Top Places to Eat near LSE, London School of Economics
This is a guest post by Lisa Herms from Florida, USA, currently a resident at urbanest King’s Cross. She is studying International Health Policy (Health Economics) Masters course at London School of Economics.
Interesting fact: I actually enjoy reading Shakespeare…and all types of classic literature!
“What I love most about London are the people, the shopping, the history, the atmosphere!”
No doubt LSE has some great options for eating on campus. Amongst the Garrick, the Fourth Flour Café & Restaurant, Café 54 and the many others, you’re bound to find something you like, to suit your food cravings. Nevertheless, sometimes it’s fun to go outside university catering and explore the surroundings a bit. So here are a few of the top places to grab food near LSE, enjoy!
1. Wright’s Bar
Located right on campus on Houghton Street, Wright’s Bar is somewhat of a classic. A typical old-school British deli and café, run like a family business. The prices at Wright’s Bar cannot be beaten. Where else in central London can you get a coffee for 60p and a cheese/tomato melt for £1.20? There’s a great selection of fresh sandwiches, simple and made with love. The fries are also a classic. Just make sure you get there early, because come lunchtime, there’ll be a line out the door…
Address: 5 Houghton St, Charing Cross, London WC2A 2AD
2. Denning Learning Café
To grab a great traditional pie and mash, you don’t even have to leave the campus! Just go to the newly opened Saw Swee Hock Student Centre and on the first floor you will find the Denning Learning Café, a spacious area with lots of tables and computer access. Combine your lunch break with meeting new people, getting together for group projects, or just sitting on one of the stools, letting the hustle and bustle of university life sink in. The Café has a variety of great sandwiches, pies and pizza, so there’ll be something for everyone. Finish your meal or take an afternoon or late morning break with coffee made fresh to order and delicious cakes and pastries. Since it’s run by the Student Union, prices are very affordable, and with your purchase you’ll also contribute to the LSE community.
Address: On campus
3. Pret a Manger
Pret, Pret and yet another Pret. In London, it seems like you cannot walk down any street for 10 minutes without running into at least one Pret a Manger. The same goes for the LSE, and within a 5 minute walking distance, you can find about 7 “Prets” nearby, most prominently the one right across from LSE on Kingsway. Yet there’s a reason that they can be found everywhere: they offer great food! You can choose amongst a big variety of great sandwiches and amazing coffee, for decent prices. There’s also an increasing variety of salads, soups and selected hot food (like Macaroni Cheese). Though a chain, the food is made fresh daily and deliciously natural. Definitely one of the top places to grab a quick lunch or coffee while at LSE!
Address: 29-33 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6UJ
4. Thiwanya
If you’re feeling for something a little different, try grabbing some Thai food while around LSE, Thiwanya is the place to go! Arguably one of the best Thai foods I have been able to find in London. They offer a quick take-away counter if you’re just needing to grab food during a break from lectures, but they also have a nice little restaurant and seating area, perfect for ending a day of studying on the way back home to Urbanest. Finding it may be a little tricky, but don’t be deterred by the small alleys you need to squeeze through to get there. Coming from the central part of campus, just walk down Lincoln’s Inn Fields past NAB towards Holborn. Keep going straight and the road will turn into an alley and then you’ll already be able to see the sign. It is located on Gate Street.
Address: 10 Gate Street, Holborn, London WC2A 3HP
5. Valentino’s
Last but not least, I should mention Valentino’s, located right across from Thiwanya. They have great homemade sandwiches and paninis, salads and huge pasta dishes for eating in or take-away, all at a very reasonable price. Good food, great specials, about 2 minutes away from LSE.
Address: 10 Little Turnstile, London, WC1V 7DX
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