This post compares several of the most popular food tours available in London.
We are a local tour company offering own own unique food tours led by local tour guides
Our food tours were designed by our tour guides, who together have decades of experience leading visitors through the streets of London.
Guides like Jessica, who breaks down the top foods to try in London in the video below.
We know the shop owners, the chefs, and the staff in some of London's most interesting eateries.
We also use input from the roughly 120k members of our popular London Travel Tips Facebook group.
The group consists of locals, including our tour guides, veteran visitors, as well as newbies to London.
You don't need to be a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations, so check the group out once you are done reading is post.
Below, we've broken down the various food tour options in London by neighbourhood so you can narrow down which food tour is right for you.
- East London Tours
- SoHo Food Tours
- Shoreditch Tours
- Dessert Tours
- Pub Crawls
- Self-Guided Food Tours
- Food/Drink Articles & 'Best of' Guides
EAST LONDON FOOD TOURS
It should really come as no surprise that East London is a very popular area for food tours.
The district, which is also known as the East End, is home to several immigrant communities that have contributed greatly to the impressive range of cuisines available.
Perhaps the most famous street in this neighbourhood is Brick Lane, a long road that locals fondly refer to as ‘Curry Mile’ for the many Bangladeshi restaurants.
You'll also see some of the best London Street Art in East London.
However, there are also many Kosher delis and bagel shops, as well as a handful of outdoor food markets.
There are 5 different companies that regularly offer food tours of East London.
Prices range from our pay-what-you-like tour up to - £69 per adult. Tours generally last between 2-4 hours and include 5-8 samples.
As always, we highly recommend checking our London Travel Tips Facebook Group for tips on places to eat and even food tours.
This comment was in response to a question about the best place to take a London food tour, and more than one user recommended visiting this area.
They even had some advice for which restaurants to visit!
Free Tours By Foot
In addition to all of our amazing walking tours, we also offer food tours!
Our food tour of East End is one of our most popular tours, with many people signing up to learn more about the area's history, as well as sample its incredible cuisine!
Unlike all the other food tours in London, there is no upfront fee for our tour.
You simply pay the guide what you think the tour was worth, as well as purchase whichever food samples you wish to try.
There is no requirement or pressure to buy any of the food recommended on the tour, though our tour stops at some pretty amazing eateries, so it can be hard to resist!
Cost: Pay for your own samples and don't forget to pay your tour guide. If you get samples at each stop, it will cost you between £10-15.
Hours:
- @ 10:30 am on Saturdays
- The dates and times of this tour vary by season, so check out our calendar for potentially more dates.
Reviews:
Our 5 out of 5-star TripAdvisor rating and nearly 4,000 reviews account for all of our many tours (not just the foodie ones).
Read the reviews for yourself.
Eating London
Eating London is one of the most well-known food tour companies in London and for good reason!
This tour includes stops at 8 different eateries in East London, accompanied by lots of interesting information on the history and culture of the neighbourhood.
You'll not only try some of the fantastic foods of London, but you will also see London landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the HMS Belfast.
Just a few of the foods you will try are:
- the most famous bagels in London
- an award-winning bacon sandwich
- British cheeses at a gourmet cheese shop
- classic fish and chips
- a delicious curry from a restaurant on Brick Lane
- salted caramel tarts
For the higher price, you do get smaller groups and more sit-down options with chef and owner meet and greets.
Cost:
- Adults - £89
- Adolescents (13 - 17) - £69
- Children (4 - 12) - £55
- More info and to purchase.
Hours:
- Departs: Thur - Tue at 11:00 am
- Duration: 4 hours
Reviews:
Eating London maintains an excellent reputation with roughly 1000 reviews and a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor and Viator (see the reviews).
Several reviewers describe it as a 'must-do' for visitors to London and as 'fantastic and informative'.
Some comment that they felt hurried at certain stops, but this is a common experience for most food tours as guests eat at different paces.
Secret Food Tours
Secret Food Tours specialises in local dining culture and gastronomy trends, bringing guests to some of the best eateries in the city and of course some hidden gems. They also point out London landmarks during the tours.
Their East End London Indian Food Tour takes full advantage of the extensive number of curry restaurants lining Brick Lane.
Of all the food tours of East London, this is the only one that focuses specifically on the foods of India.
Guests will sample a mix of sweet and savoury Indian dishes whilst learning more about the history of the area, as well as the interesting mixture of spices that make up Indian cooking.
Cost:
- £65.49 for adults
- £61 for teens (13-17)
- £54.39 for children under 13
- More information or to purchase.
