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Bucket list experience:

Close up of an electronic fish and chip sign

Last updated: 26 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Annabelle Thorpe

British food has undergone a revolution in the last twenty years; high-profile chefs such as Mark Hix and Fergus Henderson have sparked a culinary revival, with traditional flavours and dishes reinvented with contemporary techniques and ingredients.

Rich gravies and jus characterise many meat dishes; tangy with blackcurrants, red wine and handfuls of sage and marjoram, while strongly-flavoured hard cheeses – most notably Cheddar – flavour many vegetable and pasta dishes.

Bread remains a national passion; good bakers can be found everywhere, with chewy sourdough, fluffy white ‘bloomers’ and sugar-coated doughnuts (filled with raspberry jam) classic favourites. Traditional British desserts are sweet and treacley, while cakes are often rich with dried fruit.

What to try

The new wave of cooking in London is known as ‘Modern British’; hearty meat dishes – lamb shanks, casseroles, steaks and pies. For something lighter, bar snacks are a great British tradition; many pubs offer small plates of pork crackling, Scotch eggs (egg wrapped in sausagemeat and breadcrumbs) or sausage rolls. Streetfood is everywhere in London, but nothing beats hot chips, wrapped in paper, drenched in vinegar and salt.

Don’t miss a hearty pub roast on a Sunday – usually beef and Yorkshire puddings, lamb or chicken, and save room for a classic dessert; treacle tart or sticky toffee pudding. And of course, London invented the traditional afternoon tea, which must be experienced in one of London’s most elegant settings.

Street food is everywhere in London, but nothing beats hot chips, wrapped in paper, drenched in vinegar and salt.

Also see our round-up of traditional English foods you must try in England.

The dining scene

London’s culinary scene has undergone a massive reinvention over the last two decades, with Michelin stars peppering the capital, and a street-food revolution offering quick, cheap eats from every corner of the planet.

For upscale, old-school dining, Corbyn and King’s clutch of restaurants – The Wolseley, Zedel and the Delaunay, among others – are an expensive treat, while Rules – the oldest restaurant in London – has old-fashioned glamour in spades.

Gastropubs – classic pubs offering upscale dining – are a great place to try classic British dishes in an informal setting.  Several streetfood markets dot the capital, from the South Bank, by the National Theatre, to Berwick Street in Soho and Boxpark in Shoreditch.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

Although London has a reputation as an expensive city, it’s possible to eat well and affordably almost anywhere if you do your research. Soho’s small grid of streets if choc-full of every type of eaterie, from Thai to Turkish, while the quiet side streets around Covent Garden also have a good mix of affordable – and upscale – restaurants.

Chinatown is a great option for Asian food, while Brick Lane – in the East End of London – is the place for curries of all kinds. For quick and easy street food, the new chain of Market Halls brings together a handful of food stands in one place, along with a bar and seating.

Upscale areas like Knightsbridge, Kensington and Mayfair are home to a high proportion of Michelin-starred restaurants, many in five-star hotels.

When to do it

Reservations are essential for most of London’s upscale restaurants – most operate two-hour time slots, if you want to relax and sit for longer, book for 8 or later.

A new breed of simpler restaurants – particularly in Soho and Borough Market – have a no-reservations policy, meaning queueing is part of the evening. Arrive early to just walk in (before six) or go for a late lunch.

8 best places for afternoon tea in London

London, United Kingdom (UK)

Introduced by the Duchess of Bedford in 1840 to stave off hunger until dinner, afternoon tea is one of England’s greatest traditions – and there is no better way to experience it than in one of London’s historic, grand dame hotels.

Best for ages: 13+ | £20 | 1-3 hours

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Overview >
Platter of oysters
Experience

Bentleys

London, United Kingdom (UK)

This 103-year-old, Richard Corrigan-led restaurant offers a shuckingly good selection of oysters and British seafood. At Champagne-fuelled morning sessions, long-serving staff give expert lessons in the art of oyster-opening.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Borough Market

London, United Kingdom (UK)

London’s premier gastro hub, with over 100 stalls in a historic covered market, offering everything from artisan breads and cheeses to street food, hand-made chocolates and vegan cakes.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

A street view of a local Chinatown gate during the day
Experience

Chinatown

London, United Kingdom (UK)

Among the new wave of noodle bars, bubble tea outfits and Korean grills, some grand Cantonese restaurants remain, along with such stellar supermarkets as Loon Fung, a Gerrard Street stalwart since 1965.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Small-Group Tour: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

Small-Group Tour: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

London

Discover ancient ale houses and literary drinking dens on a 3-hour afternoon pub tour of London. Centered on the area in and around the City...

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Food & Drink walking tours In London. Discover the East End of London.

Food & Drink walking tours In London. Discover the East End of London.

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Walking Food & Drink Tours In London are a must. Walk Eat Talk Eat's East London food tour was the first one in the area. We now cover the S...

£70 | Rating 4.88 / 5 [70 ratings]

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London Shoreditch walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours

London Shoreditch walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours

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The East End is a diverse, multi-cultural neighbourhood which has shaped Shoreditch into a thriving, bustling area with independent shops an...

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London Bridge walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours

London Bridge walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours

London

On our Secret Food Tour: London Bridge, you'll enjoy a variety of classic British foods such as award-winning Fish & Chips, World Famous Sau...

£88 | Rating 4.88 / 5 [817 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Bingham Riverhouse

London, United Kingdom (UK)

A lovely, tranquil retreat for those who want to dip in and out of central London. Richmond Park, Hampton Court and The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are on your doorstep.

Official star rating:

CitizenM Tower of London

London, United Kingdom (UK)

An affordable design hotel overlooking the Tower of London, with pod-style rooms and a hip bar and restaurant.

Official star rating:

Claridge’s

London, United Kingdom (UK)

Undeniably the most glamorous and timeless of all London’s five-stars. This glorious Art Deco landmark and Mayfair institution is beloved by royalty, rock stars and fashionistas.

Official star rating:

Durrants Hotel

London, United Kingdom (UK)

This grand, family-run hotel has the warmth, intimacy and polished service of a gentlemen’s club in uber-trendy and sophisticated Marylebone.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

London

Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)

World-class culture, fashion, music, food and history – and a mind-boggling array of bucket list experiences – packed into one extraordinary, incomparable destination. 

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