What to eat in London: Typical dishes and where to try fish and chips
London is one of the most diverse gastronomic capitals in the world. Alongside Michelin-starred restaurants and international cuisines, the English culinary tradition survives and thrives. Fish and chips, Sunday roast, afternoon tea, and full English breakfast are dishes that tell the story and soul of the city. In this guide, discover the typical dishes of London, where to taste them, and how much it costs to eat well without falling into tourist traps.
London cuisine: between tradition and innovation
English cuisine has a bad reputation (often undeserved). In reality, London offers substantial and flavorful traditional dishes, born from the need to feed workers and families with simple ingredients. Today, alongside pubs and chippies (fish and chips shops), markets and restaurants flourish that reinterpret tradition in a modern way.
1. Fish and chips: The iconic dish
Fish and chips is the British national dish: a fillet of white fish (cod or haddock) fried in batter, served with thick fries (chips). Traditionally, it is eaten with the hands, seasoned with salt and malt vinegar, and wrapped in newspaper (now white paper).
Where to eat the best fish and chips in London
1. Poppie's Fish & Chips (Spitalfields and Soho)
An institution. 1950s atmosphere, rock music, vintage decor. Fresh fish, crispy batter. Price: £15-20 per person. Very touristy but of good quality.
2. The Golden Hind (Marylebone)
A small historic shop (open since 1914), loved by Londoners. No fancy dining room: you eat at formica tables. Price: £12-15.
3. Sutton and Sons (Stoke Newington, Islington)
Sustainably caught fish, light batter. They also have vegetarian and vegan options. Price: £14-18.
4. Fryer's Delight (Holborn)
Another old school. Open since 1952, still with the original tiles. Chips cooked in beef dripping (traditional). Price: £10-14.
5. Rock and Sole Plaice (Covent Garden)
The oldest fish and chips in London (1871). Central location, good quality but tourist prices (£18-22).
What to order
Fish:Cod or haddock. Cod is more common, haddock has a stronger flavor.
Chips:Thick chips, soft inside and crispy outside.
Condiments:Salt and malt vinegar. No ketchup (that's for thin fries).
Side:Mushy peas or curry sauce.
How much it costs
Takeaway: £8-12 per portion.
In the restaurant: £12-20 per portion.
2. Sunday roast
The Sunday roast is the ultimate Sunday meal. Roast meat (beef, lamb, chicken, or pork), served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding (a soft cup-shaped bread), vegetables (carrots, peas, cabbage), and plenty of gravy.
Where to eat Sunday roast in London
1. The Hawksmoor (Seven Dials, Spitalfields, Guildhall)
The best roast beef in London. Top quality meat, giant Yorkshire pudding. Price: £25-35 per person. Reservation required.
2. The Marksman (Hackney)
Gastro pub with inventive roast (sometimes with pork or duck chops). Price: £22-28.
3. The Ivy (Covent Garden, West Street)
Classic roast in an elegant atmosphere. Price: £25-35.
4. The Grapes (Limehouse)
Historic pub on the Thames (owned by actor Ian McKellen). Simple and honest roast. Price: £18-24.
5. Blacklock (Soho, Shoreditch, City)
Specializing in ribs and grilled meat roasts. Price: £20-30.
When to eat Sunday roast
Only on Sundays, from 12:00 to about 17:00 (until sold out). Many pubs require reservations.
3. Full English breakfast
The English breakfast is a hearty meal, originally designed to energize Victorian workers. Today, it's a treat to indulge in every once in a while.
What it includes
Eggs(fried or scrambled)
Bacon(smoked, crispy)
Sausages(pork sausages)
Baked beans(baked beans)
Grilled tomato
Sautéed mushrooms
Black pudding(blood sausage, optional)
Hash browns(shredded potato pancakes)
Toastwith butter and jam
Tea or coffee
Where to eat English breakfast
1. Regency Café (Westminster)
A classic from the 1940s, black and white tiles, no frills. Price: £8-12.
2. E. Pellicci (Bethnal Green)
Italian-English family café since 1900. Art deco decor. Price: £10-14.
3. The Breakfast Club (Soho, London Bridge, many others)
Popular and reliable chain. Queues on Sunday mornings. Price: £12-16.
4. Dishoom (Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Kings Cross)
Anglo-Indian breakfast: naan roll with bacon and cheese, chai tea. Price: £10-15.
How much it costs
From £8 to £20 depending on the place.
4. Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a British institution. Born in 1840 from the Duchess of Bedford, it is an afternoon snack that replaced a late dinner. Today it is an elegant (and expensive) experience.
What it includes
Tea(English breakfast, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Assam)
Sandwiches(cucumber, smoked salmon, egg and cress, chicken)
Scones(soft buns) with clotted cream and strawberry jam
Pastries(treats, tarts, macarons)
Where to have afternoon tea
Luxury (£40-60 per person):
The Ritz (Piccadilly):The most famous. Elegant dress code. £60-70.
