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What Food To Try in London and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in London for 2024.

National currency: Pound Sterling, symbol — £ (international currency code GBP).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in London cafes and restaurants
$24.6 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $12.71
$101.6 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $63.53
$9.9 
Combo Meal
Starting from $8.25

What to Try in London

Must-try Dishes
Full English Breakfast - A hearty assembly of eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, and mushrooms served with toast or black pudding. Locals usually enjoy this filling meal on weekends, lingering over coffee to savor the morning.

Fish and Chips - Crispy battered fish served with thick-cut fries, usually doused in malt vinegar. A classic takeaway, you’ll find locals grabbing this dish for a casual dinner, often eaten on a Friday night.

Bangers and Mash - Sausages served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with rich onion gravy. This comforting dish is a staple for pub lunches, often enjoyed with a pint of beer.

Pie and Mash - A meat or vegetable pie, accompanied by smooth mashed potatoes and parsley liquor sauce. Traditionally served in old-fashioned pie shops, this dish is a beloved local specialty that’s best enjoyed at lunch.

Scotch Egg - A hard-boiled egg wrapped in seasoned sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Often sold at street food markets, it’s a favorite on-the-go snack that can surprise you with its hearty flavor.

London Particular - Pea and Ham Soup - A thick, creamy soup made with split peas and chunks of ham, often seasoned with herbs. Typically seen as a cozy winter dish, locals enjoy it during chilly evenings in pubs.

Seasonal Roast - Sunday Roast - A beautifully roasted meat (often beef, chicken, or lamb) served with crispy Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Families gather weekly, and the best time to enjoy it is Sunday afternoon after a leisurely stroll.

Jellied Eels - Eels cooked and set in jelly, seasoned with a splash of vinegar. This quirky East London dish is often served in stalls and symbolizes the area’s traditional cockney culture.

Desserts & Drinks
Tea - (classic British brew) - A quintessentially British drink made from black tea leaves, served with milk and often enjoyed with a biscuit. Locals indulge in afternoon tea, a delightful ritual, where they sip and nibble while catching up with friends or family.

Pimm's Cup - Pimm's (refreshing summer drink) - A fruity cocktail made with Pimm's No. 1, lemonade, and a medley of fresh fruits like strawberries, cucumber, and mint. Best enjoyed during summer picnics or at Wimbledon (such an iconic pairing), this drink brings a sense of festivity and relaxation.

Cider - (sparkling apple beverage) - A crisp, fermented apple drink that varies from sweet to dry, often craft-brewed and enjoyed at outdoor festivals. You’ll find locals sipping it at pubs or gardens, especially during apple harvest festivals in autumn; it’s the perfect way to toast to a good British day.

Sticky Toffee Pudding - (gorgeous dessert) - A moist sponge cake drenched in rich toffee sauce and often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a classic comfort dessert, typically savored after a Sunday roast, leaving you feeling satisfied and a bit indulgent.

Gelato - (smooth frozen treat) - Creamy ice cream with a dense texture, available in numerous rich flavors like Earl Grey and sticky toffee. Enjoyed year-round, it's particularly popular during warm summer days at local markets, with a surprising twist—try a scoop with a dash of gin for an adult treat!

Food and Groceries in London

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $1.7
Bananas $1.47
Oranges $2.52
Potatoes $1.38
Apples $2.53
Beverages
Water 1.5L $1.44
0.5L Local Beer $2.34
Imported Beer $3.11
Wine Rating >4.0 $11.43
Milk 1L $1.62

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $13.77
Chicken $9.18
Cigarettes $17.63
Rice $2.59
Local Cheese $8.84

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

The vibrant scenes in London’s food markets tell a lot about local dining habits, especially as lunchtime rolls around. While tourists flock to iconic spots, locals are often spotted grabbing a quick bite from street vendors or small cafes just off the beaten path. Lunchtime typically peaks around 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in the city, and it’s common to see people munching on everything from artisanal sandwiches to vibrant vegan salads.

Price ranges in London can vary significantly depending on the area. In the bustling streets of Soho, you might pay about £8 to £15 for a light lunch. However, if you venture into the traditional markets of Borough or Camden, you could find delightful street food options starting at around £5, offering decent portions without breaking the bank. Interestingly, prices tend to bump up during peak tourist seasons, so it's wise to explore lesser-known spots or visit during off-peak hours to snag the best deals.

