20 Foods You Have To Try In London

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London’s food scene is a whirlwind, constantly evolving and reflecting the city’s incredible diversity. Forget any old-fashioned notions of bland British food; today, London is a global culinary capital where you can find everything from time-honored classics to cutting-edge cuisine, often side-by-side. Exploring the city through its food is one of the best ways to get a real taste of its culture and energy.

From cozy pubs serving hearty fare to bustling markets overflowing with street food delights, and elegant rooms offering refined afternoon teas, there’s an experience for every mood and budget. Get ready to eat your way across London and discover some truly memorable dishes. Here are twenty foods you absolutely have to try while you’re exploring this amazing city.

Fish and Chips

This is the iconic British takeaway dish. It consists of white fish (usually cod or haddock) deep-fried in crispy batter, served alongside thick-cut chips (fries). Traditionally seasoned simply with salt and malt vinegar, mushy peas are a common side order.

You’ll find ‘chippies’ (fish and chip shops) all over London. While quality varies, a good chippy will cook the fish fresh to order. It’s often wrapped in paper, making it perfect for eating on the go, perhaps in a nearby park. This dish has roots in working-class communities and remains a beloved comfort food across the UK.

Full English Breakfast

Often called a ‘fry-up’, this substantial breakfast typically includes bacon, eggs (fried, poached, or scrambled), sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and fried bread or toast. Black pudding (a type of blood sausage) is also a traditional component. It’s a hearty way to start the day.

Many cafes, pubs, and hotels serve a Full English, especially popular at weekends. It’s the kind of meal that sets you up for a long day of sightseeing, maybe exploring the Tower of London or walking along the South Bank. Pubs often offer it all day.

Sunday Roast

A cherished British tradition, the Sunday Roast is a weekly staple for many families and a popular pub offering. It features roasted meat (beef, lamb, pork, or chicken are common), roast potatoes, vegetables (like carrots, parsnips, peas), Yorkshire pudding (a savory batter pudding), and plenty of gravy.

Most pubs across London serve a Sunday Roast, often becoming very busy, so booking might be wise. It’s a social meal, a chance to gather with friends or family. The Yorkshire pudding, light and crisp, is essential and often served even if you’re not having roast beef.

Pie and Mash

A traditional working-class dish, particularly associated with East London. It consists of a minced beef pie with a suet crust pastry, served with mashed potatoes and a distinctive green parsley sauce called ‘liquor’. Some traditional shops also offer jellied or stewed eels alongside.

You’ll need to seek out dedicated, often long-established ‘Pie and Mash’ shops for the authentic experience, many still found in the East End but also dotted elsewhere. It’s a taste of old London, with recipes and traditions passed down through generations.

Afternoon Tea

An elegant and leisurely affair, Afternoon Tea is more of a mini-meal than just a drink. It typically includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of small cakes and pastries, all accompanied by a pot of tea.

Many grand hotels (like ‘The Ritz’ or ‘The Savoy’), department stores (‘Fortnum & Mason’), and dedicated tea rooms offer Afternoon Tea. It’s a lovely indulgence, often enjoyed mid-afternoon. Remember the etiquette: cream first then jam (Cornish style) or jam first then cream (Devon style) is a hotly debated topic!

Bangers and Mash

Simple, satisfying pub grub. ‘Bangers’ refers to sausages, served with creamy mashed potatoes and usually drenched in rich onion gravy. It’s classic British comfort food, straightforward and warming.

This is a standard on most pub menus across London. It’s a reliable, affordable, and tasty option for lunch or dinner. The quality of the sausages can make a big difference – look for pubs advertising locally sourced or high-quality bangers.

Scotch Egg

A popular snack or picnic food, a Scotch Egg consists of a hard-boiled or soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried or baked. They can be eaten hot or cold.

You’ll find Scotch Eggs everywhere from pubs and cafes to supermarkets and high-end food markets like ‘Borough Market’. Gourmet versions with runny yolks and interesting sausage meat blends have become very popular. They’re surprisingly filling and great for a quick bite.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A beloved British dessert, this consists of a moist sponge cake, often containing finely chopped dates, covered in a warm, sweet toffee or caramel sauce. It’s usually served with vanilla ice cream or custard.

This rich, decadent pudding is a common sight on pub and restaurant dessert menus. It’s pure comfort in a bowl, especially welcome on a cooler London evening. Don’t underestimate how sweet and satisfying this dessert is.

Eton Mess

A simple yet delicious dessert traditionally associated with ‘Eton College’s’ annual cricket match against Harrow School. It’s a delightful jumble of broken meringue pieces, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. Effortlessly summery and light.

You’ll often find Eton Mess on menus during the summer months when strawberries are in season. Some restaurants offer variations using different fruits. It’s easy to see why this combination of textures and sweet flavors is so popular.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Often jokingly (but also quite seriously) referred to as Britain’s national dish, Chicken Tikka Masala features chunks of roasted marinated chicken (tikka) in a creamy, mildly spiced tomato-based sauce. Its origins are debated – some say Glasgow, others say it has roots in British Indian kitchens adapting recipes for local tastes.

