London posh nosh for less dosh

Swanky London restaurants aren’t out of your price range – take advantage of their bargain set lunch menus, says The Good Food Guide London. Some highly regarded restaurants offer excellent three-course set lunch deals, often for less than a meal in a standard gastropub. Eating at these top-end establishments in the evening could cost £100 or more, so lunch for less than £20 is a steal.

The Good Food Guide London chooses ten of the capital’s best bargains:

- Wild Honey. Diners praise the comforting wood-panelled space, the quality of the food and the wonderful wine policy. £15.50 (Prices are for three courses unless otherwise stated).

- One-O-One. Fine fish-based haute Brittany cooking. Lunch offers two to six small tasting dishes for £15-£35.

- Galvin Bistrot de Luxe. A comfortable restaurant where a dream line-up of bistro dishes combines with reasonable prices. £15.50.

- Tom Aikens. Stellar cooking offers endless culinary surprises, but check out the £29 set lunch before committing to the pricier delights of the à la carte.

- L’Autre Pied. The Pied à Terre team delivers a level of high-gloss proficiency. Excellent value set lunch at £19.95.

- Le Gavroche. The absolute classic. For £46, the set lunch delivers haute level cooking and includes half a bottle per person of proper wine – a fine burgundy if you’re lucky.

- Le Cercle. Tapas-sized portions of high-class, innovative cooking based on the traditions of southwest France. £15.

- Rasoi Vineet Bhatia. New-wave Indian cooking with meticulous technique. £26.

- Axis, One Aldwych. A coolly spacious room, great British ingredients, and a lunchtime, pre/post theatre menu for £17.50 makes an unbeatable combination.

- Ristorante Semplice. Exceptional ingredients simply prepared at this small-but-sassy modern Italian. £18.

Elizabeth Carter, editor of The Good Food Guide London, says:

“London restaurants can be expensive but if you’re savvy enough there are astonishing bargains to be had at some of the capital’s best eateries. Take Le Gavroche – everyone has the fantastic set lunch there. If you think certain restaurants are out of your league, think again.”

The Good Food Guide London can be ordered at Which.co.uk/books or bought from bookshops.