The Open Road Travel

English cuisine may not have caught on around the world the same way as some others have but there are certainly a number of delicacies the country is known for. That’s why, today, I want to show you some of the best places to eat in London.

As the nation’s capital, it should come as no surprise that London has establishments covering most of the stereotypical English foods, as well as some you may not have thought of.

Whether it be dishes that have been around for generations or those that have been adopted in recent years, there are plenty of options to get your mouth watering.

Fish and chips are a staple of the English diet and one of its most famous exports. Located on the outskirts of the city in Harrow, nowhere does fish and chips any better than Barracuda.

Opened in 1998, they have won numerous awards, including the 2nd Food Awards Best Fish and Chips In London. From the size of the portions to the price, everything will leave you coming back for more. The food is of the highest quality and the menu has everything you could ask for.

From staples like pies, sausages, and, of course, fish and chips, to burgers, chicken, and all the usual sides, Barracuda is sure to have everything you could be looking for. Those who choose to dine in will find additions like steak on the menu as well.

A family run business; the staff are amazingly friendly. Whether they are serving you a takeaway or adding that personal touch to a dine-in meal, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Barracuda

1-2 Headstone Gardens

Headstone Drive

Harrow

HA1 4UW

Poppies Fish And Chips

Golden Union

Fisher’s Fish And Chips

Another of the iconic English dishes, the title of best full English breakfast in London isn’t one to be given lightly. While there are a number of contenders, the best all round experience can be found at The River Café on Putney Bridge.

A greasy spoon style café, you can expect to receive a traditional version of the dish, featuring generous portions and all the trimmings. The friendly staff add to the welcoming atmosphere, which is furthered by its homely, vintage décor.

Its location on Putney Bridge adds to the experience, as you can enjoy iconic surroundings that make you feel like you’re in the heart of the city. Despite this, the price tag is more than reasonable, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality for the sake of good value.

The River Café

1A Station Approach

Putney Bridge

London

SW6 3UH

Hawksmoor Guildhall

Regency Café

Afternoon tea is an English institution, so those seeking the most complete experience will want somewhere that seamlessly combines location, history, and style.

The Savoy Thames Foyer is located in The Savoy hotel on The Strand. The beautiful, glass-domed atrium balances style and sophistication with a location right on the Thames.

Throughout your experience, you can expect to be pampered to the highest degree. The traditional menu consists of coronation chicken sandwiches, raisin scones, trays of luscious cakes, and a wide range of teas to choose from.

With staff that will ensure you have everything you need for the duration of your visit; you will leave feeling like this truly was the best afternoon tea in London and the experience was more than worth the money, despite the sort of price tag you would expect in such an establishment.

The Savoy – Thames Foyer

The Strand

London

WC2R 0EZ

Browns

Oblix At The Shard

Claridge’s

A Sunday roast is a British tradition like no other. Born from pubs up and down the country, it makes sense that the best roast dinner in London is found in London’s only Michelin starred pub.

Their incredible beef is smothered in rich, flavoursome gravy and served with all the trimmings, which include roast potatoes, parsnips, and, of course, a giant Yorkshire pudding.

Served on a rustic wooden board and available for an incredibly reasonable price, it isn’t just the food that makes this the best roast dinner in London, it’s the overall experience.

The Harwood Arms

Walham Grove

London

SW6 1QP

Blacklock

The Pig And Butcher

Roast

While pie and mash is eaten throughout England, it is east London where it is truly ingrained as part of the culture. Perhaps no where is that truer than at the historic G. Kelly in Bow.

Open since the 1920’s, they have perfected their craft over the last century. Still a family run business to this day, it has expanded from a pitstop for visitors to the Roman Road Market into a must visit destination for anyone seeking the best pie and mash in London.

The pies are all brimming with freshly minced beef and rich gravy, wrapped in buttery puff pastry. Served with mash, liquor, and even optional jellied eels, a stop here will see you delve into this east London delicacy in the best way possible.

For those who want to stick around after, the fresh fruit crumbles and custard can help you tick off another popular English dish in the same location.

G. Kelly

526 Roman Road

Old Ford

London

E3 5ES

Eastenders Pie ‘N’ Mash

Cockney’s Pie & Mash

M. Manze

With Britain known for style and sophistication and British chef Gordon Ramsay recognised as one of the best in the world, it probably isn’t a surprise to see his restaurant topping this category.

While Gordon no longer cooks here himself, the chefs on staff maintain his renowned high standards. As a result, you will find yourself dining on some of the finest foods you will ever taste.

With an atmosphere that matches the calibre of the food, a visit to Gordon Ramsay isn’t just a meal out, it is an experience to be remembered. Most will see just from walking through the front door why we consider this to be the best fine dining restaurant in London.

