London is one of the greatest cities in the world for foodies. Around every bend you’ll find fabulous food from every corner of the globe. No matter what your gastric mood, there’s a restaurant around the corner waiting to tantalize your tastebuds. Since there are so many amazing eateries in the city, we’ve put together our quick guide on where to get the best food in London. And we’ve stuck with kid friendly options, so little ones won’t feel left out of the culinary adventure.
See more places to dine with a foodies guide to London. You’ll find recommendations for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. No one wants to travel with hungry kids!
Where to Get the Best Food in London (with Kids in Tow)
Munch at the Food Market:
Visitors can eat well at many of the food markets situated throughout London. You could plan you’re entire visit around tasting your way through them. A few of our favorites:
Don’t miss the popular Camden Market to find street food, terrace bars, bakeries and cafes. You can grab a gourmet coffee, indulge in The Cheese Bar, sample Dutch pancakes and try a Venezuelan wrap all in one day. Okay, that may be too much variety for only one day.
You’ll find just about everything at Brixton Village and Market Row, making it a great place to spend an evening out. In the mood for Caribbean fare? Fancy a crêpe? Want to taste a Japanese pancake? Why limit yourself to just one type of food when you can sample many? Stop by one restaurant for appetizers, another for your main and move on again for dessert.
Another must visit is the Piccadilly Market at St James’s Church. Open everyday but Sunday, you’ll also get to checkout unique arts & crafts while wandering with your inexpensive culinary discovery in hand. Indulge in a bit of Moroccan cuisine, pick up some empanadas or try something new from the vegan bakery. And if you stay in one of the remarkable London holiday rentals nearby, you could easily find yourself revisiting again and again.
Dumpling Love in Chinatown:
If visiting London for the first time, a stop by Chinatown should be on your list. While there are many restaurants in the area, you’ll want to dine at Beijing Dumplings. The ambiance may be basic but the food is anything but. Sample the dumplings as they are some of the best in London.
Save Time for Tea:
You just can’t visit London without partaking in afternoon tea. More than likely, you’re pre-conceptions about it are all wrong! It’s one of those experiences you should not skip during a visit. Some tea times even include champagne, if you’re in the mood for a bit of bubbly. A few family friendly options are listed below:
The Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea At The Sanderson Hotel is an adventure straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Kids can enjoy “Alice” China black tea, King of Hearts parmesan croque-monsieur stack and more wonderful delights.
Buzzy Bees Afternoon Tea at St. Ermin’s Hotel – Honey is at the heart of this afternoon tea for kids. Little buzzing bees can enjoy fun foods such as honey glazed ham with cream cheese and St. Ermin’s teddy chocolate lollipops. Before leaving, take kids to the 3rd floor to see the 350,000+ Buckfast bees – behind glass of course!
However, I was extremely disappointed in the service.
Charlie and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea At The Chesterfield Hotel. Willy Wonka fans will adore this chocolate themed tea featuring traditional finger sandwiches and scones. Children can savor their own special treats from the kids menu including fizzy lifting cake. Read our review of this family-friendly London tea house.
More Indulgences for a Foodies Trip:
Pho Vietnamese Restaurant – This chain restaurant serves tasty noodle bowls and Vietnamese Street food. I stumbled upon the location on Oxford Street during my last visit and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food and service.
Dishoom Bombay Café – Dine on Indian cuisine in a fun and funky atmosphere. These restaurants “pay homage to the Irani cafés that were once part of the fabric of life in Bombay”. If you want to experience fine dining Indian without the kids, head to Cinnamon Club which is housed in the former Westminster Library. Both of these restaurants come highly recommended by my Bengali bestie, so you know the food is fantastic.
The Mayfair Chippy – There’s no visiting London without putting fish and chips on your must eat list. It would be shameful! Kiddos will also love the homemade ice cream for dessert.
Savoy Grill – Even kids can dine at the famous British Chef Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant. While the adults menu is on the expensive side, kids can eat for just 8.50£ from the Children’s Menu.
Sticky Fingers – Co-owned by former Rolling Stones rocker Bill Wyman, this restaurant will appeal to all families wanting a bit of rock n’roll and American fare. Try baby back ribs, mac & cheese and even a Coke Float.
Cuisine from all over the world has found it’s way to the streets of London. Savor South American cuisine, Thai, French, Japanese, Indian and so much more on your next visit. And don’t forget to save time to appreciate a traditional afternoon tea with a kid-friendly twist before your departure! London is a foodies paradise just waiting for you to show up with an appetite.
Do you have more suggestions on where to get the best food in London? Please share your favorites in the comments.
Don’t forget to check into the London Pass! It’s a great way to save money on top attractions. We highly recommend it!
I am so pleased to find this article! These seem great food places and I want to try them. Thanks a lot for the great article.