Despite stereotypes surrounding British cuisine, London is home to some of the best food in the world.
Street food in Camden. Ceridwen. CC BY-SA 2.0.
Oftentimes, when people think of food in the United Kingdom — particularly London —the images that come to mind are ones of beans on toast, sausage, mashed potatoes, battered fish and chips, and a plethora of things boiled, fried and relatively unseasoned. Telling people that food is one of the best parts of London tends to raise expressions of shock and disbelief.
However, the reason that the food scene in London is so vibrant and satisfying is due to its status as one of the world’s most international cities, a hub for blending cultures, traditions and most significantly, food. London’s multicultural nature makes it a haven for some of the best food in the world, attracting tourists, food enthusiasts and experts alike to contribute to the dining scene. Depending on the part of the city, visitors and locals can find incredible food from almost any country or region in the world. Built upon immigration and a bustling street food culture, London’s food scene is truly like no other. From street stands to Michelin-star restaurants, there is something for anyone and everyone.
A popular restaurant in Chinatown. Elliott Brown. CC By 2.0.
In Chinatown, located near Leicester Square, tourists can visit traditional Chinese supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants that have been passed down through generations, as Chinese immigrants have lived in the area since the 18th century. Camden, a tourist hotspot, is home to a vibrant Latin population, with a number of Cuban restaurants and Peruvian street stands. 24% of the population in Brixton is British Afro-Caribbean, making the neighborhood popular for Jamaican and other Caribbean restaurants. Golders Green, which has been heavily populated by the Jewish community following the Holocaust, is home to numerous kosher cafes, delis and other cultural food.
There are also destinations around the city dedicated almost entirely to blending and promoting cultures through food. Borough Market, one of London’s most famous food and shopping destinations, is home to seemingly endless options for multiethnic cuisines. Those looking to experience the traditional British charm can pick up a sausage roll, whereas others looking for more international flair can taste blue Thai mango sticky rice, traditional Spanish seafood paella, Middle Eastern meze, Venezuelan produce or another dish from the stalls upon stalls of any cuisine imaginable. Another famous market destination, Spitalfields Market, features a massive collection of food and shopping stalls from all across the globe. At Spitalfields, some of the most popular stalls include Mexican birria tacos, a Japanese matcha bar, plates of Nigerian food or Italian flatbreads hailing from the Bologna.
Borough Market in London. Jorge Franganillo. CC BY 2.0.
Some of the most notable dining destinations also feature global cuisine, promoting well-crafted traditional dishes or presenting new fusion food to excite diners. Listed in the Michelin Guide, Dishoom is one of the most popular restaurant chains in London and incredibly popular on social media. The restaurant strives to pay homage to the essence of Bombay through its unique dishes, cultivating some of the best Indian food in the city. SUSHISAMBA, a restaurant 39 stories above London, is renowned for its spectacular views and Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian fusion cuisine. The restaurant blends skills, traditions and recipes from all three cultures to create a truly global dining experience. Chishuru is a woman-owned West African restaurant in Central London that made the Condé Nast Traveler editors’ list of favorite restaurants in London. Chishuru earned a Michelin star in 2024 for its modern and rotating menu of Nigerian-inspired cuisine.
When visiting London, it’s possible to travel the world without stepping outside of the city limits. Hailed as a multiethnic haven with a wide array of cultural influences, its presence in the global dining scene is often overlooked. Although often overshadowed due to preconceived notions of what is quintessentially “British” cuisine, London’s cuisine is the food of the world.
Zoe Lodge
Zoe is a student at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is studying English and Politics, Philosophy, & Law. She combines her passion for writing with her love for travel, interest in combatting climate change, and concern for social justice issues.