London food is as classic and diverse as the city itself. From traditional roasts to exotic enticements, we have rounded up a list of the most Famous London Food!
Want to know the best places to eat in London? In addition to sharing what to eat, we also divulge where to get these famous foods!
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Planning What To Eat in London
One of the things we love about travel is tasting the local fare. It gives us insight into the history and culture of a place – and it’s especially true in London.
Just as the city has evolved, so has the London food scene. The city’s food reputation of being basic and bland has been replaced by a phenomenal melting pot of cuisines.
Plus, some of the long beloved eats have gotten a culinary upgrade. As such, there is no shortage of amazing food to eat in London!
With so many famous London foods, it is best to go in with a plan. Our list of Must-Eat Food in London will point you in the right direction!
In order to keep track of all the tasty details for your London trip, we recommend using our Printable Travel Planner!
Travel Guides for London
Looking for more tips for traveling to London? Our guides are packed with our honest advice!
- London Itineraries for 1 Day, 3 Days or 1 Week.
- London Budget Tips & Great London Neighborhoods
- Free Museums in London & our Self Guided Westminster Tour
- Top Sights in the City of London & West London
- What To Do in Windsor & How To Spend a Day in Greenwich
Our Guide to Famous London Food
Okay, it’s time to jump into our list of Must-Eat in London Foods! Our rundown is separated into two categories – Traditional and Modern.
Traditional Food in London
There is an array of classic British food to eat in London – and we are highlighting the top local favorites.
#1 Fish and Chips
Without a doubt, one of the top foods to try in London is a classic meal of Fish and Chips. The fried fish feast has long been a staple of the city’s cuisine.
The dish dates to the mid-1800s when fresh fried fish and thick potatoes were sold together for the first time in London’s East End.
Soon after, chippies – the nickname for Fish and Chips restaurants – sprung up all around town. To this day, Londoner’s love of the fish and chip combo remains strong.
Best Place To Eat in London for Fish and Chips
Anyone looking for a plate of Fish and Chips can pop into the nearest pub, as the dish will surely be on the menu.
However, those who want a nostalgic experience should go to Rock and Sole Plaice (the oldest chippy in London dating to 1871) or Poppies (a throwback diner with multiple locations).
#2 London Afternoon Tea
The tradition of Afternoon Tea is one of the best things to eat in London during a trip. Served to stave off hunger, the meal consists of finger sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea…and it’s simply delightful!
Cream Tea is a lighter version of Afternoon Tea and is offered at many places for a reduced price. Rather than including sandwiches and cakes, it’s just tea, scones, clotted cream and jam.
Where To Get Afternoon Tea in London
This ritual can be a fancy affair or a casual encounter – with prices to match. Those interested in a luxurious experience should book a table in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at the historic Fortnum and Mason.
For something a little more affordable – yet still superb – stop by The English Rose Café. If you’re looking for a unique experience, combine sightseeing and the famous meal on the Afternoon Tea Bus Tour!
#3 Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the famous foods in London that perfectly exemplifies the melding of cultures.
Tikka originated as an Indian dish and is made of bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked in a tandoor oven.
However, sometime in the 1960s, masala – a rich sauce of tomatoes, onions, butter and cream – was added. Today, Chicken Tikka Masala hails as the National Dish of England!
Where To Eat Chicken Tikka Masala
A favorite London restaurant for Chicken Tikka Masala is Punjab. The Covent Garden eatery opened in 1947 and offers a range of Indian specialties. You can also find Tikka Masala on many menus at the Curry Houses on Brick Lane.
#4 Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding
One of the iconic foods to eat in London, Sunday Roast is a spectacular indulgence of traditional British fare.
The proper meal features a hearty meat, roasted potatoes and root vegetables – all doused in thick gravy.
It is always served with Yorkshire Pudding, which is similar to a popover dinner roll and is excellent at sopping up every last juicy bit of the feast!
Best Sunday Roast in London
Diners looking for posh places to eat in London for Sunday Roast should book ahead at Hawksmoor. Known for their prime cuts of meat, the Sunday Roast at Hawksmoor is legendary (and priced accordingly).
