REVIEW · LONDON
The London Food Tour
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Food in London, timed to perfection.
This tour is a tight, 150-minute route through classic pubs, market snacks, and Chinatown sweets, guided by Louise and focused on foods you’ll actually want to eat again. I especially love how the stops feel like local habits—starting in an old-school pub vibe and ending in a completely different food world. One possible consideration: it’s very much a comfort-food plan (fried and rich), so if you want light bites, this may feel like a lot.
I also like that you cover both British staples and the UK’s modern, global mashups in the same walk. You’ll hit Seven Dials Market for the soft and juicy buttermilk fried chicken taco, then finish with the custard bao bun in Chinatown. For anyone with allergies, keep in mind that you must notify the team at least 48 hours ahead, and they can’t guarantee 100% allergy-free dishes.
The meeting point is easy to find if you look for a blue umbrella outside the Cafe in the Crypt, next to St Martin-in-the-Fields church. You’ll spend the afternoon moving through central areas with an English live guide, tasting enough food to feel like you’ve had a proper lunch.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about
- Finding the right starting point at Cafe in the Crypt
- The Dickens-era pub start: Scotch egg and London Pride
- Seven Dials Market: buttermilk fried chicken taco with big flavor
- Soho fish and chips: the award-winning chippy moment
- Chinatown finale: custard bao bun with salted egg yolk
- How the 150 minutes fit together (and why it works)
- What’s included (and why the portions feel fair)
- The guide makes the day: fun, informed, and easygoing
- Dietary needs: what to do if you have restrictions
- Who this tour suits best (and who might pass)
- Tips to make the most of it
- Should you book the London Food Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the London Food Tour?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Where do I meet the guide?
- What food is included?
- Does the tour include beer?
- What should I do if I have allergies or dietary restrictions?
- Is the tour guided, and what language is it in?
- Are there different starting times?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key highlights you’ll care about

- Cafe in the Crypt meeting point by St Martin-in-the-Fields, with a guide holding a blue umbrella
- Scotch egg + half-pint London Pride (or a soft drink) in a classic old pub setting
- Buttermilk fried chicken taco from Seven Dials Market with bold, juicy flavor
- Award-winning fish and chips stop in Soho for the UK’s comfort-food moment
- Chinatown custard bao bun with salted egg yolk, coconut, and carrot juice
Finding the right starting point at Cafe in the Crypt
Your afternoon starts outside the Cafe in the Crypt. You’ll be looking for the guide standing outside by St Martin-in-the-Fields church, holding a blue umbrella. That detail matters because the area is busy and you want to start on time, ready to eat—not hunting for your group.
This is a walking-focused tour, and the timing (150 minutes) is built around short hops between food stops. That means you’ll spend less time on long transit and more time tasting and getting context from your guide.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in London
The Dickens-era pub start: Scotch egg and London Pride

The tour begins at one of London’s older pubs, in an atmosphere once frequented by Charles Dickens. It’s not just a meal starter. It’s a tone-setter. You get the sense of old London pub culture right away—low-key, social, and grounded in tradition.
Your first included bite is a Scotch egg, paired with a half-pint of London Pride (or a soft drink if you’d rather skip the beer). A Scotch egg is a very specific kind of British comfort food: a hard-cooked egg wrapped in seasoned sausage, then fried until the outside has that crisp, savory snap.
What I like about starting here is that it gives you a clear baseline. Once you taste the richness and salt from the Scotch egg, the rest of the route makes even more sense—fried chicken taco next, then proper fish and chips, and finally a sweet dessert that flips the mood.
Seven Dials Market: buttermilk fried chicken taco with big flavor
Next comes Seven Dials Market, where you’ll get the soft and juicy buttermilk fried chicken taco. This is the part of the tour that feels like London doing modern street-food well: familiar comfort (fried chicken) but with bold flavors and an easy-to-eat format.
The buttermilk matters. It’s one of the reasons fried chicken can come out tender rather than dry, and this one is described as soft and juicy for a reason. You’re not just getting a token taste. You’re getting a meaningful stop—enough to count as one of the meals of the day.
A practical tip: since this is fried food, pace yourself. Take your time with the taco so you’re still hungry for the fish and chips later, which is usually the showstopper for people who love classic British meals.
Soho fish and chips: the award-winning chippy moment
In Soho, the tour leans into the UK’s favorite dish: crispy fish and perfectly seasoned chips. You’ll be stopping at an award-winning chippy, which is the kind of detail that changes what you’re tasting. This isn’t fish and chips as a generic tourist souvenir. It’s the real product of a place that’s earned attention.
Here’s what makes this stop worth it for me: fish and chips is simple on paper, but it can be surprisingly tricky to do well. The best versions nail the crunch of the batter, keep the fish flaky and not greasy, and season the chips so they taste finished, not just starchy.
Even if you think you already know fish and chips, this stop is a good calibration. Your earlier bites set up the savory theme, and then Soho gives you the crisp, salty, satisfying payoff.
Chinatown finale: custard bao bun with salted egg yolk
Then the tour ends in Chinatown with the viral custard bao bun. This is your sweet turn—soft, fluffy bao filled with salted egg yolk, coconut, and carrot juice.
This combination is where the tour earns its modern foodie credibility. Salted egg yolk brings a salty-creamy depth that can feel almost like a custard sauce, while coconut adds a smooth, mellow sweetness. Carrot juice adds a fruity edge and a lighter flavor note that keeps the dessert from feeling one-note.
What I like about ending here: it makes the whole tour feel balanced. You start with pub comfort, move through two savory fried-food stars, and finish with something that’s still satisfying but clearly in dessert territory.
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How the 150 minutes fit together (and why it works)

