London's Food Prices & Cost of Living
Embarking on a gastronomic journey through London may sound like an expensive venture, but fear not! With the average cost of a meal out in the capital £30 per person, based on September 2023 prices we've uncovered tips to make your culinary exploration both delightful and cost-effective. To find out more about Restaurant Prices read our blog focused on eating out in London here.
Is Food Expensive in London?
Having lived and grown up in London, we know the cost of food can eat into your budget. However, after spending some time navigating London's diverse food scene, we can assure you that it's possible to indulge on a budget.
To start off, you are going to save a lot of money if you are making your own meals at your Airbnb so we're going to share some of our favourite places to shop. Central London is mainly made up of small, convenience stores however you will find larger stores the further out you go including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Asda. There are also smaller non-branded places to shop as well as a few amazon fresh stores. Each supermarket has its unique offerings and price points, and we'll provide a comparative analysis based on our exploration.
The cost of an average shop in London per week, per person is around £50.
There are a few common supermarkets in London, Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S andCo-op.We often opt for Tesco where we think the price is fair and there is a good choice. Make sure you get a Clubcard for extra savings! Also to note Waitrose and M&S are known to be more expensive.
Food Prices in London Compared to The Rest of the UK:
Let’s get into the price of food. How much is food in London? Below I have also compared the prices to other areas of the UK and further below to the US to allow you to see the difference. Perhaps you’ll be surprised – we know we were.
Item | Cost in London (£) | Average Cost UK (£) |
500g Pasta | £1.64 | £0.41 |
430g Chicken | £6.06 | £3.35 |
Pack of Vine Tomatoes | £2.15 | £1.20 |
Banana per kg | £1.49 | £1.01 |
Comparing UK Food Prices to the US:
Lets compare prices to the US. Lets see what is the real difference in food price?
Item | Cost US | Cost UK (£) |
500g Pasta | £1.18 ($1.50) | £0.41 ($0.52) |
430g Chicken | £3.31 ($4.20) | £3.35 ($4.26) |
Pack of Vine Tomatoes | £3.81 ($3) | £1.20 ($1.52) |
Banana per kg | £2.79 ($2.20) | £1.01 ($1.28) |
Tips To Keeping Costs Low:
1. Read our London Restaurant guide to optimise your budget– We talk through high end eateries and budget options to make your culinary trip as best as possible.
2. Make your own Meals - Rather than eating out make your own delicious meals before you go out exploring
3. Eat vegetarian meals – It goes without saying meat is expensive so eating some vegetarian meals will save you money along the way.
4. Look for Supermarket Own brand– Look out for non-branded food in the supermarkets
5. ChooseLidl or Aldiover other supermarkets
6. Pay with Revolut for low or no transaction fees and a good exchange rate.(Read more about Revolut here)
Explore Our Full London Bucket List
From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, our list is your passport to unlocking the full potential of your London adventure. Whether you're a budget traveller or seeking luxury, there's something for everyone on our PDF list.
Ready to elevate your bucket list experience? Get your Ultimate London Bucket List Guide with Printable List Now and turn your dreams into reality!
Don't forget to explore our other blogs on the costs of food in Norway, Denmark and Sweden!
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