London's food scene has changed a lot over the years. Once mocked for its bland bangers and soggy fish and chips, the city has morphed into a culinary hub where centuries-old pubs sit alongside Michelin-starred restaurants and corner shops carry flavors from around the globe.
If your taste buds guide your travels, London presents an almost overwhelming array of options. The challenge isn't finding tasty food—it's choosing between so many incredible options.
To help you out, here’s a weekend London food itinerary designed to make sure that every single bite counts.
Where to Stay in London for This Foodie Itinerary
But first, the logistics. You're going to need a place to stay, so choose a hotel near a Tube station for quick access to attractions and safe late-night returns. Here are our top picks for where to stay in London, with options sorted by neighborhood and listed from upscale to budget:
Central London (Covent Garden/Holborn)
- Upscale: St Martins Lane London—Stylish luxury close to iconic dining and attractions.
- Mid-range: The Resident Covent Garden—Boutique hotel, highly rated, 3-minute walk to the Market.
- Budget: Travelodge London Covent Garden—Basic, clean, great location next to the Tube.
South London (Borough/London Bridge)
- Upscale: Hilton London Bankside—Luxury amenities, spa, acclaimed dining, and a 6-minute walk to Borough Market.
- Mid-range: ibis Styles London Southwark—Modern design, 5-minute walk to Borough Market.
- Budget: Premier Inn London Southwark (Borough High St)—Affordable, steps to Borough Market.
East London (Shoreditch/Bethnal Green)
- Upscale: Hart Shoreditch Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton—Chic, near trendy restaurants and nightlife.
- Mid-range: CitizenM London Shoreditch Hotel—Modern, tech-focused, steps from Brick Lane.
- Budget: The Z Hotel Shoreditch—Affordable, central to food and nightlife hotspots.
These neighborhoods provide the perfect base to explore London’s food scene, with convenient transport links to move safely and effortlessly around the city.
💡 PRO TIP: This itinerary includes a proper full English breakfast, so don't check the “free breakfast” option. You'll have more choices and possibly save money.
Day 1 (Friday): Historic Markets and Modern Cuisine
Your first day combines London's most famous food market with the creative energy of East London's restaurant scene. Expect authentic flavors, bustling atmospheres, and your first taste of why London has become a global food destination.
Afternoon: Borough Market
Don't waste any time when you get to your hotel. Your first foodie stop should immediately be Borough Market, an ancient gastronomic paradise near London Bridge.
What makes this market special is that it isn't tourist trap territory. This is where London's best chefs shop for ingredients.
The sensory overload begins as soon as you step inside—charcoal smoke from the grill stations mingles with the yeasty aroma of sourdough loaves cooling on wooden boards. You can build a proper meal by wandering from stall to stall, as vendors offer samples of everything from Spanish olives to Middle Eastern lamb wraps.
Start with a paper cone of hot, flaky fish and chips made with sustainably caught cod and a squeeze of fresh lemon—it's worlds apart from the generic versions elsewhere in the city.
Brindisa's grilled vegetable and manchego sandwich, their handmade falafel wraps, and their gourmet mushroom pies showcase the best of elevated British comfort food.
Grab a flat white from Monmouth Coffee before you continue exploring; locals consider it the city's finest, and watching the baristas work is half the experience.
What to do next:
After filling up at the market, you'll probably want to explore a bit before your dinner in Shoreditch. Lucky for you, some of London's most historic attractions are all within walking distance of Borough Market:
- Tower of London—Explore the Crown Jewels and medieval fortress (15-minute walk, 2 hours)
- Thames cruise from London Bridge Pier—See London from the water with commentary (1 hour)
- Tower Bridge—Iconic photos and glass floor experience (30 minutes)
- Leadenhall Market—A beautiful covered Victorian market with boutique shopping (45 minutes)
Evening: East London's Culinary Revolution
As evening approaches, head east to Shoreditch, where London's creative energy is most palpable. The neighborhood's restaurants reflect this artistic spirit.
Skip the crowded curry houses on Brick Lane and book a table at Dishoom instead. Reservations are important because the queues can stretch for an hour. But it's worth every minute of waiting.
This modern take on Bombay's Irani cafés captures the bustling atmosphere of 1960s India perfectly. The lamb dishes here are exceptional, and their famous Black Daal slow-cooks for over 24 hours to develop incredible depth.
After dinner, it's worth exploring the area's legendary cocktail scene. Hunt down speakeasy-style bars like Nightjar or Callooh Callay—both are gems that serve inventive drinks and provide the perfect nightcap to end your first day.
Day 2 (Saturday): British Traditions and Gastropubs
Saturday showcases the best of British culinary traditions, from the legendary full breakfast to elegant afternoon tea, finishing with the gastropub revolution that has redefined pub dining.
Morning: The Perfect Full English Breakfast
Saturday morning calls for the Full English Breakfast ritual. This substantial meal has fueled British workers for generations and will tide you over nicely until teatime.
