Wondering where to pop out during your quick lunch break? We’ve reviewed some of the City’s ‘Grab and go’ lunch spots, where you can get a balanced meal for an affordable price. From poke bowls to salad spots, we’ve your taste buds covered.
Island Poké
Located in Broadgate Circle, Island Poké serves a range of nutritious house bowls and hot broths with vegan options available. The staff are welcoming and the service is fast, with seating options available both inside and outside. Voted the best Poke in London, I had high expectations and my order did not disappoint.
I tried the limited edition vegan ‘Pumpkin Crunch’ poke bowl, choosing a base of decadent sushi rice, with toppings of Kabocha pumpkin slices, smashed avocado, sriracha mayo, teriyaki sauce, pickled ginger and crispy shallots. At £8.95, the seasonal meal was a mixture of sour and sweet flavours, balanced out by the smooth avocado and crispy shallots adding a satisfying texture. I also picked up a ‘Yew Sparkling Water’, which comes with the bowl as a deal for £10. If you’re not into pumpkin, they also have a variety of bowls with salmon, tuna, and tofu, as well as a ‘Build your own Bowl’ option. It’s a thumbs us from the team at City Matters.
Island Poké, Best Poké Bowls in London | Vegan Options | Fresh & Healthy
Honest Burgers
Located just next to Liverpool Street, I headed to Honest Burgers to try the newest ‘Smash + Grab’ Menu, tailored to be fast, easy and affordable. With a range of smash burgers available, I opted for the BBQ Smash, which consisted of a smashed beef patty, bacon, sweet barbecue sauce and a soft brioche bun. The pickles added a satisfying texture to the burger, and for £8.25 the quality was superb, paired with a side of rosemary chips, which provided a subtle balance to the meal. Priced at £11.50, the meal hit many variables, including passing the taste test, not overly costly and a hearty meal – the perfect way to end the night.
Honest Burgers: Great British Burger Restaurants in London, Bristol, Cambridge & Reading
Shake Shack Mansion House
Located in Mansion House, Shake Shack is the perfect spot for classic American fast food, serving a range of burgers and hot dogs. The service was extremely fast, with plenty of seating options inside.
I had the chance to try the whole menu, and here are my thoughts.
The Crispy Shallot Fries were delicious, with a creamy Dijonnaise sauce and crispy shallots scattered on top. I would highly recommend opting for these if you want a flavourful kick to go with your main. In contrast, the Cheesy Fries provide a more subtle cheese flavour, which pairs nicely with the richness of the burgers.
For the mains, I opted for the Double ShackMeister Burger – for £13.55, this hearty main was greasy in the best way possible, with a soft brioche bun, melted cheese, crispy bacon and the signature Shack sauce. I also tried the Crispy Shallot Burger, which is a delicious vegan alternative, made up of a vegan patty, crispy shallots, mushrooms and Dijonnaise sauce.
Of course, we can’t forget the crispy Chicken Bites, which paired beautifully with the BBQ and Honey Mustard sauce. These are a good alternative to a burger if you’d prefer a lighter meal. I also enjoyed this with the Kiwi Star Fruit Lemonade, which was quite tangy and tropical, cutting through the heaviness of the meal.
Finishing off with the dessert menu, I’d highly recommend the Raspberry Cheesecake Shake – a highly indulgent mix of smooth vanilla custard and strawberry undertones. For those who prefer the classics, the Union Shake tastes like vanilla Oreos, with a satisfying ice-cream-like texture.
Overall, I found all items I tried to be delicious, and will definitely be returning!
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