The Ultimate Foodie Trail: 18 Must-Try Foods in London

You’ve walked past the red buses, snapped photos of Big Ben, and maybe even braved the Tube during rush hour. But have you eaten like a Londoner? This city doesn’t just serve tea and scones-it’s a wild, delicious mashup of centuries of immigration, innovation, and pure hunger for flavor. From sizzling skewers in Brixton to buttery pastries in Soho, London’s food scene isn’t just varied-it’s alive. And if you’re only sticking to the tourist spots, you’re missing half the story.

What You’re Really Missing If You Skip These 18 Foods

London isn’t a city that waits for you to find it. It shoves food in your hands before you even realize you’re hungry. Think of it like this: if you went to Paris and only ate croissants from a chain bakery, you’d feel cheated. Same goes here. London’s food identity isn’t one thing-it’s dozens, layered over decades. And the best part? You don’t need a reservation or a Michelin star to taste it.

Let’s cut to the chase. Here are the 18 foods you absolutely must try if you want to say you’ve eaten in London.

1. Pie and Mash

Don’t roll your eyes. This isn’t your grandma’s beef stew. Pie and mash is a working-class staple that’s been feeding Londoners since the 1800s. You get a flaky, hot meat pie-usually beef or eel-served with creamy mashed potatoes and a spoonful of glossy, parsley-heavy liquor (a broth made from the pie’s juices). Head to M. Manze in Peckham or Ellis Pie and Mash in Southwark. Eat it with a dash of malt vinegar. No fork needed.

2. Sunday Roast

Every Sunday, London turns into a giant dining room. The roast is simple: crispy-skinned roast beef (or chicken, lamb, or pork), Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, carrots, and gravy that clings to everything. The trick? The Yorkshire pudding. It’s not a dessert-it’s a savory, puffy bread that soaks up the juices like a sponge. Try it at The Harp in Covent Garden or The Churchill Arms in Notting Hill. Go early. Lines form before noon.

3. Full English Breakfast

Forget avocado toast. The real London breakfast is a plate of chaos: eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding, and toast. Black pudding? That’s blood sausage. Sounds weird? Try it. It’s rich, earthy, and oddly comforting. The best spot? The Breakfast Club in Shoreditch. Or just walk into any decent pub before 11 a.m. and ask for the full monty.

4. Fish and Chips

Yes, it’s cliché. But clichés exist because they’re perfect. Crispy batter, flaky white fish (cod or haddock), and chips thick enough to stand up on their own. The secret? Malt vinegar and salt, applied right at the table. Skip the plastic baskets. Go to Poppies in Brighton (yes, technically outside London, but worth the trip) or The Golden Palace in Hackney. Eat it with your hands. Don’t apologize.

5. Chicken Tikka Masala

Here’s a fun fact: Chicken Tikka Masala is Britain’s most popular dish. No, it’s not Indian. It was invented in Glasgow or Birmingham-no one’s sure. But London eats it like gospel. Creamy, spiced, slightly sweet, and served with fluffy basmati rice. You’ll find it everywhere, but the best version? Try Shah Jahan in Southall. It’s not fancy. It’s loud, crowded, and the sauce is so good you’ll lick the plate.

6. Spicy Lamb Kebab

London’s kebab game is elite. Not the greasy late-night ones you get after a pub crawl-these are the real deal. Marinated lamb, charred on a vertical spit, sliced thin, wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickled onions, and fresh herbs. Al-Baik in Brixton and Shish in Soho serve some of the best. Order it with a side of fries. You’ll thank me.

7. Eel Pie

Yes, eel. It’s not as weird as it sounds. Eel was once the working-class protein of choice in Victorian London. Today, it’s rare-but still alive in a few old-school pie shops. The pie is rich, savory, and slightly sweet with a hint of thyme. You’ll find it at Ellis Pie and Mash or Old Fashioned Pie and Mash in Camden. It’s a taste of history.

8. Scotch Egg

Imagine a hard-boiled egg, wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. That’s a Scotch egg. Sounds like a pub snack? It is. But the best ones are made with heritage pork, free-range eggs, and a crackly crust. Try them at Fortnum & Mason for the fancy version, or The Ginger Pig in Notting Hill for the real deal. Eat it cold with mustard. It’s perfect.

9. Ploughman’s Lunch

This isn’t a dish. It’s a mood. A hunk of cheddar, crusty bread, pickled onions, chutney, celery, and maybe a slice of ham or apple. It’s what pub landlords served to farmers in the 1950s. Now it’s a lunchtime ritual. Best place? The Anchor in Bankside. Sit by the river. Order a pint. Let the cheese sit on your tongue.

