London is one of the world's great cities — the capital of England and the United Kingdom, a former heart of a global empire, and today a cosmopolitan metropolis of nine million people drawing visitors from every country. The city holds more UNESCO-listed sites, Michelin-starred restaurants, and free world-class museums than almost any other capital. From the medieval Tower of London and the palaces of Westminster to the street food of Borough Market, the theatres of the West End, and the galleries of Tate Modern, London offers an almost inexhaustible range of experiences across its 33 boroughs.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you London through its food.
Borough Market Food Tour
Includes: Tasting artisan breads, cheeses, and charcuterie at specialist stalls · British seasonal produce and heritage varieties · Renowned market traders including Neal's Yard Dairy and Monmouth Coffee · History of Borough Market (over 1,000 years on this site) · Views of Southwark Cathedral and the Golden Hinde replica
East End Food Tour
Includes: Bangladeshi curry houses and tandoori bread on Brick Lane · Traditional Jewish salt beef bagels at Beigel Bake (open 24 hours) · South Asian grocery stalls and spice shops on Whitechapel Road · Victorian-era Spitalfields Market food vendors · The story of Huguenot, Jewish, and Bangladeshi communities who shaped the local food scene
London Craft Beer Tour
Includes: Visits to independent taprooms including The Kernel Brewery territory · Understanding hop varieties, brewing processes, and beer styles · Historic pub architecture of Victorian Shoreditch · East London's craft beer revival since 2010 · Sour beers, IPAs, and stouts brewed within a mile of central London
Taste of London Festival
Includes: Signature dishes from Michelin-starred chefs at accessible prices · Live cooking demonstrations on the main stage · Independent wine, spirits, and soft drink producers · Pop-up restaurant experiences in marquee settings · Annual highlight of the London food calendar since 2004
Market to Table Cooking Class
Includes: Hands-on technique classes in a world-renowned culinary school · Classes range from knife skills to advanced patisserie · Alumni include some of Britain's best-known food writers and chefs · Small class sizes for personalised instruction · Option to continue with diploma courses and short evening classes
Notting Hill Brunch Tour
Includes: Portobello Road Market antiques and street food stalls · Caribbean jerk chicken and plantain at Electric Avenue-style vendors · Artisan coffee and brunch at Golborne Road cafes · The story of the Notting Hill Carnival and Trinidadian food culture · Independent bakeries and deli shops along Westbourne Grove
Hawksmoor Steak Masterclass
Includes: Rare-breed British beef from Donald Russell and other heritage suppliers · Masterclass on dry-aging, fat marbling, and butchery · Hawksmoor consistently rated among London's best steakhouses · Victorian former brewery building with original brick and timber · Acclaimed cocktail and wine list
Maltby Street Market Self-Guided Walk
Includes: Under Victorian railway arches in Bermondsey — London's food artisan heartland · Neal's Yard Dairy cheese stand (cave-matured British cheeses) · Kernel Brewery taproom adjacent to the market · Producers of charcuterie, smoked fish, pastries, and natural wine · Less touristy alternative to Borough Market with a strong local following
Tour formats
Different ways to experience London's food scene.
Items tours
Cooking classes
Take a piece of London home with you.
Leiths School of Food and Wine
One of Britain's most respected culinary schools, offering one-day and half-day classes in baking, patisserie, Italian cooking, and professional techniques. Evening classes also available.
Bread Ahead Bakery School
Artisan bread and pastry school at Borough Market. Classes in sourdough, doughnuts, croissants, and British baking. Small groups with expert bakers.
The Jamie Oliver Cookery School
Classes in Italian, Asian, and modern British cuisine held in a purpose-built kitchen in the City. Taught by trained Jamie Oliver Food Group chefs.
Cookery School at Little Portland Street
Central London cooking school with a wide range of day and evening classes. Focus on seasonal British and European cooking. Suitable for beginners and intermediate cooks.
ATIS — A Taste of India in Spitalfields
Indian regional cooking classes taught by food writer and chef Kris Dhillon. Focus on authentic home-style Indian cooking from different states.
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Borough Market is at its best Thursday to Saturday morning. Crowds peak after 12:00 on Saturdays; arrive before 10:30 for a more relaxed experience and shorter queues at the best stalls.
London's neighbourhood markets each have a distinct character: Broadway Market in Hackney (Saturdays) is good for natural wine and trendy food; Brockley Market (Saturdays) is community-focused with excellent cheese and bread.
Beigel Bake at 159 Brick Lane is open 24 hours and serves London's best salt beef bagels for under £5/approx USD 6. The queue moves fast even at 02:00.
Chinatown in Soho (Gerrard Street and Wardour Street WC2H) is not a tourist trap — the roast duck, dim sum, and hot pot restaurants are genuine and affordable. New Loon Fung supermarket on Gerrard Street stocks specialist Asian ingredients.
Restaurant reservations at London's top tables (Core, Gordon Ramsay, Ledbury) open 60–90 days in advance and often sell out within hours. Set calendar reminders to book exactly when the window opens.
Ottolenghi (with multiple London locations) offers ready-to-eat salads and pastries that make excellent picnic food for Hyde Park or Regent's Park. The Islington branch at 287 Upper Street N1 2TZ is the original.
Sunday lunches are a British institution. The Drapers Arms (44 Barnsbury Street N1 1ER) and The Anchor and Hope (36 The Cut SE1 8LP) are respected gastropubs serving traditional roasts with Yorkshire pudding and seasonal vegetables.