Exploring the Best UK Fast Food Restaurants

If you believe that "America is the fast food capital of the world," you haven't explored the fast food restaurants in the UK yet. With decadent choices, innovative menus, diverse cuisines, and prioritising high quality and affordability- the UK is shaping a new revolution and an example for England fast food chain brands worldwide. To help you narrow down the best fast food restaurants in the UK, here are some authentic "Brit" places you should try.

Top Fast Food Restaurants In the UK

The UK is one of the fastest growing fast food industries in the world; with so many fast food restaurants in the UK, here are some of the most popular fast food chains in the UK in the country that are affordable and serve high quality & delicious meals. With the United States having household brand names like McDonald's, Burger King, & Taco Bell, which focus more on bringing out the taste of American food by promoting burgers and fries as their main best-sellers, the UK is a bit different. The fast food chains in the UK focus on diversifying their range of fast food restaurants by including cuisines like Japanese, Mexican, French, and Mediterranean. British, & Filipino integrated into its culture. 

1. Leon

Location: London, WC2R 0DE

Average Price Range: £5 to £15 per person

Cuisine: Mediterranean 

No. of outlets in the UK: 80 

Fast food doesn't necessarily have to be junk all the time; it can be healthy and fresh at this fast food restaurant in the UK! One of the biggest examples is Mediterranean cuisine. With more than half of its meals being plant-based, the use of healthy fats like olive oil, & freshness in every bite, A thick bowl of hummus, overflowing falafel wrap, or leafy Greek Salad can never turn into food guilt. To deliver the Mediterranean promise, Leon has become one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK to serve healthy fast food. At Leon, you can indulge in food, pampering yourself with wraps, hot boxes, salads, bowls, etc, making it one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK.

What should you have at Leon?

With a packed Mediterranean diet on its menu, Leon's menu has some must-try options. The Jerk & Jam Wrap, Moroccan Meatless Meatballs, Winter Slaw, and Jerk Chicken Meze will transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean coast.

2. Nandos 

Location: Wembley HA9 0FD

Average Price Range: £10 to £20 per person

Cuisine: South African  

No. of outlets in the UK: 459

Nandos is one of the only fast food restaurants in the UK that has turned the traditional fish & chips "brits" into spicy chicken lovers. Well, accepting this fact can be hard, but around half a million people in the UK choose to order chicken at Nandos every week. A glance at the Nandos "menu display" will get your stomach grumbling. From its spicy options of crispy fried chicken, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salad bowls to healthy alternatives like salads, Nandos is a place for everyone, irrespective of whether you are on a cheat day or not! Originally, Nandos was a South African entity, but now it is slowly shaping into the UK's identity as one the best fast food chains in the UK, especially for students. Nando runs student discount schemes from time to time to ensure that students are well-fed. Nandos is one of the many companies that have discounts for students, and if you want to know more discounts, then check out our blog on the best student discounts!

What should you have at Nando's? 

Nando's is a spicy haven in the UK. It offers a menu tailored for chicken and spice enthusiasts. Vegetarians can enjoy a healthy Caesar Salad or Hummus with a Peri Peri Drizzle. To balance the heat, indulge in Nando's chocolate spoon cake—a sweet guilty pleasure. As one of the few spicy fast food restaurants in the UK, Nando's stands out.

3. Greggs

Location: Tamworth B78 3JD 

Average Price Range: £3 to £6 per person

Cuisine: British & European 

No. of outlets in the UK: 2,238

The entire world is acquainted with the "British tea culture"; from its mannerisms to how you sip your tea, the Brits have long believed that "a tea a day keeps your worries away." & what best accompanies a good cup of tea? Baked goods. Luckily, Greggs has taken over a lot of tea lovers with their wide range of doughnuts, cookies, cakes, muffins, brownies, etc. It is one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK for baked goods! Even though Greggs is every sweet tooth's paradise, it doesn't shadow from the fact they also have a good selection of savoury goods. One thing that sets Greggs apart from other fast food chains in the UK is its health-consciousness. By keeping people's allergies, keeping a veganism approach, and plans to re-formulate recipes with less sugar content, they want to revolutionise the approach to enjoying sweets and baked goods without the worry of calories or sugar intake, making it one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK.

What should you have at Greggs? 

