Nothing beats a traditional pub meal but with cost becoming an increasingly important factor for customers, which parts of the UK benefit from the cheapest pub food?
To answer the question, the team here at Alliance Online have researched the average cost of a pub meal for two across the country to find the cheapest regions to dine out at your local pub, revealing where you can enjoy hearty, affordable pub grub without stretching your budget.
The Pub Grub Index: Cheapest Places for a Pub Meal
Nothing says British tradition quite like a comforting pub meal. Classics like bangers and mash, Sunday roasts, or pies bring us together. Following our UK Beer Index and using data from Expatistan on the average cost of a meal for two at pubs across the UK’s towns and cities, our research shows that Swansea, Wales is the cheapest place in the UK to enjoy pub grub.
Visitors and locals to Wales’ second largest city can enjoy a meal for two for as little as £17 in total. The coastal city boasts 135 pubs from cosy city centre locations to breathtaking bars on Swansea Bay – the perfect location to enjoy a hearty fish pie or scampi and chips.
In joint second, Gloucester and Kingston upon Hull are tied for the second cheapest spots in the UK and the cheapest in England at £22 for two.
Kingston upon Hull’s taverns and inns offer a rich pub culture, while you can even find the smallest pub room in Britain and the Minerva Pub and Hull’s oldest pub Ye Olde Black Boy which dates back to 1336.
Gloucester also has a historic pub scene with many of the ale houses dating back to Medieval times. From country inns to dog friendly pubs, the south westerly city is a great place to enjoy a pub meal without breaking the bank.
For those exploring other cities, towns like Southend-on-Sea, Leeds, and Leicester also offer meals under £25, making pub dining affordable for locals and visitors alike. The findings show that Dundee is Scotland’s cheapest city for pub grub at £29 per couple. Charming period properties boast some of the best Scottish pub classics like an Aberdeen angus burger or a cut of Venison.
| Rank | Town / City | Country | Average Cost of Pub Meal for Two |
| 1 | Swansea | Wales | £17.00 |
| 2 | Gloucester | England | £22.00 |
| – | Kingston upon Hull | England | £22.00 |
| – | Coventry | England | £22.00 |
| 3 | Southend-on-Sea | England | £24.00 |
| – | Leeds | England | £24.00 |
| 4 | Sunderland | England | £25.00 |
| – | Leicester | England | £25.00 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | England | £26.00 |
| – | Stoke-on-Trent | England | £26.00 |
| – | Birmingham | England | £26.00 |
| 6 | Cardiff | Wales | £28.00 |
| 7 | Dundee | Scotland | £29.00 |
| – | Peterborough | England | £29.00 |
| – | Preston | England | £29.00 |
| – | Sheffield | England | £29.00 |
| – | Liverpool | England | £29.00 |
| 8 | Norwich | England | £30.00 |
| 9 | Reading | England | £31.00 |
| 10 | Cambridge | England | £32.00 |
| – | Luton | England | £32.00 |
While traditional pubs remain popular, the rise of micropubs adds another dimension to the UK’s pub food scene. A micropub is a small, independent establishment focused on quality craft beers and a sense of community.
Sheffield, which features in our list of the cheapest cities for a pub meal at £29 for two, has a thriving micropub culture with tap rooms filled with casks and kegs offering some of the best local beers and ales. Many microbreweries offer their own unique take on pub classics with modern dishes, pop up restaurants, street food and more.
Supporting Your Local with Affordable Pub Meals
With 37% of Brits visiting their local pub at least once a fortnight for food, it’s clear that affordability is key to encouraging these visits. Whether you’re looking to find cheap pub food nearby or supporting your neighbourhood’s independent micropubs, every meal counts in helping local businesses thrive.
As Rachael Kiss, Marketing Manager at Alliance Online, notes:
“Our data shows you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a homecooked pub lunch. However, we know that pubs are under increasing pressure in the current economy, so supporting your local – even occasionally – can make a big difference.”
Tips for Pub Owners to Stay Competitive
For pub owners, managing costs while offering value to diners is critical. Here’s how you can pass on savings to your customers:
- Invest in High-Quality Catering Equipment: Durable, energy-efficient equipment reduces utility costs and minimises downtime. Items like combi ovens and multi-functional appliances help maximise output without requiring extra space. Explore Alliance Online’s range of catering equipment to find reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
- Streamline Your Supply Chain: Keep your kitchen stocked with essential pub supplies like glassware, cutlery, and disposables at competitive prices. Alliance Online offers a broad selection to ensure your kitchen runs efficiently.
- Craft a Unique Menu: Even in smaller kitchens, like those in micropubs, chefs can create memorable dishes by using versatile equipment and focusing on signature meals that encourage repeat visits.
From discovering the most affordable pub food or the best local produce, the UK’s pub food culture offers something for everyone. For diners, exploring affordable options in cities like Swansea, Gloucester, and Dundee is a treat. For pub owners, balancing costs with quality service is achievable with the right tools and planning.
At Alliance Online, we’re here to support both diners and pub operators with top-notch pub supplies and expert advice on catering equipment. Whether you’re managing a traditional pub or an innovative micropub, we have everything you need to succeed.
Methodology
We collated the prices of a pub meal for two in cities and towns across the UK using data from Expatistan in November 2024. All prices are in GBP. Cities and towns where data was not available were excluded from the analysis.
