Visiting London culinary scene is a delightful blend of tradition and innovation, offering many dishes that cater to every palate. Whether you’re a solo traveller, exploring with friends, or enjoying a family vacation, here’s a comprehensive guide to the must-try foods in London and the best places to savour them.
Must-try foods when visiting London
1. Fish and Chips
Where to Try: Poppies Fish & Chips
Location: Camden, Soho, and Spitalfields
Why It’s Special: Poppies offers a nostalgic 1950s ambience. It serves crispy battered fish with chunky chips, mushy peas, and tartar sauce. Their commitment to sustainable sourcing ensures quality and taste.
2. Full English Breakfast
Where to Try: E. Pellicci
Location: Bethnal Green
Why It’s Special: A family-run cafĂ© since 1900, E. Pellicci serves hearty breakfasts with eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, and more, all in a charming Art Deco setting.Â
3. Afternoon Tea
Where to Try: Claridge’s
Location: Mayfair
Why It’s Special: Experience the quintessential British tradition with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, all served with a selection of fine teas in an elegant setting.
4. Sunday Roast
Where to Try: The Harwood Arms
Location: Fulham
Why It’s Special: As London’s only Michelin-starred pub, The Harwood Arms offers a refined take on the classic Sunday roast, featuring seasonal ingredients and expertly cooked meats.
5. Bangers and Mash
Where to Try: Mother Mash
Location: Soho
Why It’s Special: Mother Mash specialises in mashed potatoes. It pairs creamy mash with succulent sausages and rich gravies, offering a comforting meal in the heart of London.
6. Sticky Toffee Pudding
Where to Try: Rules
Location: Covent Garden
Why It’s Special: Established in 1798, Rules is London’s oldest restaurant. It is renowned for its traditional British desserts, such as the indulgent sticky toffee pudding.
7. Beef Wellington
Where to Try: The Ivy
Location: Covent Garden
Why It’s Special: A celebrity favourite, The Ivy serves a perfectly cooked Beef Wellington, combining tender beef with mushroom duxelles and flaky pastry.
8. Pie and Mash
Where to Try: M. Manze
Location: Tower Bridge Road
Why It’s Special: A historic eatery from 1902, M. Manze offers traditional pie and mash with parsley liquor, preserving London’s culinary heritage.
9. Ploughman’s Lunch
Where to Try: The Jugged Hare
Location: Barbican
Why It’s Special: This gastropub serves a classic Ploughman’s with crusty bread, mature cheddar, pickles, and cold meats, ideal for a hearty midday meal.
10. Scotch Egg
Where to Try: The Harwood Arms
Location: Fulham
Why It’s Special: Their venison scotch egg, with a perfectly runny yolk and crispy exterior, offers a gourmet twist on this traditional snack.
11. Yorkshire Pudding
Where to Try: Bennie Restaurant & Bar
Location: Portland Street
Why It’s Special: It serves roast beef with towering Yorkshire puddings, carved at your table for an authentic experience.
12. Bubble and Squeak
Where to Try: The Wolseley
Location: Piccadilly
Why It’s Special: This elegant cafĂ© offers bubble and squeak as part of its breakfast menu. It combines leftover vegetables into a crispy, flavorful patty.
13. Chicken Tikka Masala
Where to Try: Veeraswamy
Location: Regent Street
Why It’s Special: Established in 1926, Veeraswamy is London’s oldest Indian restaurant. It offers refined versions of classics like chicken tikka masala.
14. Eton Mess
Where to Try: Fortnum & Mason
Location: Piccadilly
Why It’s Special: Their dessert parlour serves a delightful Eton Mess, combining crushed meringue, strawberries, and whipped cream in a luxurious setting.
15. Crumble
Where to Try: St. John
Location: Smithfield
Why It’s Special: Known for its nose-to-tail dining, St. John offers seasonal fruit crumbles with custard, emphasising traditional British desserts.
16. Bacon Butty
Where to Try: Dishoom
Location: Various locations
Why It’s Special: Dishoom’s bacon naan roll is a modern take on the bacon butty, combining smoky bacon with cream cheese and chilli jam in a freshly baked naan.
17. Banoffee Pie
Where to Try: The Ivy
Location: Covent Garden
Why It’s Special: Their banoffee pie, with layers of banana, toffee, and cream on a biscuit base, offers a decadent end to any meal.
18. Black Pudding
Where to Try: Smiths of Smithfield
Location: Farringdon
Why It’s Special: Located near the historic Smithfield Market, this restaurant serves traditional breakfasts featuring rich and flavorful black pudding.
19. Steak and Kidney Pie
Where to Try: The Windmill
Location: Mayfair
Why It’s Special: Renowned for its award-winning pies, The Windmill offers a hearty steak and kidney pie with tender meat and a flaky crust.
