The Best London Food You Have To Try in 2024
Did you know that there are hundreds of famous London foods that originated right in the heart of the city? Earl Grey tea, fish and chips, Scotch eggs and Chelsea buns - the list goes on and on.
London has long been a melting pot of tastes and flavours from around the globe and is now home to a world-spanning cuisine that mixes up historical influences and modern techniques.
Whether you’re a Londoner looking for delicious versions of your favourites or a visitor wanting to get to grips with the taste of the city, these are the 21 best London foods you have to try in 2024.
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Get a Taste of Must-Try Food in London
Searching for the best London food? The gastronomic scene in England’s capital is amazingly varied. Want street eats you can grab on the go? London is jam-packed with sweet and savoury options. After fine dining restaurants that serve modern London cuisine? There are 80 Michelin starred restaurants to choose from alone.
Every street has a hidden gem and the best way to see them is to join specialist food tours in London. Shining a light on London’s one of a kind food scene, a tour might just leave you hungry for more. No worries, because there are hundreds of cooking classes in London to help you recreate some of these dishes at home.
The 21 Best Foods in London to Try
1. Fish and Chips at Poppies
Poppies has been a mainstay on the London food scene for over 70 years. There are 3 locations across London with a 4th opening soon.
The Vibe
Stepping into Poppies feels like stepping back in time. Depending on the Poppies you choose, you might find jukeboxes and framed photos of yesteryear’s heartthrobs, making a fun atmosphere for a casual dinner.
Why It’s Good
Chat to anyone about London food and they’ll say you can’t go wrong with a fillet of freshly battered haddock, crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. Served with chips of course.
Poppies | Multiple locations | ££
2. A Full English Breakfast at The Regency Café
The Regency Café serves up the best value and maybe just the best breakfast in London. It’s the perfect start to your day and a delicious slice of traditional London food.
The Vibe
The Regency Café retains its 1940s appearance externally and has been used as the backdrop for several TV period dramas. Inside, it’s cheery and functional but it can get crowded.
Why It’s Good
The Regency Café serves up big comforting platefuls of breakfast specials. Go for the set breakfast of sausage bacon and eggs for a proper kick-start to a London food adventure.
Regency Café | 17-19 Regency St., London, SW1P 4BY | £
3. Sticky Toffee Pudding at Quo Vadis
If it’s wet and grey outside, there’s no better antidote than an indulgent sticky toffee pudding at Quo Vadis. A member’s dining club that accepts reservations too, Quo Vadis makes for a unique chance to sample the London food scene.
The Vibe
Quo Vadis has been recently refurbished but retains an old school vibe with crisp white tablecloths and red leather sofas to sink into.
Why It’s Good
The eel sandwich has become a bit of a landmark on the London food stage but, for a real slice of heaven, try the sticky toffee pudding. And there’s no need to ask if you’d like custard or cream because it comes with both!
Quo Vadis | 26-29 Dean St., London, W1D 3LL | ££-£££
4. Bangers and Mash at Davy’s
Wondering what food London is known for? Davy’s has the answer with their menu of London food classics - from bangers and mash to fish and chips.
The Vibe
Davy’s is a chain of upmarket wine bars and eateries that combines tables and booths. The vibe mixes the traditional with contemporary; think grandfather clocks and wood-panelled walls, with a modern menu and service.
Why It’s Good
The bangers and mash with Madeira gravy is a must-try here for anyone after a real London food treat.
Davy’s | Multiple locations | ££
5. Sunday Roast at The Canton Arms
Gather up some pals and head to The Canton Arms for an unforgettable Sunday roast experience.
The Vibe
The Canton Arms is a stylish gastropub with indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re coming from a Sunday walk, good news, dogs are allowed.
Why It’s Good
London food fans come flocking to The Canton Arms for roasts with all the trimmings - Dexter beef or Saltmarsh lamb, roast potatoes, heaping helpings of veg and lashings of gravy.
The Canton Arms | 177 S Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1XP | ££
6. Afternoon Tea at Ochre at the National Gallery
Surround yourself with a feast for all the senses with an afternoon tea among Old Masters at the Ochre restaurant at The National Gallery.
The Vibe
Afternoon tea is a must-experience part of London food culture and the Ochre is a beautiful setting. Elegant, marble-topped tables and comfortable sofas make this the perfect venue for a special occasion.
Why It’s Good
A fresh take on a London food tradition, Ochre’s afternoon tea is themed around one of the masterpieces in the gallery and includes finger sandwiches and scones.
The National Gallery | Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN | ££-£££
7. Chicken Tikka Masala at Masala
Brick Lane has been at the epicentre of Asian London food for well over 70 years and Masala is an award-winning restaurant right at its heart.