Hours:
- Weekdays at 7 pm
- Weekends at 5 pm
Reviews:
It's no surprise that this tour has won several awards. Secret Food Tours does an excellent job of bringing guests to some of the best eateries in the city.
However, of all the food tours that this company offers in London, this one probably receives the most critical reviews.
Nevertheless, Secret Food Tours maintains a 5-star TripAdvisor rating with nearly 300 reviews (read the reviews).
SOHO FOOD TOURS
Soho is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in London to wine and dine.
The area is historically known as being the epicentre for London's jazz scene, bohemian counterculture, the original gay village, and the Swinging 60s.
However, in the last 20 years, Soho has transformed into an upscale neighbourhood that boasts the densest concentration of pubs and restaurants in London.
Therefore, it is perhaps no surprise that there are several companies leading food tours through Soho and along the famous Strand.
Though guests are spoilt for choice in terms of the number of food tours on offer in Soho, they must be prepared to spend significantly more than they would elsewhere.
Of all the neighbourhoods included on this list, Soho is one of the most expensive areas of the city to take a food tour.
Tour prices range from £60 - £80 for 5-10 tastings at some of Soho's best restaurants and shops.
This is another area that many members of our London Travel Tips group recommend for food, some going so far as to suggest great restaurants in SoHo.
By the way, Dishoom is a wildly popular restaurant in London, and it's definitely a must visit if you want a modern British meal.
Eating London
In addition to their East End Food Tour, Eating London also leads a Twilight Soho Food Tour that features several tasty treats and delicious cocktails.
This is the only food tour in Soho that runs in the evenings and that really aims to showcase the area's bustling nightlife.
The types of cuisines sampled are varied and interesting, as the tour takes full advantage of Soho's international influence.
One of the more popular spots they visit is Chinatown, where you can experience some of the best Asian cuisine in the city.
Cost:
- £109 per person for a 3.5-hour tour
- Bookings are fully refundable up to 48 hours before the tour.
Hours:
- Departs at 5:15 pm on Monday - Friday
Reviews:
Though not as popular as their East End food tour, Eating London's Twilight Soho Food Tour also comes highly recommended (read the reviews).
Once again, guests praised the quality of the guides, as well as the selection of bars and restaurants included on the tour.
However, keep in mind that this tour is both a food tour and a classy 'pub crawl', with many of the stops featuring cocktails rather than food.
If this sounds like the perfect mix of eating and drinking, then this is the tour for you!
Otherwise, you might want to consider going with a different company offering a strictly food-based tour in Soho.
London Food Lovers
London Food Lovers, another extremely popular and highly regarded food tour company in London, offers several tours through Soho.
Their best-selling walk is a morning tour called Soho International Food Tour (Menu A), though they've recently introduced a follow-up tour called Soho International Food Tour (Menu B).
Additionally, they offer a Soho International Sunday Food Tour and an afternoon food tour. Cuisines featured on their tours range from Hawaiian, Italian, and Mexican, to Jamaican and many more!
Cost:
- Soho International Food Tour (Menu A) - £75 for adults aged 12+; £45 for children under 12
- Soho International Food Tour (Menu B) - £75 for adults aged 12+; £50 for children under 12
- Soho International Sunday Food Tour - £75 for adults aged 12+; £55 for children under 12
- Afternoon Food and Cultural Tour - £70 for adults aged 12+; £50 for children under 12
Hours:
- Soho International Food Tour (Menu A) - Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10:15 am
- Soho International Food Tour (Menu B) - Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10:15 am
- Soho International Sunday Food Tour - Sundays at 10:45 am
- Afternoon Food and Cultural Tour - Monday-Wednesday at 2 pm; Thursday-Saturday at 2:30 pm
Reviews of London Food Lovers:
Described as "amazing" and a "must-do", London Food Lovers maintains a 5-star TripAdvisor rating with nearly 200 reviews.
The relatively new company has continued to impress guests since its founding with a diverse array of flavours and cultural anecdotes about the area.
This is the perfect tour for the true foodie!
Additional Companies Offering Food Tours of Soho
- London From Scratch - The tour is offered about once a month in the afternoon.
- Fox & Squirrel - The Strand Food Tour is offered on the 2nd Friday of every month.
LONDON BRIDGE AND SOUTH LONDON
The neighbourhood around London Bridge and just south of the river is another bustling area filled with delicious eateries and pubs.
Borough Market, which is arguably London's most popular food market. It is a historic hub filled with market stalls selling cheeses, meats, and lots of sweets.
For those who love jerk chicken and lots of spices, it's good to know that the best Caribbean restaurants in the city are also all found in South London!
