What to Eat in London: A British Food Guide for Americans
Last updated: August 3, 2026
Let me be honest with you: British food has a reputation problem in America, and it’s mostly undeserved. Yes, we gave the world mushy peas. But we also gave the world the Sunday roast, proper chips, Yorkshire pudding, and the greatest comfort food on earth — a proper pie with mash and liquor.
London in 2026 is one of the best food cities in the world. You can eat Nigerian street food at a market in Shoreditch, sit down to a Michelin-starred tasting menu in Mayfair, and finish the night with a curry on Brick Lane — all in the same day. But if you’ve come to London, you should eat British food at least a few times. Here’s what to order, where to find it, and what to skip.
The Essentials: 10 British Dishes You Must Try
1. Full English Breakfast
The cornerstone of British life. A proper “fry-up” includes eggs (your way), bacon (back bacon, not streaky — it’s meatier), sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, fried mushrooms, black pudding (don’t be scared — it’s blood sausage, and it’s delicious), toast or fried bread, and sometimes hash browns.
Where to get it: Any decent pub or café. Try The Wolseley in Piccadilly for an upscale version (£18), or any local “greasy spoon” café for the authentic version (£6-9). Pret A Manger does a passable quick version for £5.
2. Fish and Chips
Not “fish and chips” the way you get it in America — this is fresh cod or haddock in a crispy beer batter, with thick-cut chips (not fries — chips are thicker, softer, and better), mushy peas, and tartare sauce. Served wrapped in paper if you’re lucky.
Where to get it: Poppies Fish & Chips in Spitalfields or Camden (£12-15), Golden Union in Soho (£13-16), or The Rock & Sole Plaice in Covent Garden (£14-18). For a pub version, The Mayflower in Rotherhithe (£16-20).
3. Sunday Roast
The most sacred British meal. Every pub in London serves a Sunday roast — roasted meat (beef, lamb, pork, or chicken), roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, gravy, and a stuffing ball. Eaten on Sundays, ideally after a long walk, with a pint.
Where to get it: The Quality Chop House in Clerkenwell (£18-25), The Guinea Grill in Mayfair (£22-30), The Harwood Arms in Fulham (£20-28), or any pub in your neighborhood. Book ahead — Sunday roasts fill up fast.
4. Pie and Mash
A proper London dish. A meat pie (traditionally beef steak and kidney, but steak and ale is more common now), served with mashed potatoes and “liquor” — a green sauce made from parsley and the cooking water from eels (don’t worry, it doesn’t taste fishy). This is working-class London food at its best.
Where to get it: M. Manze in Tower Bridge Road (£8-12) — the oldest pie and mash shop in London, open since 1902. F. Cooke in Hoxton (£7-11). For a modern take, The Windmill in Mayfair (£16-22).
5. Bangers and Mash
Good sausages (Cumberland, Lincolnshire, or pork and leek), creamy mashed potatoes, onion gravy, and maybe some peas. Simple, filling, and exactly what you want on a cold, wet day.
Where to get it: Almost any pub. The Garrison in Bermondsey (£14-16), The Ivy in various locations (£18-22).
6. Afternoon Tea
Not a meal exactly, but a British institution. Finger sandwiches (cucumber, egg and cress, smoked salmon, coronation chicken), scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes, all served with tea. Dress smart-casual.
Where to get it: The Ritz (£75-95, bookings essential, dress code enforced), Claridge’s (£85-110), The Savoy (£75-90), The Wolseley (£45-55). For budget option, try any department store tea room — Fortnum & Mason (£55-65) or Selfridges (£45-55).
7. Scotch Egg
A hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. The perfect pub snack with a pint. Originally from Fortnum & Mason (they claim to have invented it in 1738).
Where to get it: The Admiral Codrington in Chelsea (£4-6), The Harwood Arms in Fulham (£5-7), or buy them from Fortnum & Mason (£3-5 each) or any Marks & Spencer food hall (£1.50-2).
8. Toad in the Hole
Sausages baked into a Yorkshire pudding batter, served with onion gravy and vegetables. The name is better than the dish, but the dish is still excellent — hearty, comforting, and uniquely British.
Where to get it: The Cross Keys in Chelsea (£14-16), The Thomas Cubitt in Pimlico (£15-18). Not on every pub menu — look for pubs advertising “traditional British food.”
9. Trifle
The great British dessert. Layers of sponge cake soaked in sherry, fruit, jelly, custard, and whipped cream. Looks like a mess, tastes like heaven. Most people only make it at Christmas, but some traditional restaurants serve it year-round.
Where to get it: Rules in Covent Garden (£8-10) — London’s oldest restaurant, open since 1798. The Wolseley (£9-11). Or make it yourself — it’s surprisingly easy.
