London is one of those cities wherein you might find it easier to eat out regularly instead of cooking for yourself. This isn't to say that Londoners don't do the latter, but the city simply has so many great restaurants, pubs, and more that they can't help but do the former. With that said, however, is such a lifestyle fit for you? Could you afford to eat out (or order in) every day in London? And even if you could, is it easier than whipping up a meal for yourself instead? To better get to your answer, here are a few pros and cons of eating out in London regularly.
Pros
Enjoy The Convenience of Eating Out
If there's one thing about eating out in London, or anywhere else, for that matter, it's convenient. It's almost as if you're having your meals prepared for you by your own private chef. In this case, it's a multitude of chefs and many of them happen to be some of the best in the world. Though some would argue that cooking for yourself is less expensive, it's also more time-consuming. What if you're working a fast-paced, high-earning
job in the UK? Wouldn't it be easier and more convenient to just eat out instead of taking time out of your busy schedule to prepare the ingredients and cook the food?
Indulge in Excellent Cuisines
Let's not forget that London is a food capital. It has an extensive culinary scene backed by countless prominent chefs. Many of them happen to be from other countries too, and they brought their local cuisines with them. So if you're suddenly craving Japanese, Italian, Thai, Mexican, or Middle Eastern food, it won't take long to find a place to satisfy you. Many of them are also some of
London's best Michelin-starred restaurants, so you're guaranteed to indulge in high-quality cuisine. And of course, you can't forget about local British food too. You can get that in any of the pubs near you.
Walk Outside and Get Some Sun
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world in that it made it normal for people to stay at home. Working from home became part of the norm and a lot of people still do it today. Now, the pandemic is over and you're free to go out again. So what's the number one reason to do so? Eating out, of course! If you're a homebody who spends most of your day in your
luxury apartment in London, eating out regularly will still let you get some much-needed sun. This is especially important in a notoriously cloudy and grey city like London.
Meet New People and Make Friends
If you go to some of the
best pubs in London—and there are a lot of them so there's a good chance there's at least one near your place—you'll discover that these sorts of places cultivate a community feel. They do game nights and other similar events to live things up and encourage people, even strangers, to talk to each other. Hence, if you eat out regularly at a pub near you, there's a good chance you'll make new friends now and then. It's a great way to meet people and get to know the local community around you, all while you enjoy good food and have fun.
Cons
Expect High Prices
The
living costs in London are high, even its dining costs. The typical price for a meal here ranges between £10.00 and £30.00 per person, and that's just for the inexpensive or mid-range restaurants or affordable pubs. What more if you prefer to go to a pricier place? Or what if the only ones near you cost more than the city-wide average? In truth, eating out regularly is a privilege mostly enjoyed by those who can afford it. And unfortunately, not a lot of people could. Even if you can afford a fairly comfortable life in London, eating out for every meal for the rest of your life is a different story.
Small Portions are Inevitable
Even many
true Londoners agree that one of the most annoying parts about eating out in London is having to contend with small portions. Many of the city's best places to eat are swanky hotspots that provide food that only takes up about a tenth of your plate. Most of them, they're just bite-sized nibbles that are gone before you know it. They're undoubtedly good and flavorful, but will they fulfill you? Are they worth the high prices you pay them for? Some undeniably are, but when you’re faced with small portions again and again, it will get annoying.
Traditional British Food isn't The Best
Traditional pubs are some of the best, most affordable, and most convenient places to go when you eat out regularly. They're practically made for such a lifestyle, often to the point that pub owners and workers know their regular customers' tastes and preferences. Now, what food do you get in traditional pubs? Traditional British food, of course! Unfortunately, the UK's local cuisine doesn't exactly rank high among the most delicious in the world. This isn't to say that it's all bad—there are many amazing British dishes!—but they're undeniably not to everyone's taste. Common criticisms about British food include its blandness, lack of flavor, and heaviness.
You Need to Learn The Local Etiquette
When you
move to London, you naturally have to learn the local customs and etiquette. And of course, eating out in London has its own set of rules you need to follow. For one thing, you don't automatically get ice in your drink. You'll need to ask for it and it's better to do it when you say your order. There's also the rule of asking for the bill. In the US, for example, service staff already know to give it to you when they see that you're done with your meal. In the UK, however, specifically in London, you'll need to ask the staff to bring it to you instead.
Should you eat out in London regularly? Much like practically anything else, it has its pros and cons. Check out what they are to see if you can afford to eat out in London or if you're better off just cooking for yourself instead.
