Food has a unique power to evoke memories. The smells and tastes connect to some of our most deeply held emotions, including comfort, nostalgia, excitement, and love. Food is also one of the most easily accessible ways to get to know a place when traveling. Equity Estates invites you to immerse yourself in the unique flavors of your vacation, one destination at a time.
- Destination: London, England
- Number of restaurants: 11,000+
- Famous for: fish & chips, bangers & mash, breakfast fry-ups, savory pies, puddings and sponge cake, Sunday roast, tea-time accompaniments, Indian cuisine
A true food-lovers destination, London is a melting pot of flavors and cuisines, marrying fabulous global influences with traditional British dishes that span generations. Around the city, you’ll find just about any type of food you’re looking for — from rich, delicious curries and Indian thalis to pub classics, healthy Mediterranean fare, hearty comfort food, and everything in between.
Dining in London means an exploration of traditional, time-tested recipes, modern versions of old favorites, and international influences that create a food scene that’s both deeply comforting and endlessly interesting. With thousands of restaurants (some that have been around since the 1700s) weaving a tapestry of great food and authentic culinary experiences, it’s an excellent city for an unforgettable (and delicious) vacation.
Three local favorites
Local ingredients, a focus on warm and filling comfort foods, and a love of tradition (with just the right amount of creativity thrown in as needed) are key to the consistent and authentic flavors of the country’s most iconic dishes.
When vacationing in London, these are a few of the not-to-be-missed specialties that are worth seeking out, as well as some of the best places to enjoy them:
Fish & Chips may just be the most ubiquitous food in London. It’s deeply rooted in British culture and served everywhere from classic “chippy” shops and food trucks to refined gastropubs and more upscale restaurants. The hallmark of a great plate, of course, is perfectly crisp batter, flaky fish, and thick-cut chips that hold their structure.
One of our favorite places for fish & chips is Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden. This lively Victorian-style pub is known for its comfort-forward menu of British classics and creative cocktail selections. Their fish & chips plate features a generous portion of beer-battered haddock with thick-cut chips, mushy marrowfat peas and a side of tartar sauce and lemon. Absolute perfection.
While there, you can also get a taste of other local specialties, including the tasty triple cheese toastie, sausage ring (with mashed potato and onion gravy), and mini steak-and-ale pies.
The full English Fry-Up is another famous dish you’ll want to try at least once. A breakfast classic in London (and throughout England), it typically features eggs, sausage, bacon, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and sometimes black pudding. It’s a substantial (high-carb) meal meant to fuel the day — perfect when you’ve got big outings and excursions on the itinerary — and best accompanied by a strong cup of tea or coffee.
Few places do the fry-up (and “breckie” extras) better than the Regency Café. Located in Westminster, this long-standing establishment is known for its no-frills, art-deco interior and loyal local following. Everything is cooked to order, the portions are more than generous, and the experience feels quintessentially — and proudly — British.
Their lunch and dinner menus offer meat pies and pasties, sandwiches, and typical Brit fare like steak and kidney pudding, but breakfast is the star. Order the Set Breakfast with Tomato or any of the other dozen or so combinations on the menu, or create your own from a long list of options. If there’s room, consider adding the black pudding, baked beans, or bubble & squeak to take your English breakfast experience to the next level.
For a simple, but truly authentic taste of England, you’ll want to dig into a plate of Bangers & Mash. With well-seasoned sausages served alongside creamy potatoes and savory gravy, it’s satisfying comfort food at its finest — hearty, unpretentious, and full of flavor.
A customizable and consistently good version of this popular dish can be found at the cozy Mother Mash in Covent Garden (or their second location in Carnaby). Their version uses freshly mashed, local potatoes, locally sourced, free-range sausages, and proper, from-scratch gravy made fresh daily.
You choose your sausage style, your preferred mash (including classic, cheesy mustard, colcannon, or horseradish), and your preferred gravy (from six fantastic offerings). The result is an elevated and personalized take on the traditional London staple.
Fine Dining in london
As of 2025, the MICHELIN Guide has awarded one or more stars to over 80 London restaurants, with over 200 others listed as recommended or Bib Gourmand establishments. And there are others still that deliver incredible food and unforgettable, high-end dining experiences that aren’t listed in the guide.
