Despite its often inclement weather, London locals and visitors can choose to buy the best fresh produce in open-air markets, sit in cafes and watch people while nibbling on decadent delights, or enjoy street food while exploring the city sights.
London is such a cosmopolitan city that you can find just about any world cuisine, even from the most obscure countries. With these multiple cuisines on offer come the cultural experience of eating and sharing food just like in the home country.
With so much to enjoy, we’ve created a complete guide to the best food in London. While it is not an exhaustive listing of eateries, we aim to give an overview of the range of food available in London, most of it at very reasonable prices.
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London Food Trends
The British were not known for their gastronomical prowess, like say, the French, despite the work put in by Elizabeth David in the 1960s. With the advent of TV-star chefs like Keith Floyd, Delia Smith, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein and Nigella Lawson, British cuisine and the public have been dragged into the 21st century with regard to healthy and good food.
Of course, traditional fare such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and afternoon tea is still very popular (more on that later) and London has the very best to offer these popular and traditional dishes.
First, let’s dig in with the best fast food in London!
Fast Food In London
Life is busy these days, even if you’re a visitor to London and on holiday. If you’re after a quick bite in a hurry, here’s a range of fast-food eateries that will have you on your way.
There are two outlets of Leon, one in Buckingham Palace Road and the other on Victoria Street. The service is very fast and professional and both outlets serve good, healthy and freshly cooked food. Expect wraps, and healthy grains such as quinoa and their Thai Chicken box is said to be a favourite.
The Gourmet Kebab House in Merton High Street is rated as one of the best kebab outlets around. Their chicken shish kebab is said to be superb.
If you’re craving a classic American burger, look no further than Bleecker Burger on Victoria Street.
Or if you fancy some New York-style pizza slices, stop in at Voodoo Ray’s Dalston in Kingsland High Street.
For vegans after a quick bite, there is Temple of Seitan at two locations, one at 43 Parkway and another in Camden. Vegetarians can opt for Tidbits in Mayfair.
Street Food In London
Moving on to the best street food in London, the city enjoys some of the best food markets on the planet. From indoor food halls to food-focused markets － London has it all.
Try and stop by the huge market Etaly on Liverpool Street. If you adore Italian food, this is a must-visit.
At 42, 000 square feet, there is bound to be something for everyone from the retail market, takeaway outlets, wine merchants, bars, restaurants and comfortable dining areas.
Then there is the famous Borough Market, the oldest market in London said to date back to the 13th century. Here you will find the best artisanal food in the city crawling with home-grown producers and gourmet food from around the world. The big days with the full complement of producers are from Wednesday-Sundays with smaller versions operating on Mondays and Tuesdays.
If you’re around the centre of town, head for the Arcade Food Hall where you can indulge those cravings for Mexican food from Mexa, Japanese from Sushi Kamon or fiery Thai at Plaza Khao Gaeng. Inspired by global street food culture, there’s Vietnamese, Indonesian, Nepali and North Indian food to name a few.
The uber-trendy Broadway Market in Hackney is not only great for hipsters but it’s known for the quality of the food on offer and excellent street food. Try Zardosht for a shot of Persian food with a contemporary twist or Deeney’s Scottish toasties.
Then there’s Seven Dials Market on Earlham Street on two levels offering a mix of street food and restaurants. There’s also a conveyor belt of cheese on offer at Pick & Cheese plus the said-to-be best vegan tacos and nachos at Club Mexicana.
There are still quintessential British dishes around and most have not lost their popularity badges with locals and tourists alike.
Classic British Food In London
Typical dishes include the full-monty English breakfast, good old bangers and mash, the Scotch egg, Pie and mash, Fish and chips, Chicken Tikka Masala and of course the afternoon English High Tea.
Full English Breakfast: Said to have very old roots, the English breakfast found its niche during the Industrial Revolution across all English classes. Many see it as the go-to breakfast after a hectic night, others view it as an essential start for the day ahead.
The full version consists of bacon, eggs, sausage, baked beans, fried toast and a slice of black pudding.
Here’s a handy neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood list of the best English Breakfasts in London.
Bangers and Mash: Sausages and mashed potato is another common English dish, symbolic of the British love affair with pork. The pork sausages got their moniker for the way they used to burst while cooking.
The move towards more healthy eating habits has not dimmed the love of bangers and mash among the English and it remains one of the top traditional foods in London.
The mash must be very buttery and the dish is not complete without a delectable onion gravy. Try Davy’s at Plantation Place for the best in the city.