The only caveat when taking a food tour in this area is the price. Like Soho, South London, and London Bridge are very expensive neighbourhoods to tour.
Prices range from £60 - £80 per person for a tour that lasts between 2-4 hours and includes 5-10 samples.
Of the set-price tours, each was over £60 per adult.
Though this might be out of range for many visitors already spending a lot on their holiday, nearly all guests who were able to afford these tours rated them very highly.
This is just one of many comments on our Facebook Group recommending a stop at Borough Market for some of the best food in all of London.
And yes, we can confirm that Jessica's tour is excellent!
Borough Market and Maltby Street Food Tour
For Summer 2023 we are bringing you something new on the south side of the River Thames!
Experience a variety of traditional English food from London's best food markets with an entertaining local guide.
We take you to try some of the best local produce and delights while telling you about the history of the London Bridge area.
Discover some of the famed local produce such as sausage rolls along with special dishes our guides will explain to you.
Along with food, there will be great options for quality drinks or non-alcoholic beverages.
There is an optional additional extra Gin experience available at the end of the tour at a London Artesian Gin Distillery along with a master distiller if you so require!
Cost: Pay for your own samples and don't forget to pay your tour guide. If you get samples at each stop, it will cost you between £10-15.
Hours: 10:30 am on Sundays
Secret Food Tours
As stated above, Secret Food Tours specializes in local dining culture and gastronomy trends, bringing guests to some of the best and least well-known eateries in the city.
In addition to its East End Indian food tour, this company also offers a Traditional British Food tour around London Bridge.
Some of the dishes featured include Cumberland sausages, fish and chips, fresh bread, English cheeses, local beers and ciders, and delicious teas.
Cost:
- £84.53 for adults
- £80.25 for teens (13-17)
- £73.83 for children under 13
- More information or to book.
Hours:
- Daily @ 10:30 am, 11:00 am, and 3 pm
Reviews:
It's no surprise that this tour has won several awards. Secret Food Tours does an excellent job of bringing guests to some of the best eateries in the city.
In fact, their Traditional British Food tour is particularly well-reviewed as many guests comment that the tour was so good that it exceeded their already high expectations.
All guests seem to praise the tour's food offerings, and thus it is no surprise that Secret Food Tours maintains 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide (see the reviews) rating with nearly 300 reviews.
London Food Lovers
London Food Lovers, another extremely popular and highly regarded food tour company in London, offers a Modern Taste of Britain Tour in addition to many Soho food tours.
The Modern Taste of Britain tour takes guests around London Bridge and introduces them to several traditional dishes, as well as the history behind them.
There are 10 tastings in total and stops at 7 different eateries.
Cost:
- Adults (13+) - £85; Children (4-12) - £65 for a 4 hour tour
Hours:
- Thursdays and Fridays at 10:00 am
When tickets are available, you'll be able to purchase them here.
Additional Companies Offering Food Tours of London Bridge / South London
- Fox & Squirrel -- Brixton Food Tour on 2nd Saturday of every month
SHOREDITCH
If you're going to be traveling in North London, a Shoreditch food tour might be in order.
These outings are a great way to learn about the neighborhood and all of its great cuisine.
Tickets range from £50-£60 on average, as with most London food tours.
Each trip lasts for about 2-3 hours and includes at least 4-5 samples from half a dozen locations.
This comment is a prime example of exactly why you should follow our London Travel Tips Facebook Group.
Giorgia offers two excellent spots to visit in Shoreditch, including one unique cocktail bar/museum and a comfy Italian coffee shop as well!
Secret Food Tours
In addition to all of their other outings, this company also offers a Shoreditch food tour which covers some of the best dishes you'll find in the area at 6 different stops.
Guests can expect to try such popular foods as bagels, fish and chips, cocoa truffles, fantastic street food, and more!
If you're interested in some libations as well, you can also get an upgraded drinks package.
- £80.25/Adults
- Availability: Fri - Sun and Tue at 11 am
- Duration: 3 - 3 ½ hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
DESSERT TOURS
For those looking to indulge in London's sweeter side, we recommend taking a dessert tour!
These are very similar to food tours, however, they feature chocolates, pastries, and all things sweet rather than savory.
Though chocolate is the main focus, guests also get to learn about the history of the area that they tour, as well as enjoy VIP discounts at many of the places they visit.
There are 2 companies offering dessert tours in London: Chocolate Ecstasy Tours and Urban Adventures.
The former is by far the most popular and offers the widest range of dessert tours in the city as they specialise strictly in sweets.
Urban Adventures, on the other hand, leads several different types of tours and only occasionally offers their Luxe London Dessert tour.