One of our favorites is the family-owned and chef-driven seafood restaurant The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen. In a modern, warehouse-style space, the chefs serve up an ever-changing, seasonal menu of ethically sourced seafood from all corners of the British Isles. Here you’ll find fresh oysters served at least eight different ways, along with perfectly crafted (and presented) bites, small plates, and main entrees.
The sourdough bread with seaweed butter and sea salt is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The whiskey-cured trout with dill, horseradish and crème fraiche is a perfect starter. And the whole lemon sole cooked with brown butter and capers makes an excellent entrée — rich and nutty with just the right amount of acidity to balance it out.
Named after an infamous 19th century courtesan who once resided nearby, the chic Cora Pearl, nestled in a renovated historic townhome, is another favorite casually upscale spot, this one serving elevated British fare and modern-European brasserie food.
They’re listed in the MICHELIN Guide for “good cooking” and “best pre-theatre dining in London” and are a “Traveler’s Choice” winner for 2025 on Trip Advisor. The restaurant has also gotten rave reviews from Condé Nast Traveler, CNN Travel and The New York Times, as well as other publications.
All of that is to say that the food is delicious, the service is attentive and friendly, the cocktails are gorgeous, and the atmosphere is elegant and inviting.
One thing Cora Pearl does exceptionally well is the Sunday roast lunch. This British institution is a hearty, end-of-week tradition featuring roasted meats, crispy potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rich gravy, and towering Yorkshire puddings. Cora Pearl’s includes a short list of starters (the house pickles and the brie & truffle croquettes are tasty options); soup, salad, and toastie; and your choice of roast sirloin with horseradish cream or roast chicken with mustard mayo. Both are wonderful and come with all of the typical (and perfectly prepared) Sunday roast accompaniments.
For an unforgettable Michelin-starred dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Frog by Adam Handling. This one-Michelin-star restaurant is cozy and modern with a dining room that invites you to relax and enjoy your meal and a sustainable, luxurious menu that’s presented in the form of a map of Britain, explaining where each ingredient comes from.
The food is fresh and local, elegantly prepared and plated, and founded on classical techniques with a bit of playfulness and creativity in the presentation. Frog’s lunch and tasting menus showcase the best of British classics with a contemporary twist. They change regularly based on what’s available, but you can expect a full multi-course meal with delicately prepared starters, Parker House bread and butter, incredible entrees, desserts, and curated wine pairings.
For an extra special dining experience, the restaurant also offers The Library, a private space for up to 12 guests, with dedicated waiter and sommelier and two menu options to choose from — the chef will either prepare your favorite dishes or you can enjoy the day’s regular tasting menu along with curated drink pairings.
unforgettable dining experiences
Every stay in an Equity Estates home comes with a fully stocked kitchen with your choice of food and beverages (including local specialties), as well as opportunities to try a wide variety of restaurants outside your door or around the city. You also have access to unforgettable culinary experiences and special occasion celebrations.
In London, our Investors have enjoyed holiday décor in the home, birthday cake and sweets deliveries, and small cocktail parties with finger foods and drinks. They’ve also taken guided food tours, had unbelievable meals in private dining rooms at a long list of restaurants, and experienced special dinners at some of the city’s top establishments, complete with curated menus and service — all arranged by our expert Vacation Concierge.
Whether you want to try a different restaurant or cafe for every meal, take some meals in the quiet comfort of your Equity Estates home, or explore unique, private chef experiences at high-end places during your stay, you’ll find the food and the dining experiences you’re looking for in London.
About the Equity Estates home:
Your spectacular three-bedroom Equity Estates flat is located in the heart of London’s Covent Garden Piazza, close to West End theatres, popular cafes, bars, and shops. With stunning views over the Piazza and Opera House, a gourmet kitchen and spacious floor plan, the home is perfect for a romantic getaway, friends trip, or family vacation.
Your Vacation Concierge will work with you to plan your itinerary before you arrive and make sure your stay is effortless. Leave the details to us and arrive to a fully stocked kitchen and bar with groceries of your choice. With Equity Estates, comfort and luxury are yours.
Travel with Equity Estates for a unique and memorable experience. If you would like more information about investing with Equity Estates, please reach out to our Investor Relations team at 404.445.8501 or click to schedule a call.
