Courtesy of Peter Zelei Images/Getty Images

What to Eat in London
London used to be highly criticized for its heavy and uninspired menu items. Fish and chips (fried cod and french fries). Bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes). Mince meat pies. You get the picture. Now, London is hailed as one of the world's best foodie cities. And with its melting pot of cultures, it's not difficult to see why. London offers everything from modern British to Malaysian cuisine.
To sample the best of the various cuisines London serves up, you need to know where to go. A food tour can be a great way to get your bearings. For Indian food, visit the curry houses on Brick Lane. If you want an authentic high tea experience, book reservations at The Langham, London, The Lanesborough or at Claridge's – but be sure to dress the part. If you're all about fine dining, check out the Michelin star-heavy Clerkenwell neighborhood. There you'll find St. John, the restaurant that garnered fame for utilizing the full body of meat in its dishes, coined as "nose-to-tail" dining.
If you're one for celebrity chefs, Gordon Ramsay has a number of restaurants in the city, including the Michelin-rated three-star restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Jamie Oliver also has four restaurants spread throughout the city. If you're looking for something a little quirky, try the two-star Michelin-rated brasserie-style Sketch, whose bathrooms are egg pods you step inside instead of traditional stalls. There's also The Attendant Cafe, which is housed in what used to be a Victorian restroom. Don't worry, it's immaculate in more ways than one. London also features great rooftop restaurants as well. For a meal with a side of vistas, head up to Sushi Samba or the 24-hour Duck & Waffle, which is billed as the highest restaurant in the U.K. from its 40th-floor perch.
Pub culture is huge in the U.K. If you're interested in getting a taste of British life that doesn't include visiting London's top attractions, it's best to grab a drink. Pubs serve much of the same drinks found in bars, but you must try a cider. There are a variety of flavors and brands available from traditional Magners or Strongbow ciders to those that are pear and strawberry flavored. Many pubs also serve meals throughout the day. You're likely to find traditional British dishes for a fraction of the price in pubs than you would in sit-down restaurants. Along with the traditional bangers and mash and fish and chips (which some argue taste better in pubs), you should make time for a traditional English breakfast and Sunday roast. Both are very hearty and a beloved culinary tradition among the Brits. If you're on the go and don't want to buy a sandwich from Pret A Manger, seek out pasty stands. Pasties are savory pastries typically packed with meat, potatoes or some vegetables. Pasties are filling and affordable and conveniently located in the larger train stations in London, such as Waterloo, King's Cross and Victoria stations.
Find the Best Restaurants in London
- #1Scarlett Green#1 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (680)$ - $$ | Australian4 Noel Street Soho, London W1F 8GB EnglandRead More » - #2Kennington Lane Cafe#2 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (1485)$ | Cafe, British383 Kennington Lane Vauxhall, London SE11 5QY EnglandRead More » - #3Alexander The Great#3 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (2280)$ - $$ | Mediterranean, Greek8 Plender Street Bayham Street, London NW1 0JT EnglandRead More » - #4Amrutha Lounge#4 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (653)$ - $$ | Indian, Asian, Healthy326 Garratt Lane Earlsfield, London SW18 4EJ EnglandRead More » - #5Taste Of Nawab#5 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (1251)$ - $$ | Indian, Healthy97 Colney Hatch Lane, London N10 1LR EnglandRead More » - #6Indian Room#6 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (1295)$ - $$ | Indian59 Bedford Hill Balham, London SW12 9EZ EnglandRead More » - #7Figo Stratford#7 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (322)$ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, Neapolitan, Campania, Tuscan, Sicilian, Central-Italian, Southern-ItalianStratford 17 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN EnglandRead More » - #8Latitude Wimbledon#8 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (143)$ - $$ | European, International138 Merton Road Wimbledon, London SW19 1EH EnglandRead More » - #9Piate#9 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (102)$ - $$ | Mediterranean, European300 King Street Ravenscourt Park, London W6 0RR EnglandRead More » - #10215 Hackney#10 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (102)$ - $$ | Middle Eastern, Cafe, Healthy215 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 0LH EnglandRead More » - #11Andy's Greek Taverna#11 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (1813)$ - $$ | Mediterranean, European, Greek, Healthy23 Pratt Street Camden, London NW1 0BG EnglandRead More » - #12The Lounge Cafe#12 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (231)$ | BritishWelford Centre 113 Chalkhill Road The Welford Centre, London HA9 9FX EnglandRead More » - #13The Rajdoot Hampstead#13 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (414)$ - $$ | Indian, Asian, Grill104 Fleet Road Hampstead, London NW3 2QX EnglandRead More » - #14Dobar#14 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (315)$ - $$ | Cafe, European, British324A Green Lanes, London N4 1BX EnglandRead More » - #15Room 43 Bar & Kitchen#15 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (146)$ - $$ | Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Bar, Persian, Pub43 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5QW EnglandRead More » - #16Barge East Restaurant#16 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (454)$ - $$ | BritishWhitepost Lane River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, Hackney Wick, London E9 5EN EnglandRead More » - #17O Gourmet Libanais#17 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (106)$ - $$ | Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle EasternJuniper Drive, London SW18 1GY EnglandRead More » - #18Pizza Union Spitalfields#18 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (2921)$ | Pizza, Fast Food25 Sandys Row, London E1 7HW EnglandRead More » - #19The Golden Chippy#19 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (1923)$ | Seafood, British62 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8LF EnglandRead More » - #20Hiba Street#20 of 23,642 Places to Eat in London
Tripadvisor (301)$ | Lebanese, Mediterranean, Street Food, Middle Eastern10 Tottenham Street Between Goodge Street Station and Warren Tube Station, London W1T 4RD EnglandRead More »
Explore More of London
If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.