The cost of the Urban Adventures tour is £68, whilst the Chocolate Ecstasy Tours range in price from £36-£55 per person.
Multiple travelers on our London Travel Tips Facebook Group recommend this delicious chocolate drink at Italian Bear Chocolate.
Who could possibly say no to an Italian hot chocolate, especially on a cold winter day?
Chocolate Ecstasy Tours
Chocolate Ecstasy Tours is by far the largest and most popular dessert tour company in London.
They offer several dessert tours, but due to the pandemic, they have begun offering most of their outings as private tours.
That said, they do still have some public tours, and these are their most affordable services.
This company is currently only offering the following tour options once every month or so, which means you should plan it out and purchase tickets well ahead of time.
Cost:
- Chelsea Sweet Treats Adventure: £61.79 per person
- Private Chelsea Chocolate Tour: £200 per 2 people
- Private Mayfair Chocolate Ecstasy Tour: £185 per 2 people
- Ice Cream Ecstasy Tour: £44 per person
- Private Ice Cream Ecstasy Tour: £145 per 2 people
Urban Adventures
Urban Adventures, a company run by Intrepid Travel, offers several tours in many different cities around the world.
In London, they offer a Luxe London Dessert Tour that typically runs once a month.
The tour starts in Piccadilly Circus and visits different sweet shops located around central London.
Cost:
- £68 per person for 2.5-hour tour
Hours:
- 11 am on certain Tuesdays
When this tour is available, you will be able to purchase it here.
LONDON PUB CRAWLS
Pub crawls are a popular tourist activity for those wishing to have some grown-up fun whilst exploring a new neighbourhood.
Though some pub crawls strictly aim to entertain and provide a wild night out, the tours listed below cater to people of all ages who are hoping to learn about the history and culture of an area through the lens of alcohol.
Guests will visit historic pubs, sample local London ale, and cider, and try some of the best gin and tonics in the city!
Obviously, we think our pub crawls, beer experiences, and sing-a-longs are the best so make sure you check them out while you are in town.
We’ve got you covered with three different one-of-a-kind London tour experiences! Explore trendy craft beer houses in one of London’s most fascinating neighborhoods on our Brixton Beer Mile Experience.
Or join in the fun on a classic Pub Crawl and Cockney Sing-A-Long.
Or explore some of London’s oldest (and most interesting) pubs on our East London Riverside Pub Crawl!
If those don't fit into your schedule, then read on for some good alternatives.
The price and style of each of the tours included on this list vary immensely.
London Food Lovers and Walk Eat Talk Eat are primarily 'cocktail crawls' and by far the most expensive options with tours ranging from £55-£89 per person.
Those who are looking to explore traditional pubs and drink classic brews should opt for the tours offered by Drink London, Alternative London, or Urban Adventures.
Each of those tours costs £25-£35 per person and features only beers, ciders, and occasional snacks.
Finally, if you'd prefer to do something completely different, take a cycling tour with Tally Ho! Cycle, who brings guests to several pubs and food stalls via bike!
Secret Food Tours
In addition to their other tours, this company also offers both a great beer tour and a gin tour covering some of the best drinks you'll find in London.
The Secret Beer Tour includes samples of 7 different beers at multiple stops, including pubs, a micro-brewery, and more.
You can also get a food upgrade if you want some snacks to go along with your drinks!
- Public Tour: £69 per person
- Private Tour: £171.26 per person
- Availability: Mon-Sat at 3:00 pm
- Duration: 3 - 3 ½ hours
- Purchase tickets for a private tour or learn more.
The Secret Gin Tour provides at least 4 samples at 5 different stops, giving you a breakdown of the history of this beverage.
As with the beer tour, you can also upgrade this outing with snacks.
- Public Tour: £89 per person
- Private Tour: £202.06 per person
- Availability: Tue, Thur, and Fri at 3:00 pm
- Duration: 3 - 3 ½ hours
- Purchase tickets for Private tour or learn more.
The Shoreditch Pub Crawl
If you're more interested in having a good time than you are in a tour, this is an excellent option you may want to consider.
In addition to getting free entry to 4-5 popular clubs and pubs in London, you'll also get 4-5 free shots throughout the night, each at a different venue.
This is a great way to become more acquainted with the best clubs and pubs in the city, and it's actually quite affordable!
- £20/Adults | £18/Students
- Availability: Fri & Sat at 8 pm
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
London Food Lovers Tour
In addition to their highly rated food tours, this company also offers a Jack the Ripper Happy Hour Tour, which is the perfect mix of food, drinks, and history.
