What is a set menu?
A set menu is a fixed-price menu of two or three courses with a small number of choices per course. Set menus are run by restaurants alongside the à la carte to fill quieter shifts — typically lunch, early evening and weeknights — at a flat, lower price. The food is cooked by the same chefs in the same kitchen as the à la carte. Only the choice and the price are reduced.
Why do restaurants offer set menus?
Restaurants offer set menus to keep seats full at off-peak times. A set menu lets the kitchen pre-portion ingredients, predict bill size and turn tables faster — which is why the headline price can be 30-60% lower than the à la carte without hurting margins. Set menus also bring in customers who would otherwise skip the restaurant entirely because of the à la carte price tag.
Are set menus the same food as the à la carte?
Yes — in nearly every case the set menu is cooked by the same chefs, with the same ingredients, on the same plates as the à la carte. The set menu simply offers a tighter selection: usually two starters, two mains and two desserts to choose from. London restaurants pride themselves on parity between the two menus because the set menu is often a diner's first impression of the kitchen.
How much do London set menus cost?
London set menus on All Set start from £15 for two courses. Mid-range neighbourhood spots typically charge £20-£35. Michelin-starred set menus start from around £30 — a fraction of the à la carte price. Each restaurant page on All Set shows the exact price and what is included.
When are London set menus served?
Most London set menus are served at lunch (12pm-2:30pm) and pre-theatre (5pm-7pm), Tuesday to Saturday. Some restaurants also run a Sunday set lunch. Browse London lunch set menus and London pre-theatre set menus for the exact windows at every restaurant.
How do I find a set menu near me?
Use the All Set app to filter by area, cuisine, time and price band. The map view shows every set menu in central London at a glance. Or browse the area landing pages on this site — for example Soho set menus or Mayfair set menus — for a list of every restaurant in that area with its set menu price.