London Food Tips: What to Eat (and How to Eat It) in London
The Churchill Arms in South Kensington—a pub that serves excellent Thai food!
London doesn’t always get the credit it deserves as a food city.
For years, the stereotype was that British food meant overcooked vegetables and fish and chips wrapped in newspaper. That may have been true decades ago, but it’s wildly outdated now.
London is one of the most interesting food cities in the world. You’ll find traditional pub meals that have been around for centuries, incredible Indian cuisine that rivals anything outside India, and an international dining scene shaped by people from every corner of the globe.
At the same time, London has its own food habits and quirks that can surprise visitors. Some of them are delicious. Some of them are confusing. And a few are just wonderfully British.
Here are a few food tips that will help you eat very well while you’re in London.
Order the Sunday Roast if It’s Sunday
If you’re in London on a Sunday, the correct thing to do is go to a pub and order a Sunday roast. This usually means roast beef, chicken, or pork served with crispy roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding (a sort of savory pastry designed specifically to soak up gravy). It’s not just a meal — it’s a weekly ritual. Families, friends, and entire pubs revolve around it.
Reservations help because good pubs fill up quickly.
Fish and Chips Are Best at Lunch
Visitors often assume fish and chips is a dinner food, but many locals will tell you it’s actually best earlier in the day. By lunchtime the oil is fresh and the fish is at its best. Late at night it can feel more like drunk food. Also, eat it with malt vinegar. That sharp flavor is part of the experience.
Indian Food Is Essential London Eating
If you leave London without eating Indian food, you’ve missed one of the city’s great culinary traditions. Britain’s long connection with the Indian subcontinent created one of the best Indian restaurant scenes in the world. You’ll find everything from casual curry houses to refined regional restaurants. And yes, chicken tikka masala is often called Britain’s national dish.
Try a Proper English Breakfast at Least Once
A full English breakfast is not subtle. Expect eggs, sausage, bacon, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and sometimes black pudding. It’s a lot of food, but it’s also one of the most traditional British meals you can have. If you have a big sightseeing day ahead of you, it will carry you a long way.
Pret A Manger Is London’s Reliable Safety Net
You’ll see Pret A Manger everywhere in central London. It’s one of the city’s most reliable places to grab a quick coffee, sandwich, soup, or salad. Many Londoners rely on it during the workweek, and for travelers it’s a very easy breakfast or lunch solution when you’re on the move. When you’re jet-lagged and wandering around looking for food, Pret often solves the problem.
The “Meal Deal” Is a Very British Lunch
At grocery stores like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Boots you’ll often see something called a “meal deal.” This lets you choose a sandwich, snack, and drink for a fixed price. It’s quick, inexpensive, and surprisingly good. London office workers rely on meal deals constantly, and they can be a very practical lunch when you’re sightseeing.
Afternoon Tea Is a Real Thing (But Book It)
Afternoon tea isn’t just a tourist experience. When done well, it’s a lovely ritual that includes finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, and a pot of tea.Many hotels in London take afternoon tea very seriously, and reservations are often necessary. And yes, people do debate the correct order for a scone: jam first or cream first?
Crisps Are Not Chips
In Britain, chips are French fries.
Potato chips are called crisps, and they come in flavors Americans often find surprising — things like prawn cocktail, roast chicken, and pickled onion.
One very British habit is putting crisps inside a sandwich for extra crunch. It sounds strange until you try it!
Order a Half Pint if You Want to Try More Beer
British pubs are wonderful places to explore local beer. If you want to try several options, order half pints rather than full pints. It’s completely normal and lets you taste a few different beers.
Also remember that many British ales are served cool rather than ice cold so the flavors can come through more clearly.
London Is a Global Food City
One mistake visitors make is assuming they should only eat traditional British food. London is one of the most international cities in the world, and the restaurant scene reflects that. Some of the best meals you’ll have might be Lebanese, Persian, Turkish, Malaysian, or Thai.
The diversity of food is part of what makes London such an exciting place to eat. One of the things I love most about London is that the food reflects the city itself. You can start the day with a full English breakfast, grab a quick Chinese for lunch, eat phenomenal Indian food for dinner, and end the night with a pint in a centuries-old pub. Few cities offer that kind of range.
If you’re planning a London trip, my advice is simple: come hungry, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try things that might feel a little unfamiliar. That’s often where the best meals happen.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.
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