Gordon Ramsay

68 Royal Hospital Road

London

SW3 4HP

Core by Clare Smyth

Launceston Place

The Five Fields

Despite originating in Asia, curry has become a part of British culture over the last half a century. So much so in fact that Britain now has curries entirely of their own creation, such as the Balti.

The original Covent Garden location of the popular Dishoom chain creates an atmosphere in the style of the classic cafés found in Bombay. The menu itself is filled with traditional delicacies including curries, bhajis, and naans, as well as a few more modern options.

While its other locations have plenty to offer in their own right, including a similar range and quality of food, the overall experience of the Covent Garden Dishoom makes it the best curry house in London.

Dishoom

12 Upper St Martin’s Lane

Covent Garden

London

WC2H 9FB

Hoppers

Booma

Apollo Banana Leaf

Covent Garden is quickly shaping up as one of the best places to eat in London. Not only is it the location of our favourite curry house but it is also home to the best steak house as well, The Hawksmoor.

Only the finest cuts of meat are used here, cooked to perfection by chefs who know their way around a steak like no other. Even the staff have an intimate knowledge of all the steaks on the menu, how best to cook them, and what to pair them with, so will happily lend a hand if you are unsure what to order.

The stone and wood interior finishes off the experience, creating a rustic feel that is the ideal setting to give in to your carnivorous urges. They also serve a fabulous range of cocktails, so it is a perfect destination for anyone who wants to make a night of it.

If for any reason you can’t make it to Covent Garden, The Hawksmoor also has another 4 locations conveniently dotted around the city, ensuring everyone has the chance to sample a slice of the best steak in London.

The Hawksmoor

11 Langley Street

Covent Garden

London

WC2H 9JG

Blacklock

Temper

Flat Iron

Burgers tend to be associated with America and Germany, but they are probably the most eaten food in the western world. As a result, London is filled with an incredible range of burger joints, all trying to put their own spin on a classic.

One establishment that manages that better than anywhere else is Burger And Beyond. Beginning life as a burger truck, their menu has evolved to feature a range of succulent burgers to suit all tastes, including a completely plant-based option for vegans.

A great collection of starters, sides, and sauces allow you to do it your own way, while you can wash it down with one of their signature milkshakes, boozy or otherwise.

The company has a number of outlets and continues to add more, including delivery only kitchens. That said, the standard bearer is still their original Shoreditch location. If you want to enjoy the best burgers in London and experience where it all began, this is the place to go.

Burger And Beyond

147 Shoreditch High Street

London

E1 6JE

Lucky Chip

Mac & Wild

Dip & Flip

Veganism is a movement that is growing by the day, with any city worth its salt starting to produce a number of options suitable for those living a plant-based lifestyle. One such restaurant that is leading the way as the best vegan restaurant in London is 222 Vegan.

One of the first fully vegan restaurants in London when it opened in 2004, it takes inspiration from cuisines originating all over the world. As a result, you will find some truly unique choices on offer.

With a full range of appetisers, entrees, and tempting treats for dessert, even non vegans will be able to enjoy a 100% plant-based meal at 222 Vegan.

222 Vegan

Club Mexicana

Gauthier

Itadaki Zen

Street food is the purest form of a cuisine, taking it back to its roots. It gives people the chance to experience food without all the frills, focusing solely on the flavours and ingredients they are eating.

When it comes to the best street food in London, The Kitchens in Old Spitalfields Market ticks all the boxes, no matter what you are looking for. Its 10 different outlets include popular names such as Pleasant Lady, Yum Bun, Dumpling Shack, and Humble Crumble.

With a wonderful selection of street food from around the world, it makes a fabulous experience to have with friends. You can enjoy sampling dishes from around the world, sharing with one another while taking in the historic surroundings.

The Kitchens, Old Spitalfields Market

16 Commercial Street

London

E1 6EW

Kerb

Borough Market

Brockley Market

England may not be known for BBQ, thanks in large part to the weather, but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of the most popular cuisines around. While that gives us plenty of choices for the best BBQ in London, nothing comes close to the overall experience of the Big Easy Bar.B.Q and Crabshack.

Inspired by the Cajun cuisine of New Orleans, you can enjoy BBQ, seafood, and whole host of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. Beyond just the food, the beautifully styled restaurant and bar is located on a permanently docked boat in the Thames.

With this combination, is there any better way to transport yourself to the deep south for a little while?

Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack

Crossrail Place

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AR

Bodean’s

The Blues Kitchen

SMOKESTAK

While people will have their own opinions on the best places to eat in London, this list should give you a great option, no matter what style of food you’re in the mood for.

So, next time you’re not sure where to go to eat, why not give one a try and see if you agree with our rankings?

While we are confident we’ve covered all of the most popular types of food in England, feel free to let us know if you think we’ve missed something and maybe we can add it to the list.