What to eat in London: 10 British dishes every visitor should try first

February 4, 2026

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What to eat in London? If it’s your first trip to London, it’s harder than it should be to know which dishes are actually worth trying.

This list focuses on classic British dishes that you can easily find, order with confidence, and truly enjoy.

I’ve lived in London as an American for over a decade and these are the foods I advise visitors to prioritize first.

If you only have 5 foods to try in London, prepare them as follows:

Fish and chips
Afternoon tea
Sunday roast
Full English breakfast
Sticky Toffee Pudding

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Foods to Eat in London: The List

1. fish and chips

Golden and crispy dough, flaky white fish and large chips drizzled with salt and vinegar. Friday fish and chips is one of the most popular things to eat here. Americans, before you get excited about the green mush, you might see on the side that these are mushy peas, not guacamole!

2. Afternoon tea

Scones with clotted cream and jam, delicate sandwiches and a selection of cakes, afternoon tea is a must-do experience in London. While most Brits are more likely to have a simple cream tea (just scones and tea), the full afternoon tea experience is a treat worth savoring.

If you want to add it to your list of things to do in London, start with our Guide to the Best Afternoon Teas in London to see the most reliable places. And you’ll want to make sure to read our Guide to Afternoon Tea Etiquette Also.

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Things to do in London in March - Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea Chesterfield Mayfair

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Wondering where to eat in London?

You just don’t know where to go!

Get expert suggestions in our Insider’s Guide to London Restaurants.

Includes Google Maps pinned and organized by:

Neighborhood
Kitchens
“Best” lists

3. Sunday Roast

Roast beef, crispy potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and gravy, it’s the quintessential British meal. My English husband would happily eat it every Sunday! Many pubs serve it as a weekend special, so plan ahead if you’re here on a Sunday. It is best to book the most popular places in advance.

4. Bangers and mash

Sausages served over creamy mashed potatoes with a rich onion gravy. For me, this dish represents the pinnacle of British comfort food. It’s hearty, hearty and best enjoyed in a cozy pub. To be honest, I would choose it over a Sunday roast, unlike my husband!

5. Steak and Ale Pie

Tender beef simmered in a rich beer sauce, coated in puff pastry. It’s pub food at its best, served with mashed potatoes or chips and peas.

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6. A full English breakfast

A good “fry” includes bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, toast and black pudding. Full disclosure, I have been served black pudding on several occasions and have never even tried it. So, don’t be nervous about it. You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.

This is a serious breakfast that will keep you full for hours. However, it’s not something Londoners would have every day. They would probably treat themselves to this hearty breakfast on weekends or on vacation.

7. Sticky Toffee Pudding

A warm, sticky sponge cake dipped in caramel sauce, usually served with cream or custard. It’s one of Britain’s best desserts and an absolute must-try. There are few times I can leave it off a menu, if I have room for an extra dish.

8. A good bacon butty

Soft white bread, crispy bacon and ketchup or brown sauce. Yes, you read that correctly. This is called “brown sauce”. After living in London as America since 2013 and writing a blog heavily focused on foodie things to do in London, I’m still not entirely sure what it’s all about. But I like it!

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9. Scotch Egg

A soft-boiled egg wrapped in seasoned sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and fried to perfection. It’s the ultimate pub snack. You’ve hit the jackpot if you open one and it contains a slightly runny egg. That’s a big thing for a chef to accomplish!

10. Chicken Tikka Masala

Believe it or not, this creamy and spicy dish was created in Britain! It is considered by many to be the country’s national dish. London is a great place to try it. However, it is widely believed that it was “invented” in Glasgow, Scotland.

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Food tours in London:

If you really want to explore London like a foodie, consider taking a food tour. There are many choices and I have made several. I love them because you also learn local history and see parts of London that most people miss.

Where to eat British food in London:

If you’re looking for places to eat in London, below are five great restaurants offering classic British cuisine. You’ll find lists like this (but BIGGER) in our Insider’s Guide to London Restaurants.

Rules– London’s oldest restaurant, known for its traditional British dishes.
The ivy– A stylish place with a great modern take on British classics.
Tradition of the land– A fantastic gastropub with an upscale take on pub favorites. Its owner is the famous British director Guy Ritchie.
Saint-JEAN– Famous for its nose-to-tail dining and traditional British dishes.
Harwood weapons– London’s only Michelin-starred pub, offering fine British food.
Poppy Fish & Chips– widely recognized as the best place in London for this dish

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No way and yes please!

One thing I will absolutely never eat is jellied eels. Yes, that’s exactly what it looks like. Eels chopped, boiled and put in their own jelly. A traditional East London dish that has been around for centuries. I can’t even get close.

And my favorite gift for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions is Beef Wellington. But it has to be perfectly cooked, which is extremely difficult to achieve.

Although these ten dishes are must-try dishes, different regions of the UK have their own famous specialties. If you’re exploring beyond London, keep an eye out for:

Cornish pasties in Cornwall. Pâtés are flaky pastries filled with meat and vegetables.
Haggis in Scotland. It’s definitely an acquired taste but a true Scottish classic. This is one I haven’t tried yet either! By choice.
Welsh rarebit in Wales. You may be surprised to learn that this is a rich, cheesy treat.

Final thoughts on what to eat in London

If you know where to go and what to eat in London, you will really enjoy some amazing food! I would love to know which one from the list you would like to try. Leave a comment below!

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