I'll be living in London...and want to know about local food?

Question

im gonna live in a self-catered flat and id like to know wot local food i could eat. I'm not from bloody USA and i dont want to end up going to Mc Donalds...it's about getting to know the city...tho im on a budget

Answer 1

If you want to eat "like a Londoner" you definitely want to eat ethnic. Often these can be found in particular parts of London:

Indian/Bangladeshi - Brick Lane, Whitechapel E1

Turkish and Vietnamese - Kingsland Road, Shoreditch up to Stoke Newington

Chinese - China Town, north of Leicester Square

Vegetarian Indian - Drummond Street, near Euston Station

British, French, Italian restaurant are more widely spread.

There are numerous restaurants at Canary Wharf, on the DLR & Jubilee line.

There is a restaurant at Kings Cross called Konstam (2 Acton Street WC1X) that only uses food produced in the London area.

A traditional London food is Pie & Mash (with parsley sauce/liquer) you can also get your jellied eels here. Fish & Chips is a London staple. London has many good sandwich bars, from Pret downwards. If your looking for a cafe/diner it is best to get a local recommendation.

You can also get good food in Pubs, these range from excellent chains such as Wetherspoons to upmarket so called Gastro-pubs.

The London evening paper the Evening Standard has excellent restaurant reviews The listings magazine Time Out publishs a great Restaurant Guide.

Of Course there is always the net.... lots of sites there.

To buy your own food to cook at home you have plenty of choice. Lots of different supermarkets, but if your on a budget try LiDL, it represents particularly good value. Also London is still famous for its Street Markets, they range from foodie paradises such as the Borough Market near London Bridge to the vibrantly ethnic Queens Market in Green Street E7. Also Farmers markets such as the one in West Ealing allow you to purchase quality produce.

London has a huge range of ethnic stores. They range from the Chinese supermarkets in China Town to the little Armenian shop I saw in East Ham. If your anywhere near Kentish Town the Lebanese supermarket in the High Street is a treat with a huge range of olives in tubs that you can sample. Also lots of newish Eastern European shops where you can get sausage and liver pate. Hope this gives you plenty of clues how to enjoy your time in London

Answer 2

There are some great cheap places to eat - Time Out does a budget eatery guide which is great. Every locality has some hidden gems - do you know where you'll be living?

Also, get an Oyster card to travel on the tube (info at www.tfl.gov.uk) because that entitles you to some great deals in central London restaurants.

Answer 3

Sorry I do not know. because I also new to London. hi hi hi hi

Answer 4

get to know ur local takeaways....

or just do everthing normally its no different to any other place.

Answer 5

London is the city of ruby murrys mate (curry) you cant go wrong , or kebab and burger vans at 3 in the morning outside the local club when your soo pissed that you could be eating sludge and not notice, but youll always insist it is the best tasting thing youve eva had    lol

Answer 6

Now,  now ... there isn't a one of us that isn't given to slumming in reverse so some day if they still have a food hall in Harvey Nichols,  you can buy things that are reasonable but that rub shoulders with the more expensive stuff.... and that can be exciting.... so while we are on the subject,  you can also go to any posh, upscale place like Fortnum  and Masons and get yourself a nice afternoon tea to break the boredom ..... it's in Picadilly and posh and fun so wear your very best tweed jacket ..you can buy a box of exotic tea for yourself and on the way home pick up a meat pie and a nice beer or some salad for supper ... and hot soup.

Not to worry.  Mickey D's is not going to come near you.  London is very old,  you know.  Be happy.   It smells like curry,  which is going some.   Cheers!

Answer 7

Just go to your local shops and buy your fruit and veg and meat in the normal way. There's nothing special or different about the food in London. We're normal folk, honest!

Answer 8

London is notorious for terrible food.

Answer 9

Well I can tell you it won't be English

Answer 10

London is overflowing with exciting places to drink, eat and dance the night away. Eating out in the capital is no longer just about food. But if its food you want I can recommend a GREAT italian restaurant(I presume you like italian) on the kings road in Chelsea called "Frantoio." Its not an expensive ponsy michellin star place with n**i waiters that treat you like a number, but great food as reasonable prices. Celebs such as Gordon Ramsey , John Major , the rolling stones, even Prince WIlliam and harry have been seen in there recently and it has a strong local following. (Don't worry I don't have shares in the place) , its my fav italian and I have dined in loads throughout london and the UK. Food,Service,Wine List, Value and Atmosphere 5/5

Answer 11

It depends whereabouts in London you'll be living - it's quite a big place you know!  Sticking to central areas Wong Kei in Wardour Street (the other side of Leicester Square from the entrance to McDonald's) is a great chinese.  The Seashell in Lisson Grove in Marylebone is a great fish and chip shop (takeaway and eat-in).  There are some great little restaurants in Greek Street in Soho.  Also look out for Pierre Victoire restaurants.  They change the menu daily and are really good value for a great meal.  The one in Dean Street is my favourite but there are several.  If you want great cakes go for Patisserie Valerie - again there are several, they have a website.  No matter what part of London you are in there's bound to be a good 'caff' nearby - look for ones with Black Cab drivers in - they're usually the best!

Answer 12

Not sure what you're asking here....

Are you looking for places to eat out or places to buy food?

Link for Time out below for info on restaurants;

http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurant...

You can buy pretty much anything in London, there are thousands of specialist shops selling well...you name it! Wanna give me something more to go on i.e. what exactly  it is you're looking for?

Answer 13

A fabulous place to buy food in London is from Borough Market, which is just by London Bridge Tube station.  Other than that, the food's pretty much the same as anywhere else in England!  A good chain of restaurants is called Giraffe - they sell a variety of ethnic inspired foods.  Two branches I know of are by Spitalfields market, and on the South Bank.  If you're in Camden, there's a fab Japanese resaurant, called the Bento cafe, its opposite the Odeon cinema.  My best advice would be to get to know your local area, go for a walk around, and try the restaurants you see!  To get to know the city well, take the bus everywhere, it gives you a better sense of where everything is compared to the tube.

Answer 14

You could try to cook something nice like spag bol and Shepherds pie or something or if you want to treat yourself then you could get a Indian or Chinese

Answer 15

jellied eels