The Vibe
Masala is one of the city’s favourite suppliers of Asian-inspired London foods. The interiors are simple but cosy, making this the ideal setting for a lunch with friends.
Why It’s Good
The chicken tikka masala is a perennial favourite among locals but the jalfrezi, sharing thali platter and lamb rogan josh are all standout dishes too. There are also plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Masala | 88 Brick Lane, London, E1 6PU | ££
8. Jellied Eels at F. Cooke Eel & Pie House
Take the weight off your plates of meat (feet) and wrap your mince pies (eyes) around this traditional Cockney (East End of London) dish.
The Vibe
F. Cooke Eel & Pie House is a bustling, no-frills eatery with friendly service. A good mix of tourists and locals keep the atmosphere vibrant and fun and you definitely won’t feel like you’re in a café that’s nearly 200 years old.
Why It’s Good
This London food institution has been open since 1862 and the menu hasn’t changed much. Many people come for the delicately flavored jellied eels, a local delicacy but you'll also find vegan pie and mash on the menu.
F. Cooke Eel & Pie House | 150 Hoxton St., London, N1 6SH | £
9. Roast Duck at Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant
Four Seasons is a popular chain of Chinatown restaurants and the perfect place to try out traditional and innovative Asian-inspired London foods.
The Vibe
There are (appropriately) four Four Seasons locations and you can expect all of them to be busy. The insides are comfortable, with minimal decoration and a focus that’s very much on the food.
Why It’s Good
Try the renowned roast duck served with pancakes. If you’re sharing, you can split a whole duck or just get a portion. The stuffed bean curd is well worth a try too.
Four Seasons | Multiple locations | ££
10. Gin and Tonic at The Four Thieves
The Four Thieves distil their own gin (known as ‘mother’s ruin’ among London food historians) onsite and use it as the base for some truly outstanding cocktails.
The Vibe
The Four Thieves doesn’t have a beer garden, they have a Gin Yard, complete with canopies and festive fairy lights. There are arcade games upstairs and an escape room downstairs (probably best attempted before sampling any cocktails).
Why It’s Good
The live menu changes regularly but you can always count on a varied choice of wine, craft beers and over 50 types of gin. There are freshly baked pizzas too.
The Four Thieves | 51 Lavender Gardens, London, SW11 1JW | ££
11. A Pint of Ale at The People’s Park Tavern
Make the most of the sunshine with a pint of ale brewed on-site and a plate of freshly barbecued food at The People’s Park Tavern.
The Vibe
The People’s Park is an indoor/outdoor venue that has a festival feel. There are flags, coloured lights and picnic benches, making this the perfect locale for a hangout with friends.
Why It’s Good
Wash down your craft beer with a few bar snacks, like smacked cucumbers or a scotch egg (another London food icon) and then move on to a platter of buffalo wings or halloumi fries.
The People’s Park Tavern | 360 Victoria Park Road, London, E9 7BT | £-££
12. Oysters at Wright Bros
No trip touring London food hotspots would be complete without a visit to a Wright Bros restaurant to sample fresh shellfish.
The Vibe
There are several Wright Bros dotted across London and the Borough Market venue, in particular, is a treat. Like an oyster, once you crack open this buzzing little bar, you’ll find pearls inside. Grab a group of friends and head over to watch the bustling crowds in the market; you’ll feel right in the heart of the action.
Why It’s Good
Split a sharing plate of freshly shucked oysters or try cuttlefish stew or whelks with sweet mayonnaise if you want something more filling.
Wright Brothers | Multiple locations | ££-£££
13. Cocktails at the American Bar at The Savoy
Evoke the glamour of the 1920s with a trip to American Bar at The Savoy, one of the most luxurious hotels serving fresh London food and drinks.
The Vibe
It’s worth going to American Bar just to have a peek at this famous hotel’s interiors. The Art Deco-styled fixtures are chic and sophisticated and there’s a live jazz pianist every night.
Why It’s Good
The American Bar is London’s oldest cocktail venue so you better believe you’re in for a treat. Try a vintage Manhattan or Negroni or one of the bar’s signature creations.
The Savoy | Strand, London, WC2R 0EZ | £££
14. Sausage Roll at The Ginger Pig
London foodies all come to The Ginger Pig for what’s been described as the ‘best sausage roll in London’. This series of shops and butchers is dotted across the city and serves meat pies and pastries made with high-welfare, fully sustainable ingredients.
The Vibe
The Ginger Pig isn’t a sit-in establishment but you can grab a warm sausage roll to-go from one of their eight shops and delis.
