Customer Reviews

Cheap Eats in London: The Savvy Traveler's Guide to the Best Meals at the Best Prices

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't be misled by the title. This book lists restaurants from cheap fish and chips to steaks. She has reviewed affordable eating places and includes fascinating stories about each one. Some of the places are just little shops but she also includes the popular Hard Rock Cafe. The book is well organized and categorized including lists by price range, lists by sections of London, lists by type of cuisine, and a convenient glossary of English food terms like "bangers and mash" which is sausage and mashed potatoes. There are even recommendations about tipping, British beer, and what to do in a traditional British pub.

My favorite places out of this book were The Fryer's Delight for fish and chips and Fortnum and Mason's for tea. So if you want to stay away from fast food joints and tourist traps this book will steer you towards excellent economical eating.

Used latest editon 4th dated 2000 on trip to London April 2000. Tried 10 restaurants. 5 were out of business. 3 were closed (hours different than book). Gave up at that point. Probably better to just wander around neighborhoods and check menu in window.

I only used this book for one or two recommendations while in London this summer. For those restaraunts I found the book was fair in its rating. The food was good and the prices weren't too bad. The only complaint I have about this book is that most of the establishments seem to be clustered in the Chelsea/Knightsbridge area. So if you've been out for a long day of sightseeing you may not find anything in the book in your area. It's the type of book you use to plan a meal ahead of time, and for that it works fine.

and the author's not shy about expressing an opinion, which is refreshing. There's a substantial write up on each spot, much better than the fifty words or so in most guidebooks. She does tend toward the touristy, but she also has some good ideas about finding bargains at the posh places. If you liked this, check out her Cheap Sleeps series, too.

I have been to more than 15 of the restaurants in book I agree 97 percent with Susan although I give higher marks to Piere Victorie than she did it is a chain and my spot may be better than one she went to.

I have used Ms. Gustafson's books for 4 trips to London and one trip to Paris, and I have nothing but praise for her recommended restaurants, and hotels. If you want the best value for your travel dollar, all of her Cheap Eats/Sleeps books are must.