One of the best parts about traveling is trying authentic and traditional cuisines! With our upcoming trip to London, we’ve been figuring out what to eat while we’re there and though we could easily get our fill of tea and crumpets, there are plenty of other traditional London dishes we want to gorge on.

While we narrow down where we’re going and what to order when we get there, I started creating a list of all the possibilities and am starting to think our time in London is way too short to try them all!

Authentic dishes to eat in London

Savory

Full English breakfast

Start your day off right with a filling English breakfast! Served up with eggs, potatoes, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, fried beans, blood pudding, and toast. Accompany this dish with a cup of tea to feel like a real Brit! Whether you’re looking for a good welcome to British cuisine, or have a nasty hangover that only fried food and oil can cure, this is the dish for you.

Fish & chips

I don’t know how you could visit London and not get at least one plate of fish and chips! This British classic is typically served with mushy peas and you should be sure to squeeze your lemon over the fish and then drizzle it with vinegar!

Beef wellington

Bring your protein and carbs together with a beef wellington – a tender filet wrapped in puff pastry. Just be sure to order some sort of veg to round out your plate!

Pies

Maybe don’t go trolling for meat pie restaurants along Fleet Street, but savory, meat-based pies are still very popular dishes in Britain and served at many great restaurants.

• Shepherd’s pie: Minced lamb, veggies, and mashed potatoes and roasted in the oven until golden
• Cottage pie: Beef, veggies, and potatoes, roasted like a shepherd’s pie
• Steak and kidney: Created with slices of steak, ox kidney, and a medley of vegetables, as well as topped with puff pastry.

Most pies are served with mashed potatoes and gravy!

Bangers & mash

While we Americans have our steak and potatoes, our British friends have bangers and mash. This sausage and potatoes plate is a popular option for those cold, blustery London days and is guaranteed to make you full.

Ploughman’s Lunch

Stop in a pub for lunch and order the ploughman’s lunch for a great little spread of bread, cheese, pickles, and other accompaniments.

Cheese toastie

Similar to our grilled cheese, a cheese toastie is sealed on all sides to contain the yummy, gooey cheese within. You can get toasties with other ingredients instead of just cheese, too!

Finger sandwiches

While at an afternoon tea, you’ll get a tiered serving tray with finger sandwiches and savory bites and a few sweet treats. Some of the most popular finger sandwiches for tea include:

• Cucumber and dill
• Smoked salmon
• Egg salad
• Watercress
• Jubilee chicken

Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding

Save room for a Sunday roast that’s served with yorkshire pudding! Traditionally made of beef, the roast can be made from turkey, pork, or chicken and is served with potatoes, veggies, and gravy. The Yorkshire pudding kind of looks like a roll or pastry and is made with flour, milk, and eggs, and then softened with gravy and topped with veggies. If there are any left, you can smother it with jam for a sweet end to your dinner.

Chicken tikka masala

Go international but still traditional with Britain’s national dish: Chicken tikka masala. If you enjoy curries, this is a must-try while visiting the country.

Indulge your sweet tooth in London

If there’s still room left after all the savoury dishes, here are a few dessert options!

Eton mess

In the mood for something decadent and fruity? Save room for Eton Mess, a broken-down dish of strawberries, meringue, and cream. You can find variations with other in-season fruits, or if it’s a nice, warm day, go with one made with ice cream instead of regular cream.

Bread and butter pudding

To me, the word pudding tends to scream something filling and creamy and bread and butter pudding definitely hits the mark. To make it, they take bread, dried currants, and bake it in cream until it’s nice and soft.

Scones with cream and jam

While the scone itself isn’t inherently sweet, the cream, butter, or jam you top it with is!

Trifle

It’ll probably be much better than Friends’ Rachel’s attempt – you won’t find beef sauteed with peas and onions in it, for starters! But a traditional English trifle is a delicious dessert made with layers of cake, custard, and jam or fresh fruit.

Sticky toffee pudding

OK, this dish is from Scotland, but still a must-order if it’s on the menu in London. You start with a moist sponge cake that’s been stuffed with dates or raisins, and finally drizzled and drenched in toffee sauce. Many restaurants serve it with ice cream.

What to drink in London

Wash all that good eatin’ down with a drink or two. Here are some traditional drinks in London you’ll want to order with your food or as a standalone drink order!

Tea

Tea is the quintessential British beverage and a must-try when touring England. Pair it with breakfast or do it up right with a classic afternoon tea outing in London! You can go classic with English breakfast or Earl Grey, or branch out with more exotic flavors like jasmine or peppermint.

Beer

Pop into any pub and you’ll be greeted with tons of variety when it comes to beer. Be ready to sample some brown ales, stouts, IPAs, and Irish red ales.

Cider

If you’re looking for something lighter in color, opt for a cider in a pub. Packed with flavor and a crisp, refreshing taste, a cider is the way to go if you’re not much of a bitter beer fan.

Cocktails

Need a bit more of a kick with your drink of choice? Opt for a gin cocktail! From 1720 to 1751, the Gin Craze took over London and laws were even put into effect to control its consumption. Today, you can get a great gin cocktail at almost any cocktail bar to see what the craze was all about.

What are your favorite foods to eat in London? Tell us in the comments below!

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