Weekdays from 11am to 2pm, in the heart of Shoreditch, Clifton Street transforms into a vibrant street of food stalls and trucks offering a diverse range of delicious cuisines from around the world.
A stone’s throw away from Liverpool Street station and tucked behind office blocks, there are around fifteen food companies to choose from, sometimes more depending on the day.
Each stall tries to tempt you with samples at every corner, as you hear the vendors call out the deals of the day. The aroma and variety of food on offer can, if you’re like me, leave you walking up and down with far too many options to choose from.
This is a secret spot from my days working in the area. The lunchtime choices offer an affordable and hearty portion to keep you fuelled throughout the day, with many options available for under £10.
Lined up on both sides of the street are rows of bright pink and blue trucks and tents, some with queues of people snaking around the corner. Most cater to various dietary needs, and with open-air grills and cooking, they add to the market’s authentic street food feel.
A burrito stall starts at £6, along with other stalls offering options such as poke bowls, steak sandwiches, or teriyaki chicken.
After speaking with a few different stall owners, I joked with one about the size of my handbag, which led me to choose souvlaki for my lunch. Opting for the vegetarian option, I could choose between a pitta bread or a box.
The stall, called Authentic Souvlaki, was established by two Greeks who are passionate, or, in their words, ‘nuts’ about Greek cuisine. The stall was located at the end of the road, next to the pink Vietnamese baguette truck heading towards Worship Street.
The box included all the trimmings and halloumi for £9, but the wrap version would have been £8. It was filled to the brim with freshly cut salad (including tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion), as well as halloumi grilled in front of me. I had the choice of tzatziki and yellow mustard sauce, to which I asked for a bit of both. This was all topped off with paprika-spiced chips, accompanied by pitta bread on the side.
I was surprised and grateful for the amount of food handed to me, as everything was ready in under five minutes. There were options to mix and match with another filling, such as meats, or upgrade to a larger size.
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With various seating options and benches available, I took a little walk, five minutes away, to the local Finsbury Square. As I tucked in, I was met with a mix of sensations, from the hot mustard to cooling tzatziki, and the aroma of smoked halloumi.
Each time I visit, there’s always something new to try. Although it’s closed on weekends, it’s a simple and convenient lunch spot to remember if you happen to wander into Shoreditch.
Address: Clifton Street in Shoreditch, EC2A
Do you have any favourite spots for a meal under £10 in London? Let us know in the comments here.
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