21 Fun Foodie Things to Do in London

London is a fun city to visit, whether you’re in town to see the major sights, try to catch a glimpse of the Royals, or to see some West End shows. But we all have to eat, so why not throw in a few foodie activities too!

Some of my favorite things to do in London have to do with food, and I always advocate adding foodie things to do to your itinerary, in order to learn a bit about the food culture and have fun while eating.

You might be surprised by how many fun foodie things there are to do in London. People often think England doesn’t have any good food – or that it consists merely of fish and chips and pub food. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

In fact, London is one of the biggest food cities in the world. You can find every type of cuisine imaginable in the city. Find your favorites cuisine here.

London’s Best Foodie Activities

1. Browse Around Borough Market

Pro Tip: The line is often formidable, but do not leave Borough Market without trying the raclette potatoes at Kappacasein, pictured above.

Borough Market is one of the most popular in London, and for good reason. There are dozens of food shops and stalls in the market, catering to both locals and tourists. You have your pick of about a dozen street food stalls where you can grab a mouthwatering pork sandwich, or some of the best Caribbean food.

Or you can head to one of the other dozen or so restaurants that line the market. No matter what, you won’t go hungry here. It’s one of my favorite places to go for lunch, because of the variety.

Just remember, it’s super popular, so it’s best not to go directly at lunch time, if possible. There are plenty of choices for breakfast too, so maybe try to make it your first stop of the day (10am).

Borough Market also features market talks where they discuss a variety of food-related topics. And there’s a demo kitchen too, where you can watch various recipes being made.

Book a food tour of Borough market to see and taste it all:

• Private Borough Market Food Tour in London
• London Borough Market Food Tour with a Professional Chef

2. Try Some of London’s Best Cocktails

Get the inside scoop on some of London’s best cocktails on A Lush Life Cocktail Tour. During this 3.5-hour tour, you’ll visit iconic cocktail bars (some that you wouldn’t ever be able to find on your own), you’ll sample some of the signature cocktails that make London’s cocktail scene one of the best in the world, and you’ll learn the history behind each one as you move around Soho.

This cocktail tour is one of the best drinks tours we’ve been on. It includes a nice stroll around the lively Soho neighborhood, stopping in at 4 iconic cocktail bars to try 2 mini versions of their signature cocktails with snacks, all while hearing stories and histories told by Susan Schwartz of the award-winning Lush Life podcast. There’s even a chance to talk directly with the bartenders who created these delicious cocktails.

The cocktails served on this tour are not your ordinary cocktail. They’re extraordinarily good, which makes this tour a huge value. You might think that 8 cocktails is a lot, but they’re small version and always served with food, so you won’t feel like you’re over-indulging.

→ Book your Lush Life Cocktail Tour here

3. Relax and Have Some Tea, Like the English Do

Afternoon tea is such a quintessentially English thing to do. Of course, you should slow down long enough to experience afternoon tea at least once while you’re in London. If you’re looking for somewhere to have afternoon tea in London, you really don’t have to look very hard.

Almost all of the high-end hotels and restaurants in London have one.  Where you go really depends on how fancy you want to get. One of the best afternoon teas I’ve had in London is at the Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard. As you can see from the photo above, the Luxury Afternoon Tea at the Shangri-La includes a beautiful plate of food (just look at those desserts!), along with an equally beautiful view.

If you only indulge in one afternoon tea in London, this one is a must. There are 30 teas to choose from and you can even add a glass of Champagne to start things off right.

Details: Book Here, £60, 12pm – 4pm (Mon – Sun) last seating at 4pm.

Pro Tip: While I love afternoon tea, I’m also a fan of cream tea, which consists of just scones and tea. It’s a good option if you’re not prepared for the full afternoon tea experience.

4. Twilight Soho Food & Cocktail Tour

Soho is a neighborhood in London with a very unique history. You’ll learn the story and see some remnants of this history as you walk along the bustling streets of Soho with Eating London, called the Soho Food & Cocktail Tour.

The tour will take you to a number of top food establishments in the neighborhood where you’ll be treated to a plate of food and a cocktails. In my opinion, it’s the best way to experience this neighborhood, because it’s absolutely jam packed with restaurants and bars, many of which have secret entrances.

The tour lasts about 3.5 hours, from late afternoon through to evening. It’s a great way to try a bunch of places, eat lots of different things, and not have to worry about dinner! You’ll sample everything from tacos, to dumplings to Spanish pintxos.

⇒ We love this tour, and we know you will too! Check out the schedule and book your tour.

5. See the London Sights While Enjoying a Gourmet Meal

There’s no better way to combine two great London experiences in one than by enjoying a gourmet meal aboard a double-decker sightseeing bus.