Why It’s Good
What else would you have but a sausage roll? Plump, succulent sausage wrapped in warm, crumbly pastry - it’ll stick to your lipstick but boy, it’ll be worth it.
The Ginger Pig | Multiple locations | £
15. Apple Crumble at Humble Crumble
For anyone looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, then Humble Crumble is one of the best London food spots around. Using fresh ingredients, Humble Crumble delivers puddings that might just see you skip straight to dessert.
The Vibe
There are several Humble Crumbles delighting London foodies. Each one offers takeaway options but do have a few tables outside if you want to watch the world go by.
Why It’s Good
Opt for the classic apple and cinnamon crumble topped with frozen vanilla custard for a rich, sweet treat.
Humble Crumble | Multiple locations | £
16. A Pitcher of Fruit Cup at the Riverside
Come for the drinks, stay for the view. The Riverside is a hidden gem among London food lovers and offers fantastic views over the River Thames.
The Vibe
The Riverside invites you to sit back and relax on their tucked away terrace. The romantic setting makes this a fabulous option for dates too.
Why It’s Good
In the summer, The Riverside serves a selection of cocktails inspired by fruit cups. These cocktails feature fresh fruit, lemonade and a gin-based liquor infused with spicy, fruity flavours — perfect for sipping in the sunshine.
The Riverside | Hamilton House, 5 St George’s Wharf, SW8 2LE | ££
17. Pie and Mash at Cockney’s Pie & Mash
London food fans looking for proper grub flock to Cockney’s Pie & Mash for a plate of hearty meat pie and mashed potatoes.
The Vibe
This unassuming little café is a true piece of London food history. Things get busy at lunchtime but the service is quick, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. Be aware, it’s cash only.
Why It’s Good
Try out the meat pie, mashed potatoes and liquor (a herby gravy made with parsley) for a hearty lunch. Vegan pie is available too.
Cockney’s Pie & Mash | 314 Portobello Road, London, W10 5RU | £
18. Victoria Sponge at The London Review Cake Shop
A secret treasure tucked away near The British Museum, The London Review Cake Shop is a minimal but cosy coffee spot.
The Vibe
Accessed via The London Review Bookshop, the café is small but comfortable. You might have to wait for a table at busy times.
Why It’s Good
The menu changes regularly but Vicky sponge or a fresh new twist on it, can usually be found somewhere, perfect for London foodies searching for an afternoon pick-me-up.
The London Review Cake Shop | 14-16 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL | ££
19. Sopa Azteca at Supperclub.tube
Looking for a unique London food experience? Look no further than Supperclub.tube, a restaurant housed in an old underground train.
The Vibe
This quirky London food venue is an old carriage from the London Underground train which is turned into a fine dining restaurant three nights a week. Inside looks very much like a modern underground carriage but beautified with candles and white tablecloths.
Why It’s Good
The food journey at Supperclub.tube starts off with an Aztec tomato soup, before moving onto ceviche cod, Cuban-style brisket and terminating with dulce de leche wontons.
Supperclub.tube | 10 S Access Road, London, E17 8AX | £££
20. Beef Wellington at Hendon Street Kitchen
After a gourmet London food experience without the Michelin price tag? Then look no further than Heddon Street Kitchen and their beef Wellington experience.
The Vibe
Owned by Chef Gordon Ramsay, a veteran of the modern London food scene, Heddon Street Kitchen has a bright and modern interior and is a great choice for a celebration meal with friends and family.
Why It’s Good
The beef Wellington for two people takes 45 minutes to prepare but is worth the wait. One of the most famous London foods, it comprises beef wrapped in pastry and served with creamy mashed potato and red wine jus.
Heddon Street Kitchen | 3-9 Heddon St., London, W1B 4BE | £££
21. A Mystery Meal at Dans Le Noir
Even among the crowded and innovative London food scene, Dans Le Noir stands out as a complete one-off. Dinner is served in total darkness for a thrilling dining adventure.
The Vibe
The restaurant is completely dark but you’ll have plenty of friendly servers to help you find your seat. For extraordinary date ideas in London, Dans le Noir is hard to top.
Why It’s Good
The menu is a mystery! Before you go, you’ll choose one of the ‘Trust the Chef’ menus, which are either focused around meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan ingredients. Afterwards, you’ll get a picture of the dishes you’ve eaten.
Dans Le Noir | 69-73 St John’s St, London, EC1M 4NJ | £££
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
London offers 24 hours of dining delight. Start off the best London food day with a hearty Full English breakfast, then hit a food stall for a quick snack. Sip pre-dinner cocktails and grab fish and chips for an al fresco dinner in the park. However you explore the finest London cuisine, you can’t go wrong with so many delicious dishes and flavours to enjoy.
For even more ways to explore London, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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