London’s Top 10 Lists: Zone 1 Restaurants with 2/3 Course Menus £30 to £40/head

London’s Top 10 Lists: Restaurants with 2/3 Course Menus £30 to £40/head

Finding specific London restaurants that consistently offer 2/3 course set menus between £30-£40 in Zone 1 is a bit like finding a good seat on the Tube – possible, but you need to know where to look. Here is a curated top 10 list that fits, blending celebrated institutions with hidden gems, all offering exceptional value in the heart of the city.

1. Luca: Michelin-Starred Italian in Clerkenwell

The ever-charming Luca might have a Michelin star, but its express lunch deal keeps things deliciously down-to-earth: £32 for two courses or £38 for three of pure Italian escapism . Think oozy stracciatella, Cornish haddock with Jersey Royals, and a tiramisu that transports you straight to Rome . It’s a long lunch in the city without the airfare.

• Nearest Tube: Farringdon
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: St John Street / Clerkenwell Road (Stop F) – 55, 243
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Monday-Friday, 12pm-2pm for the Bar Express Menu .
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: Luca, 88 St John Street, London EC1M 4EH

2. The Ninth: Michelin-Starred French in Fitzrovia

One of the best ways to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant without the splurge is with a set menu, and The Ninth has been leading the way for years . Jun Tanaka’s seasonal cooking shines through dishes like seabream carpaccio with green chilli and pain perdu with tonka bean ice cream . The quality is simply outstanding for the price.

• Nearest Tube: Goodge Street
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Goodge Street / Tottenham Court Road (Stop L) – 10, 24, 29, 73, 134
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Lunchtime, Monday-Friday (subject to availability).
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: The Ninth, 22 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2NB

3. Trishna: Modern Indian in Marylebone

Trishna puts an impeccable spin on the casual setting, and its set lunch menu is a very good deal indeed . For £35, you get three courses of refined Indian cooking, with dishes like paneer tikka with raw mango and a saffron and pear kulfi to finish . It’s a neighbourhood feel with serious culinary credentials.

• Nearest Tube: Bond Street
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Portman Square (Stop L) – 2, 30, 74, 94
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Lunch, Monday-Friday.
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: Trishna, 15-17 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DG

4. Benares: Michelin-Starred Indian in Mayfair

Benares is a bold Mayfair hangout known for melding British and Indian flavours, and its set menu spotlights this beautifully . For £35, you can enjoy three courses, choosing from scallops, samosa chaats, or venison keema pao . It’s a taste of one of London’s most recently starred restaurants.

• Nearest Tube: Green Park
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Berkeley Square (Stop F) – 22
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Lunch, Monday-Friday.
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: Benares, 12a Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BS

5. Park Chinois: Glamorous Chinese in Mayfair

One of London’s most luxurious Chinese restaurants, Park Chinois, offers a weekday set lunch that’s a fantastic deal . For just £29, you get two starters and a main, choosing from exquisite dishes like crystal dumplings, salt and pepper squid, and sweet and sour king prawns . It’s opulent dining on a budget.

• Nearest Tube: Green Park
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Berkeley Square (Stop F) – 22
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Weekday lunch.
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: Park Chinois, 17 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8EA

London’s Top 10 Lists: Restaurants with 2/3 Course Menus £30 to £40/head

6. Maison François: Parisian Bistro in St James’s

Maison François offers a handsomely priced Formule Pre-Theatre menu, available from 2:30pm-6:30pm . For £35-£40, you can enjoy two or three courses of French-inspired hits in a beautiful dining room that chef Jemma Harrison describes as “really special” . A perfect pre-show spot.

• Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Piccadilly Circus (Stop F) – 9, 14, 19, 22, 38
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Monday-Friday, 2:30pm-6:30pm for pre-theatre.
• Time at Each: 1.5 hours
• Google Maps Location: Maison François, 34 Duke Street, London SW1Y 6DF

7. Balthazar: Classic French in Covent Garden

Located a stone’s throw from Covent Garden’s famous piazza, Balthazar offers classic French dining in a relaxed but elegant setting . Its prix fixe menu, at £27.50 for three courses including a glass of fizz, is great value . The steak frites and crème brûlée are reliable classics.

• Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Aldwych / Drury Lane (Stop R) – 1, 9, 15, 68, 87
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm.
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: Balthazar, 4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ

8. The Delaunay: Grand European Cafe in Covent Garden

Inspired by the grand cafes of Europe, The Delaunay offers a stand-out pre-theatre menu for just £29.50, including three courses and a drink . Located on the corner of Aldwych and Drury Lane, it’s perfectly positioned for a post-show bite, with their famous Swiss soufflé often on the menu.

• Nearest Tube: Temple or Covent Garden
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Aldwych / Drury Lane (Stop R) – 1, 9, 15, 68, 87
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Monday-Friday, 4.30pm-6.30pm and 9pm-11.30pm.
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: The Delaunay, 55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB

9. Lasdun: Southbank Brasserie at the National Theatre

Located within the walls of the National Theatre, Lasdun serves a brasserie-style menu using seasonal and local ingredients . At £32 for two courses, it offers brilliant value considering mains on the à la carte menu can reach £60 . Enjoy a relaxed, unhurried service right by the Thames.

• Nearest Tube: Waterloo
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: The Old Vic (Stop T) – 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77, 168, 171, 176
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Monday-Saturday, 12pm-2pm and 4.30pm-6.30pm.
• Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Google Maps Location: Lasdun, National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX

10. Duck & Waffle: Sky-High Dining in Liverpool Street

London’s iconic sky-high dining destination has launched a weekday three-course set menu perfect for a fun meal out . For £36.50, you can enjoy dishes from quinoa protein bowls to aubergine Milanese, with the views alone making it worth the trip . It’s a 40th-floor feast without the usual price tag.

• Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street
• Nearest Bus Stop & Numbers: Liverpool Street Station (Stop G) – 8, 26, 35, 47, 78, 135, 149, 205, 344, 388
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Weekday lunch.
• Time at Each: 1.5 hours
• Google Maps Location: Duck & Waffle, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

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