Cheapest UK Restaurant Chains Ranked by Typical Price (October 2026)
Which UK restaurant chain is cheapest? We ranked 24 chains by the typical price of a food item on their official menus. That is 1,095 food prices in total. The typical price is the median: half the food costs less and half costs more. It is a fairer test than the single cheapest item. One cheap side does not make a whole menu cheap.
UK restaurant chains ranked by typical food price
The five cheapest chains, explained
Greggs: typical item £2.50
Greggs lists 43 food items on the menu we checked (Bradford, Rooley Avenue). The cheapest are Jam Doughnut (£1.10), Glazed Ring Doughnut (£1.15), Yum Yum (£1.15). Prices run up to £9.95 for the priciest item on the menu.
GAIL’s Bakery: typical item £4.40
GAIL’s Bakery lists 44 food items on the menu we checked (gails.com online shop). The cheapest are Madeleine (£1.40), Honey Cake (£2.10), Soho Bun (£2.20). Prices run up to £9.50 for the priciest item on the menu.
Pret A Manger: typical item £4.88
Pret A Manger lists 56 food items on the menu we checked (Pret Delivers, online). The cheapest are Soup White Baguette with Butter (£1.70), All Butter Croissant (£2.70), Pole & Line Caught Tuna Baguette (Half) (£2.75). Prices run up to £14.95 for the priciest item on the menu.
Chaiiwala: typical item £5.50
Chaiiwala lists 43 food items on the menu we checked (Sheffield, London Road). The cheapest are Plain Chips (£2.50), Aloo Paratha (£3.20), Nutella Wrap (£3.50). Prices run up to £17.70 for the priciest item on the menu.
Toby Carvery: typical item £5.79
Toby Carvery lists 36 food items on the menu we checked (Chaddesden, Derby). The cheapest are Toast (£1.99), Cereal (£2.49), Mini Pigs in Blankets (£3.99). Prices run up to £15.99 for the priciest item on the menu.
Cheapest chain by type of food
It is fairer to compare like with like, not a bakery with a steakhouse. Here is the cheapest chain in each type of restaurant:
- Pizza: Franco Manca has the lowest typical price (£7.50), ahead of Pizza Hut (£8.99), PizzaExpress (£15.35), Zizzi (£16.75), Prezzo (£16.95).
- Indian & Desi: Chaiiwala has the lowest typical price (£5.50), ahead of Mowgli Street Food (£6.90), Bundobust (£7.00), MyLahore (£10.95), Dishoom (£11.05).
- Italian: PizzaExpress has the lowest typical price (£15.35), ahead of Zizzi (£16.75), Prezzo (£16.95).
- Cafes & Coffee: Greggs has the lowest typical price (£2.50), ahead of GAIL’s Bakery (£4.40), Pret A Manger (£4.88), Chaiiwala (£5.50).
- Fish & Chips: Harry Ramsden’s has the lowest typical price (£8.95), ahead of Poppies Fish & Chips (£10.95), Rockfish (£12.97).
- Pubs & Carveries: Toby Carvery has the lowest typical price (£5.79), ahead of Wetherspoon (£6.89), Harvester (£16.14).
Where to find food under £5
Plan your own meal: add dishes from any of these menus and see the total price and calories instantly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest restaurant chain in the UK?
Of the 24 chains we checked, Greggs has the lowest typical food price at £2.50. GAIL’s Bakery (£4.40) and Pret A Manger (£4.88) come next.
Why use the typical price and not the cheapest item?
A chain can have one very cheap side and expensive mains. The typical (median) price shows what most of the food costs. So it is a better guide to what you will really pay.
Why is Krispy Kreme not in the ranking?
Krispy Kreme sells boxes of doughnuts for delivery online rather than single portions, so its prices are not comparable with a single dish.
Are these prices the same in London?
Often not. Many chains charge more in London, at airports and at stations, and delivery apps can add more. Each menu page names the branch we checked.
How we worked this out: every figure comes from the official menus we checked on 23 October 2026. We used one named branch or official menu per chain, and each menu page says which. Most UK chains set prices branch by branch. So your local prices may differ. Drinks, sauces, dips and add-ons are left out of the typical price. Pret prices are from its own delivery service and Pizza Hut pizzas are “from” prices.
Full menus: Nando’s, Wagamama, PizzaExpress, Wetherspoon, Toby Carvery, Harvester, Five Guys, Zizzi, Pizza Hut, Prezzo, Dishoom, Mowgli Street Food, Bundobust, Chaiiwala, MyLahore, Harry Ramsden’s, Poppies Fish & Chips, Rockfish, Heavenly Desserts, Krispy Kreme, Franco Manca, GAIL’s Bakery, Greggs, Pret A Manger, Wahaca.
