Dishes That Prove London Is The Food Capital Of The World

When it comes to world-famous eateries, London’s European neighbors – Paris, Barcelona, “‹”‹Rome – tend to steal the spotlight. However, what perhaps gets less credit than British cuisine is that the capital has one of the most diverse and multicultural cuisines on the planet. Not to mention you’ll find 70+ Michelin-starred restaurants in London, more than most of its European neighbors. From Taiwanese bao and Peruvian ceviche to Mexican-inspired British classics, here are the dishes that earned this city a top spot on the list of the world’s best culinary destinations.

Nikkei ceviche

London may be thousands of miles from South America, but there’s top class ceviche here. Super fresh, healthy and full of flavor, this delicious raw fish dish has quickly become a favorite on the local culinary scene.

For some of the best food in town, head to Peruvian restaurant Señor Ceviche for Nikkei, a beautifully presented platter of yellowfin tuna, sea bass, tiger milk ponzu, yuzu tobiko, and langoustine biscuits.

Bacon naan rolls

Bacon buttie – a thick, crispy slice of English bacon sandwiched between two slices of buttered white bread – is the country’s favorite breakfast. So when Dishoom, one of London’s best Anglo-Indian restaurants, opened in Shoreditch, it was no surprise that this bacon roll was a major star.

Paying homage to the dish’s Bombay roots, the usual ketchup and brown sauce are replaced here with a spicy chili-tomato jam, creamy raita-style yogurt, and a sprinkling of cilantro. Pair it with chai tea and you’ve got one of the best English-Indian breakfasts in town – perhaps in the world.

Spiced Duck Donuts

Brits love doughnuts: jam doughnuts, custard doughnuts, ring doughnuts, glazed doughnuts, you name it – if they’re round, doughy, and sweet, there’s likely to be a line. But what happens if you dare to make delicious donuts?

Award-winning London chef Tom Cenci of Duck & Waffle fame does just that. Combining pub classics with European ingredients, spiced duck donuts served with pineapple jam and paprika sugar – alongside dishes like BBQ-marinated pig’s ear and smoked eel with horseradish and samphire – are true London fusion food.

Pork confit bao

Asian immigrants have arrived in London over the past few centuries. Today, Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese cultural influences (and many more) are woven into everyday life in London. And much of this influence manifests itself in – yes, you guessed it – food.

Literally translated to “steamed bun” in Taiwanese, bao is a thin bun usually filled with meat, vegetables – even ice cream! – and quickly became London’s favorite lunchtime snack. To sample some of the best dishes, head to Soho’s Bao for their signature pulled pork buns. The exquisite meat, sweet plum sauce, crunchy radish and, of course, the milk bread made on site attracts crowds as early as 11:30 (30 minutes before opening time).

Salted Beef Beigel

Introducing London’s most famous late night snack. Four inches thick and smothered in strong English mustard, the salt beef sandwich – which originated in the Jewish community – is capable of bringing anyone out of their after-work haze. While you once could find them on every street corner in the West and East End, today there are only a handful of sandwich shops that still use traditional Jewish recipes.

One of them is Brick Lane’s Beigel Bake, which serves their legendary salt beef 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s something of an icon in this city – they’ve been around since 1979. Their winning formula is this: four-hour braised brisket, warm and soft bagels made on site, tear-jerking mustard, and crunchy green pickles and read more.