Guide to the best fast food in London

It's all about enormous 22-inch pizzas at Voodoo Rays, which are best shared between one or two people, or opt for a giant slice if you don't fancy braving the whole shebang. You can get a slice of the action at any of their two restaurants around the city; they're currently serving epic pies in Peckham and Dalston. Plus, cocktails are less than a tenner, which is pretty good for the Big Smoke.

If Yard Sale Pizza and Voodoo Rays went head to head in a who-serves-the-biggest-pizza competition, we'd find it hard to predict who best to put our money on. These guys also serve enormous pizza - 18 inches, to be precise, which means Voodoo Rays just wins on size - but they certainly make up those four inches in taste. All pizzas are topped with slow-cooked tomato sauce and silky Fior di Latte mozzarella and come in an assortment of flavours, like pepperoni with nduja, roasted mushroom with truffle oil and aubergine with parmesan crumb. You'll find them in all corners of the city, from Crystal Palace and Balham to Clapton, Leyton and more.

Sometimes simplicity is the key to deliciousness. At least, that's the deal with the burgers at Bleecker Burgers, which are inspired by the classic New York City burger. They're made using rare-breed, grass-fed beef from small farms around the UK, which is then dry-aged and cooked to order, so they're fresh and deeply flavoursome. They're slapped between a bun with a bit of lettuce and served with special house sauce, which ties everything together like a perfectly wrapped present, resulting in what many would call the best burger in the city. Find them in Westfield, Bloomberg, Victoria and Spitalfields, with a few extra locations for delivery only.

Patty & Bun is a great grab-and-go option for those who want a quick cheeseburger fix. Burgers are crafted using high-quality beef from H.G Walter, a family butcher in London who source their meat from independent British farmers. The burgers are the main star of the show here, but you can also enjoy loaded fries and sides like smoked confit wings and vegan chicken nuggets.

Poppies is a legendary London fish and chip shop, serving the nation's favoured meal day and night. All of the fish served here is prepared on-site after being transported from Billingate Fish Market, ensuring it's kept as fresh as possible. They serve everything from haddock and cod to calamari, whole lemon sole, fish cakes, scampi and more.

Vegan diners can get their fried chicken fix at Temple of Seiten, where everything served is 100% plant-based. They specialise in typical fast food, like fried chicken burgers, wraps, tenders, fries, tots and more. There's even a selection of shakes for those who want to satisfy their sweet tooth post-chicken fill.

Chow down on Asian-inspired fried chicken and sour cocktails at Chick 'N' Sours, where they serve a selection of tasty fried chicken with homemade dips, handmade buns and cold beers. Keep it classic with a sriracha-doused chicken burger, or opt for the bang-bang chicken salad if you want to leave out the carbs. If you're feeling extra peckish, you can enjoy unlimited wings every first Wednesday of every month at their Seven Dials or Haggerston branch.

If a thick, chunky lasagne sandwich sounds like your cup of tea, get yourself down to Max's Sandwich Shop in Crouch Hill. Max takes the humble sandwich and levels it up, turning them into filling and satisfying meals to devour. The sandwiches are tasty and innovative, ranging from ham, egg and chips to deep-friend macaroni, and more.

Egg lovers need to get a big ol' slice of Eggslut, a breakfast/sandwich shop that originated in LA before making its way to the streets of London. It's all about, you guessed it, eggs here, with a menu chock full of comforting delights such as sausage, egg and cheese brioche buns and egg salad with honey mustard aioli served in a warm bun.

Nothing quite cuts the mustard like a hot, gooey, melty cheese toastie, and nowhere does them better than Kappacasein. This Borough Market mainstay is run by cheese expert  Bill Oglethorpe, who has crafted the perfect three-cheese toastie that has eager cheese lovers queuing up and down the street. It's basically a mixture of cheese (mostly Montgomery's cheddar) sandwiched between two thick slices of crusty sourdough with a sprinkling of onions and leeks. If you don't fancy bread, you can try their raclette; a blanket of cheddar melted and scraped over new potatoes and served with black pepper and cornichons.

