Photo: Lower Marsh Market (Paul Joseph)
The Central London district of Waterloo is a bustling hive of activity, with workers and tourists passing through the area in large numbers each day – all of whom are catered for by plenty of quick and cheap places to eat.
Situated in the borough of Lambeth, the area is best known for its cultural attractions including The Old Vic theatre, the South Bank Centre and BFI IMAX cinema. It’s also a major transport hub, with coach and train services connecting to destinations across London and beyond. The neighbourhood is packed with great places to eat too, from quick street-food stalls to affordable cafés and casual restaurants, making it ideal for freelancers seeking a simple lunch or dinner option.
Lower Marsh Market
Just a few minutes from the bustle of Waterloo Station, Lower Marsh Market feels like a pocket of old London. This historic street market has been trading for centuries, but today its stalls are characterised by global street food. One minute you might find yourself eyeing up Ethiopian stews, the next you’re queuing for loaded fries or a grilled cheese sandwich. For freelancers escaping their laptops, it’s a fine spot to wander and people-watch before heading back to work.
Benugo
Up on the upper level of Waterloo Station, Benugo is a handy stop if you need to grab a quick lunch before your train home. But for those with time to linger, there’s also more seating than you’d expect, with many offering views over the busy platforms below. The coffee’s properly made, the sandwiches and pastries do the job, and the setting is surprisingly atmospheric, with the constant rush of travellers coming and going just below you.
Waterloo Station
Little Baobab
Tucked inside The Africa Centre, a long-running cultural hub celebrating African heritage, Little Baobab specialises in West African – and specifically Senegalese – cuisine. Regular patrons rave about the hearty, deeply flavoured dishes like yassa chicken and rich peanut stew that arrive steaming and comforting. Around the centre itself, you’ll also find a few quiet tables and corners where it’s easy to open a laptop, making it a surprisingly good place to grab lunch and get a bit of work done too.
66-68 Great Suffolk Street
BrewDog
Not content with becoming one of the world’s most successful beer producers, BrewDog have also branched out into bricks and mortar pubs and bars – one of which can be found within the confines of Waterloo Station. The bar is a veritable indoor amusement park, with table tennis tables, a duckpin bowling lane and even a huge spiral slide for those too lazy (or inebriated) to take the stairs from the first floor to ground level. As for food options, there’s a sizeable menu brimming with American-style classics including burgers, wings and fully loaded nachos. It’s also well set up for remote workers, with dedicated coworking pods available for hire.
Unit G, Waterloo Station, 01 The Sidings
Roti King
Located a short walk from the station, Roti King has earned near-legendary status among London foodies, drawing large lunchtime queues throughout the week. The Malaysian favourite is best known for its roti canai flatbread, which arrives warm and perfect for tearing apart and dunking into your curry. The room’s usually loud, with tables close together and brisk service – but it’s all part of the Roti King experience.
97 Lower Marsh
Marie’s Cafe
As any Englishman will tell you, sometimes only good old fashioned fry-up reaches the right spot when it comes to restorative food. And in Waterloo, that’s where Marie’s Café comes to the fore. This unpretentious café on Lower Marsh serves up a steady stream of classic full English breakfast during the day, before pivoting to Thai cuisine by night. The interior is full blown greasy spoon, with prices to match, making it an excellent choice for freelancers seeking a hearty meal that leaves you with cash to spare.
90 Lower Marsh