One thing I’ve found quite interesting is how the payment customs vary across these dining districts. While many places accept card payments, it’s increasingly common to see cash-only street vendors, especially at markets. This can be surprising for first-time visitors, who might assume all establishments accept contactless payments. Oh, and before I forget, always check for service charges, particularly in more formal dining settings—gratuities are typically added to your bill automatically.

Another local dining custom you might see is the communal seating in many eateries, particularly in the East End. It fosters a friendly atmosphere, where sharing tables is not just common but part of the experience, something tourists can unintentionally overlook. It's advisable to either make reservations for dinner, especially on weekends, or to aim for an early seating to avoid the evening rush that begins around 7 PM.

Expecting a quick bite to eat? Opt for lunch during those quieter hours around 3 PM when cafes and food stalls are less crowded. You can enjoy a leisurely meal without the buzz or wait that’s prevalent during peak times.

As for the dining scene overall, I’ve noticed a slow shift towards more sustainable practices among local restaurants. Many are choosing seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms, aligning with a growing environmental awareness in the community. It’s always delightful to see how the local food offerings are evolving and catering to newer generations. Keep an eye out for this trend, as it’s becoming increasingly prevalent in the months ahead.




Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@pulse_uk_news
« London from a bird's-eye view. A stroll in the Sky Garden offers unforgettable experiences and stunning pre-Christmas photos. Entry is free, but you need to register in advance. You can also have lunch or grab a coffee here, with prices being quite reasonable. »
@feichtwanger
« The hipster cafe "Cereal Killer," where you can enjoy a bowl of cereal with milk for £3.40, recently faced a demonstration by opponents of hipster culture and gentrification. "We don't want fancy apartments; we want affordable housing. We don’t want gin bars or brioche – we want a normal community." These were the rallying cries during this "peaceful" protest in Shoreditch. »
@jannetushakova
« I had this little obsession: I really wanted to dine at one of the famous chefs' places in London. Gordon Ramsay was off the table due to the prices, and I couldn't find Ottolenghi, but it turned out to be easiest with Jamie Oliver. He has a chain of Italian cuisine restaurants. What can I say? Simple, no frills, and maybe not too expensive for London. »
@jannetushakova
« Can you imagine 40 types of mustard with parmesan and basil, with rhubarb and strawberries, pistachios and orange, not to mention 15 types of vinegar, dressings, and more? I couldn't either, but the best part is you can actually taste everything!!! Of course, I couldn't leave without buying something, though I had to really hold myself back because the prices are quite high. »
@surikat175
« Good morning, London! I love your crazy supermarkets! Cucumber water - £2.29 (filtered water, cucumber, mint) 😆😆😆 »
@eurodagi
« Strawberries in England, London cost between £2 to £4, in Austria, Linz, Vienna from €2 to €6. How are the prices in your cities? »
@dorohova_anastasiya
« Food prices in London are high. Extremely. But it's totally possible to skip full meals in restaurants. There are loads of ready meals in stores that are tasty, fresh, and appetizing. »
@krdaria
« My soul craves hot dogs and sangria for €1.5 by the waterfront, but London is just so London. »
@jvevere
« We ended up in Brixton, London - an area that isn’t exactly upscale but is pretty trendy right now. It's notable for its large number of immigrants, especially from Africa and the Caribbean. This means plenty of ethnic shops and cafés/restaurants. In the picture, you can see a market that transforms into a sea of cafés in the evening, offering fantastic authentic cuisine from around the world. Everything is simple yet incredibly delicious. We tried the Thai place; it was just like being in Thailand and nearly at Thai prices. »
@yellow_chimney
« Today is Tuesday, and I’m sharing my usual update on the vegetable box. We received our traditional 2 kg of potatoes, 1 kg of carrots, red onions, fennel, broccoli, cauliflower, pointed cabbage, tomatoes, bell peppers, oak leaf lettuce, and something strange called rainbow chard. Last time, my friend said that paying around $10 for such a set was a lot, but I'll just stick my tongue out and say that we actually get every fourth box completely free! Plus, this time we ordered some country-style milk (2 liters), fresh-squeezed juice (1 liter), and 600 grams of salmon, which cost us around $15. »