Guests will sample gin, wine, and craft ale, in addition to tapas, hot salt beef bagels, and chocolate.
Meanwhile, a guide will take guests along the same streets that Jack the Ripper once roamed, relaying the horrible history of the area.
Cost:
- £64 per person for 2.5-3 hours
When this tour is available, you will be able to purchase tickets here.
Hours:
- 5:30 pm Wednesday-Friday
- 5:00 pm Saturday
Reviews:
Described as "amazing" and a "must-do", London Food Lovers maintains a 5-star TripAdvisor rating with nearly 200 reviews.
The relatively new company has continued to impress guests since its founding with a diverse array of flavours and cultural anecdotes about the area.
This is perhaps the most popular pub crawl on offer!
Walk Eat Talk Eat
Walk Eat Talk Eat runs a Farringdon Gin Tour, which takes guests around a neighbourhood with a long history of distilling.
Guests sample several different types of gins, most of which are complemented with food such as a cheese board or chocolate fondue.
This is a great tour for a fun afternoon exploring the lesser-known neighbourhoods of Farringdon and Clerkenwell.
Cost:
- £89 per person for 3 hours
Hours:
- Varies by season -- best to consult their calendar
Reviews:
Once again, the reviews for this tour are nothing short of excellent. Walk Eat Talk Eat currently has a 5-star TripAdvisor rating with nearly 300 reviews.
Several reviewers compliment the guides for their knowledge and passion, in addition to praising the delicious gin and food samples included on the tour.
There are only a handful of reviews that fall below 4 stars, and each of those is from 2014 at the most recent.
Drink London
This is the only company solely dedicated to running historic pub crawls in London.
Their London Pub Tour brings guests to some of the most historic pubs and alehouses in the city.
There are at least 4 stops along the way, and guests are encouraged to sample as many beverages as they wish.
Cost:
- £25 per person for 3 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Hours:
- 2-5 pm Daily
Reviews:
If you're interested in learning more about London's 'liquid history', then this is the tour for you!
Reviewers compliment the passionate and informative guides, as well as the variety of pubs.
With a 5-star TripAdvisor rating and nearly 1200 reviews, this is the tour to take if you're a beer aficionado!
Additional Companies Offering Pub Crawls
- Urban Adventures -- Soho Legends and Pub Tour once a month
- Alternative London -- Craft Beer and Pub Tour through East London on certain Saturdays
Self-Guided Food Tours of London
Here is our list of self-guided food tours in London! We'd love to have you on our tours, but we realise that sometimes people prefer to explore on their own.
With these guides, you will have a ready-made route that takes you to all of the best eateries in each area!
- Covent Garden
- London Borough Market
- East London
- Soho, Piccadilly, Chinatown
- Islington
- Leather Lane Market
- Exmouth Market
Food/Drink Articles and "Best Of" Guides
Check out some of our posts on food and drink in London.
- Top 15 British Foods to Try
- Best Fish and Chips in London
- Food in the East End
- Best Pizza in London
- Best Pie in London
- 8 Best Street Food Markets in London
And our posts on drinking and pubs in London
- London's Best Historical Pubs
- Best London Pubs with a View
- London's Best Riverside Pubs
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - this pub dates from the 1500s
- Best Coffee in London
- Twinings Tea Shop
What Food is London Best Known For?
If you're wondering what is the most popular food in London, you'll probably get a different answer from almost everyone in the city!
We think that these 5 traditional British foods and cuisines will give you a real ‘taste’ of London!
1. Fish & Chips
It doesn't get more British than this! You’ve likely heard of it. You may have seen people eating it in movies and TV shows.
Now you have a chance to try deep-fried fish with a side of thick french fries. Here are the top fish and chip shops in London.
2. Afternoon Tea
This is the ultimate British tradition. It’s not just a cup of tea… it’s practically a meal!
You choose your tea from many types. It is accompanied by delicate and pretty finger foods like small sandwiches, petits fours (small pastries), and scones served with clotted cream and jam.
3. Bangers and Mash
Bangers? What is THAT?! Just sausages. But they are oh so good.
Served with mash (mashed potatoes), this hearty meal will keep you full for under £10 in many places.
4. Pie and Mash
Now that you know what mash is, you can get Pie and Mash and only have to ask, "What kind of pie?"
No, it's not a dessert pie. The pies in this dish are savory pies filled with minced beef or chicken.
5. Full English Breakfast
Put down that cereal and pull up a plate filled with fried eggs, sausages, bacon, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, and toast.
You won't need lunch after this breakfast!
Find out more about these foods and 10 others from our detailed post, Top 15 British Foods to Try in London.
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