20. Toad in the Hole
Where to Try: The Quality Chop House
Location: Farringdon
Why It’s Special: A historic eatery since 1869, it serves a gourmet version of toad in the hole, featuring premium sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter.
21. Cream Tea
Where to Try: The Ritz
Location: Piccadilly
Why It’s Special: Experience the elegance of cream tea with freshly baked scones, clotted cream, and strawberry jam in the opulent Palm Court.
22. Curry
Where to Try: Dishoom
Location: Various locations
Why It’s Special: Inspired by Bombay cafĂ©s, Dishoom offers a range of flavorful curries, blending traditional recipes with contemporary flair.
23. Jellied Eels
Where to Try: F. Cooke
Location: Hoxton
Why It’s Special: A traditional East End delicacy, F. Cooke serves jellied eels prepared using age-old recipes, offering a taste of London’s culinary past.
24. Pasty
Where to Try: The Borough Market
Location: Southwark
Why It’s Special: This historic market hosts stalls offering authentic Cornish pasties, filled with meat and vegetables, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
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đšâđ©âđ§âđŠ Best for Families
Travelling with kids or extended family? Visiting London food scene caters to all ages and picky eaters. Restaurants like Mother Mash or Poppies Fish & Chips are welcoming and casual and serve comforting, familiar flavours that children and grandparents alike will enjoy.
Why families love these spots:
- Casual dining with large portions
- Kid-friendly menus
- No-fuss, quick service
- Plenty of nearby attractions (Covent Garden, museums, etc.)
đ¶ Tip: Choose earlier dining times to avoid the rush and keep everyone happy.
𧳠Best for Solo Travellers
Visiting London through Borough Market with a coffee in hand, or grabbing a seat at the bar at Dishoom, London is ideal for solo adventurers. There’s something freeing about enjoying your meal uninterruptedâand perhaps even conversing with a local.
Top spots for solo dining:
- Gail’s Bakery for a solo breakfast or pastry break
- Fortnum & Mason dessert parlour for a decadent self-date
- The Quality Chop House bar seating for a hearty meal without feeling alone
đ§ Pro Tip: Many places offer communal seating or counter service, making it easy to feel part of the city buzz even when dining solo.
đ« Best for Couples
Planning a romantic getaway or honeymoon stop while visiting London? London’s candle-lit restaurants, rooftop views, and cosy pubs offer ideal backdrops for memory-making meals.
Top romantic restaurants:
- The Ivy â iconic, intimate, and celeb-approved
- Rules â historic and charming, with velvet booths and mood lighting
- Savoy Grill â a glamorous spot for Beef Wellington and champagne
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đ„ł Best for Groups of Friends
Out with mates? Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, hosting a mini reunion, or starting a food crawl, London has group-friendly options everywhere.
Where to go with friends:
- Dishoom â vibrant ambience, shareable plates, and great drinks
- The Breakfast Club â retro vibes and filling brunches
- The Windmill Mayfair â award-winning pies, lively atmosphere
đ Fun tip: Book ahead for large tables, especially on weekends when visiting London. Many places on Welcome2.London offers group reservations and discounts.
âš A Taste of History: The Backstory Behind the Restaurants
London’s iconic food isn’t just about flavourâit’s steeped in history and heritage. Many recommended spots have roots stretching back over 100 years, giving you a taste of the past with every bite.
đœïž Rules â Est. 1798
London’s oldest restaurant, Rules, was originally a place for âoyster girlsâ and literary figures. It has served Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, and even Edward VII. It still retains its 19th-century charm.
â The Wolseley â Opened 2003 in a 1921 Car Showroom
This elegant café sits in a restored Venetian-Gothic building known for old-school glamour and legendary breakfasts.
đ§ Fortnum & Mason â Est. 1707
Fortnum’s is not just a shop; it’s a destination. Established as a royal grocer, it has supplied tea to monarchs for centuries.
đ Veeraswamy â Est. 1926
London’s oldest Indian restaurant, with Mughal dĂ©cor and dishes that tell the story of Britain’s colonial connection with India.
âł These places are time capsules of British dining, blending flavour with storytelling.
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â Travel Tips for Food Lovers:
- Make restaurant reservations in advanceâLondon books up fast!
- Explore street markets like Borough and Camden for surprise finds.
- Use Welcome2.London for restaurant reviews, bookings, and day trip ideas.
- Don’t skip traditional puddingsâthey’re often the highlight.
- Say yes to local twistsâlike the bacon naan roll at Dishoom.
đŻ In Conclusion
No matter what brings you to Londonâculture, history, TikTok inspiration, or a growling stomachâyou’ll find something unforgettable to eat. From age-old pies to cutting-edge curries, from elegant cream teas to late-night bacon butties, there’s a plate with your name on it.
đ Whether you’re a solo foodie on a mission, a family with picky eaters, a couple seeking a romantic bite, or a bunch of friends chasing flavour, London feeds you in style.