The company that offers this fun and tasty experience is called Bustronome. Their innovative double-decker restaurant on wheels began in Paris and extended its tours to London in summer 2018. You can now climb aboard for a 4-course lunch, afternoon tea, or 6-course dinner. While you’re dining aboard, the bus will be passing by all the top London sights.

You can use the menu/map to pinpoint your location. Each of the top sights along the way offers a short audio message you can listen to on the audio pen.

You might think this experience is super touristy, but that’s very far from the truth. If feels like you’re at a fine dining restaurant. There are no announcements or annoying interruptions. You’re free to just enjoy your meal and the view.

Check out the schedule and offerings here.

6. Eat Lunch at the Maltby Street Market

I love this street food market because of it’s awesome location, and because it has the highest concentration of really good food options of any of the street food meccas we’ve been to in London. Don’t worry about getting overwhelmed, though. It’s just ONE street, and a small one at that.

It can also be a bit hard to find, because its home is under the railway arches in Bermondsey. The alley is now full of restaurants and during the weekend the tables and chairs come out and fill the whole place with magic.

To say this is a “market” is a bit of an overstatement. It’s really just an alleyway full of fantastic food. There are actual restaurants on the left and pop up food stalls on the right. The alley is packed at all times. The food is often incredible, not just okay, like many outdoor markets manage.

I’d give a list of my favorites, but they often aren’t there for long. You’ll have to do your own food scouting! However, if you see the steak in the photo above, drop everything immediately and get in line. Check out these other London markets too.

Location: 37 Maltby Street

Hours: Saturday 9AM – 4PM, Sunday 11AM – 4PM

PRO TIP: To fully enjoy all of the attractions, I recommend getting a one-day London Pass. It gives you access to 80+ London attractions, including the Tower of London, so you can skip the long lines and get right in. Some of the best attractions included are the Tower of London (£28), Hop on Hop off bus (£34), View from the Shard (£32), Westminster Abbey (£23), Tower Bridge (£10). A one-day pass is £75.

7. Eat Like an Italian at Mercato Metropolitano

If you’re looking for a fun place to eat, where there are dozens of choices and all of them are worth your time, be sure to stop by the expanding Mercato Metropolitano market in the Elephant & Castle area. It’s a creative space, with the feeling of being in a funky old warehouse – it’s actually an old paper factory.

The food stalls are spread out in three different areas, with plenty of seating and walking space, so it rarely feels crowded (except in the height of summer). The food is primarily Italian – I ate the most incredible tagliatelle with sausage ragu – but there are many other choices, from burgers to Vietnamese specialties, Argentinian steak, burritos, etc. They also have a fairly large Italian market, where you can find all kinds of Italian products that are hard to find elsewhere.

If you’re around for a while, you can even catch an event at the market. They host movies, live music performances, and educational events, including special cooking classes. They are open from 8am on weekdays, 11am on weekends, and close at 10 or 11pm. Check their website for details.

JUST FOR FUN: There’s a second location of Mercato Metropolitano in Mayfair that’s housed in an old church complete with stained glass windows. You must see it to believe it.

8. Relax With a Glass of Wine at Bottles

Bottles is a cozy wine bar in Spitalfields Market (also in Chelsea). You can enter this trendy wine shop from outside the market, on Brushfield Street, but the shop extends right into Spitalfields Market, so you can do some shopping and then stop for a glass of lovely Italian wine and still feel like you’re immerse in the market experience.

To make the connection, Bottles is brought to you by the same owners as the Bottles & Battles in Mercato Metropolitano (see above). They are focused on Italian wine and food pairings – and believe me, the food is divine. We had a beef carpaccio and a white fish crudo. Both were very good.

One of the best things about Bottles is the interior. It feels like walking into a wine cellar, with brick walls, dim lighting and wine stacked up to the ceiling. There are various spots to sit – from the airy market space, to the communal table on the lower floor. No matter where you choose, it’s inviting and relaxing. You can reserve a table on their website.

9. Indulge at Duke of York Square Foodie Market

The Duke of York Square, in Chelsea, near Sloane Square Underground Station, is a restaurant lover’s dream location with more than a dozen places to eat within the small square. You can choose from all different types of food, from fine dining to a relaxed brunch, casual coffee and croissant, delicious deli offerings, and artisanal locally produced food.

There are other things to do at Duke of York Square. It’s a major shopping mecca. And there are many cute little cafes, bars, and restaurants to stop off at for a meal or a drink. Plus, it’s right in the heart of Chelsea, so there’s a world of things to do at your fingertips.

If you love food markets and want to check out another one, try the Real Food Market, which takes place Friday-Sunday in Southbank Centre.