10. Sticky Toffee Pudding
Not technically “old” British (it was invented in the 1980s), but it’s become a national institution. A dense date sponge cake drenched in warm toffee sauce, served with vanilla ice cream or custard. If you only have one dessert in London, make it this.
Where to get it: The Cow in Notting Hill (£8-10), The Oak in Westbourne Grove (£8-11), Hawksmoor in various locations (£9-12).
What to Skip
- Haggis — Scottish, not English, and best left to the Scots
- Spotted Dick — tastes better than it sounds, but not worth the embarrassment of ordering
- Jellied Eels — a London tradition, but genuinely unpleasant unless you grew up with it. Try a free sample at Borough Market if you’re curious, but don’t order a full portion
- Stargazy Pie — fish heads poking out of pastry. Visually disturbing, tastes fine, but not worth seeking out
London’s Food Scene Beyond British
London is one of the most multicultural cities on earth, and the food scene reflects that. When you’ve had your fill of roasts and pies, explore:
| Cuisine | Where to Find It | What to Order | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | Brick Lane, Tooting, Dishoom | Chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, naan | £12-25 |
| Chinese | Chinatown (Gerrard Street) | Dim sum, char siu, crispy duck | £10-20 |
| Middle Eastern | Edgware Road, Camden | Shawarma, falafel, mezze | £8-15 |
| Caribbean | Brixton, Notting Hill | Jerk chicken, rice and peas, plantain | £8-14 |
| Nigerian | Peckham, Deptford | Jollof rice, suya, pepper soup | £8-12 |
| Turkish | Stoke Newington, Dalston | Lamb shish, lahmacun, baklava | £10-16 |
How Much Does Food Cost in London?
| Meal Type | Budget | Mid-Range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | £4-7 (Pret, café) | £10-15 (pub, hotel) | £18-30 (hotel restaurant) |
| Lunch | £6-10 (market stall, sandwich) | £12-18 (pub, casual restaurant) | £20-35 (brasserie, gastropub) |
| Dinner | £10-15 (pub chain, curry house) | £18-30 (gastropub, ethnic) | £35-75+ (fine dining) |
| Pint of beer | £4-5 (Wetherspoons) | £5.50-7 (pub) | £8-12 (cocktail bar) |
| Glass of wine | £4-5 (pub) | £6-9 (restaurant) | £10-15 (upscale) |
Tipping in Restaurants
- Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service isn’t included. Check your bill — many London restaurants add a “discretionary service charge” of 12.5%, so you don’t need to add more.
- Pubs: No tipping at the bar. If you’ve had table service, round up or add £1-2.
- Cafés: No tipping expected. Drop change in the jar if you want.
- Taxis: Round up to the nearest pound, or add 10%.
Practical Tips for American Diners
Reservations are essential. London restaurants book up fast, especially on weekends. Use OpenTable or Resy to book ahead. Walk-ins are possible but risky for popular spots.
Pubs don’t always have table service. At most pubs, you order food and drinks at the bar. Give your table number (usually on a card on the table). Some pubs now offer app-based ordering via QR code.
“Tea” means dinner. In the North of England and among older Londoners, “tea” refers to the evening meal, not the drink. If someone invites you “for tea,” they might mean dinner at 6 PM, not a cuppa at 4 PM. When in doubt, ask.
Tap water is free. You don’t need to buy bottled water in restaurants. Ask for “tap water” and they’ll bring a free jug. If you ask for “still water,” they’ll bring an expensive bottle.
Pub food has improved dramatically. Twenty years ago, pub food meant a sad microwaved lasagna. Today, London’s gastropubs serve some of the best food in the city. Don’t be afraid to eat at pubs — some are better than restaurants.
FAQ
Is British food really that bad?
No. The stereotype comes from post-war rationing (1940s-1954), when food was genuinely terrible. Modern British food is excellent — we have 70+ Michelin-starred restaurants in London. The traditional dishes (roasts, pies, fish and chips) are comfort food, not haute cuisine, but they’re done well.
What’s the difference between a pub and a gastropub?
A pub is primarily a drinking establishment that also serves food. A gastropub is a pub that puts as much emphasis on the food as the drinks — usually with a trained chef and a proper restaurant menu. Gastropubs tend to be more expensive but serve much better food.
Can I get a good meal for under £10?
Yes — at food markets (Borough Market, Camden Market, Maltby Street), at curry houses on Brick Lane, at pub chains (Wetherspoons, Greene King), or at ethnic restaurants in areas like Brixton or Tooting.
Do I need to book restaurants in advance?
For popular restaurants, yes — sometimes weeks ahead. For pubs and casual restaurants, booking 1-2 days ahead is usually fine. Walk-ins are possible at most places if you’re willing to wait or eat at off-peak times (before 6 PM or after 9 PM).
Exploring London’s food scene? Don’t miss our Best Pubs in London and Best Food Markets in London guides.