Updated October 2026. Prices and offers may vary between branches. Always check before travelling.Can you still get a proper hot meal for £5 or less in Britain? With the cost of eating out continuing to put pressure on household budgets, finding somewhere to sit down and enjoy a cooked meal without bargains to be found. From IKEA restaurant deals and Wetherspoon breakfasts to supermarket cafés, two-for-one restaurant offers and traditional greasy spoons, a little research could save you a surprising amount.
And this isn’t just about grabbing lunch during a working day. For pensioners, people living alone, students and anyone who finds cooking difficult or expensive, an affordable hot meal can make a real difference.
We’ve rounded up the places worth checking, how to bring restaurant bills down to £5 per person and what to order in your local café to get the most food for your money.
THE QUICK ANSWER: WHERE TO EAT FOR £5
IKEA: Two fish-and-chip meals for £10 for IKEA Family members under its October promotion.
Wetherspoon: Check smaller breakfasts, beans on toast and jacket potatoes. Prices vary by pub.
Independent cafés: Eggs on toast, beans on toast and small breakfasts are often the first things to investigate.
Two-for-one deals: Two qualifying £10 main courses for the price of one work out at £5 per person.
Community cafés: Some offer subsidised, pay-what-you-can or free cooked meals.
Important: Not every option is available nationwide or every day. We distinguish confirmed deals from places where you’ll need to check local prices.
Where can you get a hot meal for £5 or less?
Here’s a quick comparison of the places worth checking first.
Where
What to order
Cost
IKEA
Two fish-and-chip meals
£5 each with qualifying offer
Wetherspoon
Small breakfast, beans on toast or jacket potato
Check local menu
Traditional cafés
Eggs on toast, beans on toast, breakfast bap
Check locally
Asda Café
Smaller hot dishes and breakfast options
Check participating café
Two-for-one restaurants
Two qualifying main courses
£5 each if the final bill is £10
Community kitchens
Subsidised cooked meals
Free or low-cost
CHECK BEFORE YOU GOSome deals require loyalty membership, a qualifying purchase, two diners or a particular time of day. A £7.50 adult meal doesn’t become a £5 meal simply because the restaurant is running a promotion.
We’ve also included family offers where the average cost per person is below £5, but clearly identified those separately.
1. IKEA: two hot fish-and-chip meals for £10
IKEA is one of the first places we’d recommend investigating if you want a cooked meal without paying typical restaurant prices.
The furniture retailer has become known for its affordable restaurant food, including Swedish meatballs, fish and chips, breakfasts and low-cost children’s dishes.
Its October 2026 promotion offers two fish-and-chip meals for £10 to IKEA Family members at participating restaurants, until 31 October.
IKEA HOT MEAL DEAL
What you get: Two fish-and-chip meals for £10.
Who qualifies: IKEA Family members at participating restaurants.
Offer ends: 31 October 2026.
Why it’s good: A proper hot main course in a sit-down restaurant.