The Best Broasted is the UK's number-one spot to enjoy broasted chicken, which is basically crispy fried chicken cooked in a pressure cooker. They season their meat with their secret herb marinade before frying it in the cooker and serving it with a side of thick-cut fried potatoes. It's not just chicken you can get here; they also serve everything from shawarma and pizza to falafel and burgers.

Morley's is considered a bit of a celebrity on the fast food scene in London. It was born out of the belief that big chains in America didn't have to be the only ones serving up delicious fast food and that a local community business was also more than capable, and so Morley's was born. There are now nearly 100 locations all over the city, serving a menu of fried chicken, burgers, wraps, meal deals, fries and more in a grab-and-go setting.

Fast food is synonymous with being unhealthy, but that doesn't always have to be the case. At LEON, they specialise in health-focused fare inspired by the dishes enjoyed in the Mediterranean. It's all about natural ingredients here, used to craft everything from rice boxes to burgers, all inspired by the fresh produce, herbs, and good fats commonly found in the Mediterranean diet.

This American chain serves gourmet takes on fast food favourites, like burgers, hot dogs, thick shakes and more. The burgers are made with 100% Aberdeen Angus beef, grass-fed on UK and Scottish pastures, to ensure optimum freshness. They also serve a selection of veggie snacks, like the iconic shroom burger with a crispy fried portobello mushroom filled with melted cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and zingy ShackSauce.

Baban's Naan is a hole-in-the-wall spot that's been bringing vibrant Kurdish flavours to the streets of North London for more than 20 years. Founder Malek and his three friends migrated to London from Iran and Iraq, bringing their hometown's fragrant flavours with them. They make warm, pillowy naan in their giant tandoor, topping them with an assortment of ingredients and selling them for a very reasonable price. Though they're famed for their naan, they also make delicious falafel and kibbeh, a popular Middle Eastern food made with minced lamb and rice.

Slim Chickens is a Southern-inspired fast food spot serving a range of mouthwatering comfort food in a laid-back setting. You can dine in or grab something to take away, including juicy wings, frothy shakes, fries, breaded tenders, and Texas toast (which is kinda like garlic bread), all best served with their homemade sauce for dipping and dunking.

Fast food doesn't have to be just fried chicken and pizza; you could also opt for a giant sushi burrito from Cha Cha Roll in Soho. They specialise in an assortment of uncut sushi rolls, bowls, bento boxes and salads to-go, made using fresh, healthy ingredients. 

Everything at fast food joint Oowee is 100% plant-based, from their succulent chicken burgers and fish and chips to their Marmite waffle fries and chicken tenders. They're revolutionising fast food, which has always been their goal, crafting a menu of secret recipes and homemade sauces made each day by their team of chefs. Whether you're vegan or not, there will be something for you to enjoy at Oowee.

The Hop Vietnamese restaurants pride themselves on their speedy service, even though they prepare all of their dishes to order, making for a convenient and fresh mid-work lunch option when you're in a hurry, The menu features Vietnamese classics such as banh mi sandwiches, their signature Hop boxes, noodle salads, pho, and more.

For fast food that's vegan-friendly, don't miss Neat. Owned by Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, these colourful retro venues serve a classic fast food menu that's sustainable and totally plant-based. All the classics like burgers, fries, nuggets, and shakes are on the menu here.

Go Mezza specialises in Lebanese fast food that's packed with flavour. Each eatery is modern, with a bold colour scheme and space for dining-in. It's popular for takeaways too. Try wraps and bowls with tempting fillings like chicken shawarma or halloumi, as well as delicious sides like halloumi spring rolls and chips.

Visit Thunderbird Fried Chicken for award-winning halal fast food. This place serves fried chicken wings, strips, and burgers loaded with sauces and punchy flavours, plus fries and desserts. Kids' meals and plant-based dishes are also available. The eateries are modern and casual, offering counter service. Some locations stay open late.

If you love burgers and fried chicken then it's worth checking out D's Kitchen in Holloway. This bright and lively local restaurant serves Somali-style fried chicken and is also known for innovative burgers. Get yours sandwiched between waffles, doughnuts, or a croissant for original fast food. The restaurant is bustling and often has a crowd inside.