Foods to Try in London for an Authentic English Experience
Given its proximity to countries that are considered the pinnacle of fine dining (France, we’re looking at you), there is a long-running joke about England’s lack of haute cuisine. If this is how you’ve pictured British food, then you might not even be sure of which foods to try in London on your next visit.
But the truth is, British food is rich, varied, tasty, and very, very comforting. In many cases, it will feel quite familiar.
If you want to know where the best restaurants are and make sure you have all the necessary reservations in place before you leave for London — a custom-designed itinerary is the perfect way to make every meal a great one.
And in the meantime, here’s my list of food in London that you really should try if you’re in search of a real-deal English experience.
Who Am I?
Hi! I’m Cassie, a certified London Travel Expert & Itinerary Designer. I help independent travelerssave time and eliminate overwhelm withcustomized point-to-point travel itineraries.
I know how important it is for travelers to make cultural connections by sampling the local cuisine. Which is why, among the many other things my itinerary planning service takes care of, I make dinner reservations at authentic restaurants where these foods can be tasted.
British Classics
Sunday Roast. This combination of roasted meat (usually beef), roasted potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and gravy is a traditional Sunday dinner in Britain.
Fish & Chips. As in the US, this is battered and deep-fried fish (usually cod or haddock), served with thick-cut french fries. Brits love all kinds of accompaniments for both the fish and the fries: lemon, ketchup, tartar sauce, or even curry sauce, and often lots of salt and malt vinegar. It’s a bonus when it’s served with mushy peas!
Bangers & Mash. An impressive dollop of creamy mashed potatoes topped with pork sausage and a generous serving of gravy. Locals love this dish paired with peas, carrots, cabbage, or fried onions.
Yorkshire pudding. Often a companion to Sunday Roast, Yorkshire pudding is so revered in England that it has its own celebratory day each year. The batter is the consistency of pancake batter, but it’s savory and cooked in a special kind of muffin tin, with beef drippings. When it’s baked, it has a kind of fluffy, airy popover texture in the center.
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Beef Wellington. Beef Wellington is one of the most delicious and visually striking foods to try in London. It’s a succulent beef tenderloin brushed with mustard, layered with mushroom duxelles (mushrooms sauteed with herbs) and prosciutto, and the whole thing is wrapped in a buttery pastry and cooked until golden brown.
English Breakfast. Breakfast is serious business in England. A traditional English breakfast consists of a large plate of sausages, bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and fried bread. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try the black pudding: sausage made with pork blood and fat, mixed together with oatmeal and usually served in slices.
Toad in the Hole. To make this quintessential British food, take a Yorkshire pudding batter, place in it some sausages (“toads”), maybe some vegetables as well, bake it up, and serve it with gravy.
Scotch Egg. This is a hard-boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage, covered in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried or baked until crispy. It’s a standard pub dish and can be eaten hot, but Brits also love it served cold as a picnic staple.
Cornish Pasty. A traditional British dish that consists of a crusty pastry shell filled with beef, potatoes, and onions. The dish is then baked until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Pies. A savory, flaky pastry shell baked around meat, veggies, and gravy, often served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and (more) gravy. Steak and kidney pie is probably one of the most traditional foods to try in London, but you’ll also find lots of other varieties.
Cassie’s Tip: Don’t forget the amazing Indian food! Given England’s long colonial history and its large population of citizens with roots in India, this cuisine has a special place in the hearts (and tummies) of Brits. The first curry shop opened in London more than 200 years ago, and chicken tikka masala is considered a national dish, right alongside fish and chips.
Afternoon Tea
When it comes to enjoying food in London, there’s almost nothing as culturally significant as tea. This does not just refer to the beverage (although that’s central), but to a whole experience with a long and proud history.
Afternoon Tea. There are many ways to do afternoon tea in London — whether you opt for opulent and deeply traditional, simple and refined, literary-themed, or avant garde, each setting includes tea of your choice, served with scones, light sandwiches, and desserts.
Cream Tea. This is a simpler version: a pot of tea accompanied by a scone that’s served with cream and jam.
Champagne Tea. As the name suggests, this is a classic afternoon tea served with the added sparkly touch of a glass (or more) of champagne. It’s great for celebrating special occasions.
Desserts
If you still have room after dinner, London definitely knows how to serve up tasty treats.
Sticky Toffee Pudding. This is a deliciously moist brown sugar sponge cake baked with pureed dates, smothered in a rich toffee sauce that often has a touch of brandy in it. I will order this every time I see it, and I miss it so much when I’m not in Britain!
Eton Mess. Referred to as a “mess” because it has no set shape or structure and is often just tossed all together in a bowl, this is a mouthwatering mixture of strawberries, broken meringue, and whipped double cream.
Scones. Along with afternoon tea, the scone is an English institution. British scones tend to be less dense and sweet than American scones — a gentle accompaniment rather than a meal onto themselves. They don’t come in a ton of different flavors, but are meant to be topped with butter, clotted cream, lemon curd, or preserves.
Treacle tart. Made famous by its frequent mentions in Harry Potter, this is a uniquely British food that you can find almost anywhere in England. Simple and unassuming, it’s a basic, buttery sweet pastry baked with a treacle (Golden Syrup — no substitutions!), egg, cream, and breadcrumb filling.
Chocolates. Be sure to stop into a grocery store and check out their “sweets” (aka candy) selection and try some chocolates. A few of my favorites include: Cadbury’s Jelly Popping Candy, Lion, Double Decker, and the British version of the Cadbury Eggs (seasonal, much better than the American version). Chocolates make a great souvenir for friends/family, too!
Beverages
Beer. While the flavor profiles differ somewhat from the American versions of these beers, bitters, IPAs, ales, porters, and stouts are very popular in England. You’ll probably hear the term “cask ale,” which refers to an unfiltered beer that undergoes a secondary fermentation in the container (cask) from which it is served, resulting in a gently carbonated ale with a more complex flavor and aroma.
Shandy. A shandy is a drink made from beer or cider mixed with lemonade. The proportions can be adjusted to taste, but it’s usually half and half.
Pimm’s Cup This classic British summertime cocktail combines lemonade (or ginger ale) with fruit, cucumbers and mint leaves before being topped off by Pimm’s No. 1 – a gin-based liqueur. It’s a light, sweet drink that goes down easy, perhaps a bit too easy…
Scotch Whisky. Like the champagne of France, a whisky cannot be called Scotch unless it is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland. And Scotch Whisky gets its distinctive flavor from the peat fires over which it is heated after it’s been malted.
Cassie’s Tip: Be aware that in Britain, “lemonade” means Sprite or 7-Up, not Countrytime!
What Will Be Your Favorite Foods To Try In London?
With its homestyle dishes, generous flavorful portions, and quirky nomenclature, British food is a great delight.
And whether you’re looking for romantic meals, family dining, or a posh afternoon tea, I can help you design a custom itinerary that will help you make the most of the wonderful food scene in London.
Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelerslike you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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