Food and drink month: 5 classic London foods you have to try when visiting the capital

What's On and Entertainment Writer

Published 7th Sep 2024, 00:03 BST

The foods you need to try in the capital for an authentic London experience.

While you can try almost any cuisine in the city, London has also become famous for a few of its own creations.

The UK capital is certainly a must visit city for food tourism. As well as offering tastes from around the world through its diverse restaurant and market scene you’ll also find innovative new food combo creations to try.

However London has also become known for its own offerings including the classic pie and mash.

Those wanting to eat your way through the city, here’s a few London foods you may want to try during your visit.

An East End classic which came about thanks to London’s iconic River Thames. In the 1800s the waterway was full of eels and to save money local pie shops began using the snake-like freshwater fish for pie filling as a cheaper alternative to using meat. Traditionally served mashed potato and a hot parsley liquor gravy made from the stock after cooking the eels, it became a low cost filling meal for the locals and workforces in the capital during the industrial revolution. While many pie shops today still offer jellied eels, a baked minced beef version of the pie is more widely served in the city.

1. Pie and mash with liquor

An East End classic which came about thanks to London’s iconic River Thames. In the 1800s the waterway was full of eels and to save money local pie shops began using the snake-like freshwater fish for pie filling as a cheaper alternative to using meat. Traditionally served mashed potato and a hot parsley liquor gravy made from the stock after cooking the eels, it became a low cost filling meal for the locals and workforces in the capital during the industrial revolution. While many pie shops today still offer jellied eels, a baked minced beef version of the pie is more widely served in the city. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Another snack to try when visiting a London pie and mash shop is jellied eels. While eels are no longer used for pie filling you can eat jellied versions of them. In the 1800s if they were not being used in pies locals would chop eels up and boil them in a herby broth. They get their jelly name as the eels would produce gelatin when cooking, turning the water they were boiled in into a jelly-like state.

2. Jellied eels

Another snack to try when visiting a London pie and mash shop is jellied eels. While eels are no longer used for pie filling you can eat jellied versions of them. In the 1800s if they were not being used in pies locals would chop eels up and boil them in a herby broth. They get their jelly name as the eels would produce gelatin when cooking, turning the water they were boiled in into a jelly-like state. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Brick Lane alone showcases some of the capital’s diverse food scene but has also become famous for its iconic salt beef bagels. Home to two bagel shops Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop, both are open 24 hours a day but you’ll still probably have to queue down the street for one.

3. Salt beef bagel

Brick Lane alone showcases some of the capital’s diverse food scene but has also become famous for its iconic salt beef bagels. Home to two bagel shops Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop, both are open 24 hours a day but you’ll still probably have to queue down the street for one. | LondonWorld Photo: LondonWorld

The layered ice cream sundae became a popular British dessert thanks to the luxury department store Fortnum & Mason following the end of WW2. You can still book a table and enjoy the classic pudding at the spot’s Parlour.

4. Knickerbocker Glory

The layered ice cream sundae became a popular British dessert thanks to the luxury department store Fortnum & Mason following the end of WW2. You can still book a table and enjoy the classic pudding at the spot’s Parlour. | Bonn - stock.adobe.com Photo: Adobe Stock

London Food Restaurant River Thames Brick Lane

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