10. Have Champagne at The View From the Shard

The Shard is Western Europe’s tallest building and one of London’s most recognizable icons. The view from the top viewing platform is simply mesmerizing. The View from the Shard experience offers visitors the opportunity to see London from above, like never before. And there’s no better way to enjoy the view than with a glass of Champagne in hand!

There are audio and visual guides available at the top, so you know what you’re looking at and can learn a bit about the history of London while you walk around. There are two viewing platforms, on level 69 and level 72.

The lower level has interactive viewing telescopes that can be aimed at any area, or even any building, in the landscape, and it will tell you the name and history of the location. The 72nd floor is the highest floor accessible to visitors and is an open air deck.

During the summer, the Skydeck even has a bar with snacks and drinks, plus some fake grass to sit on and feel like you’re having a picnic in the sky!

PRO TIP: Get a skip the line ticket! The View from The Shard Direct Entry Ticket

11. Join a Dinner Party at the Little Blue Door

What if you could replicate the experience of being among friends at a house party, eating and drinking together and having a fantastic time together? That’s what the group of flatmates who formed The Little Blue Door are hoping to do for you.

They host house parties that you can join in. You’ll be dining among strangers who quickly become friends, in a townhouse in Fulham. Everyone is welcome. Dinner starts with cocktails in the lounge, where you can mill around and meet people, or just have a nice relaxing drink.

Then you’ll move to the kitchen, where tables are set for the perfect dinner party. Food is passed around, cocktails are enjoyed. It’s really just a bit of fun.

I joined a dinner party at The Little Blue Door in Fulham, but there are many colored doors open up around the city. Be sure to check it out and make a reservation early!

12. Feast on Street Food

If you love street food experiences, you cannot miss the Street Feast locations around London. Each one has a different theme, but they are all a conglomeration of food stalls and bars, all offering something unique and delicious. The Street Feast concept is to take over derelict and run down buildings and locations around the city and turn them into cool places to eat and drink.

You can check out the other locations: Hawker House in Canada Water, Giant Robot in Dalston, Model Market in Lewisham. Each location is completely different and has different food stalls, so you really should check them all out!

Check out Street Feast’s website for more information and to see what food stalls you might find.

13. Sit Down for a Sunday Roast

If you are lucky enough to be visiting London on a Sunday, then you absolutely cannot miss the chance to have a proper Sunday Roast. You can find this incredible, hearty plate of food at just about any pub or restaurant in London.

It consists of a slice of roast meat (pork belly, prime rib beef, chicken, etc), a huge and puffy Yorkshire pudding, and roasted potatoes and vegetables. It’s a very filling and satisfying meal. Of course, you’ll want to pair it with a true English ale for the full effect.

Some of our favorites Sunday roasts are from small, local pubs that have been serving this dish for ages. But there are a few standouts that you can try, if you’re looking for one of the best in the city.

Try one of these famous roasts:

• Blacklock in Soho and Shoreditch
• Hawksmoor (various locations)
• Roast in Borough Market
• The Princess of Shoreditch

14. Go On An East London Food Tour

East London has some super trendy places to hang out, including Shoreditch, Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market. All of these locations have more food than you can even wrap your head around. On Sundays, Brick Lane turns into an outdoor market, complete with tons of food stalls. But even on a regular day, it’s a foodie paradise, especially if you love Indian and Bangladeshi food.

One of the best ways to try some of the food in this area is to go on a food tour. We love the East End Food Tour by Eating Europe, a 4-hour tour that includes the best of the area, like a stop at Beigel Bake for salt beef bagels, and Poppies for fish and chips. There’s also a Brick Lane Flavors of India Food Tour you can go on.

Even if you’re not able to join a tour, you can easily make your own food crawl through this area. Stop at the food stall conglomeration called Boxpark Shoreditch. Grab a salt beef baigel at the popular Brick Lane Beigel Bake, head to Ely’s Yard at the Old Truman Brewery, and taste culinary delights from more than 30 international stalls at Boiler House Food Hall.

15. Make Your Own Sourdough at Bread Ahead

I have always wanted to make my own sourdough bread. I often hear from friends that they have their own starter in the fridge, ready to make a loaf of bread whenever they want and it makes me jealous. Well, now I can satisfy my curiosity for making sourdough at one of the best bread bakeries in London, Bread Ahead.

You can take a full day, half day or multi-day class with them, learning things like how to make Indian flat bread, English baking, and sourdough. They have a convenient location in Borough Market where the class takes place. They don’t have one every day though, so make sure you plan well in advance to make sure they can accommodate you during your visit.

See Bread Ahead’s website for more information and a class schedule.

