7 Top London Food Tours

You will discover London's food scene can be overwhelming without some local insight. These seven curated tours cut through the noise and take you straight to the city's most worthwhile culinary spots. From Michelin-starred establishments to hidden street food gems, each tour offers a distinct flavor of the capital. Whether you're working with a tight budget or ready to splurge, there's a guided experience that'll match your appetite and wallet. Let's explore what makes each of these tours worth your time.

Key Points

• Soho Culinary Tours offer upscale progressive dinners with Michelin-guide stops, featuring Israeli cuisine, Bao buns, and Indian dishes.
• Secret Food Tours: London Bridge provides seven authentic British food tastings over 3.5 hours for £59 per person.
• East End Cultural Food Discovery explores London's immigrant food heritage through stops at iconic venues like Beigel Bake and Aladin.
• Borough Market Tasting Experience offers diverse cuisine samplings near London Bridge Station with intimate groups of 10-12 people.
• Specialized tours include the Royal London Gastronomy Walk, Artisanal Cheese Crawl, and Twilight Food & Drink Tour in Soho.

The Ultimate Soho Culinary Adventure

When exploring London's lively food scene, Soho distinguishes itself as the ultimate destination for culinary adventurers on a mission to maximize their dining budget.

You'll find five top-rated food tours ranging from £80-120, each offering unique perspectives on Soho's diverse cuisine. Delicious Cities' 3-hour Israeli tour features upscale progressive dinners, while Sherpa Food Tours includes Michelin-guide stops for Bao buns and Indian dishes. The Israeli food tour starts at 19-21 Store Street and showcases innovative takes on traditional favorites.

For the best value, consider Secret Food Tours' multicultural experience or LivTours' semi-private evening excursions featuring British classics.

Most tours cover 1.4-2.2 miles of flat terrain and accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. Groups stay small at 4-12 people, ensuring personal attention.

You'll discover both traditional British fare and global fusion dishes while learning about Soho's fascinating evolution from red-light district to culinary hotspot.

Secret Food Tours: Hidden Gems of London Bridge

While many London food tours promise local insights, Secret Food Tours delivers an exceptional value with its London Bridge experience at £59 per person.

Experience London's authentic flavors with Secret Food Tours' London Bridge adventure – stellar value at just £59 per person.

You'll explore seven carefully selected food stops over 3.5 hours, sampling British classics from Borough Market's bacon baps to traditional fish and chips. Tours operate Tuesday through Sunday with multiple start times throughout the day.

The small group size (maximum 12 people) guarantees you won't miss the guide's fascinating tales about Southwark's colorful history, including its medieval past as London's red-light district.

You'll taste local cider paired with British cheese in historic pubs and discover a mystery "Secret Dish" at tour's end.

The experience concludes near Tower Bridge, making return transit convenient.

Book 24 hours ahead for dietary accommodations, and don't forget to request the post-tour digital guidebook for continued exploration of London's culinary scene.

East End Cultural Food Discovery

For £65, you'll discover why London's East End stands as the city's most culturally diverse food destination.

Your 3-hour tour covers centuries of immigrant influence, from Jewish beigel shops to Bengali curry houses. Supporting six local businesses, you'll experience the neighborhood's authentic flavors and entrepreneurial spirit.

You'll taste authentic salt beef bagels at Beigel Bake, sample award-winning lamb madras at Aladin, and try traditional British fish and chips at Poppies.

The route weaves through Brick Lane's 55+ curry establishments, Old Spitalfields Market's global street food stalls, and historic pubs with Victorian-era connections.

Groups are limited to 12 people, running Tuesday through Saturday with an 11:30 AM start.

Between bites, you'll explore the area's rich history, from Huguenot silk-weavers to modern-day street artists, while your guide shares stories of the East End's transformation into London's culinary melting pot.

Food tour experiences in London have become increasingly popular for both travelers and locals seeking authentic local cuisine.