Pubs offer a more typical Sunday Roast experience and nearly every one offers the classic meal. That said, one of the best pubs to eat in London for Sunday Roast is The Princess of Shoreditch.
For a fun, modern take on this customary English meal, track down Yorkshire Burrito. They fill a giant Yorkshire pudding with all the roast fixings and wrap it up like a burrito!
#5 Full English Breakfast
Quintessentially British, a Full English is one of the must-try London foods. Also called a Proper Fry Up, the sizeable meal includes a menagerie of breakfast favorites all squeezed onto a single plate.
While there isn’t one set standard, most include bacon (not American-style), eggs (fried or scrambled), sausages (Cumberland or pork), black pudding, baked beans, fried potatoes, grilled tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms and toast.
Where To Eat Popular London Food for Breakfast
Boasting the ‘Best English Breakfast in London’, Regency Café is a greasy spoon offering a delicious Fully English at a budget price.
The Ivy is another favorite breakfast restaurant in London, but a completely different experience. Exuding a fancy ambiance and serving an upscale Full English, it ranks as one of the cool places to eat in London.
#6 Sausage and Mash
Sausage and Mash – also known as Bangers and Mash – is one of the best foods to eat in London for a traditional English meal.
The popular pub cuisine is utterly satisfying, especially on cool and drizzly days. The meal consists of multiple Cumberland sausages on top of a pile of mashed potatoes drowned in onion gravy. Done right, it’s utterly delicious!
Best Places in London for Sausage and Mash
We believe the prime places for Bangers and Mash in London are pubs. While it’s hard to go wrong, we particularly favor the food served at Nicholson’s Pubs.
The Blackfriar and The Horniman at Hays are two of our favorite Pubs by the River Thames. Alternatively, Mother Mash is a fun restaurant in London that specializes in the spud.
#7 Pie and Mash (and Jellied Eels)
Another classic British food to try in London is Pie and Mash. The meal originated during the Victorian era and was popular with the working class in the East End.
The savory pie, which is filled with minced beef, is served on a plate with a smear of mashed potatoes and covered with a parsley gravy, called liquor.
Although it is far from elegant, it is incredibly satisfying and a mainstay of London cuisine.
Jellied Eels are often served alongside Pie and Mash. They are chopped, spiced and cooked in stock that forms to jelly once it cools and served cold.
To be completely honest, we haven’t summoned the courage to eat Jellied Eels. So, we’ll leave it up to you to let us know how they taste!
Where To Eat Pie in London
We feel the best restaurants to eat in London for classic Pie and Mash are the old-school spots. The space, with counter service and white tiled walls, harken back to another time.
We enjoyed a traditional Pie and Mash meal at M Manze Bermondsey. Arments and Cockney’s Pie and Mash on Portobello Road get rave reviews, too.
Pieminister (which hails from Bristol) at Borough Market offers a modern approach to the English Pie and Mash experience.
#8 Beef Wellington
Travelers searching for fine food to eat in London should turn their attention to Beef Wellington.
A luxurious dish said to have been created to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Waterloo, Beef Wellington is the epitome of fine dining in London.
The centerpiece dish is prepared by coating a tenderloin steak in a mixture of pate and a mushroom duxelles.
Then it’s wrapped in prosciutto and puff pastry before baking. The result is tender and juicy – and it’s absolutely sublime!
Where To Get the Best Beef Wellington
The best places in London to eat Beef Wellington is at Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill or The Guinea Grill in Mayfair. The melt-in-your-mouth meal is truly an artform and an experience.
The Hemmingway in Hackney is a local gastropub that also serves this glorious dish, and at a price that isn’t quite as steep.
#9 Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a must-try in London – especially when craving comfort food. It’s unpretentious, hearty and satisfying.
It is made with a combination of ground lamb and vegetables mixed into a thick and rich gravy. Then it is topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
The same dish can be made using ground beef, but then it is called Cottage Pie.
Where To Eat London Shepherd’s Pie
Although The Ivy is one of the fancy places to eat in London, humble Shepherd’s Pie features on their menu.
