We know some people who are currently vacationing in London. (I’m sitting here cleaning my kitchen and really wishing I could be there with them.) Those of you who either live in London or have visited, what are the best food spots? Especially coffee, tea, and treats, but anything would be great. Are there cafes that sell the kinds of delicious pastries that contestants make on the “Great British Baking Show”? I would love to be able to share some suggestions.
Photo shows St. Paul’s Cathedral. Looks surprisingly like the US Capitol Building to me though.
Anonymous
You’re sitting there cleaning your kitchen? How do you do that?
I’ve been to London but I don’t recall British food being anything special. Beef and fries (chips) and peas. Fish and chips. Ethnic food. Does Harrods department store still have food?
Ellie
You’re right that does sound a little funny. Haha. I suppose I was referring to the moment when I was sitting on the floor scrubbing. but the majority of the cleaning was done standing. Lol
Anon
Not sure what your friends’ budget is, but last time we were travelling there we did High Tea at Harrods. Mainly went to Harrods to get out of the rain (!) and the food (cakes and pastries) and tea was fabulous.
(St Paul’s)
Ellie
They would love cakes and pastries! I will tell them that
Florence
Saint Paul’s cathedral. As for great places to drink or eat, it really depends on what you like! Personnally, I don’t have a sweet tooth so I don’t like cakes, pastries etc. I hate the kind of coffee served by Starbucks or McDonalds. I prefer the ones served in French or Italian restaurants… Tough to give advice.
Ellie
Thanks for the recommendation! I will pass it on. They would love pastries and cakes. Or really anything sweet. Something more special than what’s served at McDonald’s and Starbucks. 🙂
Marni
When my mom was in London with other family, they went to Harrods and had Peach Melba. By eating there, they got a free pass to use the restrooms there so to speak. (LOL!)Restrooms are not easy in Europe- you can pay to use them often.
Jane
That is our beautiful United States Capitol building! 🇺🇸
A
Jane Thents London Capital Building not united states.
Anonymous
London doesn’t have a “capitol” building with a dome like that! London conducts government business in the old Palace of Westminster a.k.a. the Houses of Parliament. Surely you’ve seen that building in pictures? Big Ben and all that?
Anon
Pretty sure the “capitol” buildings are only found in USA.
If you are interested see attached information on St Pauls. From memory it has the second biggest dome in the world (after St Peter’s in Rome.
Anonymous
That’s not the US Capitol! That’s St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Picture taken from Peter’s Hill, the walkway up from the Thames. The US Capitol is larger, has a ton of steps attached to it, and is at one end of a grassy mall, not behind a building like that. Haven’t we all seen our capitol building on TV lately??
Susan
I believe that is part of St Paul’s Cathedral. However if you google London Capital Building the search will show you more images of the building. But the picture is definitely not from the United States. Ellie can you please chime in here?
Ellie
It’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. 🙂
Anonymous
I Love “The Great British Baking Show.”
Suzanne, Netherlands
My husband and I went for a high tea at the fancy department store Fortnum & Mason. It was delicious! We could order al kinds of different teas. We went there in november 2018, and my husband proposed to me while having dinner at a nice restaurant.
Suzanne, Netherlands
Oh, and I have one other suggestion! While studying in London 2008-2009 my girlfriends and I went to eat french pastries at Maison Bertaux, 28 Greek St. in SoHo London. It is delicious. I always had more than one pastry. I looked it up and it still exists 🙂 So perhaps next time we are in London, we will go there again. My husband and I are blessed with an active toddler now, and we will have to do some research on the best way to travel to and stay in London with him.
MarriedUK
London has great food and lots of great things to do!!!!
My favourite: brunch at Dishoom. I’d have the egg naan rolls.
I also love patara in Hampstead and Quilon in st James’ park.
I recommend going to see the view of London from Hampstead heath and primrose hill, swims in the Hampstead ladies’ pond and walks along the Thames.
Going into the inns of court is like a trip back in time (inner and middle temple are great).
As for museums- I like the V&A and the British museum. The national gallery is great (and you’ll see Trafalgar Square at the same time!)
What else??? I can’t think…
Ellie
Thanks, MarriedUK! I was hoping you would share something 🙂
Dee
One of my favorite youtube bakers, Preppy Kitchen, just posted a review of the best bakeries in London. Your friends may want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwG3v6t4mzk&ab_channel=PreppyKitchen
Eileen
London is a great place to visit. I cannot give food suggestions because it has been too long since I was there. Eileen
Andrea
While my friend and I lived in London we had afternoon tea at the Savoy. It was 17 years ago but we found that many pubs served great British food (Fish & chips, Bangers & mash, Toad in the Hole) for fairly inexpensive prices. There was a great pasties shop (pronounced past-ees) in Spitalfields Market but I can’t remember the name. We loved visiting the different markets for local foods & produce. Portobello Road market had a quaint farm booth with wonderful raspberries 🙂
Justine
When I was in England, I ate Fish N Chips, in the first place to sell them, that Chippy has been there since The Edwardian Times!!!! IT was the best I ever had!!!!!!