express, Southall 

What is it? Punjabi comfort food. 

Why Sama loves it: The best chicken curry I have ever had is served here, and it was only £9.50. It was rich, well-spiced and the chicken was so tender it almost melted – I didn’t need a knife at all. You can also grab a freshly made paratha stuffed with onions or cheese. It’s a small eatery and filled with locals – it’s not fancy, but you won’t forget the food. 

Sama’s tip: Skip the rice and get a freshly made roti instead – it’s cheaper and mops up the flavours perfectly. 

Address: 80 South Road, Southall, UB1 1RD.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 10am–10pm, Fri-Sat 10am–10.30pm. 

Expect to pay: Parathas from £2.50, curries are £9 to £10 depending on the meat.

Check out Time Out's full list of the city’s best cheap eats right here.

Not fussed about price? Here are the 50 best restaurants the city has to offer