Written by Isabella Liu
Often on campus, more often “stuck” in the Peacock Theatre listening to a lecture, I find myself thinking about what I’m going to get for lunch. LSE’s fortunate location in central London means there are a lot of different options. So, as the new academic year starts, I’d like to take the opportunity to share some of my favourite lunch restaurants around campus. Whether you’re treating yourself to a nice meal during exam season, catching up with old and new friends, or taking your parents sightseeing around school, exploring these spots is a great way to get to know the area better.
1. Viet Eat
Starting with a restaurant that almost all LSE students have either tried or walked past, this is easily my favourite Vietnamese restaurant in London. Especially during winter, a good bowl of pho can warm you up from the cold weather, with a perfect balance of green vegetables and choice of protein. The atmosphere is cosy, and ideal for a casual catch-up with friends. That said, it can get busy and feel a little crowded, but don’t worry—there are many other options!
2. Kangnam Pocha
This Korean restaurant is located near LSE’s High Holborn accommodation, with a good selection of lunch boxes that are affordable and tasty. My personal trick for avoiding the long lunchtime queues is to ask for takeaway and bring it back to LSE, given it’s only a 10-minute walk. Some of the best spots to enjoy a takeaway on campus are the Library Escape, the ground floor of the Marshall Building and Lincoln’s Inn Fields during the warmer months.
3. Kintan Japanese BBQ
This Japanese barbecue place also offers affordable lunch deals, and it’s nicely located near Chancery Lane. On the way to this restaurant from LSE, you’ll be greeted with lots of greenery as well as legal societies and chambers, which are indeed beautiful on the outside (although I’m always curious about the inside). The ambience is really nice, making it perfect for hosting visiting family or celebrating with friends.
4. Din Tai Fung (Covent Garden)
The story of XiaoLongBao begins in Nanxiang, a village that is now a suburb of Shanghai. Growing up in the city, I’ve visited Din Tai Fung (known for its XiaoLongBao) since childhood. Although well known for its XiaoLongBao, Din Tai Fung also makes great Chinese noodles, dumplings, and fried rice. Since Din Tai Fung takes over an hour to deliver on Uber Eats, walking from LSE is more convenient, particularly as I can avoid the delivery premium. Despite this restaurant not being the most affordable out of the options around LSE, due to the menu’s incredible flavours (and maybe a tiny bit of my own personal bias), I’m including this on my list. You can get a decent meal here for under £20, which I’d argue is pretty average, relative to comparable restaurants around Covent Garden. Perfect for those special occasions or when you need some comfort food from home (or if you are going on a date)!
5. Corner Shop
This shop was introduced to me by a close friend, and their coffee is brilliant. They also provide healthy lunch boxes, including salads, rotisserie chicken, pastries, and even wine. Despite being known as the shop that sells the British version of Erewhon drinks, the pricing for pastries and other lunchtime essentials is affordable. Moreover, there are numerous seating areas for chatting with friends. It has become one of my go-to spots for catching up with friends over good coffee, although it lacks as an alternative study space due to its no-laptop policy.
6. Farmer J
Very similar to Corner Shop, Farmer J offers lunch boxes, breakfast deals, coffee, and more. Moreover, they give student discounts, which is always music to my ears. The steak offered here is similar to what you’d get at Flat Iron, but at a cheaper price and with side dishes. Since Flat Iron no longer has its former glory (due to inconsistency in cooking and rising prices), I very much consider this a better alternative when I fancy a steak. The downside? It gets crowded during lunch hours, so I’d recommend going for breakfast or dinner instead—or better yet, grab a group of friends and make it a proper outing.
These are only some of my personal favourites around campus, and there are so many more restaurants around Holborn, the Strand, and Covent Garden to explore. I acknowledge that it’s probably better (and definitely healthier and cheaper) to bring a pack lunch, but since I have very limited cooking skills, I often find myself exploring these restaurant options. Plus, there’s something to be said for the social aspect of discovering new places with friends, even if it’s just sharing a bowl of pho on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.
