5 Foods You Must Try When Visiting London

One of the most exciting parts of being in a new place is trying new foods. London has so many things to do and see, but it also has many amazing foods to try! Here are 5 foods that you must try when visiting London.

1. Fish and Chips

Most people know that Fish and Chips is a common food item in England. But did you know that fish and chips shops are called “chippies?” Here in the U.S, the fish and chips that we know is typically served with a few smaller filets of breaded fish. When in London, I was served one HUGE filet alongside the chips. I have never had fresher fish or crispier chips than I did when I was in London. When buying them at a pub, fish and chips can be accompanied by a pint of your choice, but some places serve the pints separately. I enjoyed the new experience with an old favorite.

2. Golden Syrup

This beautifully delicious dessert is a must-have when visiting London. The name comes from the golden-colored syrup that is poured over sponge cake or baked into desserts. This cake is served warm and is the perfect ending to a meal. It is commonly found in many restaurants and pubs throughout England, but particularly in London. Lyle’s Golden Syrup is the original golden syrup. The syrup is commonly used to substitute corn syrup. This dessert was one of my favorites because of the texture of the sponge and the sweetness of the syrup.

3. Steak and Kidney Pie

I know what you are thinking…yes it does have the word “kidney” in it. While the title is “pie,” this dish is actually more of a pastry. The crust is soft and flaky and compliments the filling. The steak and kidney filling is delicious. The steak and kidney are often mixed with onions in a dark gravy. When I was in London, many places paired this dish with mashed potatoes and some sort of vegetable. I really enjoyed this dish because the flaky crust mixed with the steak and kidney filling was the perfect combination of soft and savory. Since this dish has been around since the 1900s, the Brits have had plenty of time to perfect it and I highly recommend trying it.

4. Chocolates from Harrods Department Store

It is easy to get lost in Harrods Department Store. From the multiple floors to the multiple sections on each floor, there is something for everyone. Not only does Harrods sell clothes for every occasion, they have every type of food that you could imagine! From hot food to a deli to desserts galore, it takes a few hours to see everything in the store. I couldn’t resist trying one of the chocolates when I was inside. They have everything from caramels to peanut butter cups. I had a dark chocolate caramel that was amazing! The chocolate can be pricey but definitely worth it. A trio of chocolate bars costs about 10 pounds and a container of raspberry dark chocolate truffles can cost about 14 pounds. Harrods is located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London.

5. A Dessert at Afternoon Tea

Thanks to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, we now have Afternoon Tea! Before the 19th century, it was usual for people to only have two meals a day: breakfast and then a dinner around 8 at night. Anna complained of a “sinking feeling” around the late afternoon and decided that a pot of tea and a light snack was the solution. There are many places that serve Afternoon Tea in London. I stopped into BB Bakery County Hall during my trip. The bakery is right near the Waterloo station and serves lots of types of tea and finger foods. I enjoyed this cute little cheesecake with my tea. Not only does the cheesecake look gorgeous, all of the china and tea sets are adorable. The ambiance of the bakery is intimate and quaint. This French bakery is a small gem in a large city.