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Looking for the best London food tours? Although famous for its incredible galleries, architecture and museums, London’s cuisine is equally fascinating and diverse.
From its popular pub fare, classic British gins and fragrant curries, there are so many fantastic food and drink options, it’s tough to squeeze them all into one vacation.
That’s where a food tasting tour comes in. There’s no better way to experience a range of flavours in a short period of time than on a walking food tour.
Here are our top picks for the best food tours in London with in-depth reviews of the food and drink, sightseeing and activities you’ll experience along the way.
1. Afternoon Tea Double Decker Bus Tour of London
One of the best ways to explore London is on an afternoon tea bus tour. It’s a specialized tour that lets you indulge in afternoon tea while seeing the highlights of London!
This English Afternoon Tea Bus Tour of London picks you up in the heart of London and shows you the highlights of London in about 1.5 hours. You can choose from the Upper ( extra charge) or Lower Deck.
The tour hits up the major landmarks like Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Notting Hill and many other beautiful places in London.
The real highlight of this tasting tour is, of course, the food! You get to enjoy everything that a classic afternoon tea includes which means you get an assortment of sweet desserts and savory finger sandwiches.
No afternoon tea would be complete without scones and jams which this tea also comes with. You get your pick of tea (my vote’s for the classic Earl Grey!) as well as a glass of Prosecco or a soft drink. .
The tour’s great if you’re short on time because you get to see so many classic London highlights while enjoying a truly British food experience. It’s quite a unique twist on the standard afternoon tea.
Review by Liliane Fawzy, My Toronto, My World
Check prices and availability of an English Afternoon Tea Bus Tour of London on Viator.com.
🌟 Pro Tip: To discover more about Afternoon Tea, take a day trip to the World of Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent.
2. The London Cheese Crawl Tour
If you love cheese, this London Cheese Crawl tour is for you! On this London food tour, you begin in Mayfair, making a stop at the renowned Fortnum & Mason Department Store where a deliciously-crafted Stilton has been served to the public for more than 300 years.
In fact, this cheese is so good that the royal family has been dining on it for centuries!
While on this two hour walking food tour of London, you’ll also learn about the history of cheese. But the main attraction is the opportunity to sample different types from hard cheeses like Cheddar to semi-soft Brie.
You’ll stop at various places including a traditional cheesemonger, an Italian deli in the Little Italy district and a dairy stocking dozens of British and Irish cheeses.
Pay attention because you’ll be quizzed on your knowledge of cheese!
This delicious tour is the best London food tour for cheese lovers!
Check prices and availability of a Cheese Crawl in London on Viator.com.
3. East End London Food Tour
The best food tour I’ve ever taken was the one I took in London — the East East London Food Tour with Eating Europe. This is a food tour of a local neighbourhood filled with international foods of mostly Indian and other ethnic groups.
The diversity of this neighbourhood’s cuisine has also expanded to include food courts, food markets (taking a walk around these famous food emporiums also happens to be one of the best free things to do in London) and various pop-up food focused venues that draws people from all over London to visit the East End.
This East End London Tour mixes a bit of traditional fare from pubs, local restaurants and food courts with specialty food shops, markets and a really cool traditional café where they serve some amazing bread pudding with a delicious mocha.
There was also a stop at what’s widely proclaimed as London’s best chippy shop.
Review by Noel Morata, Travel Photo Discovery
Check prices and availability of the East End London Food Tour on Viator.com.
4. Ice Cream Tour of London
This short, but sweet, walking tour is one of the best London food tours for ice-cream lovers who want to sample the best of the city but don’t have much time. The duration of this tour is just 2.5 hours yet you still get to enjoy stops at five of London’s best gelaterias and 20 delicious ice-cream tastings.
One of the newest tours offered by Chocolate Ecstasy Tours, pros in chocolate-themed tours of London, this tour of icy goodness is led by a knowledgeable guide.
So, not only will you sample a range of awesome flavours but you’ll be immersed in the history of Soho & Covent Garden as you make your way between tasting stops.
Don’t know the difference between gelato and sorbet? You’ll be a pro by the end of this tasty stroll.
