Although you’ll likely be spending a lot of time sightseeing on your visit to London, especially if it’s your first visit, trying some of the cuisine will help you further immerse yourself in city life. From sit-down restaurants to food booths, I’ve rounded up some of the best eats I had during my visit to London, England.
Vegan Manty
Whether or not you’re vegan, the vegan manty from Oshpaz is a must-try. Filled with pumpkin, you can choose to have these handmade dumplings made spicy and topped with chili oil to complement the sour cream and carrot salad served on the side. Although Oshpaz has several locations throughout the United Kingdom, I tried these at their walk-in Seven Dials Market location in Covent Garden.
Croissant Bread Pudding
As far as sweets go, the croissant bread pudding from Little Pudding at Seven Dials Market is a must-try. During my first attempt to secure this sweet treat, I was met to a sold-out booth. The next day when I returned in hopes of trying the doughnut bread pudding, it had been sold out again.
However, the team member offered the croissant bread pudding as an alternative and I was glad I moved forward with it because it was the best dessert I had throughout my entire week in London. This hot pudding offered the perfect amount of sweetness and was topped with vanilla ice cream.
Lumache
Head over to Manteca to try the Lumache pasta dish. Topped with kale sauce and chili, this dish offers an aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching color and a taste that delivers on both flavor and consistency. This dish is accompanied by a £14 price tag.
Burrata
If you find yourself in the Covent Garden area, I recommend dinner at The Londoner’s Whitcomb’s for the burrata starter served with Seville orange and manuka honey. I’d never tasted anything quite like it before and especially enjoyed how well the citrus flavor from the orange paired with that of the cheese.
Masala Chips
It wouldn’t be a visit to London without an order of the Masala Chips from Funky Chips at Camden Market. These chips are suitable for sharing and made with grated cheese, jalapeno, Ottoman Sauce in addition to some other spices. They are spicy, so make sure to have milk and napkins accessible.
Crushed Milk Chocolate Cookies Frosties Soft Serve
NAC in Mayfair is home to the viral crushed milk chocolate cookies frosties soft serve. Despite its description as an ordinary ice cream cookie sundae, it is topped with a cornflake-like cereal. Although one person can enjoy this dessert, I’d say this could be shared with two or three people depending on your hunger level.
That being said, the cookie was warm and the chocolate chip-to-cookie dough ratio was perfect. It is important to note, though, if you want to only enjoy this dessert, that you must sit outside, and only have 45 minutes at the table, unless you have an indoor reservation and are also ordering food.
Tea Pastries
Although most London tea services include pastries, the best I had came from Mr. Ma’s Afternoon Tea at The Academy Hotel. I particularly enjoyed the macarons which, like the rest of the cuisine at this tea, is inspired by Chinese author Lao She.