What to Eat in London: A Food Guide

What to eat in London

• Sunday roast

  Beef, lamb or pork with Yorkshire pudding and gravy — book gastropubs a week ahead.

• Fish and chips

  Best at proper chippies (Poppies, Golden Union) not chain pubs.

• Indian curry

  Brick Lane and Tooting are the classic curry corridors; try Dishoom for polished Bombay café food.

• Afternoon tea

  Grand hotels (The Ritz, Claridge's) formalise it; Sketch is the design-led option.

What to drink

Tap water is safe and served free on request. Pubs pour cask ales at cellar temperature; craft beer, cocktail bars and natural-wine bars are thriving.

Dining etiquette and practicalities

• Queueing is serious — never jump a line at bus stops, tills or bars.

• Tipping 10–12.5% at restaurants is standard (often auto-added as 'service'); tipping is not expected in pubs or taxis (rounded up is fine).

• Pubs close at 23:00 in most areas; late-licence venues run to 03:00.

Where to eat in London

• Covent Garden / Soho

  Theatres, restaurants and central sightseeing on your doorstep.

• Kensington / Chelsea

  Museums, Hyde Park and elegant townhouse hotels — great for families.

• Mayfair / Marylebone

  Grande-dame hotels, Michelin dining and boutique shopping.

• Shoreditch / Hoxton

  Design hotels, street art, cocktail bars and independent dining.