Claridge's (Mayfair):Elegant and refined. £65-75.
The Savoy (The Strand):Classic. £60-70.
Quality/price (25-40 £):
Fortnum & Mason (Piccadilly):Department store for tea and food. 45-55 £.
The Wolseley (Piccadilly):Art deco atmosphere. 35-45 £.
The Orangery (Kensington Palace):In the palace garden. 30-40 £.
Budget (15-25 £):
Cutter & Squidge (Soho):Creative, vegan, and gluten-free afternoon tea. 20-25 £.
The Tea Terrace (Oxford Street):City views. 18-25 £.
When it's done
Generally between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Reservation required for luxury ones (weeks in advance).
5. Pie and mash
A working-class dish from East London. A savory pie filled with minced beef, served with mashed potatoes and a green liquid sauce called "liquor" (parsley and cooking water).
Where to eat pie and mash
1. M. Manze (Tower Bridge, Peckham)
The most famous, opened in 1902. Original tiles, old-fashioned atmosphere. Price: 8-12 £.
2. F. Cooke (Hoxton, Broadway Market)
Another historic one. Opened in 1862. Price: 7-10 £.
3. G. Kelly (Bethnal Green)
Famous for the quality of the meat. Price: 8-11 £.
6. Typical desserts and sweets
Sticky toffee pudding:Date cake with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. The quintessential English dessert.
Bread and butter pudding:Bread, eggs, milk, raisins, and spices pudding.
Eton mess:Meringue, strawberries, whipped cream.
Trifle:Layers of sponge cake, custard, fruit, jelly, and cream.
Scone (with clotted cream and jam):Note: in Cornwall, jam goes on first, then cream. In Devon, cream goes on first, then jam. In London, no one cares.
Eating low cost in London
If the budget is tight, here are some affordable alternatives:
Supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S Simply Food):Sandwiches, salads, and ready meals for £3-5.
Low-cost chains:Pret a Manger, Itsu (sushi), Wasabi (Japanese food), Greggs (savory pastries). £4-8 per meal.
Markets (Borough, Camden, Broadway):Street food from £5-10 per portion.
Lunch at pubs:Many pubs serve burgers or fish and chips for £10-14 (cheaper than in the evening).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the typical dish of London?
Fish and chips is the most iconic dish. But Sunday roast and afternoon tea are also strongly associated with British culture.
Where to eat cheap fish and chips in London?
In takeaway shops (chippies) outside the center. A takeaway fish and chips costs £8-12. In a restaurant, £15-20.
Is afternoon tea expensive?
It can be. Luxury ones (Ritz, Claridge's, Savoy) cost £50-70 per person. There are cheaper options (£25-40) and even low-cost ones (£15-25) in less touristy cafes.
What do people eat for breakfast in London?
The typical breakfast is the "Full English breakfast." However, most Londoners simply eat cereal, toast, or porridge on weekdays.
Is Sunday roast only eaten on Sundays?
Yes, almost exclusively on Sunday for lunch. Some pubs offer it on Saturday evenings, but it's rare.
Can vegetarians and vegans eat typical English food?
Yes, many vegetarian/vegan versions of fish and chips (fried tofu or banana blossom), Sunday roast (with seitan or jackfruit), and full breakfast (vegan sausages, scrambled tofu) are available in modern pubs and restaurants.
What meat is used for Sunday roast?
Traditionally beef. But lamb, pork, and chicken are also common.
What beer is drunk with fish and chips?
A light and pale beer: lager (Stella Artois, Peroni) or ale (London Pride, Doom Bar). Cider is also popular.
What are mushy peas?
Dried peas soaked and cooked until they become a green puree. Served as a side with fish and chips. An acquired taste.
How much does it cost to eat in a pub in London?
A main meal (fish and chips, hamburger, pie) costs £12-18. A beer costs £5-7. A full lunch with beer costs £20-25.
Summary table of typical dishes
| Dish | What it is | Average price | Where to try it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish and chips | Fried fish and chips | £12-20 | Poppie's, Golden Hind |
| Sunday roast | Roast meat with sides | £20-30 | Hawksmoor, Marksman |
| Full English | Hearty breakfast | £10-18 | Regency Café, E. Pellicci |
| Afternoon tea | Tea, sandwiches, scones, pastries | £25-60 | Fortnum's, Ritz, Cutter & Squidge |
| Pie and mash | Meat pie and mash | £8-12 | M. Manze, F. Cooke |
A world of flavors to discover
London's typical cuisine is much more than fish and chips. From the Sunday roast to the elegant afternoon tea, from the hearty breakfast at the Regency Café to the historic pubs serving pie and mash, there is a world of flavors to discover. Don't fall into the trap of the restaurants in Leicester Square (expensive and poor quality). Look for pubs off the tourist circuits, markets, and old chippies. With a little research, eating well in London is possible at all price points. And remember: malt vinegar on chips is non-negotiable.
Discover every aspect of your trip in our complete guide:holidays in London.
Review date:April 2026