Virtually every Indian restaurant in London will serve Chicken Tikka Masala. It’s a testament to how deeply South Asian cuisine has integrated into British culture. Trying one here offers a taste of this unique culinary fusion.

Curry (General)

Beyond Tikka Masala, London offers an incredible range of regional Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi curries. From fiery vindaloos to creamy kormas and complex biryanis, the choice is vast. Exploring different curry houses is a London adventure in itself.

Areas like ‘Brick Lane’ in East London are famous for their concentration of curry restaurants, creating a vibrant, fragrant atmosphere, especially in the evening. Southall in West London also offers many authentic South Asian eateries. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations based on your spice preference.

Kebab

While available globally, the London kebab, particularly the döner kebab, is often associated with late-night eats. Meat (usually lamb, chicken, or beef) is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, shaved off, and served in pitta bread with salad and sauces like chili or garlic sauce. Shawarma wraps are also popular.

Kebab shops are plentiful across the city, especially busy after pubs close. Areas with strong Turkish or Middle Eastern communities, like Green Lanes in North London, offer fantastic, more authentic sit-down kebab restaurant experiences beyond the standard takeaway.

Bacon Butty

The essence of simplicity: slices of cooked bacon (often back bacon) served in buttered bread or a soft bread roll (a ‘bap’). Sometimes ketchup or brown sauce (a tangy, spiced condiment) is added. It’s a humble but hugely popular breakfast or snack.

You can grab a bacon butty from countless cafes, greasy spoons (traditional inexpensive diners), and even market stalls across London. It’s a quick, cheap, and satisfying taste of everyday British life. Perfect fuel before catching a train or starting work.

Sausage Roll

Another British bakery staple, the sausage roll consists of seasoned sausage meat wrapped in flaky puff pastry and baked until golden. They are typically eaten hot or cold as a snack or light lunch.

You can find sausage rolls everywhere, from ubiquitous chains like ‘Greggs’ to artisan bakeries offering gourmet versions with high-quality meat and pastry. They are a convenient and savory handheld bite.

Cornish Pasty

Originally from Cornwall in Southwest England, the pasty is a folded pastry case traditionally filled with beef, potato, swede (rutabaga), and onion. It has a distinctive D-shape and a crimped edge along one side. Historically, it was portable lunch for miners.

While best enjoyed in Cornwall, you can find dedicated pasty shops and bakeries selling them across London. They offer a substantial, self-contained meal. Look for shops that state they sell genuine Cornish Pasties, which have protected geographical status ensuring specific ingredients and methods.

Bubble and Squeak

Named for the sound it supposedly makes while cooking, Bubble and Squeak is a traditional dish made from the shallow-fried leftover vegetables from a roast dinner, primarily potatoes and cabbage, mashed together and fried until browned. It’s classic British thriftiness turned into a tasty meal.

It’s often served for breakfast, sometimes topped with a fried egg or alongside bacon. You might find it in traditional cafes or pubs, particularly on Mondays using Sunday’s leftovers. It’s simple, resourceful, and surprisingly delicious.

Oysters

While now often seen as a luxury, oysters were once cheap, plentiful street food in London, particularly during the Victorian era. Today, enjoying fresh oysters is more of a treat, often served raw on ice with lemon or vinaigrette.

You can find excellent oysters at specialist seafood restaurants or stalls within bustling food markets like ‘Borough Market’, near London Bridge. Trying oysters here connects you to a long history of Londoners enjoying this shellfish pulled from nearby estuaries.

Jellied Eels

A traditional London dish, particularly from the East End, that is certainly an acquired taste for many. It consists of chopped eels boiled in a spiced stock that cools to form a jelly. They are typically eaten cold, often with vinegar and white pepper.

This is a rare find these days, mostly available at very traditional pie and mash shops or specific seafood stalls, perhaps at markets like ‘Billingsgate’ (though that’s mainly wholesale) or older spots in East London. Trying jellied eels is sampling a piece of London’s culinary history.

Salt Beef Beigel

A London institution, especially associated with ‘Brick Lane’ in the East End. Hot salt beef (similar to corned beef or pastrami) is carved generously into a freshly baked bagel, often served simply with mustard.

The 24-hour bakeries on ‘Brick Lane’, particularly the famous ‘Beigel Bake’, are the go-to places for this. It represents the contribution of Jewish immigrants to London’s food landscape. Expect a queue, especially late at night, but it moves quickly and is worth the wait.

Craft Beer and Real Ale

London has a dynamic beer scene, ranging from traditional pubs serving cask-conditioned ‘real ale’ (unpasteurized, unfiltered beer served from the cellar) to modern breweries crafting innovative IPAs, stouts, and lagers. Pub culture is central to London life.

Explore traditional pubs in areas like Fleet Street or Belgravia for classic ales, or head to places like the ‘Bermondsey Beer Mile’ where numerous craft breweries open their taprooms on weekends. Look for the ‘Cask Marque’ sign outside pubs, indicating well-kept real ale. Enjoying a pint in a London pub is a must-do experience.