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As one of the most diverse cities in the world, London’s culinary scene offers an eclectic mix of British classics and modern, multicultural cuisine.
London, the capital of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, is home to culturally rich ethnic communities that speak more than 300 languages and dialects. Multiculturalism is woven into many aspects of London life and accordingly, restaurants reflect this in their representation of favorite dishes and flavours. But if you thought food in London was all about immigrants and their traditional recipes, you’d be wrong – reliable and comforting British classics are still everywhere, especially in pubs.
In this article, we aim to take you around London and share some of the country’s favourites, time-honored classics, and authentic ethnic dishes that we think all visitors (and maybe even locals) should try in this great city. .
English breakfast
There is no better place to get an English breakfast than England. Often referred to as a ‘full breakfast’, this traditional meal is quite substantial, with bacon, sausages, eggs, hash browns, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms all laid out on a large plate. Sometimes you also get a side of buttered toast. While Britain’s history has brought many changes and trends, the full English fry-up remains an important part of British cuisine and identity – enjoyed by the commoners and working class alike.
Where to try English Breakfast in London:
Considered London’s best provider of Full English, Regency Cafe in Westminster (17-19 Regency St, SW1P 4BY) has been an affordable favorite for over 70 years. This no-frills corner cafe has also served as a popular location for several TV series and movies, including Layered Paratha Cake And Rocket Man.
Check out if you’re after breakfast served in a classy atmosphere by attentive staff. Wolseley (160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB) before enjoying a morning stroll in Green Park.
Fish and chips
Fish and Chips is a must-try for any international tourist. This British favorite – battered snow white fish paired with fillet chips, liberally sprinkled with salt and vinegar – has been well-loved since the 1800s. The origins of the dish are contested – some credit John Lees, a Lancastrian who opened a fish and chip shop in 1863, while others say Joseph Mullen, a Jewish immigrant living in East London. sold fish and chips even before 1860. No matter which version you believe, there’s no denying that fish and chips are hugely popular, not just in London but across the country.
Where to try fish and chips in London:
Papi’s (6-8 Hanbury St, E1 6QR) is for those who want to indulge in delicious fish and chips while taking a trip through British pop culture history. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with famous British pictures and quotes. Two other branches are in Soho (55-59 Old Compton St, W1D 6HW) and Camden (30 Hawley Cres, NW1 8NP).
Delicious pie
Believed to have been invented in ancient Egypt, the Romans probably introduced pies to England in the 12th century. For many years afterward, the pie helped the nation meet the challenge of food storage – in the days when refrigeration was unthinkable, the pie pastry (often thick and hard in those days) served as a container. was so that the meat filling could be preserved for days. week). Today, the brick-like pastry of old has been replaced by a flaky shortcrust, made with simple flour, butter, a pinch of salt and cold water.
There are different versions of steak and ale, steak and kidney, chicken and mushroom, and of course vegetarian.
Where to try savory pies in London:
windmill (6-8 Mill St, W1S 2AZ) in Mayfair have won awards for their delicious pies, including their Hampshire Venise, smoked bacon and wild mushroom pie.
There’s another place to go for pie Battersea Pie Station (28 The Market, WC2E 8RA).
Sunday roast
Another tradition of the British Isles, the Sunday roast consists of slices of meat (beef, lamb or chicken), roast vegetables (usually carrots, parsnips and potatoes), Yorkshire puddings (a savory, batter-based pastry) and Gravy is included. In the past, it was probably the best meal people ate all week, and they used it for the rest of the day, as cold cuts or stews.
Where to try Sunday Roast in London:
A number of pubs across the city offer Sunday roast specials, including: The Pig and the Butcher (70 Liverpool Rd, N1 0QD) in Islington, A grazing goat (6 New Quebec St, W1H 7RQ) in Marylebone, and Guinea (30 Bruton Pl, W1J 6NL) in Mayfair.
Chicken Tikka Masala
In 2001, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook famously said that chicken tikka masala is a true British national dish, as it is “a perfect example of how Britain has absorbed and adapted to outside influences”. Of course he wasn’t wrong, as Chicken Tikka Masala has been voted Britain’s favorite dish many times over. This wonderfully savory Indian curry, with chunks of grilled chicken swimming in a spicy and tomato-based sauce, is available in curry houses and even some pubs.
Where to try Chicken Tikka Masala in London:
Most visitors check out London’s ‘Curry Mile’, which refers to the numerous curry houses that line Brick Lane in the East End, but our firm is a favourite. Punjab (80 Neal St, WC2H 9PA) – Britain’s oldest North Indian restaurant.