Scotch Egg: An egg boiled to perfection surrounded by crumbed pork is another popular English traditional food. It’s a perfect snack if you don’t have the belly room for something more substantial and it hits the spot nicely. The Harwood Arms in Fulham does a brilliant Scotch egg.
Pie and Mash: The staple of the working class masses, there’s one thing the British do well and that is pies. This is still as popular today as it was in the Industrial Revolution. Cockney’s Pie and Mash Shop in Portobello Road has top ratings.
Fish and Chips: Of interest, fish is said to have come with the Jews exiled from Spain and Portugal in the 1400s while frites of chips came via the Belgians. Apparently, it was the British who paired them. The food was (and still is) so important to the English that it was one of the only foods not rationed during World War II. Visit a pukka (genuine) fish and chip shop, not a pub. For the best try Golden Union Fish Bar in Soho.
Chicken Tikka Masala: London has a substantial South Asian population and Chicken Tikka Masala is the ultimate food of Anglo-Indian cuisine. Chicken is marinated in yoghurt, spiced with garam masala and cumin and cooked to a succulent and spicy mix that won’t burn your mouth leaving you gasping. Muhib Indian Cuisine in the famous Brick Road has a very good reputation.
Afternoon Tea: Forget the Ritz or the Savoy, there are loads of great outlets offering classic English Afternoon Tea. This tradition consists of spending a few hours drinking pots of tea accompanied by freshly baked scones, jam and cream; beautifully crafted sandwiches, patisserie and pastries. The surprising and most reasonable option is available at The Fan Museum in Greenwich and Tea and Tattle opposite the British Museum.
Popular Foods In London
A wholesome roast dinner has to be one of the most popular foods in London. In the past, it was common practice to eat a roast dinner after going to church. In these more secular times, a good roast is still as popular as ever.
Consisting of one or two roast meats, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, stuffing, gravy and Yorkshire puddings, roast dinner will leave you ready for that post-prandial nap after you’ve read the Sunday papers.
Most pubs serve a good Sunday roast.
Other popular and famous foods in London include:
- Toad in the Hole
- Steak and Kidney Pie
- Smoked Kippers
- Bubble and Squeak
- Beef Wellington
- Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Now that the carnivores are satisfied, let’s turn to the best vegan food in London.
Best Vegan Food In London
London sports more than 400 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants across the city’s breadth.
You may be surprised but Mallow in London’s Borough Market is ring-fenced with steakhouses and butcheries. Mallow is the market’s first plant-based restaurant. Their fare is low-waste and favours serving only seasonal produce so it ticks all the planet-friendly boxes. Surplus food is donated to charities and food banks and they advocate a conscious way of preparing food.
Itadaki Zen at King’s Cross is popular with students so has a boisterous but friendly atmosphere. It opened 12 years ago and is said to be Europe’s first vegan Japanese restaurant.
Its prices are very reasonable (hence the students) and serve simple and healthy food. They now focus on sharing plates tapas-style.
Holy Carrot in Knightsbridge is located near Harrods and is laid-back but classy. The savoury courses are particularly good with purple potato croquettes with homemade basil mayonnaise and sticky glazed tofu with eggplant and red pepper being firm favourites.
En Root in Clapham serves Indian-inspired thalis and dosas, En Root’s menu offerings are generous and very reasonably priced. From the Raja Bonnet sauce to the masala dosa, En Root enjoys a huge fan base.
Black Cat in Hackney has strong planet-friendly and plant-based credentials without self-righteousness.
Don’t expect the outlet to be filled with hair-shirted eco-warriors, Black Cat prides itself on showing people just how tasty and good plant-based food can be.
It has a very strong local following so if you want to get a taste of a local London community －this is the place for you. One of the most popular dishes is the pancake made from chickpea flour filled to bursting with delicious roasted vegetables. Sandwiches, salads, pulse curries and soups, all made with locally produced and seasonal ingredients, are the daily fare.
Enjoy Top Food In London
As you can see, London can be said to be the centre of the universe as far as seriously good food goes. The city’s eateries cater for all tastes across the board and a variety of budgets.
Whether you’re a seasoned Kiwi backpacker into your second year of carrying your world on your back or whether you’re a New York banker introducing the family to England – London offers foodies some of the best food in the world.
Penny is a sought-after wedding and party planner, known primarily for her exquisite culinary knowledge, sharp palette and inventive pairings of wine and drink.
She has traveled the world hunting for the best food and drink to share with her clients on their special day.