What to Eat in London: 7 Classic British Foods You Have to Try
- Adventures of Matt & Nat
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
When you think of iconic cuisines around the world, British food doesn’t usually top the list. But we’ve always believed the best way to understand a place is through its food, so we set out on a self-guided food tour through London to put that reputation to the test. From hearty comfort food classics to crispy, golden bites, we tried seven of the UK’s most iconic dishes! In this blog, we’re breaking down each must-try dish, sharing where to try it, and sprinkling in a few fun facts along the way. Whether you’re a curious traveler, a full-blown foodie, or just someone who loves a good gravy-covered plate, this guide will help you eat your way through London like a local!
⬇️ For a closer look at our experience, watch the video below! ⬇️
And if a self-guided food tour isn’t a task you’re up for, then check out these guided tours with GetYourGuide!
Full English Breakfast
More than just a meal, the Full English Breakfast is a national institution. Traditionally eaten on weekends or special occasions, it was originally designed to fuel manual laborers through long workdays. It typically features a protein-packed lineup of bacon, sausages, eggs (fried, poached, or scrambled), grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, toast or fried bread, and baked beans. In many cafés, you'll also find regional additions like black pudding (a blood sausage) and/or bubble and squeak (a fried mix of leftover potatoes and cabbage). The dish is warm, filling, and unapologetically hearty... a perfect way to start a busy day exploring London!
Where to try it:
📍Terry’s Café – 158 Great Suffolk St (where we went)
📍Regency Café – 17-19 Regency St
📍E. Pellicci – 332 Bethnal Green Rd
Tip: If you want the full British experience, order tea instead of coffee! Adding milk and sugar is acceptable.
Sausage Roll
Simple, satisfying, and deeply British, the sausage roll is a beloved savory pastry that’s as popular at bakeries as it is at Christmas parties. A classic sausage roll consists of seasoned pork sausage wrapped in buttery puff pastry and baked until golden and flaky. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. When done right, the balance of crispy pastry and juicy, well-seasoned meat is addictive. These can be eaten hot or cold and are often served with mustard or brown sauce for extra zing.
Where to try it:
📍The Ginger Pig (Borough Market) – 15 Stoney St (where we went)
📍Gail’s Bakery – 35 Melcombe St (best rated location)
📍Greggs – 143 Strand (best rated location)
Fun Fact: The modern British sausage roll evolved from French pastry-wrapped meats and gained popularity during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, Brits eat over 2 million sausage rolls from Greggs every week.
Scotch Egg
A Scotch Egg is one of the UK’s quirkiest and most indulgent creations. Traditionally, it’s made by encasing a soft- or hard-boiled egg in seasoned sausage meat, coating it in breadcrumbs, and deep-frying or baking it until crispy and golden brown. The result? A satisfying mix of textures: a tender yolk, a savory sausage layer, and a crunchy exterior. It’s commonly found in pubs, picnic baskets, and gourmet deli counters. Some newer versions get creative with fillings... think black pudding, haggis, or runny yolks.
Where to try it:
📍The Ginger Pig (Borough Market) – 15 Stoney St (where we went)
📍Fortnum & Mason – 181 Piccadilly
📍The Jugged Hare – 49 Chiswell St
Fun Fact: The origin of the Scotch Egg is debated, but Fortnum & Mason claims to have invented it in 1738!
Pie and Mash
Pie and Mash dates back to the 19th century and was a staple among London’s working-class communities. At its most traditional, it’s a minced beef pie in shortcrust pastry, served alongside mashed potatoes and a bright green parsley sauce known as "liquor" (despite the name, it contains no alcohol). Modern versions might use puff pastry and upscale fillings like steak and ale or chicken and mushroom. Regardless of the twist, the appeal remains the same: it’s nostalgic, savory, and endlessly comforting.
Where to try it:
📍Mother Mash – 26 Ganton St (where we went)
📍Manze’s – 195 Tower Bridge Rd
📍Maureen's Pie & Mash – 6 Market Sq
📍Castle’s Pie & Mash – 229 Royal College St
📍Goddards at Greenwich – 22 King William Walk
Fun Fact: Traditional pie and mash shops were once so common in East London that entire families would eat there multiple times a week. The green “liquor” sauce gets its color from parsley, but originally it was made using eel broth!
Bangers and Mash
Another staple of British comfort food, bangers and mash is simply sausages served over mashed potatoes, usually smothered in a rich onion or brown gravy. The word "bangers" dates back to WWI, when sausages often burst (“banged”) during cooking due to high water content. Today, the quality of sausages makes a big difference. From classic pork to Cumberland or even vegetarian options, the combination of crispy sausage skins, creamy mash, and savory gravy is incredibly satisfying.
Where to try it:
📍Mother Mash – 26 Ganton St (where we went)
📍The Marquis Cornwallis – 31 Marchmont St, Greater
📍Old Shades – 37 Whitehall
Tip: Want to elevate your bangers and mash? Ask if the sausages are made in-house or locally sourced. Quality makes all the difference in this humble dish.
Fish and Chips
If there's one British dish that has truly gone global, it's fish and chips. Battered and deep-fried white fish (usually cod or haddock) is paired with thick-cut chips (fries), and served with mushy peas, lemon wedges, and malt vinegar. The dish became popular in the 19th century and has since become a seaside and city-centre staple. The key to a great version? Super-fresh fish, crispy golden batter, and chips that are fluffy inside but crispy outside.
Where to try it:
📍Poppies – 6-8 Hanbury St (where we went)
📍The Fryer’s Delight – 19 Theobalds Rd
📍Golden Chippy – 62 Greenwich High Rd
Fun Fact: Fish and Chips was one of the few foods not rationed during World War II in the UK, making it a vital morale booster. Winston Churchill even called it “the good companions.”
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky Toffee Pudding is the dessert that converts skeptics. This British favorite features a rich, moist sponge cake made with chopped dates, served warm and drenched in a glossy toffee sauce made from butter, brown sugar, and cream. Often paired with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard (what we opted for), it’s one of the UK’s most indulgent sweets. Expect deep caramel flavor, a soft crumb, and a decadent sauce that melts into every bite.
Where to try it:
📍Mother Mash – 34-35 Maiden Ln (where we went)
📍Smokestak – 35 Sclater St
📍Horniman at Hays – Unit 26, Hays Galleria
Fun Fact: While its exact origin is a bit murky, Sticky Toffee Pudding became popular in Britain during the 1960s. The Lake District’s Sharrow Bay Hotel is often credited with helping launch its fame in the 1970s.
So… is British food underwhelming or underrated? Honestly, we think it might be a little bit of both. A lot of traditional dishes rely on the same familiar flavors (nothing too bold or spicy), which can leave some meals feeling a bit flat. But when British food is done right? It’s cozy, comforting, and surprisingly satisfying. There may not be a ton of variety, but there’s definitely heart (and gravy... and/or sausage) in (almost) every bite.
We hope this guide helps you plan your own delicious British food tour through London! And if it did, we’d love for you to follow along on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel, where we share even more travel tips, guides, and behind-the-scenes adventures!
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