Borough Market Tasting Experience

As London's oldest food market comes alive each morning, you'll discover why Borough Market remains the city's premier food-tasting destination. Visitors are guided by local food experts who share fascinating insights about the market's history dating back to Medieval times.

Bustling with centuries of tradition, Borough Market awakens daily to showcase London's finest culinary treasures and tastiest local delights.

Tours run 3-3.5 hours, with prices ranging from £75-89 for adults and £60-79 for children. Most operators meet near London Bridge Station or market entrances, keeping groups intimate at 10-12 people.

Choose from these value-packed options:

1. London Bites Tours (£85) – includes hidden alley access and film locations
2. Devour Tours (£75+) – combines six tastings with cultural landmarks
3. Visit London (£89) – features British breakfast and fish & chips

You'll sample everything from Argentinian empanadas to British cheeses paired with local ales.

Book at least 72 hours ahead, and note that Mondays have limited availability. For dietary restrictions, contact operators in advance – especially for gluten-free needs.

Royal London Gastronomy Walk

Moving from the bustling Borough Market scene, the Royal London Gastronomy Walk takes you through the city's most prestigious neighborhoods and palaces.

Starting at Green Park Station, you'll explore landmarks like Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, and The Mall while sampling British delicacies along the way. Professional guides provide excellent vantage points for watching ceremonial events like the changing of the guards.

The 3.5-hour tour includes tastings of Scotch eggs, meat pies, and artisanal cheeses, paired with English mead and Kings Ginger liqueur.

You'll discover royal-warranted businesses on Jermyn Street and visit historic spots like Fortnum & Mason, supplier to the royal household since 1707.

The experience concludes with a traditional afternoon tea featuring scones and premium pastries.

With groups limited to 12 people and flat walking routes, it's an accessible way to combine royal history with London's culinary heritage.

Vegetarian options are available with advance notice.

Artisanal Cheese Crawl Through Central London

While most food tours focus on multiple cuisines, this specialized cheese crawl takes you deep into London's artisanal dairy culture.

Starting at Green Park Station, you'll spend two hours exploring prestigious cheese shops like Fortnum & Mason and Paxton & Whitfield, both Royal Warrant holders. For £34-£49, you'll taste everything from truffle-infused pecorino to wine-aged "drunk cheeses." Tours begin at 11 a.m. sharp and include a fascinating walk through Mayfair and Soho.

Savor royal-approved cheeses at London's finest shops, from luxurious truffle varieties to wine-soaked specialties during this gourmet walking tour.

Your expert guide makes this intimate 8-person tour worth every penny by offering:

1. Behind-the-scenes access to royal suppliers
2. Interactive cheese trivia with complimentary fizz
3. Tastings of 5+ premium varieties, including baked Camembert

Book through Fever or Indytute platforms, and don't forget weather-appropriate clothing since some tastings happen outdoors.

For private groups, email [email protected] for custom arrangements.

Twilight Food & Drink Tour in Soho's Neon District

From daytime cheese tastings to evening neon lights, London's food scene truly comes alive after dark. This 3.5-hour Soho tour packs serious value with seven carefully selected stops across the district's most exciting venues.

You'll start at Golden Square for Spanish tapas and vermouth before diving into award-winning tacos and Singaporean street food.

The experience includes exclusive access to members-only spots like the London Gin Club and the secret Opium lounge, where you'll sample truffle dumplings in a 1920s-style setting. The gin tasting portion features three unique spirits that showcase London's rich distilling heritage.

Between bites, you'll learn about Soho's evolution from counterculture hub to culinary hotspot.

Tours run daily at 3pm and 4pm, limited to 8 people.

Book ahead for dietary restrictions, and note it's adults-only and not wheelchair accessible.

The Wrap Up

London's food tours don't have to break the bank. You can discover options ranging from $35 to $150, with most tours including 6-8 tastings. Book directly through tour websites to avoid third-party fees, and look for weekday discounts. The Secret Food Tours and Borough Market walks offer the best value, while the Soho experiences are worth splurging on if you're keen on high-end tastings.