Food in London

Barrett Street, W1

Food in London can be quite expensive so if you're on a budget it's best to shop around. There are many cafe/bar chains such as Pret a Manger, All Bar One and the Slug and Lettuce which are generally laid back and enjoyable places to go.

Roundhouse Pub Covent Garden

Pub food is usually good and not so expensive and you can indulge in the old traditional food of London such as sausage and mash, shepherds pie and the great British Sunday Roast which can cost anything from £4.99 upwards.

The Roundhouse pub in Garrick Street, Covent Garden is just one of many offering food in London such as bangers (sausages) and mash (£5.99), various pies and other tasty dishes.

These pubs are not to be confused with the Michelin style pubs which charge anything from £25 upwards.

Fish & Chips

Everyone knows that fish and chips are the mainstay of the British diet and if bought from a fish and chip shop can be inexpensive and enjoyable. They really do taste good when bought wrapped in paper (with lots of salt and vinegar added before they're wrapped!) and enjoyed in the park or in one of London's many gardens or squares. Even better when it's cold outside as this is the quickest way to warm up.

If you're looking for something a bit more upmarket try SeaShell in Lisson Grove close to Baker Street as they sell the freshest and most delicious fish and chips.

Afternoon Tea

Café society is not like it is in places like Greece, France and Italy but with the introduction of Starbucks and so on, Londoners have begun to enjoy drinking coffee (that is - if you like it milky and frothy!).

Tea is still a firm favorite of many and traditional afternoon tea is enjoyed by those who have the time to do it.

Favorite places for 'afternoon tea' are the Ritz and Fortnum and Mason (both in Piccadilly) where you can enjoy the traditional sandwiches with a variety of delicious cakes.

London Food - Covent Garden

There's a lot of choice in trendy Covent Garden and veggies are well catered for at Food for Thought in Neals Yard where you can eat tasty food for £6.

The Covent Garden Grill is another popular and inexpensive place to go and if you like traditional pasties try the West Cornwall Pasty Co . There are many branches all over town and in Covent Garden you can eat on the terrace and enjoy a filling meal with one of the best views overlooking the Piazza.

Covent Garden Restaurants...

Leicester Square

If you're in Leicester Square there are many affordable places to go like Yates Bar which as well as being large and comfortable, has great deals on meals. There are literally hundreds of great restaurants from Italian bistro's to the highest of French Cuisine offering fantastic food in London. Nearby is China Town which offers authentic chinese food at good prices.

Southbank

The arty and very trendy area of Southbank (home to the London Eye) has many excellent restaurants and bars and also many popular places to stop and enjoy a snack and drink.

Not far away along Bankside (close to London Bridge and Vinopolis city of Wine) is the amazing Borough Market.

Fresh fruit and veg and an array of mouthwatering food, restaurants and bars make this a popular area for locals and tourists to enjoy not only the atmosphere but the delicious food in London.

Southbank Restaurants...

Eating Out... Oxford Street

When the sun shines in London there's a mad dash for eating out on the terraces and if you're in Oxford Street and wondering where to go, take a stroll down a small alley called St Christopher's Place (close to Selfridges).

This leads on to Barrett Street where you'll find café society at it's best. Trendy restaurants such as Carluccio's line the street and tourists and locals alike enjoy drinking coffee, eating cakes and wining and dining in this traffic free zone.

Other great places nearby are Carnaby Street and Ganton Street and the not so well known Lancashire Court which has lots of lovely little restaurants with terraces where you can wine and dine.

Charlotte Street is just off Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road and famous for it's terraced restaurants both cheap and expensive.

If you're looking for inexpensive food in London try a great kebab or fish and chips (take away or eat in) at Dionysus Greek Restaurant next to Tottenham Court Road tube station. For a great night out (and a bit more expensive), try the Elysee Greek restaurant and club.

Eating Out... Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove

The upmarket area of Knightsbridge has many cafes and surprisingly some quite inexpensive restaurants where you can sit on the terrace and enjoy this pretty London street.

Westbourne Grove and Notting Hill and Portobello Road all have a good selection of inexpensive and some quite expensive outside eateries.

The popular fresh fruit and veg Portobello Road Market is a great place to stock up with food if you're staying in an apartment. There are also many excellent Spanish and French restaurants and Spanish delicatessens as well as Portuguese and Moroccon shops nearby.