Wagamama Lunch Deal vs. Full Menu: Is It Actually Worth It?
Is Wagamama’s £12 lunch deal really better value than ordering off the full menu? Here’s a direct price and value comparison. If you’ve eaten at Wagamama before, you’ve probably wondered whether the £12 lunch deal is genuinely a better deal, or just a smaller portion at a slightly lower price. Here’s a direct comparison.
The Core Difference
The £12 lunch deal bundles a main dish with a drink or coffee, available Monday to Friday, 11am–3pm. Order the same main off the full menu at any other time, and you’re paying for the dish and the drink separately — no bundled discount.
Price Comparison
Take a typical main like a chicken ramen or donburi bowl:
| Lunch Deal (11am–3pm) | Full Menu (any time) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish | Included | £13–£16 depending on dish |
| Drink/coffee | Included | £3–£4.50 separately |
| Total | £12 | £16–£20+ |
The gap widens further if you’d normally add a soft drink or coffee anyway — the lunch deal effectively makes that drink free, which is where most of the savings come from.
When the Lunch Deal Makes Sense
- You’re eating on a weekday between 11am and 3pm anyway
- You’d order a drink alongside your main regardless
- You want one of the dishes included in the rotating lunch selection
When Ordering Off the Full Menu Makes More Sense
- You want a dish that isn’t part of the lunch rotation on a given day — see our full list of lunch deal dishes to check
- You’re dining outside the 11am–3pm window, or on a weekend
- You want to order multiple small plates or sides alongside your main, which the lunch deal doesn’t typically extend to
The Bottom Line
For a straightforward weekday lunch — one main, one drink, dining in — the £12 deal is reliably cheaper than ordering the same combination off the full menu at any other time. It’s less useful if you’re planning to order extras, sides, or alcohol, since none of that is covered by the £12 price.
FAQs
Is the lunch deal cheaper than ordering the same dish at dinner? Yes, typically by several pounds once you account for the included drink.
Does the lunch deal include sides or extras? No — it covers one main and one drink or coffee only.
Can I upgrade my drink choice on the lunch deal? This can vary by branch, so it’s worth checking with staff if you want something outside the standard soft drink or coffee options.