10. Bakewell Tart

Don’t confuse this with a fruit pie. Bakewell tart is a buttery shortcrust pastry, layered with jam (usually raspberry), and topped with almond frangipane. It’s sweet, nutty, and dense. You’ll find it in tea rooms across London. Fortnum & Mason does it right. So does The Tea Rooms in Notting Hill. Pair it with Earl Grey. No sugar needed.

11. Jellied Eels

This one’s for the brave. Eels are boiled, cooled, and set in their own gelatinous broth. It’s cold, slippery, and tastes like the sea and herbs mixed together. It’s a East End tradition. Try it at The Pie and Mash Shop in Bethnal Green. It’s not for everyone. But if you’ve tried it, you’ve truly been to London.

12. Currywurst

Wait-German food in London? Yes. And it’s amazing. A grilled pork sausage, sliced, drenched in spicy tomato ketchup, and dusted with paprika. Served with fries. It came over with post-war immigrants and never left. Currywurst & Co. in Brixton serves the best. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s perfect.

13. Welsh Rarebit

Not a sandwich. Not a cheese plate. It’s melted cheddar sauce, spiked with mustard and ale, poured over toasted bread and grilled until bubbly. It’s comfort in a bowl. The Ivy and The Wolseley serve it like fine dining. But the best version? The Cheese Bar in Soho. Add a fried egg on top. You’re welcome.

14. Dim Sum

London’s Chinatown is packed with dim sum spots, but the real gems are tucked into backstreets. Steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, turnip cakes, and congee with century eggs. Go to Yauatcha for the upscale version, or Wing Wah for the local crowd. Eat fast. The steam rises. The flavors explode.

15. Pimm’s Cup

This isn’t just a drink-it’s a summer ritual. Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur, mixed with lemonade, sliced cucumber, strawberries, and mint. Served over ice in a tall glass. You’ll see it at Wimbledon, in Hyde Park, at garden parties. The Ivy and The Savoy do it right. Don’t overdo it. One is enough to make you feel like a Londoner.

16. Bangers and Mash

Same as pie and mash, but with sausages instead. Thick, juicy pork sausages (the ‘bangers’), served with creamy mash and onion gravy. It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget your diet. Try it at The Harrow in Shepherd’s Bush or The Wheatsheaf in Camden. Ask for extra gravy. You won’t regret it.

17. Stilton Cheese

England’s king of blue cheese. Crumbly, sharp, creamy, and strong enough to make your eyes water. It’s not for beginners. But if you’ve ever had a good Stilton, you’ll never forget it. Try it with a glass of port at Neal’s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden. Or just grab a wedge from a local deli. Eat it with pear slices. It’s magic.

18. Afternoon Tea

Yes, it’s touristy. But if you do it right, it’s unforgettable. Scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches with cucumber and dill, delicate pastries, and tea served in fine china. The best? The Ritz or Fortnum & Mason. Book weeks ahead. Wear something nice. Don’t rush. This isn’t a meal-it’s a moment.

Where to Eat Like a Local

You don’t need to go to the fancy spots. Some of the best food in London comes from places with no sign, no website, and a queue out the door. Brixton Market, Broadway Market, and Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays are treasure troves. Look for stalls with locals lining up. That’s your cue.

And don’t forget the street food markets: Leadenhall Market for gourmet bites, Brick Lane for curry and bagels, and Camden Market for everything from vegan tacos to Korean fried chicken.

What to Avoid

Don’t waste your time on the £20 “traditional” fish and chips at Piccadilly Circus. Don’t eat at restaurants with pictures of food on the menu. Don’t order “British cuisine” at a hotel buffet. London’s real food isn’t curated for tourists. It’s lived in.

Food Trail Map: Where to Start

Plan your day like this:

1. Start at Brick Lane for a salt beef bagel and black coffee.
2. Walk to Spitalfields Market for a Scotch egg and a pastry.
3. Head to Leadenhall Market for a Welsh rarebit and a pint.
4. End at Fortnum & Mason for afternoon tea.

Or just wander. Let your nose lead you.

Final Tip: Eat Like a Londoner

Londoners don’t wait for the perfect moment to eat. They eat when they’re hungry. They don’t take photos before they taste. They dig in. They share. They argue over who makes the best pie. So don’t overthink it. Order the weird thing. Ask the vendor what they eat for lunch. Say yes to the extra gravy. That’s how you taste London.