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Best Local & Traditional Foods to Try in London

Discover the 7 best local and traditional foods to try in London. Get AI-powered recommendations for authentic dishes, traditional cuisine, and the best restaurants.

Fish and Chips

$

A quintessential British dish, fish and chips consists of battered and fried fish, usually cod or haddock, served with chunky chips and mushy peas. It's often enjoyed with a side of tartar sauce and a splash of malt vinegar.

Ingredients

battered fishpotatoesmushy peas

Best Time

lunch or dinner

Cultural Significance

Fish and chips is a staple of British cuisine, symbolizing the working-class meal of the 19th century.

Where to try it

Poppies Fish & Chips, Spitalfields
4.5
The Golden Hind, Marylebone
4.6
Harry Ramsden's, Various Locations
4

Full English Breakfast

$

This hearty breakfast features eggs, sausages, bacon, baked beans, tomatoes, and toast, often accompanied by black pudding. It's a satisfying way to start the day and showcases traditional British breakfast fare.

Ingredients

eggsbaconsausagesbaked beansblack puddingtoast

Best Time

breakfast

Cultural Significance

The Full English Breakfast reflects the agricultural heritage of Britain and is a beloved morning tradition.

Where to try it

The Breakfast Club, Soho
4.4
Dishoom, Covent Garden
4.7
The Regency Cafe, Westminster
4.5

Shepherd's Pie

$

A comforting dish made with minced lamb, vegetables, and a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. It's a classic example of British comfort food.

Ingredients

minced lambpotatoescarrotspeasonions

Best Time

lunch or dinner

Cultural Significance

Shepherd's Pie is a traditional British dish that showcases the use of local ingredients and home-cooked meals.

Where to try it

The Ivy, Covent Garden
4.5
The Fox & Anchor, Smithfield
4.3
Mother Mash, Soho
4.4

Sticky Toffee Pudding

$$

A rich, moist sponge cake made with finely chopped dates, covered in a luscious toffee sauce and often served with vanilla ice cream. This dessert is a classic British treat that is sure to please any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

datesbrown sugarbuttercreamvanilla ice cream

Best Time

dessert

Cultural Significance

Sticky Toffee Pudding is a beloved dessert in British cuisine, often found in traditional pubs and restaurants.

Where to try it

The Wolseley, Piccadilly
4.7
The Ivy Chelsea Garden, Chelsea
4.6
Dishoom, Covent Garden
4.7

Eton Mess

$$

This delightful dessert combines crushed meringue, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream for a light and refreshing treat. It's traditionally associated with Eton College and is perfect for summer.

Ingredients

meringuestrawberrieswhipped cream

Best Time

dessert

Cultural Significance

Eton Mess is a traditional British dessert that celebrates the British love for fresh berries, especially during the summer months.

Where to try it

The Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond
4.5
The Delaunay, Aldwych
4.6
Meringue Girls, Various Locations
4.4

Pimm's Cup

$

This refreshing summer drink is made with Pimm's No. 1, lemonade, and an assortment of fresh fruits and herbs. It's a quintessential British beverage for picnics and garden parties.

Ingredients

Pimm's No. 1lemonadecucumberstrawberriesmint

Best Time

afternoon

Cultural Significance

Pimm's Cup is a favorite drink especially during the warmer months, embodying the British summer spirit.

Where to try it

The Roof Gardens, Kensington
4.3
The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, Hyde Park
4.4
The Ivy, Various Locations
4.5

Cornish Pasty

$

A traditional British pastry filled with meat and vegetables, originally from Cornwall. The filling is typically made with beef, potatoes, swede, and onions, all encased in a golden, flaky pastry.

Ingredients

beefpotatoesswedeonionspastry

Best Time

lunch or snack

Cultural Significance

Cornish Pasties are a historic food from Cornwall, made for miners as a portable meal, and are now enjoyed across the UK.

Where to try it

Cornish Bakery, Various Locations
4.4
The Pasty Shop, Covent Garden
4.5
Pasty Presto, Camden Market
4.3