London is one of the top destinations for food lovers due to its diverse cultural offerings. With over 18,000 restaurants as of 2015, you can find almost any cuisine in the city. In this guide, we’ll explore the best food tours in London to get your taste buds tingling.
Regardless of whether you crave American, Vietnamese, seafood, or just a snack, London’s food tours have something for everyone. Despite British cuisine’s iffy reputation, the city’s top restaurants and chefs prove that wrong.
Having lived in and around London most of my life, I’m always eager to try new dining experiences. From Chinese to Italian and Lebanese to Turkish food, I’ve sampled it all here. Let me share the best food tours London has to offer.
Visiting for a weekend or longer? Make sure to carve out time to savor the city’s culinary gems. London offers excellent food year-round. So, let’s dive into London for foodies!
Here are the 15 best food and drink tours in London:
1. Shoreditch Food Tour
Shoreditch is one of London’s trendiest neighborhoods, featuring everything from exclusive bars to street food. This food tour takes you through Shoreditch’s vibrant culinary scene, including a 24-hour bagel shop, a Ghanaian truffle shop, Brick Lane market, and a traditional fish and chips shop. For £75 per person, you’ll experience a rich mix of foods and local history on this three-hour tour.
2. Afternoon Tea on a Double-Decker Bus
Experience one of Britain’s most cherished traditions: afternoon tea, but with a twist—on a double-decker bus. This excursion not only includes tea, sandwiches, pastries, and sweets but also views of famed landmarks like the Tower of London, the London Eye, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The cost is £45 per person.
3. Chocolate Making in Notting Hill
Craft your own chocolate from “bean to bar” at Melt, a luxury chocolate company in Notting Hill. This £36.99 per person experience lets you create and taste your own chocolate bars with sessions running daily.
4. Indian Home Cooking Class
Learn the art of Indian cuisine from an experienced host. You’ll discover how to blend spices and make traditional dishes like curries. Classes start at £50 per person and take place on weekends.
5. Vegan Cookery Class
London is full of vegan-friendly restaurants and shops. This class, priced at £75 per person, includes vegan wine and lessons on vegan cooking techniques, providing food to take home and new recipes to try.
6. Walking and Tasting Tour Including Borough Market
This tour covers London’s iconic sights and culinary highlights, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London Bridge, and Borough Market. Sample fish and chips, pie and mash, and London ale. Tickets are £77 per person.
7. Sushi Making Class
Learn from a skilled Japanese sushi chef how to make four types of sushi and more about Japanese table manners. The class costs £48 per person and lasts two hours.
8. No Diet Club Food Tour
Indulge in cheat day treats like halloumi fries and grilled cheese sandwiches while cycling through London. This fun experience costs £55 per person, plus an additional £4 for bike rental.
9. Crepe Masterclass
Master the art of making both sweet and savory crepes at a small French cafe in East London. Only £10 per person, this two-hour class includes icebreakers and mini-games.
10. Cheese Tasting Tour
Visit artisan cheese makers and Fortnum and Mason in Mayfair. Discover the best cheese pairings and sample a wide range of cheeses. The tour is available on Fridays for £36.99 per person.
11. Luxury Dinner Bus Tour
Enjoy a 6-course dinner on a glass-roofed luxury bus while seeing historic landmarks. The £120 per person tour includes WiFi and personalized service.
12. Local Food Experience around London Bridge
Take a culinary journey with tastings hand-picked by locals around London Bridge, Southwark, and Winchester Palace for £110 per person.
13. Greenwich Food Tour
Explore British and international cuisines in historic Greenwich, including hidden cafes and eateries. The cost is £95 per person.
14. Chinese Tea Ceremony
Learn about Chinese tea culture in Canary Wharf during a session that includes tastings of premium teas and a Guzheng performance for £128 per person.
15. Classic London Pub Tour
Tour historic pubs and sample traditional ales and ciders. This experience costs £25 per person and allows you to indulge in British pub snacks.
No matter what kind of culinary adventure you seek, from traditional British fish and chips to vegan dishes or high tea, London is the ideal destination for food enthusiasts. The only question left is, which food tour will you try first?