If you’re serious about food, then a foodie tour of London is a must. The city is renowned for being packed with all kinds of cultural delights, and its food scene is one of the best in the world. With a diverse melting pot of cultures, you can find a stunning variety of flavours and cuisines from all over the world, and there’s plenty of choice, for every budget and taste.
From exquisite Michelin starred restaurants and sumptuous eateries from the world’s leading chefs, to mouth watering street food, snacks and tasty treats to keep you happy while you explore the city, there’s plenty to sample in London.
To help you get inspired, read on for some suggestions on what to visit on a two day trip to the city. Check out great deals on budget accommodation London and start planning your perfect foodie trip to the capital.
Take a trip to Borough Market
London is packed with some incredible food markets, where you can find all kinds of delicious artisanal treats, high quality and hard to find ingredients, and unlimited food surprises. The best, and most famous of them all in London, is Borough Market, and it’s very easy to spend a long and happy day there.
Borough Market is London’s oldest food market, and located by London Bridge, it is easy to get to via Tube from the Lancaster Hotel London. Having been in the city in some shape or form for over a thousand years, it’s an integral part of the city’s make up and history, and no foodie tour of London is complete without paying it a visit.
The market runs throughout the week, with a full market available between Wednesday to Saturday. If you’re planning to book budget accommodation London then it’s worth working out your days so that you can have ample time to see the market at its best, as it really will not disappoint.
Once there, you’ll find a great variety of stalls and sellers of all kinds sprawled across the space of the market. It’s well worth arriving early in the morning if you’re planning to shop, as it can get very crowded and busy later in the day. An early start will also give you a good chance to browse what’s on offer, before deciding what to load into your shopping bags.
There’s plenty to discover across the market, but some of the top favourites are the renowned specialist food producers that have been residing in the market for several years. Check out the famous Neal’s Yard Dairy, whose cheeses are world renowned for choice and flavour. Meat lovers won’t want to miss out on a visit to the excellent charcuterie, Cannon and Cannon, or the Ginger Pig, while Bread Ahead and the Flour Station provide delicious baked goods and breads.
If you’re keen to find out more about the craft of making food, then it’s also worth checking out the regular workshops and events that are held in the market. Be sure to have a delicious cup of coffee from one of the independent coffee stalls within the market, and finish your day with a delicious meal at the Lancaster Gate Hotel restaurant.
Enjoy some culinary indulgence
After a day at the market, treat yourself to another side of London’s cuisine, with some more refined indulgence in some of the city’s top restaurants. The Lancaster Hotel London is perfectly placed to visit some of the best restaurants in the city, with great connections all over London.
You’ll have plenty to choose from, including old school glamour with afternoon tea at some of London’s most highly renowned and regal institutions, to stylishly presented contemporary haute cuisine. And if you’re visiting the capital on a Sunday, then an absolute must is the ritual of a Sunday roast. The Hawksmoor is one of the most highly rated spots for a traditional Sunday lunch, serving up an excellent feast of roast meats and some of the best steaks in the city.
Enjoy dinner with a view
If you’d like your culinary treats served with a stylish view, then the city’s many rooftop restaurants and bars will provide plenty of opportunity to soak up the stunning vistas of the city skyline, while enjoying an excellent meal. The Aqua Shard and Duck and Waffle in the City of London are two of the capital’s most iconic rooftop dining spots, and both provide breath-taking views overlooking the capital, by day or night. As well as the beautiful sight outside the windows, don’t forget to appreciate the sophisticated surroundings around you too.
If you don’t fancy heading up to extreme heights but still want to enjoy a scenic spot to eat in, then head alongside the river instead. On the banks of the River Thames, you’ll find plenty of atmospheric places to dine, including the historic Swan Restaurant, at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.
Sample some excellent street food
Lastly, no foodie trip to London is complete without a visit to the Brick Lane market on Sundays, where the area is packed with the sounds, smells and sights of dozens of competing sellers, all offering a huge variety of tasty treats.
Simply follow your nose and make sure that you come hungry, as there is plenty in store. From freshly made doughnuts and gooey chocolate brownies, to revitalising fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, and sizzling hot grilled foods and curries, there is something for all palates here. It’s a good idea to come early and pace yourself, as there is a huge variety of irresistible food on offer, and you’ll be highly tempted to try it all.
If you’re still feeling a bit peckish after your trip to the market, then be sure to make your way to the legendary Beigel Bake store on Brick Lane. A 24-hour traditional bagel shop, it’s the perfect place to find a stuffed bagel to satisfy your cravings at any time of the day or night.