The Ivy makes theirs with a mixture of slow braised lamb and beef in a red wine sauce topped with cheddar mashed potatoes.
#10 Oysters
Oysters may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering what London foods to try, but they have been a prominent menu item for centuries.
Still a popular food in London to eat today, they’re sold in restaurants, on street corners and at markets.
Where To Eat Oysters in London
Claiming to be the oldest restaurant in London – Rules opened in 1798 as an oyster bar.
Being one of the more expensive places to eat in London, the old-fashioned elegance and exceptional fare might just make it worth!
Wright Brothers at Borough Market is a modern seafood restaurant that specializes in oysters. For a most casual time, Dorset Oysters Bar and Richard Haward’s are also located at Borough.
#11 Ploughman’s Lunch and British Cheese
Cheese is one of the things you must eat in London! There are an astounding 400 different varieties produced in England. Favorites include Cheddar, Stilton, Red Leicester, Double Gloucester and Cheshire.
We believe a great way to get a taste of different English cheeses is in a Ploughman’s Lunch. The simple meal features cheese, bread, pickles and onions – and sometimes ham, boiled eggs, apples and tomatoes.
Another cheesy dish popular in London is the unassuming and gooey toastie. Similar to a grilled cheese sandwich, toasties are traditionally baked in an oven – and they are heavenly!
Must Eat Places in London for British Cheese
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is an iconic place to eat in London – and not just because of the fun name! The historic bar has been around since 1538 and serves sharing plates with different types of British cheeses.
We also suggest heading to Kappacasein Dairy Cheese at Borough Market. It is the place for a fabulous Cheese Toastie – as evidenced by the long line. Just note their limited hours and plan accordingly!
#12 Scotch Eggs
Said to have been created in 1738 at Fortnum and Mason Department Store in London, the Scotch Egg is a quintessential English food that visitors should taste.
Scotch Eggs are made by wrapping hard boiled eggs in crumbled sausage, covering them in breadcrumbs and then baking or deep frying them for a perfect finish.
Scotch Egg Food Places in London
For a classic Scotch Egg, there is nowhere better than the creator, F&M. Just want to have a picnic in a lovely London park? Pick some up at a grocery store, like Marks and Spencer or Waitrose.
#13 Sausage Rolls
The sausage roll – a puff pastry filled with seasoned ground pork – is the best food to try in London for an on-the-go snack.
Although England can’t take credit for creating this meat pastry (France takes the honor), Sausage Rolls are, without a doubt, a beloved British staple.
Where To Find Sausage Rolls in London
Our favorites, far and away, are the humungous Sausage Rolls from The Ginger Pig. In addition to the Traditional Sausage Roll, they also make a Pork and Stilton Roll and a Spicy Lamb Roll.
Alternatively, Layla Bakery on Portobello Road makes a rave-worthy Sausage Roll, along with a selection of tantalizing sweet treats.
#14 Salt Beef Beigels
Salt Beef Beigel is a famous London food that you can really sink your teeth into. Plus, you can do it any time or day or night at one of the 24/7 beigel shops!
A long time Jewish specialty, these savory and filling sandwiches are also still pretty affordable.
Constructed with a beigel (bagel) filled with Salt Beef (corned beef), gherkin (pickles) and mustard (English mustard, of course), they really pack a punch!
Where To Eat London Salt Beef Beigels
The best place to get these is on Brick Lane at one of the two famous beigels shops – Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop. Both spots make insanely good Salted Beef Beigel Sandwiches.
We recommend trying one from each (start with whichever has the shortest line) and deciding for yourself which one reigns king!
#15 Bubble and Squeak
An old peasants’ meal that shines for its simplicity, Bubble and Squeak is a concoction of potatoes and cabbage that is skillet fried until golden brown. The funny name comes from the sound it makes as it is cooked!
Bubble and Squeak is often made using leftovers – and sometimes includes carrots, Brussels sprouts, swedes, turnips, onions and even meat. While it can be eaten for any meal, it is typically served with breakfast.
