England is the largest and most populous country of the United Kingdom, offering a remarkable blend of ancient history, vibrant cities, and stunning countryside. From the iconic streets of London to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, rugged moors of Yorkshire, and dramatic coastlines of Cornwall, England captivates visitors with its extraordinary diversity. World-class museums, medieval castles, Shakespearean heritage, and a thriving arts and food scene make England one of the world's most rewarding travel destinations.
England's food scene has undergone a revolution since the 1990s. London now rivals Paris and New York for fine dining, with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any city outside France and Japan. But traditional English cooking - fish and chips by the sea, Sunday roast in a pub, cream tea with clotted cream - has its own genuine pleasures. The gastropub (pioneered by The Eagle in Clerkenwell in 1991) transformed pub food from an afterthought into some of England's best cooking. Regional food identity is strong: Cornish pasties, Yorkshire pudding, Lancashire hotpot, Whitby kippers, Cotswold cheeses, and Cumbrian sausages all have passionate local defenders.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
The Fat Duck
Heston Blumenthal's legendary three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the village of Bray, widely regarded as one of the world's great restaurants. The tasting menu is a surreal journey of multi-sensory gastronomic innovation, from Sound of the Sea (eaten while listening to ocean waves through a shell) to the famous Snail Porridge. Bookings open months in advance and are virtually impossible to secure.
The Ledbury
Australian chef Brett Graham's two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Notting Hill is one of London's most celebrated fine dining destinations. The menu showcases exceptional British produce with impeccable technique; the flame-grilled mackerel and Brown butter and roe tart with smoked eel are signature dishes. The wine list is magnificent.
St. John Restaurant
Fergus Henderson's pioneering nose-to-tail cooking institution opened in a former smokehouse near Smithfield Market in 1994. It changed the way Britain thinks about food. Roast bone marrow with parsley salad is the signature; offal, chitterlings, and unusual cuts share the menu with superb seasonal British cooking. The wine list is exemplary.
The Clove Club
Set in the handsome Victorian Shoreditch Town Hall, The Clove Club serves a tasting menu of extraordinary modern British cooking from Isaac McHale. The buttermilk fried chicken with pine salt is one of London's most talked-about dishes. The open kitchen creates theatre, and the natural wine list is excellent.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal's London restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge reimagines historical British recipes with modern culinary techniques. The Meat Fruit (mandarin spherification containing chicken liver parfait) is one of London's most iconic dishes. Each dish comes with historical references from medieval manuscripts.
The Waterside Inn
The Roux family's riverside restaurant in Bray has held three Michelin stars since 1985 - the longest-held three-star rating outside France. The classically French cuisine is served in an idyllic Thames-side setting. Alain Roux continues the family tradition with dishes like foie gras terrine, langoustines, and souffles of extraordinary lightness.
L'Enclume
Simon Rogan's extraordinary three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the village of Cartmel, just outside the Lake District, is consistently rated among the world's best. Almost everything on the tasting menu comes from Rogan's own farm nearby. The 20-course menu showcases the finest Cumbrian produce with visionary technique.
Dishoom
Dishoom is an all-day cafe inspired by the Irani cafes of Bombay, now with locations across England and Scotland. The signature Black Daal has been slow-cooked for 24 hours; the bacon naan roll at breakfast is legendary. The atmospheric interiors, reasonable prices, and consistent quality have made Dishoom one of England's best-loved restaurant groups.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Modern British
European
Steakhouse
Traditional British
British Cafe
British Gastropub
French
Bakery
Fish And Chips
Historic British
Italian
Japanese
Mediterranean
Modern British Pub
Modern Nordic
Neapolitan Pizza
Spanish
Traditional English Tea Room
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Fish and chips from a traditional chippie
Deep-fried battered haddock (north) or cod (south) with thick-cut chips, malt vinegar, and salt. The quintessential English street food, best eaten from paper by the sea.
Find it at: Nationwide; Magpie Cafe, Pier Road, Whitby YO22 4DD
Cornish pasty
A D-shaped shortcrust pastry crimped along the top, filled with raw diced beef, potato, swede, and onion. A Protected Geographical Indication product since 2011.
Find it at: Ann's Pasties, 1a Lighthouse Row, Lizard, Cornwall TR12 7NJ
Greggs sausage roll
England's most iconic baked snack. Flaky pastry filled with seasoned pork sausage meat. A Greggs sausage roll is an institution of English everyday life.
Find it at: 2,000+ branches nationwide
Borough Market street food
Over 100 stalls offering everything from Kappacasein's famous cheese toasties and Raclette to Ethiopian injera, Spanish charcuterie, and freshly baked bread. The best food market in England.
Find it at: Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL
Bao and dim sum (Chinatown, London)
London's Chinatown around Gerrard Street has dozens of excellent dim sum and bao bun restaurants. Four Seasons roast duck and Golden Gate Cake Shop are neighbourhood staples.
Find it at: Gerrard Street, Chinatown, London W1D 5PT
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Borough Market
London's oldest and most celebrated food market. Over 100 traders selling artisan produce from across Britain and Europe. Neal's Yard Dairy, Monmouth Coffee, and Bread Ahead are the famous anchors.
Hours: Mon-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-5PM
Maltby Street Market
A more local alternative to Borough Market along Bermondsey railway arches. Raclette Brothers, Monmouth Coffee, and Bar Tozino charcuterie are highlights.
Hours: Sat 9AM-4PM, Sun 11AM-4PM
Bettys Tearoom
Founded in 1919 by a Swiss confectioner, Bettys is Yorkshire's most beloved institution. The Fat Rascal scone, Yorkshire Curd Tart, and traditional afternoon tea are exceptional.
Hours: Daily 9AM-5PM
Kirkgate Market
One of Europe's largest covered markets. Fresh produce, bread, cheese, and street food stalls in an extraordinary Victorian and Edwardian market hall.
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-5:30PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Booking is essential at popular restaurants in England - even gastropubs require reservations 1-2 weeks ahead
Pubs typically serve food noon to 2:30PM and 6PM to 9PM; many do not serve food continuously
Service charge (usually 12.5%) is often added automatically in London restaurants; check the bill before adding a tip
Sunday roast is typically served noon to 4PM on Sundays; the best pubs book out weeks ahead for their Sunday service
Afternoon tea must be booked in advance at popular venues (The Ritz books out 12 weeks ahead; Claridge's similar)
Most restaurants in England are casual in dress code; only Michelin-starred restaurants and hotel dining rooms may require smart dress
Water is always free in English restaurants - tap water is safe and delicious throughout England
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |