Central London for lunch...

mr_maniac

Hi everyone,

I'm making a train journey up to the North East (Durham, specifically) on Monday, but as I am coming up from Southampton, I will be changing trains in London - which involves a journey, by the Tube for part or all of the interchange, between Waterloo and Kings Cross stations.

I will probably be arriving in London at some time between 11:00 and 11:30, and my train from Kings Cross is at 12:30 so there's a good hour or so of time, perhaps more, where I can spend a bit of time in London finding somewhere to grab a bite to eat. The question is; where are the best places to go?

Train station food is expensive, almost rip-off in fact, but I'm fully aware that I'm going to be in the capital city of England, so I'm not expecting miracles even if I buy food somewhere outside of the train station! I'm looking for somewhere where I can get a light-ish lunch, but for a good deal - are there any 'hidden gems' as such which I should aim for, or will it have to be the somewhat costly, bog-standard Subway fare? (I've done the change of trains in London a couple of times in the last year or so, and I've experienced the full force of a Subway foot-long steak and cheese baguette for £6 or whatever it came to!)

I'm looking for somewhere that offers slightly better value than that - a good place to grab a bite to eat between train changes, which will fill me up until I arrive in Durham in mid-afternoon!

If anyone with any experience/guidance/vouchers(!) can help me out in terms of finding somewhere which will cater for my needs (and budget!), it'd be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

mr_m

Teterow

Head for the new part of Kings X station (towards the Eurostar platforms), there are many new stylish eateries!

Horace

Try and find a Garfunkels restaurant - I always eat in them when I go to London, you can have light bites to a full meal and they are reasonably priced. I admit that I have never been to Kings X so have no idea if there is a Garfunkels nearby.

Lemmy_Caution

Depends on what you are looking for. There are all day breakfast type cafes in Grays Inn Road and Caledonian Road. There is a vegetarian takeaway in the Post Office opposite King's Cross station. Or you could go to the Eurostar terminal (which is in St Pancras) where there is an M&S, Camden Foods, Starbucks etc

mr_maniac

Hi everyone,

Thanks Teterow and Lemmy Caution, I presume you're both referring to the St Pancras station, which is almost adjacent to Kings Cross? I had a walk through there last time I arrived at Kings Cross, looks very nice, and I won't go wrong with places like the M&S etc - I was just wondering if there were any places which offered particularly good value for money between Waterloo and Kings Cross? (Not necessarily at or adjacent to either station - for instance, either side of the Thames, or near to Trafalgar Square - places within easy reach of Waterloo by foot!)

Horace - thanks for the suggestion - it looks like there are a couple of them within the vicinity of Charing Cross/Leicester Square, which is an easy walk across Hungerford Bridge from Waterloo, so I shall give them a look if I walk that way!

More suggestions appreciated!

mr_m

bendix

Some of the train stations in London have one of those cheese shops in them that make the most amazing sandwiches and rolls using the best cheeses in the world. I get a huge one from Liverpool Street most days . . . it's lunch and dinner in one. Chuck in a pint of milk from the grocery, and bobs your uncle. Full up for £4.

Also, most trainstations have plenty of greasy spoons around the corner.

RichyRich

From Waterloo take the Northern Line to Goodge Street for a wide variety of eateries. There is a great one that's like a Mexican "subway" - you get 3 tortillas and add yoru choices of guacamole and all that jazz, quite reasonable and something different - but loads of others if this isn't what you fancy. Then hop back on and get dropped off right at KXSP.

fitorbust

There was a great wine bar under the arches near Waterloo station - check online - it is called Archdukes.
It was one of my favourites when I lived down there years ago and we went a couple of years ago and it was still going strong. Very reasonable and extremely civilised!

fitorbust

Just checked and it is still there - check it out.;o)

fitorbust

Looking at your message though I think you will struggle to get something to eat and get acoss London in 60-90 minutes. Don't forget there is M&S food on Kings Cross for nice sandwiches etc to eat on the train - plus some chilled wine and no stress!

Mrs_Ryan

I did a virtually identical journey to yours last month - Bournemouth to Newcastle (changed at Soton due to engineering works) and had it not been for the fact I got a taxi from Waterloo to Kings X, I wouldnt have had time to get anything to eat at all - and I had virtually identical connection time to yours, got in at 11.20, train was at 1.
However, I can definitely recommend the veggie takeaway within the Post Office straight opposite King's X - we always go there when in London. Failing that, try St Pancras.