Roast duck
Commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, roast duck is now enjoyed around the world while the British enjoy their roast duck as much as the next country. In London, you can find Peking-style (the duck is air-blown to separate the skin from the meat before roasting) and Cantonese-style (marinated in a soy-based sauce and requires less preparation time than its Peking counterpart. (occurs) can be obtained.
Of course, you can also enjoy a British spin on this oriental favorite – a glazed duck breast served with cabbage and served with a rich jus.
Where to try roast duck in London:
For a delicious Peking-style roast duck feast, check out. Shakumen (58 Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8QE) or Hutong (33 St Thomas St, SE1 9RY) – Both restaurants serve this dish in two stages, with the crispy skin wrapped in pancakes followed by the meat. The Hutong is located on the 33rd floor of The Shard, London’s tallest building, so it also offers uninterrupted views of London.
To enjoy Cantonese-style roast duck, head to Chinatown and check out. four seasons (12 Gerrard St, W1D 5PR). They also have a branch nearby (30 Gerrard St, W1D 6JS).
For a traditional British roast duck experience, visit Rules (34-35 Maiden Ln, WC2E 7LB). Established in 1798, it is London’s oldest restaurant.
Afternoon tea
According to the royal chefs, Queen Elizabeth II takes a break every day at 4pm to enjoy a cup of Earl Gray or Darjeeling, along with a selection of cakes, scones and jam pennies (raspberry jam and sliced white bread). bite-sized delights.up to the size of an old English penny). This quintessentially British experience has been embraced by the public and visitors alike, and many establishments now serve up scrumptious desserts in a gold rush stand to satisfy your mid-afternoon cravings.
Where to try afternoon tea in London:
For those willing to splash the cash, Claridge’s (Brook St, W1K 4HR) is where a truly exquisite, traditional afternoon tea is enjoyed in a refined setting.
For a modern take on this tradition, check out Pharmacy (74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH). This vegan restaurant excels at infusing cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound found in the hemp plant, into truffles. Hemp loose leaf tea is also worth mentioning.
Gin and tonic
Brits love a good drink – and one of the country’s favorite drinks is gin and tonic. The G&T, as it is fondly known locally, is said to have been invented by British soldiers in India in the 19th century. In those days, soldiers were recommended to drink tonic water containing quinine, a bitter-tasting traditional medicine for malaria. To make the drink more palatable, they cleverly mixed gin, sugar, lime juice into the tonic water. The drink soon became popular and found its way into the homes and daily lives of British families.
Where to try G&T in London:
For an immersive gin tasting experience, you’ll want to visit. Distillery (186 Portobello Rd, W11 1LA) to taste their famous gin or try your hand at gin blending at The Ginstitute.
Another good alternative is Gin Bar at. Holborn Dining Room (252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN) – With over 500 varieties of gin and 30 tonics to explore, this is sure to be a fun place to mix different brands and find your favourite.
Craft beer
London has a long history in the art and craft of brewing – it was once a craft beer powerhouse in the 18th and 19th centuries, but the industry had largely collapsed by the 21st century, with breweries being bought out or Transferred to other parts. England. In 2010 it was said that there were only 14 breweries left in London. Thankfully, the craft beer movement has revived the industry and there are now more than 120 breweries across the city.
Where to try craft beer in London:
gave Bermondsey Beer MileMade up of various breweries and taprooms along the railway arches, it’s actually two miles long and a great place to start. Here you’ll find the likes of Southwark Brewing (46 Druid St, SE1 2EZ), Fourpure (25 Rotherhithe New Rd, SE16 3LL) and Hiverquarters (56 Stanworth St, SE1 3NY), the latter offering honey-flavored and unpasteurized beers. Sells, one of the best we’ve tasted.
Vegan cake
Animal rights group PETA named London “the world’s most vegetarian-friendly city”, while HappyCow, an online directory for vegan and vegetarian restaurants, named London “the world’s most vegetarian-friendly city”. is given In fact, the demand for plant-based dishes has seen a large number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants pop up in recent years. Sweet vegan treats are also in demand within this boom – we know, because we’ve gotten pretty good at ordering vegan cakes for every office function.
Where to try vegan cakes in London:
Ruby of London (Greenwich Market) is our vegan cake supplier. Vada Bakery (139 Brick Ln, E1 6SB) is also a fantastic alternative for vegetarians with a sweet tooth.
check London Travel Guide
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This article was updated in June 2021.
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