Greggs is a fast food restaurant in the UK that serves baked goodies. Some of the most recommended items from its array of selections include scotch pies, chicken bakes, macaroni pie, bacon & cheese melt, vegan sausage rolls, etc. One should also order a Yum Yum doughnut, Cream Eclair, and caramel shortbread to add sweetness to their recommendations.

4.  Wagamama

Location: London WC2E 9HP 

Average Price Range: £15 to £20 per person

Cuisine: Asian (Mostly Japanese)

No. of outlets in the UK: 164

In recent years, many Brits have been enjoying the "umami" flavours of Japanese takeaways compared to the already booming Chinese and Indian cuisines. Luckily, you can drool over the richness & freshness of Japanese cuisine at one of the fast food chains in the UK, Wagamama. Being one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK, it features many options of authentic dishes like Ramen, Donburi, Sushi, Gyoza, Katsu Curry, Karaage, Teriyaki, etc. This fast food chain restaurant in the UK is a good place to start your undying love story for Japanese food.

What should you have at Wagamama?

With increasing popularity, many people have raved about Wagamama's famous Chicken Katsu Curry, Yakisoba noodles, Firecracker Chicken, & Chilli Squid. For vegetarians, you can order from their plant-based menu. Look out for the word "Yasai" (vegetable) if you are looking for vegetarian options like Yasai Itame, Yasai Pad Thai, Yasai Yaki Soba, etc. Brush up your Japanese culinary vocabulary before visiting Wagamama. 

5. Pret A Manger

Location: London WC2H 9HN

Average Price Range: £5 to £10 per person

Cuisine: French 

No. of outlets in the UK: 443

Use your one-liner French "un café s'il vous plaît?" at Pret A Manger; known as one of the best coffee shops and fast food restaurants in the UK, this cafe is also a popular choice for fast food restaurants in the UK. With a decadent wide selection of quick breakfast options, soups, salads, & pastries, this place can be a good place to go on a date or a Sunday brunch with your friends. Even though fast foods always have a bad reputation for being soggy and not fresh, Pret A Manger focuses on putting fresh, high-quality food on the table. It is even reflected in its name, which loosely translates to "ready to eat.", making it one of the best fast food chains in the UK!

What should you have at Pret-A-Manger?

At Pret A Manger, you should try the Balsamic Chicken & Avocado Toast, Avocado Toasted Pine Nut Wrap, Coconut Chicken & Sweet Potato Balance Box, Pret's Tuna & Cucumber, and much more. This is one of the best food chains in the UK for a quick bite & a budget-friendly date. Are you a cafe enthusiast in London? Then, you need to check out our blog on the  20 Best Cafes in London to add more to the list!

6. Jollibee 

Location: London WC2H 7LE 

Average Price Range: £5 to £15 per person

Cuisine: Filipino 

No. of outlets in the UK: 12 

Jollibee is a relatively new & emerging fast food restaurant in the UK. Originally, Jollibee was a Filipino fast food sensation, with over 1,186 outlets across the island; this love for Filipino fast food has started taking over the world. It isn't just about the finger-licking burgers or long, stringy, famous Jolly spaghetti, but the sense of pride & connection to the Filipino food culture that makes it a special brand. In short, Jollibee has put the Philippines on the map of the world, especially by being a fast food restaurant in the UK.

What should you have at Jollibee?

Jollibee is a fusion of American-inspired cuisine blended with a predominant Filipino touch. With each bite of any Jollibee item, you will get a burst of Filipino flavours & ingredients. The most recommended dishes are Chickenjoy Bucket, Jolly Spaghetti, Cheesy Deluxe Yum Burger & Peach Mango Pie.  

7. Shake Shack 

Location: London SW1E 5LB

Average Price Range: £15 to £20 per person

Cuisine: American

No. of outlets in the UK: 36

Have you heard about the jaw-dropping figures that "On average, Americans consume up to 50 billion burgers yearly? Well, no one is to be blamed for having such a perception, as burgers are one of the most popular foods in the US, and Shake Shack has been advocating and spreading the "love" for America's most popular fast food in the UK and burgers for the longest time. With its hyped-up "gourmet burgers" and "crinkle fries," Shake Shack has been committed to integrating a fine dining experience through the lens of the most popular fast food restaurant in the UK. Very unconventional but a hit idea worldwide, especially amongst the fast food restaurants in the UK.