Head to a proper “caff” for the authentic, no-nonsense experience that locals love. One of the best places in London for this breakfast is the Regency Café in Pimlico, a spot that’s been serving locals and visitors since 1946. The Art Deco interior gives it an old-school charm, but what really stands out is the atmosphere—orders are shouted from the kitchen over the morning bustle, adding to the drama of the place.
The plate itself is exactly what you’d expect: fried eggs with bright yolks, plump Cumberland sausage, thick-cut back bacon, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and a choice of fried bread or toast. It’s generous, hearty, and unapologetically filling.
Things to do after breakfast:
- British Museum highlights tour—See the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies with timed entry (2 hours)
- Hyde Park or Regent's Park—Visit Speaker's Corner, Diana Memorial, or nearby London Zoo (1-2 hours)
- Harrods or Selfridges shopping—Explore iconic department stores with famous food halls. (2 hours)
- Westminster Abbey—Big Ben, Royal history, and Houses of Parliament (2 hours)
Afternoon: Traditional Afternoon Tea Experience
After a few hours spent wandering London’s parks or world-class museums, it’s time for a cherished British ritual: afternoon tea. Traditionally served between 3:00 and 5:00 PM, this isn’t just a quick bite. A proper British afternoon tea is a slow, elegant affair: crisp white tablecloths, polished silverware, and staff who treat service like a fine art.
For the full experience, you'll want a table at one of London’s grand hotels; The Savoy and Claridge’s are iconic choices, but weekends and special occasions fill up fast. To avoid disappointment, be sure to book ahead.
It begins with your choice of tea—classic Earl Grey, fragrant Darjeeling, or something more exotic—served in fine china and poured with precision.
Then comes the centerpiece—a tiered stand stacked with delicate finger sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, egg and cress), warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a parade of miniature cakes and pastries. The tea menu is just as refined, spanning classic Earl Grey to rare blends curated for connoisseurs.
It’s tradition, indulgence, and precision on a plate.
💡 PRO TIP: For the ultimate experience, consider afternoon tea at Kensington Palace—birthplace of Queen Victoria, former home of Princess Diana, and current residence of Prince William. You'll enjoy a guided walk through the royal gardens and have tea served in Queen Anne's Tea Room. No hotel offers that kind of setting. Learn more here.
Evening: The Gastropub Revolution
If you want to see how British cuisine has evolved, head to one of the top-tier London gastropubs for dinner. These establishments have transformed pub food into culinary art by using the finest seasonal and local ingredients.
The Harwood Arms in Fulham is the only pub in London to hold a Michelin star, and it perfectly demonstrates this evolution. The menu focuses on British game and seasonal ingredients, prepared with sophistication but served without pretense.
The Marksman in Hackney is a gorgeous Victorian corner pub in East London offering award-winning cuisine that celebrates British ingredients. Their roasted meats and seasonal vegetables showcase what modern British cooking can achieve.
Day 3 (Sunday): Sunday Roast and Global Flavors
Your final day centers on Britain's most cherished meal tradition before exploring London's incredible cultural diversity through the vibrant food scene at Brixton Village Market.
Sunday mornings in London have a relaxed pace. Many attractions open later, and you'll also find unique experiences that don't exist on other days of the week:
Things to do in London on Sunday morning
- St. Paul's Cathedral service and dome climb—Attend service and then climb 528 steps for panoramic views (2 hours)
- Columbia Road flower market (Sundays only)—Enjoy London's most famous flower market, with a bustling atmosphere (1 hour)
- River Thames Cruise to Greenwich—Visit the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, and Maritime Museum (2 hours)
- Hampstead Heath walk with city views—London's highest natural point has stunning skyline views. (1.5 hours)
- Brick Lane vintage shopping and street art—Sunday markets plus famous Banksy pieces (1 hour)
Lunch: The Sunday Roast Tradition
The Sunday Roast is Britain's most important meal of the week. This beloved tradition brings families and friends together at pubs and homes throughout the country for leisurely Sunday afternoon feasts.
The centerpiece is perfectly roasted meat—beef, lamb, or chicken—served with crispy roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding (a golden, airy batter baked until crisp), and generous amounts of rich gravy.
Book well ahead because the best spots fill up weeks in advance. Pubs like The Camberwell Arms and Blacklock have built their reputations on exceptional roasts, and both offer a fitting finale to your London food adventure.
Afternoon: Brixton's Global Food Scene
Before heading to the airport, make one final stop at Brixton Village Market. This covered Victorian market showcases London's incredible diversity through dozens of independent food vendors.
Brixton's covered arcades house family-run stalls that serve everything from Caribbean jerk chicken and South American arepas to African stews and Middle Eastern specialties. The energy is infectious, the prices are reasonable, and the food authentically represents the global cultures and communities that make London special.
Final Thoughts About This London Food Itinerary
A weekend in London delivers an incredible range of flavors and experiences. The city balances rich culinary heritage with constant innovation, from the grandeur of afternoon tea to the vibrant energy of its market stalls.
This itinerary is meant as a starting point—a carefully curated sample of what's possible. The real excitement lies in discovery, as every street corner might reveal your next favorite restaurant, hidden cocktail bar, or market stall serving the meal you'll remember for years.