Where To Order Bubble and Squeak
We recommend ordering it at Terry’s Café (as part of The Works Fry Up) or as an addition to the Set Breakfast at Regency Café. Bubble and Squeak is also a potato option at Mother Mash.
#16 Crumpets and Scones
Crumpets are often assimilated to an English Muffin, but porous and spongy. They are best toasted and then smeared with butter that seeps deep into the griddled bread.
Scones are another unique British bread – in that they aren’t quite a muffin or a biscuit. Most often, Scones are plain and slightly sweet and almost always served with Afternoon Tea.
Unsurprisingly, there is specific British etiquette to eating a Scone. First, start by cutting it horizontally, then spread clotted cream and jam on, one bite at a time.
There is also much debate about which should be applied first – the cream or the jam. However you eat it, just don’t make it into a sandwich!
Where To Eat Crumpets and Scones in London, UK
Fresh Crumpets and Scones are often found in the same places you eat in London for breakfast. For a good selection of both, we recommend breakfast at The Muffin Man Tea Shop in Kensington.
#17 English Tea
The tea culture in Britain is strong – and not to be missed! The English are crazy about tea and have been for hundreds of years.
In fact, tea is the most common drink in Britain and consuming it is ingrained in people’s daily routines.
Black Tea is the most popular, but it is just one of many choices – from herbal to Oolong. Tea is often enhanced with lemon, sugar or milk.
Where To Drink Tea in London
Honestly, tea is everywhere. You can get a proper cup (or cuppa) from just about any establishment.
However, those interested in tasting a few different teas in a historic setting should go to Twinings on The Strand. Here, you can sample several of their teas for free!
#18 Sticky Toffee Pudding, Trifle and Eton Mess
For visitors with a sweet tooth, classic British desserts are must-eat foods in London on their vacation!
Sticky Toffee Pudding is the ultimate English dessert. Not a pudding as many think of it, this is a dense sponge cake that is doused in toffee sauce and topped with ice cream or custard.
A Trifle is cake soaked in liquor (usually brandy or sherry), then layered with custard and jam and topped with whipped cream. They are a popular holiday dessert, so often appear on menus during Christmas in London.
Eton Mess is a dessert that was created at the prestigious Eton College. The sweet treat, which is popular in summertime, is a combination of strawberries, cream and meringue.
Best Dessert Places To Eat in London
Hawksmoor and Bread Street Kitchen both get rave reviews for their Sticky Toffee Pudding. Cadogan Arms, a Chelsea institution, makes an indulgent and authentic English Trifle.
Eton Mess pops up on various London restaurant menus during the summer months. We recommend looking at gastropubs with outdoor space and rooftop eateries.
For a range of cakes and desserts, go to Basement Sate in Soho for speakeasy style cocktails and lovely desserts. It’s a hip London place to eat when it comes to sweets!
Famous London Food from Around the World
The best food of London isn’t limited to British classics! We are highlighting some of the most popular dishes in London that are internationally known.
#19 Indian Food
We already mentioned Chicken Tikka Masala as a British classic food, but Indian cuisine in general is a must-eat in London.
Spicy curries and exotic biryani burst with flavor and are served at Indian restaurants across the city!
Where To Eat Indian Food in London
Without a doubt, the most popular Indian restaurant in London is Dishoom, which serves spicy Bombay street food that’s meant to be shared.
Dishoom has several locations in London (and even in other UK cities, like Edinburgh). With reservations only accepted up until 6pm (unless your group is 6 or more), it best to go early!
If you can’t get in at Dishoom, no worries. Brick Lane is famous for its high number of curry houses. Try Sheba or Aladin and book online for a discount. Tifinbox is a good option for a cheap lunch in London.
#20 Chinese Food
London’s Chinatown is wedged in between Westminster, Soho and Theatreland. It’s still the place to go eat in London when you are craving really good Chinese food.
Where To Eat Chinatown London
Marked by an ornamental gate and hanging lanterns, Chinatown is a fun part of London to see…but also a great place to eat.