What should you have at Shake Shack?

At a Shake Shack outlet in the UK, you should order cheese fries and a good ol' Shack Stack accompanied by a lemony 50/50 drink. They also have vegan and vegetarian options like the Shroom burger, which is drizzled with the best sauces to give you a promised fine dining experience. If you are a "burger over pizza" person, don't worry much; Shake Shack has one of the best burgers in the UK.

8. Harry Ramsden's

Location: Bournemouth BH1 2EZ

Average Price Range: £10 to £15 per person

Cuisine: English

No. of outlets in the UK: 38

The talk of English food is incomplete without mentioning "fish and chips." For decades, the idea of a deep-fried battered fish with plain salted fries has been the comfort food for every English person. By leveraging this comfort, Harry Ramsden has become one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK for fish & chips. For years, Harry Ramsden has been put on the pedestal for having the most authentic & high-quality fish & chips; it is not only the word of mouth that says it, but also its recognitions like the National Fish & Chips awards speak for it being one of the most adored fast food restaurants in the UK.

What should you have at Harry Ramsden?

You should try the fish & chips without any mention, but there are other options like burgers, grilled chicken, chicken tenders, chicken wings, halloumi bites, etc. After all, Harry Ramsden has been catering to the English population since 1928.

9. Tortilla

Location:  London W1W 8AF 

Average Price Range: £5 to £15 per person

Cuisine: Mexican 

No. of outlets in the UK: 62 

Mexican food can never go wrong with its flavors, spices, & decadent balance of meat and vegetables. Tortilla was brought to the market to honor this diversity to help people experience the richness & freshness of California-style Mexican food. It is one of the only fast food restaurants in the UK that serves delicious & customizable Mexican food in the UK. The equivalent of a Taco Bell in the US would be the Tortilla in the UK, making it one of the best fast food chains in the UK.

What should you have at Tortilla?

Tortilla is one of the top fast food chains in the UK that can satisfy your craving for Mexican fast food. You can order best-selling burritos like Grilled Chicken burritos, barbecue beef Burritos, Veggie Burritos, and Carnitas Burritos, or customise your naked bowl burrito. Moreover, you can also munch on crispy tortilla chips dipped in chipotle sauce or guacamole. Want more Mexican options? Check out our blog 20 best Mexican fast food restaurants in London.

10. Costa Coffee

Location: London WC1X 8QT 

Average Price Range: £5 to £15 per person

Cuisine: English

No. of outlets in the UK: 13,540

Need a quick caffeine hit before you go to your classes? Costa Coffee, a British home-ground coffee shop, will keep you awake and alert with its exceptional range of coffee options like latte, cappuccino, expresso, flat white, mocha, macchiato, cortado, etc. Around 95 million cups of coffee are drunk every day by the UK population, tarnishing its "tea" reputation, all because Costa Coffee serves top quality drinks, accompanied by its side treats like sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, making up for the UK's coffee reputation, making it the best fast food chain in the UK.

What should you have at Costa Coffee?

Costa Coffee is a haven for coffee lovers. Still, just like any other fast food restaurant, it also serves various options, like sandwiches, pastries, muffins, cookies, and wraps, that go very well with coffee. Moreover, even though it is heavily coffee-centric, there is space for tea lovers to sip on some iced or traditional English tea. A foodie is never satisfied, so here are the 20 Best Restaurants in Nottingham to bring you a lavish dining experience.

11. Yo! Sushi

Location:  Trafford Park M17 8DA England

Average Price Range: £45 - £73

Cuisine: Japanese, Aian

No. of outlets in the UK: More than 500

Popular Japanese restaurant franchise Yo! Sushi specializes in sushi and other Japanese dishes. Diners get to enjoy a special dining experience where sushi is served around the restaurant on a conveyor belt. As they pass by their table, patrons can choose from an extensive array of freshly cooked sushi meals, sashimi, maki rolls, and other Japanese delights thanks to the conveyor belt idea. Yo! The restaurant is well-known for its creative menu, lively ambiance, and focus on premium ingredients.

What should you have at Yo! Sushi?

