Top 11 culinary specialities in London

You’ll know before you set foot in the UK that England doesn’t have a great reputation behind the stove, and typical London cuisine is no exception. Even the locals admit it! But that’s no reason to close your mouth. More than one English dish will raise your appreciation of local cuisine. In London, more than anywhere else, you’ll have access to the best restaurants and taste the creative revisits of local chefs. In other words, the best of English gastronomy is hidden in the mysterious streets of the capital.

During your stay in London, be sure to sample a number of dishes. Savoury dishes include fish and chips, pies, stews and curries, which have become an integral part of local specialities. On the sweet side, the many varieties of scones, buns and apple crumbles are sure to please.

You’ll notice how simple the typical English dishes are. The ingredients are basic and inexpensive, as most of the typical recipes were developed by working-class people. The dishes gradually made their way up to the plates of London’s aristocracy, without ever being modified. At the same time, London has attracted culinary talent from all over the world: Pakistani, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Jamaican. Each of them plays a major role in enhancing the dishes on offer in England. London’s specialities are extremely varied.

For this reason, typical English cuisine has inherited many cultures and culinary skills from colonisation. You’ll find a wide range of flavours from the 4 corners of the world, alongside old country and working-class recipes. Whether fried, baked or steamed, there’s more than one speciality to discover around a convivial London table.

What to eat in London Our selection of 11 London specialities

Let’s be honest, we travel to London – and England in general – for many things… But not for the local cuisine. Some people even claim that traditional English cuisine is one of the worst in the world! Even the famous English tea is a calamity that the English systematically try to mitigate with a cloud of milk. We recommend you try it for the culture, and then try other, more pleasant tea flavours. At the same time, many of the best local specialities come from elsewhere. Fish & chips are Portuguese, curries are Indian and scones are Scottish… In other words, English cuisine is a real subject without ever being debated, because the verdict is formal: typically English cuisine is no picnic!

1. The English Breakfast

There’s nothing like a monument to English gastronomy to get your day off to a good start! With the traditional English breakfast, you won’t go hungry anytime soon. It’s made up of a variety of savoury foods: toast, bacon, eggs – cooked in a variety of ways, from poached and fried to scrambled – sausages, mushrooms, potatoes, grilled tomatoes and the famous ‘beans’. Beans are the ubiquitous white beans in tomato sauce. Naturally, a full English Breakfast is accompanied by a hot drink. Most often a cup of English tea or coffee. Even if you’re taking advantage of the morning to hang out in your bathrobe, you should know that this full dish is served at any time of day in most British restaurants.

2. The Afternoon Tea

With this tender English ritual, you’ll never go hungry for long. Londoners have a way of putting a chic spin on everything… even a simple cup of tea! To reinvigorate yourself with an authentic Afternoon Tea, head to a tea room or the lounge of a quality hotel at 4pm. This mini-meal in the middle of the day is a ritual inseparable from British culture, and a trend that’s showing no signs of abating. There are no recipes as such, but depending on where you go, your cup of tea will be accompanied by scones with fresh cream and marmalade, muffins, finger sandwiches, fruit and some lovely pastries. In London, you’ll discover some of the most innovative, chic and tasty Afternoon Teas in England.

3. The Sunday Roast

Are you in London on a Sunday? Head to the nearest pub to try this dish in sauce! It’s roast beef – sometimes replaced by chicken or lamb – with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and steamed vegetables. For added indulgence, this generous dish is drizzled with gravy. There’s no better way to start the week than with a good Sunday roast.

4. Pie and Mash

When it comes to comfort food in London, Pie and Mash has no equal. The original recipe was created in the London Docks. Hence its hearty nature and simple but delicious flavours! It consists of a creamy mashed potato – the famous ‘mashed potatoe’, remember? – and a beef pie. It’s a simple, effective dish, sometimes with a fresh parsley sauce, depending on where it’s served. So, are you tempted?

5. The Boeuf and kigney pie

Take a bite out of popular London cuisine. This meat pie is a kind of hot pie, filled with chopped steak and kidneys, onions infused with meat or vegetable stock. When you break open the golden crust, you can smell the pie from afar! The main attraction is the brown and Worcestershire sauces, combined with the fragrance of a host of herbs. If you want to try this speciality, head for London’s pubs once again.

6. Fish & chips

Imagine carrying the weight of the whole of England’s gastronomy on your frail shoulders… That’s more or less what the traditional fish and chips experience is like. This cult dish is the emblem of London street food and, dare we say it, the only English speciality that makes everyone agree. Its Portuguese origins explain why cod and haddock are the most popular fish with which to prepare it. Well executed, this popular dish of breaded fish served with chips is a pure delight. It’s best eaten on the go, still piping hot when the weather’s not so good. That’s when it reveals all its culinary potential, both comforting and tasty. A good idea to keep in mind when you don’t have time to go to a restaurant.

7. The roast lamb and mint sauce

A speciality that has remained unchanged in London since its creation, the roast lamb and mint sauce will surprise many travellers. Traditionally, this recipe is served during the end-of-year festivities or at large family gatherings. In London, try this dish at lunchtime, when Afternoon Tea is not on the agenda…

8. The Pudding

Melt for this must-try English dessert. There isn’t a restaurant in London that doesn’t offer pudding as a fitting end to your meal. Pudding is usually flavoured with sticky toffee or chocolate. It is then served soft, with homemade custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re travelling to London with children, this really is the dessert to serve them to make sure they hit the spot!

9. The Scones

In London, you can enjoy these little rolls from Scotland at any time of day. English scones have the texture of miniature loaves and the softness of brioche. They are made from a simple dough of milk, wheat, barley or oats and yeast. They can be served at Full English Breakfast, Afternoon Tea or just as a snack as you wander around the city! If you eat them at the table, a cup of tea won’t go amiss, along with a lick of jam and dairy cream. Don’t hesitate to try the delicious versions with sultanas, chocolate chips or candied fruit.

10. The Crumble

Between the gourmet taste of baked apples and the half-melting, half-crispy texture of crumble dough, we’re craving more! Apple crumble has won over the sweet tooths of our region. So why not try it in its native land? The English are accustomed to eating it in autumn, to soften the harshest of days. The cooked apples are flavoured with a hint of vanilla or cinnamon, before being covered with shortcrust pastry and baked. The absolute must is to enjoy it just before it cools, with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

11. Jelly

If there’s one sweet London speciality that really stands out, it’s the Jelly! This fruit jelly, of which the English are huge fans, has something to surprise everyone. Not least because of its unusual texture and artificially pronounced fruity flavours. The jelly is made from water, syrup and gelatine, then put in the fridge to ‘set’ in the cold. You won’t want to miss it, because this culinary item is everywhere, in all shapes, colours and flavours!