Lido, which opened in 1969, is an old school Chinese diner and a fun experience for dim sum. Alternatively, go to Four Seasons on Gerrard Street for a taste of exceptional roasted duck.
Dumplings’ Legend is in fact legendary for dumplings, Café TPT is a mainstay and YiQi offers a variety of Asian dishes.
#21 Middle Eastern Food
Full of flavor – and healthy, to boot – food from the Middle East is a wildly popular cuisine in London. It can be found at both high-end restaurants and take-away kiosks.
Middle Eastern Upscale Eats
The Palomar serves modern Jerusalem fare in an open kitchen concept that manages to be both hip and inviting.
Kebab Queen offers an intimate dining experience that pushes the boundaries of the almighty kebab. The multi-course tasting menu is the only item on offer and spots are snapped up in a hurry!
Kebabs
When it comes to casual dining and fast food that is cheap and affordable, the kebab is our go-to choice.
We love the takeaway kebabs at Cyprus Mangal – but for a sit-down meal, we recommend Le Bab (of which there are several locations).
Falafel
Pilpel is our favorite falafel shops and one of the best cheap places to eat in London. Their falafel wraps are affordable and are packed with other veggies, too!
#22 Steak
England isn’t exactly known for exceptional steak (but Scotland is), so London is home to a slew of sensational chop houses.
Where To Get a Good Steak in London
Hawksmoor is the place to go for any meat, but especially steak. They use British ingredients and provide fantastic service from start to finish.
Flat Iron is a solid option for a super steak at a decent price. The menu is simple – steak and burgers – with a few different selections for side dishes.
#23 Burgers
Visitors to London will have no problem finding spots good burgers. Quite the opposite, actually. That said, there are a few places dedicated to making truly tasty burgers.
Best Burgers in London
If we had to pick just one gourmet burger to eat in London, it would be Truffle Burger. With a beef and smoked bacon patty, raclette cheese, fig jam, crispy onions and truffle mayo, it’s divine.
Those who are not a fan of the pungent fungus can still get an excellent burger in London at Honest Burgers.
All Honest British beef burgers come with homemade rosemary fries and each location offers their own monthly house burger.
#24 Pizza
It’s been said that everyone loves pizza, and we won’t argue with that! When hunger hits in London, there are several pizza places to cure the cravings. However, a few stand out above the rest.
Best Pizza in London
It’s impossible to name just one pizza place supreme, but we give the nod to Zia Lucia. Their Arianna Sbagliata (sausage, truffle oil, honey, gorgonzola and mozzarella) is perfection!
Franco Manca is another UK pizzeria that specializes in sublime sourdough pies – and they do it at affordable prices.
Other pizza places in London that get great reviews are Rudy’s, Santa Maria, Pizza Union, Carmela’s and Homeslice.
#25 Pulled Pork
When making our list of Famous London Food, we weren’t sure pulled pork should make the cut. This is a Southern US specialty, not a London thing to eat, right? Wrong!
Recently, we’ve noticed the tantalizing scent of slow-cooked pork wafting through the air. Then we saw these masterpiece sandwiches being assembled in unusual ways.
Where in London to Eat Pulled Pork
Dirty Bagels takes it up a notch. Their juicy pulled pork in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is topped with cheese (melted by blowtorch) and then piled high on a bagel or brioche bun.
The most inventive Pulled Pork Sandwich we ate was the Honey Truffle Parmesan from The Black Pig at Borough Market.
Made without BBQ sauce, the slow roasted pork is topped with honey truffle mayo and a fennel and apple slaw. Then it’s sandwiched between ciabatta bread and sprinkled with aged parmesan!
#26 Sushi
London sushi is offered on a sliding chart from cheap and basic to elaborate and expensive. So, once again, there is something for everyone!
Where To Eat Sushi in London
On the affordable end of the scale, Eat Tokyo is a popular choice not just for sushi, but good Japanese food in general.
Sticks’n’Sushi, which also has multiple London restaurants, offers spectacular sushi platters along with a selection of innovative meat sticks.
Endo at the Rotunda, Nobu, Zuma and The Araki are some of the top luxury places to eat in London that are well known for their quality sushi.
