What’s the vibe? Camera-wielding gastro geeks line Lexington Street for their chance to hashtag London’s best buns.

When to go There’s always a queue outside this place (though you can book at the Fitzrovia branch), but your best bet is a late dinner – last orders 10pm.

What to eat Bao’s signature buns, stuffed with tender pork belly, peanut powder and pickled lettuce; also check out the epic versions with fried chicken and Horlicks ice cream.

How much? These babies all cost £5 or less (the classic’s just £4.50). Order lots. And some sides.

What’s the vibe? Sichuan noodles, buns and dumplings kick like a kung-fu fighter at this Communist Revolution kitsch-clad spot on Chinatown’s fringes.

When to go When your taste buds need defibrillating.

What to eat The house baozi buns, Chengdu dan dan noodles, and a spicy cucumber salad.

How much? The flavours might sock you in the face, but the bill won’t: snacks from £1.30, rice and noodle bowls from £4.50.

What’s the vibe? Pocket-sized offshoot of Haggerston’s feted Middle Eastern grill Berber & Q on the epicurean drag that is Exmouth Market.

When to go The morning after the night before, when you need to dispel the memory of that kebab-shop meat.

What to eat On this budget, it’s the filled pitas for you: lamb kofte, lamb shawarma, chicken thighs or cauliflower, piled with pickles, herbs and tahini.

How much? All £9 or less. Chuck in some harissa, garlic yoghurt or Yemenite Dynamite hot sauce and you’re still on a financial winner.

What’s the vibe? Soho House Group’s très jolie take on a grand railway café in the Parisian mould. The least formal of the Ned’s foodie offerings.

When to go If you’re in a hurry and don’t mind sitting on bum-numbing high stools.

What to eat Quick and simple does it. That means sourdough baguettes, quiches, salads, omelettes and the like – plus coffee and cake if you have time.

How much? City bargains: quiche £4 a slice, half baguette £9, salads from £5.

What’s the vibe? A simple, café-style Chinatown favourite, where flavour-packed food is served on unclothed tables.

When to go All day, any day – they serve right through until 1am.

What to eat The huge menu can be intimidating – so stick to Cantonese dishes for the best results, and note that seafood is a particular strength.

How much? Most ‘good old classic’ mains cost less than £9, but one-plate ‘hawker’ rice dishes (nasi lemak etc) and soup noodles are even cheaper.

What’s the vibe? Cramped and plagued by lunchtime queues, this efficient little Vietnamese number nevertheless keeps the City crowd coming back.

When to go Open between 11.30am and 4.30pm, Monday-Friday; not surprisingly, the queues are worst noon-2pm.

What to eat Spring rolls and bánh mì (baguettes) if you’re taking out, delicious pho if you’re slurping in.

How much? £8 will feed you well.

What’s the vibe? A zippy French café near City Thameslink, and the first London outpost of a long-standing Parisian chain.

When to go Say ‘non, merci’ to Pret’s stranglehold – this is a great spot for a nourishing lunch in the City.

What to eat Interesting baguettes, soups and curries, plus salads featuring whole grains, Asian overtones and other resolutely non-French elements.

How much? Not much: most items are about £5. The Asian stews (laden with gyoza dumplings) are a couple of pounds more, as are veggie lasagne and other hot dishes from the blackboard.

What’s the vibe? Part of a democratic mini-chain that introduced London to the glories of ‘flat iron’ steak. Communal tables, no posing, no bookings.

When to go Hungry for a slab of red meat, but low on funds? This is great for lunch or pre-theatre.

What to eat Steak or steak, served ready-sliced on a board with a gimmicky mini-cleaver – that’s it. Ring the changes with sides and sauces.

How much? The basic deal is £10 for steak and a side salad; add £2.50 for dripping-cooked chips, plus another quid for Fred’s sauce or béarnaise.

What’s the vibe? Part log cabin, part wet room, this is the most atmospheric of Herman’s hangouts… and his sausages are sehr gut.

When to go Quick bite before a film or show? You could do wurst than a wiener.

What to eat Juicy sausages in crusty bread.

How much? Wurst in a roll is £5.95 (£7.95 with fries, £8.50 with salad). It’s also worth investing an extra 50p for toppings such as sauerkraut, chilli mayo and jalapeños. Note that currywurst combos are tad more expensive.

What’s the vibe? Japanese home-cooking from the people behind Kanada-Ya. Sit back and imagine yourself noshing away in a traditional wooden ‘machiya’ townhouse.

When to go Pre or post-show, or for a quickie lunch. This place doesn’t take bookings, but it’s open all day seven days a week – so take pot luck.

What to eat Chicken yakitori, tofu custard, tonkatsu, slippery soba noodles with dashi dipping sauce – plus some authentic Japanese patisserie. Otherwise it’s cocktails and izakaya snacks in the downstairs bar.

How much? Swerve the panko-crumbed Wagyu beef and you can eat well for less than £10: yakitori skewers £4.50, katsu curries and soba noodles from £6.50, raindrop cake £2.50.