Some say London’s national dish is disappointment with a side of mushy peas. And honestly, they’re not wrong. But talk to locals in the know, and you’ll hear whispers of legendary curries, sold-out crème brûlée donuts, and high tea so polished it could tempt royalty. There’s only one way to find out who’s right—book one of these best food tours to take in London and judge for yourself.
Pro Tip: Looking to enjoy the best food in London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Also, check out our guide to London for more planning resources and the top things to do while in London.
Should You Take a Food Tour in London?
Short answer: What else are you going to do when it’s raining?
Long answer: London may not have the culinary swagger of Paris or the sun-drenched flavors of Sicily, but what it does have is unmatched variety. This is a city of markets and corner shops, fishmongers and curry houses, pie shops and Michelin stars.
A food tour is the easiest way to skip the tourist traps, spend your time and money wisely, and return home a little bit fatter. With a local leading the way, hidden spots aren’t so hidden, long lines aren’t for waiting in, and the geniuses behind dishes spill their secrets. We don’t doubt you’ll end any of these best London food tours to take feeling quite smug.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Top Places to Eat in London.
The Most Popular Food Tours in London
With our food tours of London, we have tried to curate a list that caters to just about every foodie. You’ll find classy high tea, a rowdy evening tour through Soho, and a hands-on baking class. Our most popular food tours of London and why are as follows:
1. Soho Eats: A Delicious Evening Walking Tour
What do tapas, dumplings, pies, and pints have in common? They’re the unofficial food groups of Soho—and you’re invited to eat your way through them all.
Rather than elbowing through tourist-packed pubs or getting overwhelmed by Soho’s sensory overload, team up with a local expert who knows exactly where to go (and where not to). Over 3.5 hours, you’ll hop from pub to street stall to tucked-away tapas joint, tasting everything from smoky patatas bravas to melt-in-your-mouth steak pies. By the time you finish your last dumpling in a secret Chinatown lounge, you’ll feel like a very full Soho regular.
It’s loud. It’s flavorful. It’s exactly what a London night out should be.
Highlights:
- A guided food tour through buzzing Soho
- 9 tastings + 2 drinks across 6 locations
- British classics, Spanish tapas, and more
- Hidden Chinatown lounge with dumplings
- A night full of stories, snacks, and surprises
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Best Restaurants in London.
2. Morning Food Tour Through Borough Market and London
Time travel through the iron arches of the Floral Hall and enter a market that has weathered 18th-century traffic jams, fires, and the takeover of hipster food.
This is a tour for people who like to eat standing up, talk to the folks making their food, and wipe pastry flakes off their shirt without shame. Your food-obsessed guide will lead you straight to their six favorite stalls, where you’ll sample everything from classic sausage rolls to creamy British cheeses and fresh fruit crumbles.
Then, it’s off to explore the cobbled backstreets of London Bridge before wrapping up with a cold pint in a local pub.
Highlights:
- Guided tasting tour through Borough Market
- 6 samples from 6 top vendors
- Explore the historic London Bridge area
- Visit a classic British pub
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on What to See and Eat in Borough Market.
3. Kensington Gardens Tour with Royal High Tea
Don your finest, perfect your wave, and instruct your pinky to be poised. Because, on this two-hour tour, you’ll be sipping proper English tea near the same gardens gifted by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria.
As you tuck into your salmon sandwiches and jam-filled scones, imagine royal life at the palace while your guide dishes tales of romances, traditions, and maybe even a scandal or two.
Entry to Kensington Palace isn’t included, but the surrounding grounds offer plenty to admire, including the memorial honoring Princess Diana.
Highlights:
- Afternoon tea on the grounds of Kensington Palace
- Stroll through Kensington Gardens
- Tales of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Princess Diana
- Traditional scones, cakes, and sandwiches
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on Where to Get the Best Afternoon Tea in London.
4. Flavors of London’s East End
Don’t trust anyone who eats curry in Central London. The East End may have a gritty past, but today it’s home to the boldest flavors in the city—and we’re here to prove it.
On this 3.5-hour food tour through Brick Lane, Spitalfields, and Shoreditch, you’ll feast on everything from legendary salt beef bagels to kickin’ curries, award-winning fish and chips, and spiced-up apple crumble.
Along the way, you’ll chat with local legends, hear how this part of London came to be what it is today, and see some of the city’s best street art.
Highlights:
- 8 tastings at 6 handpicked spots
- Try the best curry and fish-n-chips in town
- Skip-the-line at the East End’s favorite bagel stop
- Explore Brick Lane, Spitalfields, and Shoreditch
- Local foodie guide
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Best Restaurants in London.
More Inspiration For Your Trip to London
London’s been standing for nearly 2,000 years, so don’t expect to see it all in a day. But with our insider guide, you can narrow down what to see, where to eat, which tours to book, and more.
