Undeniably, London is not only a shopping haven, it is also a food paradise. Given the cosmopolitan nature of the city, there are a wide range of restaurants and street stalls in the city which are set to tantalize your taste buds. Regardless of how long you are here, make it a point to try all the food that the city is well known for.
Get going on a gastronomical experience and take your dining to a new and different level. The selection below is only but a snapshot of London’s diversity, with an attempt to take in cuisine from around the globe. Continue reading below to find out more about the top food to try in London.
1. Sunday roast with Yorkshire Pudding
A Sunday roast with Yorkshire Pudding might be the most famous English meal. This dish is traditionally served during that one weekly family get together - the Sunday lunch. Yorkshire Pudding was traditionally eaten on its own with thick gravy as a first course and was a heavy dish. However, over time, the puddings became thinner and were served alongside meat.
As such, Porters’ Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding consists of roast beef, roast potatoes, other vegetables and, of course, Yorkshire Pudding. This dish can also be found in many restaurants around the city of London.
Porters
Address: 16-17 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH, UK
Website: Porters
2. Scotch eggs
Scotch eggs are traditionally known as a picnic food. However, with their increasing popularity, scotch eggs are becoming a common dish for any occasion, any time of day. Have them at an al fresco lunch venue in the summer or even by a fireplace at a pub in the winter. A scotch egg is essentially a shelled hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, which is then covered in breadcrumbs. The egg is deep fried to crispy perfection. Scotch eggs are sometimes served with a green salad and go great with a beer.
The Carpenter’s Arms
Address: 68-70 Whitfield Street, London, Greater London, W1T 4EY
Website: The Carpenter’s Arms
3. Full English breakfast
Listen to your elders when they tell you to eat your breakfast and eat like a king! In England, a full English breakfast is highly recommended and traditionally includes bacon, eggs, tomatoes, fried mushrooms, bread and sausages. Undoubtedly, no nation does the full English breakfast better than England itself. This classic breakfast is also the perfect Saturday morning hangover cure. Instead of wasting energy finding out where to have a good and hearty full English breakfast in London, read on below.
The Breakfast Club
Address: 12-16 Artillery Lane, London, England, E1 7LS, United Kingdom
Website: The Breakfast Club
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4. Cottage Pie
The cottage pie is almost like shepherd’s pie, except that it is made of minced or diced beef. The English love their pie and will frequently cook one in their own homes. They also feature in the menus of restaurants across London. This classic favourite makes a comforting meal, especially during the colder months. Come and check out where you can savour this luscious pie.
Canteen
Address: Multiple locations: Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX, England, 2 Crispin Pl, Spitalfields, London E1 6DW, UK
Website: Canteen
London Tour Guide
Robert Woolf
I am a London tour guide and my tours include talking about people who have shaped the city plus the many connected places such as Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the commercial centre of the city: the City of London, and London’s world class museums and galleries. I have been guiding for 12 years. I am a licenced London Blue Badge Tour Guide, a City of London Guide, and a Westminster Guide. The reviews I receive from clients speak of their enjoyment from the local knowledge and the humour I bring to my tours. Born within sight of Hampton Court Palace, I am a Londoner and apart from 2 years in the Middle East, I have worked in this capital city all my business and tour guiding careers. I have travelled widely and I appreciate what appeals to visitors coming to London. I can tailor my tours to interest children. I guide couples, families and larger tour groups. I particularly enjoy visits to Westminster Abbey, where I also volunteer guiding students and children through its wonderful interior – on my tours you will hear about monarchs, why scientists and poets are remembered, the architecture and religious history. The Abbey is the story of England. Come on an engaging and fun tour with me. There is so much to show you !
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5. Eton Mess
Eton Mess is best known as a summer dessert. Come summer, this item will feature on many menus around the country. This is a traditional English dessert that consists of a mixture of strawberries, broken meringue and whipped double cream. Eton Mess is said to originate in Eton College, where it was served at a cricket match. ‘Mess’ aptly describes this dessert, as the dish is essentially a mish-mash of three ingredients.
Albion Cafe
Address: 2-4 Boundary St, Shoreditch, London E2 7DD, UK
Website: Albion Cafe
6. Sticky toffee pudding
Fancy some dessert or have a sweet tooth? If so, you should try a British favourite - sticky toffee pudding. This is a British dessert and is essentially a moist sponge cake. This cake contains finely chopped dates and is topped with toffee sauce. Sticky toffee pudding is usually served with vanilla custard or vanilla ice cream. Have your cake and eat it too!
Hawksmoor
Address: 5A Air Street, London W1J 0AD
Website: Hawksmoor
7. Pie and mash
Pie and mash was once a staple food of the peasant class in England. It is essentially a minced beef meat pie served with another staple, mashed potatoes. A green parsley sauce, known as liquor, is also served with the food. Incidentally, no liquor is used in this sauce. This pie and mash is affordable and can even be found at takeaway counters.
Arments Pie & Mash
Address: 7 Westmoreland Rd, London SE17 2AX, UK
8. Ploughman’s lunch
A ploughman’s lunch is a typical English cold meal that consists of bread, cheese and onions. These are served with butter and a type of pickle. Other items might include ham, a green salad, hard boiled eggs or even apple. As the name suggests, this meal is eaten usually at lunchtime. When eating it at a restaurant, a beer makes a good accompaniment.
The Marquis Cornwallis
Address: 31 Marchmont St, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AP, UK
Website: The Marquis Cornwallis
9. Shepherd’s pie
Shepherd’s pie is not a typically English dish, yet it is widely accepted as one since they were traditionally made from the sheep that come from northern England and Scotland. This dish looks like a cottage pie but where cottage pie is made of minced beef, shepherd’s pie is made of minced lamb. Shepherd’s pies feature regularly in British homes and are also sold in many pubs and cafes around London. Do ensure that you try it at least once.
The Ivy
Address: 1-5 West St, London WC2H 9NQ, UK
Website: The Ivy
10. Fish & chips
Fish & chips is probably the most common British food and is well-renowned. Mention to someone that you are from England and this ubiquitous dish might come to their mind. This British staple is available in many restaurants across London and is also popular pub grub. Find out below the best place to have a taste of golden battered succulent fish, perfect mushy peas and crispy chips.
Rock & Sole Plaice
Address: 45-49 Endell St, London WC2H 9AJ, UK
Website: Rock & Sole Plaice
Eat in London
Above is just a small collection of English favourites. When in London, ensure you take some time to savour them all.
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