With the credit crunch firmly chomping down on our poor, overspent budgets, the last thing we want to do is go all out and spend loads of money on stuff that we can get just as good for cheap. Who needs Prada when you can have Primark? That’s the way we’re all thinking these days.

And with that in mind, the same applies to restaurants. Here’s our pick of alternatives to spend your hard-earned pocket money on that are sure to give pricier places a run for their money. Why keep your wallet closed? Celebrate the credit crunch at London restaurants!

Instead of Gordon Ramsay, go to Nancy Lam’s Enak Enak...
Nancy Lam’s Enak Enak proves that not all chefs off the telly have expensive restaurants. This place is a Battersea favourite – and, just like our beloved Gordon, Nancy’s not afraid to speak her mind when it comes to food.

Instead of China Tang, go to Ping Pong...
In the mood for glamorous dim sum? Celebrity favourite China Tang will cost a bundle, but dim sum chain Ping Pong is reliably good and reliably inexpensive – their unlimited dim sum Sundays is some of the best value you can get for under a twenty.

Instead of Buddha Bar, go to Inamo…
Both are new, trendy, Oriental style restaurants that have dishes that come out when they’re ready – but Inamo’s much cheaper… and you can play Battleship while you wait!

Instead of Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, go to Launceston Place...
Fancy trying Wareing’s restaurant but a bit wary of the prices? Launceston Place’s head chef, Tristan Welch, used to work at Petrus, which was Wareing’s restaurant before he split with Gordon Ramsay. Dinner prices at Launceston Place are now £40 for three courses compared to Wareing’s £70 – you do the math.

Instead of Le Gavroche, go to Le Gavroche… for lunch!
Two-starred Le Gavroche commands nothing but respect in the restaurant industry, both for its food and its friendly approach to dining. Whilst the dinner menu might be out of the budget range for most of us right now, you can still get a taste of Michelin with their set lunch menu, which is £48 for three courses, a half a bottle of wine and water. There’s your next anniversary sorted!

Who needs to worry about shelling out for a nice meal? Bite back at the credit crunch!