16. Visit a Winery and Brewery on London’s East Side

London isn’t a city where you’ll find a lot of urban wineries or even microbreweries. That’s what makes these two unique, and is a great reason for you to make a special trip to the East Side. Down a small alley, just one block from the Bethnal Green Underground station, you’ll find London’s first urban winery, Renegade, and next door, Old Street Brewery.

Renegade Winery was started in March 2016 by two guys with a passion for wine and a crazy plan to start an urban winery. They source grapes from all over Europe to create their own style of wine, ranging from Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux (made in London, of course) to a naturally fizzy Rose from Italy and Spain, among others.

The wine bar is located in railway arch in Bethnal Green and it has quickly become one of the hot places to hang out on the weekends in that area. Arrive on the early side and have a taste of their wines, then stay for a glass or two or take some home to enjoy.

Renegade’s tap room is open Wednesday to Sunday. Weekdays 5pm to 11:30pm, Sat 2pm to 11:30pm, Sun 2pm to 10:30pm

17. Take a Stroll Down Brick Lane

You may have already heard that Brick Lane, in East London, is an Indian food mecca. Absolutely correct. There are dozens of Indian Restaurants to choose from. But the more exciting thing to do on Brick Lane happens every Sunday.

A large swath of Brick Lane, from Shoreditch down to Spitalfield’s Market, becomes a pedestrian street filled with food stalls of all kinds, vintage and antique finds, plus a whole lot of other stuff – you can even buy deodorant and eye liner at some of the stalls. It’s called the Sunday UpMarket.

We go mostly for the food. There are so many choices! Two of our favorites are German sausage from Mr. Sausage (complete with all the toppings) and Pork Belly Bao.

18. Eat Artisan Gelato at Amorino

You may have seen pictures of these gorgeous gelato roses, made from different flavors of gelato on a cone. They are almost too artful to eat! At Amorino (locations throughout London) you can choose your flavors and have the very skillful gelato artist make you a masterpiece.

The flavors are equally as good as the cone looks. Choose from unique flavors like Lime Basil, Dulce de Leche, Tiramisu and Straciatella.

Amorino is a Paris-based gelato cafe that has opened shops around Europe. You can find a cafe in many of the top neighborhoods of London, including Soho, Covent Garden, and Islington.

Check out their flavors and various other treats.

19. Try a World of Wine at Vagabond Wine

Have you ever been to a wine bar with enomatic wine dispensers? If not, you’re in for a real treat at Vagabond. It’s not a typical wine bar – it’s so much more! The enomatic dispensers make it possible for them to offer dozens of wines by the glass that are served at the perfect temperature.

All you have to do is purchase a wine card and fill it with your preferred amount of money (or do pay as you go on your mobile). Then you take the card to the machines and, when you’ve decided which wine you want to try, you put the card in the machine and fill your glass.

There are two different size pours you can choose from – so you can have a taste or a large pour. They have multiple dispensers, each with around 10 bottles of wine to choose from, so basically endless choices.

Alongside the wine, they also serve a few choice small plates that pair well with wine (think cheese and charcuterie). You can make a table reservation on their website, but it’s not always necessary.

They’re open every day from 11am to 10 or 11 pm. Check their website for details. Our favorite locations is at Victoria Station (west London), but there are currently nine locations, including one near Liverpool Street station if you’re on the east side.

20. London Food Markets

There are dozens of food markets located around London where you can go for a walk around, check out what’s on offer, or just eat your face off all day.

We love Camden Market, Spitalfields Market, Borough Market, Maltby Market… you name it, there are dozens. Check out this post for all the info you need on the markets and where to find them.

21. Mix your own Gin & Tonic at The London Gin Club

Gin Tonic is a major theme in London right now. I’m not much of a gin fan typically, but I can totally see why there’s a craze around it right now as soon as the bowl glass full of ice and gin arrives at the table with my preferred tonic. It’s something special. And you really can’t visit London without at least trying one or two.

My favorite place to try different combinations is The London Gin Club in Soho. It’s a fun environment (small and always packed), with oh so many gins to choose from. They also have a small food menu and some cocktails.

If you love gin, you’ll find it hard to leave here, because of the abundance of choices. They have five different gin tasting menus so you can try four different gins, back to back.

The London Gin Club is open most days from 4pm (Saturday from 1pm) and closed Sunday and Monday. You might want to reserve a table in advance. They have a couple of fun tasting events you can partake in too. Check the website for details.

» Visit their Website

CONCLUSION

Believe me when I say there are probably a million other great foodie things to do in London. I’m only just scraping the surface. As I find them out for myself, I’ll be adding them to the list here. If you know of one not mentioned, please let me know so I can add it as well!

Happy eating! By the way, if you like this post, please consider pinning the images below to your Pinterest boards to share it with your friends and followers!

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Laura Lynch

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.