In addition to swoon-worthy classics like indulgent chocolate and fresh strawberry, you’ll have an opportunity to discover a rainbow of new taste sensations.
Basil, chile pepper, cheddar cheese and more…there’s no limit to the variations of flavours of these chilled sensations.
This family-friendly London food tour also happens to be one of the best bargains on the planet so it’s a great option if you’re looking to save money on your trip to London.
An ice cream tour of London is also a good food tour to take with kids. If you’re staying in one of the hotels near Harry Potter Studios, you can easily hop on this tour and make it a perfect day of family fun.
Check prices and availability of a Chocolate Tasting Tour of London on Viator.com.
5. A Secret Food Tour Around London Bridge & Borough Market
I love taking food tours all over the world. However, as I’m British I was intrigued to see what the food would be like on a British food tour in London!
On this walking tour of London we tasted some of my favourite home-grown dishes, starting at London’s Borough Market. First on the list was a bacon and egg bap for ‘breakfast’, then we wandered around the market, sampling some of the seller’s produce including cheese and tasty fudge.
Our next official stop was another British classic of fish and chips, then the meatiest sausage roll I’ve ever had. We left the market, stopping off at a pub to try some beer, cider and British cheese, washed down with some honey mead.
Strolling along the banks of the Thames towards Tower Bridge we enjoyed a sugary doughnut with a creamy filling and waddled to our last stop for a good old sticky toffee pudding and a cup of tea.
I loved the variety of foods we tried, and it was all delicious! Borough Market is a fabulous place for foodies! And this tour had just the right combination of market and restaurant stops.
Review by Claire Sturzaker, Tales of a Backpacker
Check prices and availability of the Secret Food Tour of London Bridge & Borough Market on Viator.com.
6. Soho From Scratch Walking Tour
‘Scratch’ is an Antipodean chef who spends her time running supper clubs from her home and small group walking tours around some of the foodie parts of London. Soho is very much on her radar and I joined her for an informal tour of one of my own favourite parts of London.
One thing to remember if you do go on a walking tour of Soho is that this really isn’t the place to find much in the way of British cuisine.
It’s home to both the Italian and Chinese communities of London – and has been for over 50 years. More recently, it’s diversified still further and you’ll now find everything from amazing Vietnamese food to Levantine and Indian restaurants.
🌟 Insider Tip: If you’re interested in trying Indian food that’s so authentic you’ll think you’re in Mumbai, make a stop at Dishroom, one of the top spots for brunch in London.
It’s a fast-moving district so nothing will be quite the same from one tour to another. But I hope you’ll get to try some of my favourites like Cay Tre (Vietnamese) and Leggero.
Review by Fiona Maclean, London-Unattached
7. The Twilight Food Tour of Soho with Eating London
If you’re looking for romantic things to do in London at night, the Twilight Food Tour of Soho by Eating London takes you to some of the hottest spots in Soho.
With an introduction to the ever-changing history of Soho, you really feel like you get to know the area before plunging in to the bars, basements and former brothels of Central London!
This whistle-stop tour of Soho’s best food joints gives you the chance to taste tacos, sip G & T cocktails, pick at pintxos and dine on dessert … all in one evening. You’ll learn about the history of each dish, find out about its flavours and origins and perhaps most importantly get to try these scrumptious snacks!
The Eating London tour guide certainly knows a thing or two about the city’s most delicious places to dine after dark. They’ll take you to places you didn’t even know existed.
This fun, food and drink-fuelled evening tour should definitely be part of your itinerary for a visit to London.
While you’re unlikely to try some British classics like fish and chips or a slap-up roast dinner, even the most discerning foodie will be astounded by the quality of the bars and restaurants in this trendy part of town.
By the end of the tour you’ll have discovered some new-found favourites! And you’ll be ready to impress your friends with your Soho knowledge next time you’re in London! This is the perfect for a solo trip if you’re looking for things to do at night in London.
Review by Chrysoula Manika, Travel Passionate
Another fun tour is the Soho Music and Historic Pubs Tour! You’ll hear stories about greats such as Jimi Hendrix and Ella Fitzgerald and even see where The Beatles recorded “Hey Jude.”
