London’s Top 10 Lists: Zone 1 Restaurants with 2/3 Course Menus £40 to £50/head
London’s Top 10 Lists: Restaurants with 2/3 Course Menus £40 to £50/head
Finding a fantastic fixed-price meal in London’s Zone 1 that won’t break the bank is a true art. I’ve curated a list of 10 exceptional restaurants offering 2 or 3-course menus between £40 and £50, perfect for a special lunch or a sophisticated dinner. Here are my top picks, in listicle form.
1. Orrery
A beautiful and bright French restaurant in Marylebone, Orrery offers a sophisticated escape from the city bustle. With its high ceilings and terrace views, it’s an elegant choice for a leisurely lunch. Their set menu is a fantastic introduction to their refined cooking style .
- Nearest Tube: Baker Street
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Baker Street Station (Stop S), Buses: 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 113, 139, 189, 205, 274, 453
- Entry Fee: £40.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday lunch for a calm, refined atmosphere.
- Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Location: Orrery on Google Maps
2. Wild Honey St James
Tucked away in the beautiful St James’s Market, this elegant restaurant from the team behind the original Wild Honey offers a modern European menu. The pre-theatre menu is particularly popular, offering incredible value for cooking of this calibre, just steps from the theatres of the West End .
- Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Regent Street / St James’s (Stop R), Buses: 6, 12, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
- Entry Fee: £45.00 (3 courses, including a glass of champagne)
- Best Time to Visit: Pre-theatre (5 pm – 6.30 pm) for a vibrant buzz.
- Time at Each: 1.5 hours
- Location: Wild Honey St James on Google Maps
3. Lasdun
Set within the National Theatre on the South Bank, Lasdun is a modern British brasserie with a fantastic reputation. The restaurant itself feels like a stylish, hidden gem, and the set menu is a wonderful way to enjoy thoughtful, hearty dishes before a show or just for a night out .
- Nearest Tube: Waterloo
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: The Old Vic (Stop T), Buses: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 381, 507, 521, X68
- Entry Fee: £38.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Early evening before a performance at the National Theatre.
- Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Location: Lasdun on Google Maps
4. Clap
Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, Clap is a stylish Japanese restaurant with a striking interior. Don’t let the name fool you; it’s a sophisticated spot offering some of the freshest sashimi and sushi in the area. Their set menu is an absolute steal, allowing you to sample high-quality Japanese cuisine at a fraction of the a la carte price .
- Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Knightsbridge Station (Stop K), Buses: 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 137, 414, 452
- Entry Fee: £35.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Lunch or an early dinner (6 pm – 6.45 pm).
- Time at Each: 1.5 hours
- Location: Clap on Google Maps
5. Maggie Jones’s
Step into Maggie Jones’s, and you’ve entered a wonderfully cluttered, quintessentially English country cottage in the middle of Kensington. With its low ceilings, rustic wooden furniture, and cosy booths, it’s been a west London institution for over 60 years. The set menu is full of comforting, classic British dishes done right .
- Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Kensington Church Street (Stop K), Buses: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 52, 70, 328, 452
- Entry Fee: £44.95 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Dinner for a romantic, cosy evening.
- Time at Each: 2 hours
- Location: Maggie Jones’s on Google Maps
London’s Top 10 Lists: Restaurants with 2/3 Course Menus £30 to £40/head

Wild Honey – Mayfair

The Orrery

Hutong” – 33rd level of “The Shard
6. Hutong at The Shard
For a dining experience with a view, Hutong is hard to beat. Located on the 33rd floor of The Shard, this stunning restaurant serves northern Chinese cuisine. The set lunch menu is a fantastic way to enjoy their exquisite food while taking in the breathtaking, panoramic views of the London skyline .
- Nearest Tube: London Bridge
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: London Bridge Station (Stop M), Buses: 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 381, 521, 733, 786
- Entry Fee: £39.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Lunch on a clear day for the best views.
- Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Location: Hutong on Google Maps
7. Benares
For a taste of Michelin-starred Indian cuisine, Benares in Mayfair offers an experience that is both luxurious and surprisingly accessible. The restaurant’s elegant, contemporary decor sets the stage for a menu that beautifully blends traditional Indian flavours with modern European techniques .
- Nearest Tube: Bond Street
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Selfridges (Stop Z), Buses: 7, 10, 73, 94, 98, 113, 139, 159, 390
- Entry Fee: £49.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday lunch for a refined, special occasion.
- Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Location: Benares on Google Maps
8. The Pem
Located in the stylishly minimalist hotel, The Pem is a celebration of modern British cooking, led by acclaimed chef Sally Abé. Named after the suffragette Emily Davison, the restaurant has a strong identity and a kitchen that turns out beautifully crafted, seasonal dishes .
- Nearest Tube: Westminster
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Westminster Station (Stop H), Buses: 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211, 453
- Entry Fee: £35.00 (2 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Lunch for a bright and sophisticated experience.
- Time at Each: 1.5 hours
- Location: The Pem on Google Maps
9. Oblix East
Perched on Level 32 of The Shard, Oblix East offers a slightly different vibe from its sibling, with a focus on sharing plates and a lively atmosphere. The food is modern British with global influences, and the view, of course, is a showstopper, making any meal here feel like an event .
- Nearest Tube: London Bridge
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: London Bridge Station (Stop M), Buses: 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 381, 521, 733, 786
- Entry Fee: £39.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Lunch for a celebratory meal with a view.
- Time at Each: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Location: Oblix East on Google Maps
10. Quaglino”s
A name synonymous with glamour and London nightlife, Quaglino’s has been a favourite haunt since the 1920s. The vast, subterranean space with its iconic bar and live music creates an unforgettable atmosphere. Their prix fixe menu offers a taste of that legendary British glamour at a surprisingly accessible price .
- Nearest Tube: Green Park
- Nearest Bus Stop & Buses: Green Park Station (Stop G), Buses: 8, 9, 14, 19, 22, 38, 52
- Entry Fee: £39.00 (3 courses)
- Best Time to Visit: Early dinner, Monday to Thursday, for a touch of mid-week glamour.
- Time at Each: 2 hours
- Location: Quaglino’s on Google Maps
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