As we dash around London, hunting for the best cheap eats and affordable meals in London, we often think back to the days when an incredible sub-£10 meal was a common affair. But, naturally, it’s just wishful thinking for us to dream that prices might go back to their affordable heyday. Or is it? Because one acclaimed Indian fine dining restaurant is doing just that – offering up a special retro menu to diners with throwback dishes, and prices to match.
Cinnamon Club is entering 2026, celebrating 25 years of serving Londoners. Their modern Indian fine dining has proven a hit with diners and made them an acclaimed name on the food scene. And to celebrate their 25th anniversary, they’re throwing it back to their opening year. From January 12-24, the Cinnamon Club restaurant will offer a special Retro Menu with dishes and prices from 2001. That means dishes are starting at just £5!
Bringing back prices from 2001
Now, to some of us, 2001 doesn’t seem that long ago. But we’re already entering almost a quarter-century since the year came and went. (Boy, does that make me feel old.) You might ask yourself: ‘Okay, but how much have prices really changed since then?’ Well, you’d be surprised!
Nowadays, a cup of coffee tends to cost between £4-5, seemingly regardless of whether it comes from a specialty coffee shop or a chain cafe. But back in 2001, according to the Bank of England Inflation Calculator, that would have cost you hardly £2. And those £7 (or more!) beers you have after work? Back in 2001, you were sipping happily at sub-£4 pints.
All that to say, it’s no mean feat for the Cinnamon Club to return to its 2001 prices.
Cinnamon Club’s Retro Menu
Guests are invited to return to the restaurant’s roots and “dine like it’s 2001” on the likes of
- Home smoked lamb kebabs
- Sandalwood‑flavoured tandoori chicken
- Vindaloo of pork chop with pilau rice
- and more.
The “culinary time capsule” of a menu reminds diners of “the memorable dishes that put Executive Chef Vivek Singh’s first restaurant on the map”.
Said Chef Vivek Singh on the menu:
“The early 2000s were an exciting time for Indian cuisine in London, and this Retro Menu is a tribute to our early days. This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about celebrating the ambition, curiosity and creativity that shaped our early years and also the audacity of the idea itself. These dishes remind us, and our guests, why The Cinnamon Club has stood the test of time.”
You can also enjoy delicious and cheap food at Vivek Singh’s other London restaurants next year. They’ll be offering a special three-course set menu throughout January for just £25. Try it out at Cinnamon Kitchen City, Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea, Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden, or Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond.
Book a table to try out the Cinnamon Club Retro Menu here.
📍 Cinnamon Club, The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU. The nearest station is St. James’s Park.