Check prices and availability of the Soho Music and Historic Pubs Tour on Viator.com.
8. Flavours of India Food Tour in London
Did you know there are 10,000 “curry houses” across the UK? Or that London actually has the best curry outside of Asia?
In this 2.5 hour culinary journey focusing on Indian cuisine you’ll explore London’s exciting Brick Lane neighbourhood, experiencing nine delicious food tastings.
Participants will indulge in the many different flavours of “Banglatown” while exploring the dynamic art scene of this unique South Asian neighbourhood.
Check prices and availability of the Bricklane Flavours of India – Eating London Food Tour
9. Vegan Food Tour of London
Think vegan and the first city that comes to mind probably isn’t London. While famous for its fish and chips, the city of London also happens to have its fair share of delicious plant-based food.
You’ll discover the best of London’s vegan food on this 2 hour culinary romp through the hip Shoreditch neighbourhood.
The delicious stops include restaurants, independent grocers and food market stalls. Come hungry as there will be enough for a full meal!
But it’s not all about the food. You’ll soak up plenty of history along the way. This tasty food tour is led by a qualified guide.
Check prices and availability of a Vegan Food Tour in London on Viator.com.
10. The Shoreditch Food Tour with Alternative London
Not all food tours involve solely food tastings but when you embark on the Shoreditch Food Tour with Alternative London, that’s a big part of the experience.
You’ll also learn about the history of the Shoreditch district, what it was like in the 1700s and how it came to be the vibrant place it is today.
During the tour, you’ll sample a variety of famous traditional local dishes. But you’ll also sample international cuisine, such as Indian, Jewish, Asian and Ghanaian.
Learn about the district’s immigration history and the colourful street art that adorns many of the area’s buildings.
Snack on a baked salt-beef bagel, visit a Ghanaian Cocoa Truffle Shop, browse a street market and kick back in a historic pub.
End the tour with a decadent dessert washed down with a cup of English tea. You’ll wrap up this tasty tour in about three hours.
11. The Secret London Pub Tour
The Secret London Pub Tour isn’t an ordinary pub tour. It’s quirky, it’s bizarre, it’s fun and it’s unforgettable. You’ll get some fascinating history lessons too but the main draw is the pubs themselves.
From the Temple Underground Station, you’ll make your way along cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways. Along the way you’ll stop at notable local pubs and sample craft beer at each one.
During this three hour tour, you’ll get a taste of traditional English pub culture. You’ll also see historic buildings and learn about the beer production and the history of traditional Real Ale.
In between pints, you’ll meet a variety of characters. Say hello to Knights Templar, activists, Freemasons and even a cat donning traditional attire.
12. The Sunday Market Kitchen at Cucina Caldesi
The Sunday Market Kitchen is more than a food tour. It’s also a cooking class! Situated in the Marylebone district, the Marylebone Farmers Market is where this interactive tour begins.
This is where you’ll shop for the top-quality, fresh ingredients you’ll need for the next part of the tour.
Back at the Cucina Caldesi Italian culinary school, you’ll create a delicious Italian Sunday brunch under the supervision of a professional chef.
It’s amazing what you can create out of simple ingredients once you know what you’re doing! Of course, you’ll get to dine on your creation and complement it with a glass of wine.
The dish you create depends on the season but some examples include Genovese pesto, baked sea bream
with crispy potatoes and tomatoes and apple streusel tart.
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Eating London – Soho Food & Cocktail Tour
Eating London – East End Food Tour
London Old Docks – Historic Pubs, Food & Beer Tour – London Food Tours
While exploring London, check out this list of the Best Views in London – 13 Sky-High Spots.
FAQs
The most famous food in London is fish & chips, Afternoon Tea, Sunday roast beef (with Yorkshire pudding), Indian curries, and steak and kidney pie.
London is a city of many neighbourhoods and the best way to experience the unique character and sights of these districts is by foot. Walking and taking the London Tube (Metro) is also a good way to avoid getting stuck in the city’s notorious traffic.
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
Read more about Michele Peterson.
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