You must try a range of sushi rolls at Yo! Sushi, including salmon nigiri, spicy tuna rolls, and California rolls. Savor their specialty dishes, such as crunchy tempura prawns and chicken katsu curry, without fail. Try their fruity bubble tea or Japanese green tea for a cool beverage. Enjoy their mochi ice cream or traditional Japanese dorayaki pancakes for dessert.

12. Five Guys

Location: London WC2E 9LH England

Average Price Range: £7.95 per person

Cuisine: American Fast food

No. of outlets in the UK: 100

If you are living in the UK, then you must be aware of this famous fast food chain. It is an American joint that is spread all over the UK. Indeed it has the best fast food in the UK. Customers have a variety of topping options to choose from, may it be mayo, pickle, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, french mustard, and whatnot. The list doesn't seem to end. You can make the best burger every well. As Dr. Strange said, the possibilities are endless.  

What should you have at Five Guys?

At Five Guys, popular choices include their signature burgers with various toppings, hand-cut fries, and customizable milkshakes. Customers often enjoy adding toppings like cheese, bacon, grilled onions, and mushrooms to their burgers, along with a side of Cajun or regular fries.

13. Bella Italia

Location: London WC2H 7AJ England

Average Price Range: £17.95 per person

Cuisine: Italian, Pizza

No. of outlets in the UK: 75

Because of its authentic Italian food, extensive menu, and national reach, Bella Italia is regarded as one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK. It is distinguished by its dedication to employing premium ingredients, such as imported Italian meats and cheeses, fresh pasta, and sauces. To suit a variety of palates, the restaurant serves a selection of classic foods such as pasta, pizza, risotto, and antipasti. Bella Italia is also well-liked by families, couples, and individuals looking for a taste of Italy in the UK because of its warm and inviting ambiance.

What should you have at Bella Italia?

Popular options at Bella Italia include classic Italian fare, including lasagna, Margherita pizza, and spaghetti carbonara. Patrons also enjoy starters including bruschetta, calamari, and garlic bread. You need to try it. After all, it is one of the best fast food franchises in the UK. 

14. Papa John's Pizza

Location: Moulsford Mews, Oxford Road

Average Price Range: £12 per person

Cuisine: American Fast food

No. of outlets in the UK: 479

Papa John's Pizza's dedication to using premium products, flexible menu options, and efficient delivery service have helped it rise to the top of the fast food industry in the UK. Papa John's is well-known for its freshly made dough, premium toppings, and distinctive sauce. They provide a range of pizza choices to accommodate a variety of palates. It is one of the best fast food chains in the UK that serves the best fast food in the UK. 

What should you have at Papa John's Pizza?

Popular options at Papa John's Pizza include their signature pizzas, such as "The Works" or "Pepperoni Passion," which have an abundance of toppings on freshly made dough. Customers also like breadsticks with dipping sauces, chicken wings, and garlic knots.

15. Cafe Van Gogh

Location: London SW9 6BE England

Average Price Range: £3 - £14 per person

Cuisine: European, British

No. of outlets in the UK: 60

Cafe Van Gogh is a distinct fast food restaurant in the UK that combines tasty vegan food with a strong social impact philosophy. In addition to offering tasty plant-based meals made with locally acquired ingredients, it also functions as a social enterprise, providing job opportunities and training to people facing obstacles to work, such as homelessness or mental health concerns. Excellent cuisine and significant community service have brought Cafe Van Gogh widespread recognition and a devoted following of patrons.

What should you have at Cafe Van Gogh?

Enjoy a wide range of delicious vegan dishes at Cafe Van Gogh that highlight the bright flavors of plant-based cuisine. The popular dishes in Cafe Van Gogh are savory wraps stuffed with plant-based meats and fresh veggies, substantial vegan burgers, and their nutritious Buddha bowls, which are loaded with healthful ingredients. Enjoy your lunch with one of their cool drinks, like a reviving smoothie or a freshly prepared coffee. 

Fast food restaurants in the UK are a diverse affair; you can find anything from Japanese, Mexican, and British to Mediterranean and French fast food bites at affordable prices. You will have to buckle yourself up for a palette explosion full of flavors, amazing discounts, seasonal menus, and much more, as most fast food restaurants in the UK always compete to serve the best quality food with exclusive offers to attract people. There are some amazing Asian restaurants in Brisbane that would satisfy your cravings.