This Sunday 28th April, thousands of dedicated runners will be taking on the beast that is the London Marathon 2019. If you’re one of them, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a delicious array of awesome restaurants and pubs offering free post-run fuel for finishers. If the thought of a doughy pizza, juicy burger or cold pint on the house isn’t enough to get you over the finish line, we don’t know what is. Here’s a list of the best free food and drink offers for marathon runners this year.
Free sourdough pizza at Franco Manca
The sourdough pizza aficionados are promising a free pizza of choice (including the specials) for any brave finishers. This delicious freebie offer is available at all branches and even extends to Monday 29th April for those that want to dash home for a post-run bath. Simply show your medal, choose your pizza and tuck in – its on the house!
Free burger at Maxwell’s Covent Garden
Celebrate your 26.2 mile victory with a juicy burger from this popular American diner. Just present your medal and choose between the Old Time burger with fries on the side or the vegan ‘bacon and cheese’ burger complete with vegan avocado mayo. This joint gets busy so we’d recommend booking beforehand.
Free dim sum at Royal China
Source: Royal China Facebook
You’ve got until 5pm to choose your favourite dim sum dish from the spring menu and get it free of charge. Irresistible dishes include delectable pork steamed buns, soft vegetable dumplings, and sweet beef Cheung Fun. Just wear your medal with pride at the Baker Street, Canary Wharf, Fulham or Harrow-on-the-Hill branches to chow down for free.
Free wild bowl at Mac and Wild
Those looking for a healthy post-race feast can gorge on a free wild bowl at this legendary Scottish establishment. Pig out on the hearty wild salmon bowl with supergrains and green bean salad, the beef steak bowl or the vegan pop bowl. Head down to the Fitzrovia or City branch from Monday afternoon and show your medal for your complimentary nosh.
Free ‘Little Box’ at Leon
Fill up before the big day with a Little Box on the house at all Leon branches. Drop in from 11am on Friday 26th April or Saturday 27th April and choose from Carribean plantain curry, juicy Sicilain chicken meatballs, vegan lentil masala, vegan Brazilian black bean, or home-style Thai curry. Show your official race number to get your dose of healthy carbs before the race.
Free Greek skewer plate at The Real Greek
Show your finisher’s medal at any branch of this Mediterranean hotspot to get your hands on a scrumptious skewer plate for free. The dish includes a juicy meat skewer, rice, chunky greek salad, flatbread and dip. Plus, the offer is valid until Friday 3rd May so you can still get your hands on some grub after you’ve put your feet up and recovered.
Free burger at MEATliquor
This much loved burger hangout is offering pats on the back in the form of free burgers for all marathon runners and volunteers. Flash your medal or steward pass at any branch on Sunday 28th April to get any burger – including veggie and vegan options – for free. Our favourite is the Dead Hippie – two mustard-fried beef patties, dead hippie sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions. Delicious!
Free glass of Moet at All Bar One
Celebrate crossing the line in style with a free glass of bubbles at any All Bar One branch. Toast to your achievement with a complimentary Moet and Chandon. After all, you deserve a treat after a gruelling 26 mile run! Just show your medal at any branch on Sunday 28th April and download the voucher in your app wallet to claim your free fizz.
Free burger and fries at Old Compton Brasserie
Take your well-earned medal to this modern British diner on race day to get a burger and fries meal on the house. Choose from the classic OCB burger with streaky bacon and cheese or the plant-based patty with shiitake bacon and vegan cheese along with a side of fries. You’ll be in post-run carb heaven in no time.
Free curry and pilau rice at Baluchi London
This award-winning pan Indian restaurant is treating runners to a delightful Indian feast. Head over to the Tooley Street spot to get a free butter chicken dish or aubergine and tamarind curry when you show your finisher’s medal. Both dishes come with fragrant pilau rice for the ultimate post-run refuel on the house. Offer valid Sunday 28th April only, so get it while it’s hot (excuse the pun).
Free pizza at Greenwood
Flaunt your medal at this chic Victoria sports bar to claim a complimentary marathon recovery pizza. Coming in at 2042g of pure doughy goodness, the pizza is topped with gooey mozzarella, basil and parma ham – exactly what you need after a casual 40 kilometre jog! The offer is valid all day Sunday, so get down early to get your free pizza fix.
Free pizza at Bunga Bunga Battersea
Get yourself down to this wild, confetti covered Italian spot for free pizza all day on Sunday 28th April. Show your medal and choose any pizza from the menu, whether that’s the classic Micaela Margherita or the cheese-fest Julius Cheeser, complete with gorgonzola, taleggio, creamy mozzarella and goat’s cheese. The cheesier, the better we say!
Free burger at The Market Porter, Borough Market
This authentic Southwark alehouse is offering free burgers for all marathon finishers. Head down there with your medal to pig out on a signature Market Porter burger on Sunday 28th April and Monday 29th April. The juicy beef patty is topped with lettuce, tomato, relish, gherkins and cheese – what more could you want for a post-run feed?
Free pint at all Nicholson’s Pubs
Quench your thirst the proper way once you’ve crossed the line with a free pint at all Nicholson’s pubs on the day of the marathon. Sit back, rest your tired legs and celebrate your insane achievement with a tipple on the house. Choose from the trademark Nicholson’s pale ale, Tanqueray gin and tonic, or a soft drink of your choice. Cheers!
Free chicken satay at Thai Square, Trafalgar Square
Get down to Thai Square’s flagship restaurant to feast on juicy chicken satay on the house. Those mini skewers and delightfully sweet peanut sauce are well worth the 26.2 miles. Simply show your medal with pride on Sunday to get your hands on your complimentary Thai goodies.
Free main at Busaba
Enjoy any main course on the house at any branch of this Thai favourite. Head down on Sunday 28th or Monday 29th and show your medal to claim your free grub. Choose from pad thai, wok noodles, chargrills, soups, salads, curries, stir-frys and rice bowls for the perfect post-marathon refill. Book your table to avoid disappointment!
Are you running the marathon this year? If you are – we salute you, and make sure you don’t miss out on your well-deserved share of free grub and drinks once you’ve crossed the finish line. Let us know if we’ve missed any freebies out in the comments below. There’s only one thing left to say to all marathon runners – good luck! If you’re not running the marathon this year, you could still get your hands on some freebies and awesome deals thanks to our food and drink deals.