#27 Baked Goods, Breads and Donuts
Whether looking for a small bite or a deliciously sweet breakfast, bakeries are the go-to choice. They’re also often the best places to eat lunch in London; serving sandwiches, pastries, donuts and breads.
Best London Bakeries
You don’t have to walk very far in London to find a bakery showcasing goods in a glass display case. Let me tell you, they are hard to resist!
Our favorite place for fresh, right-out-of-the-oven donuts is Bread Ahead. The handcrafted doughnuts at Crosstown also provide a zippy sugar rush.
Dusty Knuckle and E5 Bakehouse are our top choices for sourdough bread sandwiches at lunchtime. Peggy Porschen, Maison Bertaux and Ole & Steen are also solid spots for gourmet cupcakes and designer desserts.
#28 Brunch in London
From cozy pubs to posh rooftop restaurants, brunch is huge in London. The meal can be avocado toast, pancakes and eggs…or endless pizza and bottomless Aperol Spritz.
Just be aware that a Boozy London Brunch can evolve into a full day of eating and drinking, so plan your sightseeing accordingly!
Where in London to Eat Brunch
There are so many London restaurants that excel of providing a superb brunch experience. We are only going to mention one: Duck and Waffle at 110 Bishopsgate.
It’s already one of the best places to eat with a view in London – and the signature Duck and Waffle dish is a clear winner for a brunch feast!
More Places for Famous London Food
We have highlighted some of the top foods and best places to eat out in London. However, we have a few additional spots to add for more foodie fun!
London Market Halls
Many of the best foods in London are found at the marketplaces that dot the landscape. The city boasts more than 150 markets, many of which are dedicated to London eats.
Old, new, day, night, sprawling, compact – the London food markets are varied, vibrant and fun!
Borough Market
Established in 1756 (but with origins that trace back to 1014), Borough is the oldest food market in London – and still one of the best.
Located in Southwark and just off London Bridge, the venue buzzes at lunchtime as traders dole out delectable dishes. In fact, many are on our London Famous Food list!
Mercato Metropolitano Elephant and Castle
Housed in a former paper factory, Mercato Metropolitano is a sustainable community market with 40 independent traders under one roof.
With a hopping vibe and an array of options, it is an excellent London market for dinner and drinks. They also have locations in Mayfair and Wood Wharf.
Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields is one of the oldest London markets – and a fabulous place to taste spectacular London food.
Although not a dedicated food market (vendors here sell everything from antiques to paintings to vintage clothes), the fare at Spitalfields is top notch.
Market Halls Victoria
Featuring street food specialties, this modern space covers three floors – including a rooftop terrace – with bars on every level.
Ambitious eaters can track down different vendors at other branded Market Halls on Oxford Street, Paddington and Canary Wharf.
Harrods Food Halls
The classy spaces located within this renowned department store offer a high-end London food market experience.
Presenting items from around the world, patrons can peruse the handcrafted chocolates, inhale the smell of fresh baked bread, sip champagne and dine at one of the six on-site restaurants.
Pavilion Road in Chelsea
A picture-perfect pedestrian lane, Pavilion Road in Chelsea isn’t a food market – but it is a foodie destination.
The quaint street is a mecca of fine food stores and restaurants that reminds us of Rue Cler in Paris. You can shop here to assemble a picnic or simply stop for a tea and cake at one of the cafes.
London Food Tours
Trying to sort out what and where to eat in London during a trip can feel like a big task – especially if you’re short on time. Consider joining one of these immensely popular food tours in London.
On this half-day small-group tour, sample 12 traditional English dishes all while learning about the history of British food.
From classic pubs to Borough Market, follow your guide to some of the best bites on this authentic London Tasting Tour.
Alternatively, join fellow travelers for a tour of London’s Best Indian Food in the East End. Get a taste of 12 different delicacies – including the best curries on Brick Lane.
Famous London Food Map
Use this Google Map for an online version of our Map of Restaurants in London, UK below. For the establishments that have multiple locations, we’ve tagged the one we eat at the most.
Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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