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
- #1
Kennington Lane Cafe#1 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London
$ | Cafe, British383 Kennington Lane Vauxhall, London SE11 5QY EnglandRead More » - #2
Scarlett Green#2 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #3
Amrutha Lounge#3 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #4
Alexander The Great#4 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #5
Taste Of Nawab#5 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #6
215 Hackney#6 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #7
Latitude Wimbledon#7 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #8
Indian Room#8 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London
$ - $$ | Indian59 Bedford Hill Balham, London SW12 9EZ EnglandRead More » - #9
Figo Stratford#9 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #10
Piate#10 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #11
Barge East Restaurant#11 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #12
Andy's Greek Taverna#12 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #13
The Lounge Cafe#13 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #14
Room 43 Bar & Kitchen#14 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #15
Dobar#15 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #16
Beats Burgers Camden#16 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #17
The Rajdoot Hampstead#17 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #18
O Gourmet Libanais#18 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #19
Hiba Street#19 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London - #20
Pizza Union Spitalfields#20 of 23,786 Places to Eat in London
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.