Cheap, quality dining in expensive cities!

I know that might seem impossible to find a decent quality, cheap restaurant or cafe; especially in some of the world's most expensive cities. Believe me it is possible and I'm not referring to global restaurant chains, greasy take-aways (take-out) or fast food either.

I think it's great to want to try new things and experience different world cuisine. However…dining can vary dramatically in price so how cheap are we talking and what types of restaurants should one start with? Well, whenever I’ve tried to search for cheap food in London in particular, I seem to come across well established restaurants and cafes that are mainly in Central or West London (the more upper market side of London). I might also see a few quirky East end places that try to pass off as alternative and cool but you might get ripped off in the hustle and bustle of Brick Lane. Realistically, a £20-£40+ meal per person is not really considered cheap! For many hard working people, that is a special occasion price for a meal!

On the contrary, too cheap isn’t worth it either – noone wants to taste pure grease and rubbery gristle why bother when you can cook something better. But generally, it is very easy to tell when a restaurant isn’t up to scratch. Three main things I tend to look out for are:

1. The location: is it in a decent area? It doesn’t have to be Kensington or the Upper East side but it should be in clean surroundings. Don’t believe the hype. You really don’t need to be in the city all the time to get good food! Explore local and residential areas too!
2. The interior: is it comfortable and CLEAN! Sometimes, you can tell that a restaurant is family run and that they are working incredibly hard to run their business and they might not have the most modern and up to date facilities. But as long as it is fit to be inside, it looks and smells clean (hygiene certificates and all) then it should be fine!
3. Quality/value for money: this can also include the presentation or portion size. Has effort been put into your meal? It doesn't have to look like a gourmet meal with fancy presentation but it should have some soul, life and colour in it! Also, can you see how much the staff care about their customers? Does the food taste good for the money if not better?

Obviously, it is trial and error and you will have to physically dine in places before you make a verdict. But you can at least research beforehand and look for reviews. If you come across any interesting places (anywhere in the world) please comment!

Also, for great, cheap places to eat in London check out my site:http://www.eatforcheaper.com/cheap-eats-guide-london/ and if you have any cool places to share from anywhere in the world please feel free!

© Copyright Eat for Cheaper 2012-Feb-09