London is one of those destinations I always go back to, and let me say, the main reason is because of the food! Fun fact, I once asked for a steak and ale pie for my birthday instead of a cake … that’s just how much I love hearty English cuisine! Here’s a guide to some of my favorite dishes you should try on your next trip to the regal city.
Meat Pies … Of Any Kind Really, They’re Simply Delicious
If you’ve been following along with the blogs so far, it’s no secret to you that I love a good British meat pie. There are so many varieties to choose from in London, but my all time favorite is the steak and ale pie. Traditionally composed of cubed steak, a hearty, rich ale gravy, and tender roasted veggies all encased in buttery, crisp pastry, there’s almost no room to go wrong with this delicious savory bite. But, if you’re not a steak fan, another close favorite of mine is the chicken and ham pie and the goat’s cheese and squash pie for the veggie lovers. Shameless plug here – just try a pie. I promise it’s worth it.
But you may be saying to yourself, “Brooke, you’re awfully passionate about these pies but didn’t say where to get them.” Don’t you worry, I have a couple of recommendations up my sleeve. On my last trip to London, I went to the Battersea Pie Station in Covent Garden and got … you guessed it: a steak and ale pie with mash and gravy. While there, I also got a sticky toffee pudding that was delightful (more on that later). Another one of my favorite spots is the Tipperary Pub on Fleet Street, where I got a chicken and ham pie with peas. Though these are two of my favorites, there are plenty of pubs and pie shops to explore in the city streets!
Afternoon Tea
This one’s more of an overall experience, but I have so much love for afternoon teas in London. My family went to tea at the Chesterfield Mayfair and I could not have had a better experience! Going for the holiday season, our selection included prawn sandwiches, ham, brie, and spiced apple sandwiches, the classic salmon and cream cheese option, and cranberry turkey as well; our scones were fresh baked cranberry and chocolate, with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam; and, the moment we’ve been waiting for: the desserts. Themed for the season, the dessert selection included chocolate yule logs, pistachio and cranberry slices, vanilla bavarois snowballs, gingerbread cakes, clementine macarons, a cranberry and coconut ball, praline eclairs, and a Christmas tree chocolate and coffee pot. There is so much to experience and try in an afternoon tea and I loved every bit of it! If you’re not the biggest tea drinker, don’t worry, there are still beverages for you. In the spirit of the season, I elected for a hot chocolate. And, if you partake in tea at the Chesterfield Mayfair as I did, there are candy-themed options, with some of my family choosing the licorice inspired tea which was highly unique but delicious nonetheless.
Pasties
Pasties are another one of those hearty dishes, and they are incredibly similar to the meat pie. However, they are much easier to take on-the-go. With similar flavor profiles to the British meat pie, pasties are folded over pockets of pie crust with a thick crimp at the bottom to hold on to. Originally made for miners, pasties were a quick lunch to have in the mines; however, because miners didn’t have time to remove their gloves full of dust while eating, the pasty has a signature thick roll of crust that was used both as a handle to hold and a place where the dust from miners’ gloves could go without getting on the rest of the pastry. Though more practical at the start, the hard crust edge is one of my favorite parts to get the buttery twist of the pastry that holds so much flavor. Be sure to give one of the these on-the-go delights a try on your next trip!
Fish and Chips
Often discussed and inseparable from English cuisine, fish and chips lives up to all of your expectations. Crispy white fish fried in fluffy batter and served on top of a bed of crispy, salty chips (otherwise known as fries), Fish and Chips are one of my favorite English dishes. Even though I’m not the biggest seafood fan, I go back to this dish again and again.
English Breakfast
While in London, there is so much to explore and with that, a lot of walking to do. I can’t think of a better way to start your day than with a hearty, rich full English breakfast. With hasbrowns, sausage or black pudding, roasted mushrooms, beans, eggs, toast, and sliced tomatoes, a full English breakfast will certainly fill you up for a day of adventures and is a perfect way to experience a piece of authentic cuisine. My favorite part are the Heinz beans, and they lie a little more on the sweet and tomato-ey side than traditional baked beans do. You also have the option to opt for black pudding or sausage links and if you’re feeling adventurous, black pudding would be the way to go!
Sunday Roast
Sunday roast is one of my favorite dinner options to grab in the city, with hearty roasted beef or chicken, roasted veggies, gravy, mash, and a Yorkshire pud. Though it sounds like a Sunday roast would be a signature sit-down meal, if you’re in a rush there are also options to grab it on-the go. Along the Thames, there are a few pop-up restaurants to stop by, and some serve a Sunday roast burrito of sorts. With all of the fixings centered and wrapped up in a giant tortilla-size Yorkshire pudding, the Sunday roast wrap is a great way to make sure you get a taste of the flavor with plenty of time to explore all that you need to! However, if you have time in your schedule to visit a local pub and get the full Sunday roast experience, I highly recommend it.
Bangers and Mash
Another rich savory dish, bangers and mash is a family favorite. If you’re a fan of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, you’ll remember the cheeky reference to the dish as Ted explains bangers aren’t great songs, but they sure do make you want to dance. Bangers are simply English sausages that are so filled with flavor that they make you want to dance as Ted explained. But in all seriousness, bangers and mash definitely is a dish to add to your foodie bucket-list. Often served over a pile of mash and covered in a rich dark brown gravy, bangers and mash is a dish perfect for a comforting dinner after a long day on the town. You can find bangers and mash in almost every classic pub, and it’s sure to bring a smile.
Sticky Toffee Pudding Pudding
I promised we’d come back to this one, and come back we did. Sticky toffee pudding is the epitome of what I want out of a sweet treat. It’s tender, with a dense sponge cake base, it’s got a rich, nutty toffee sauce spooned overtop … it’s perfect. Last time, I elected for the route of following my steak and ale pie with a slice, and I highly recommend it. Perfect to share or treat yourself, sticky toffee pudding is a must-try dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth who’s looking for an authentic dish to talk about for ages after the adventure is over.
Camembert Bites from McD’s
Once again, I will reference a dish from McDonald’s on my foodies guide. Though I’m not a big fast-food eater, I seem to always stop by local McDonald’s on my travels to see the unique menu items that each has to offer. Around the holiday season, McDonald’s in London has fried camembert cheese bites on the menu, and let me say, if you’re there and they’re on the menu, give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Raclette
Though not unique to London, Raclette is one of my favorite street foods to get along the Thames. Classically a bed of roasted potatoes and pickles topped with onions and a creamy slice of raclette cheese, Raclette is a perfect dish to share with friends for a quick pick-me-up bite after a day of exploring.
If you have any questions about any of the dishes or restaurants mentioned today, let me know in the travel questions form. Have any recommendations on where I should go next? Let me know in the recommend an adventure form.