The whole tour runs about 150 minutes, which is long enough to eat multiple substantial stops but short enough that you’re not stuck all afternoon. That time structure is the difference between a casual snack walk and something that can feel like a full lunch plan.
Also, because the route goes from St Martin-in-the-Fields area into central neighborhoods like Seven Dials and Soho, it’s a nice way to see different slices of London without needing to plan transport. The tour is designed for walking and keeping you moving.
Here’s how I’d think about it if you’re deciding what to do after:
- Plan a light evening meal afterward.
- If you’re taking transit home, give yourself a little buffer because you’ll likely want to linger in at least one of the areas after the tour.
What’s included (and why the portions feel fair)
At $119 per person, the value depends on one key point: this isn’t just tasting. It includes four specific food stops plus a drink pairing at the pub.
Included foods and drink:
- Scotch egg with a half-pint of London Pride (or soft drink)
- Buttermilk fried chicken taco
- Award winning fish and chips
- Custard bao bun
From what I know about London food tours, this list checks the boxes that usually make people feel satisfied: a real British pub bite, a market snack with modern flavor, a classic main, and then dessert that’s not an afterthought.
And the feedback around the experience points to more than average portion size—enough that many people feel it covers a full lunch. For you, that means you’re not standing there at each stop counting crumbs. You’re eating proper items at each stage.
The guide makes the day: fun, informed, and easygoing
Food matters, but so does how you experience it. The guide is the connector between bites, and that’s where this tour seems to hit.
Louise is specifically mentioned as engaging and fun, with information that feels helpful rather than forced. That matters because it changes how you taste. You’re not just eating fried food on a route—you’re getting quick context for what you’re having and why it’s worth the stop.
If you like asking questions and getting real answers, this kind of guide-led pacing can make the experience feel like hanging out with someone who knows where the good food is, not like rushing through checkpoints.
Dietary needs: what to do if you have restrictions
If you have allergies or dietary requirements, do the smart thing: notify the team at least 48 hours in advance. The tour info is clear that they try to accommodate needs, but some dishes may contain allergens, and they can’t guarantee 100% allergy-free recipes.
My advice here is to be specific about your restrictions and confirm what’s possible before you arrive. With fried foods and shared kitchen ingredients, assumptions can be risky.
Who this tour suits best (and who might pass)
This is a great fit if you:
- Want a walkable central London food plan that takes you through a few distinct neighborhoods
- Like classic British foods but also enjoy modern twists like the chicken taco and salted egg yolk dessert
- Prefer a guided experience that explains what you’re eating without turning it into a lecture
You might skip it if:
- You’re avoiding fried, rich, or salty foods
- You need a strictly allergy-free meal environment (since the info says 100% guarantees can’t be made)
Tips to make the most of it
A few small moves help a lot on a tour like this:
- Eat slowly at the first two stops. This keeps you from feeling stuffed before the fish and chips.
- Bring an empty stomach for the afternoon. The stops are substantial.
- If you drink alcohol, the included beer at the pub is part of the pairing. If you don’t drink, choose the soft drink option at the start so you stay comfortable for the rest of the walk.
- If you’re sensitive to allergies, message ahead and be ready to ask direct questions.
Should you book the London Food Tour?
Yes, if you want a focused, no-fuss London food day with real included meals rather than tiny samples. The combination of pub Scotch egg, Seven Dials buttermilk fried chicken taco, award-winning fish and chips, and a Chinatown custard bao bun gives you a satisfying arc—from savory comfort to sweet finish—within 150 minutes.
If you’re unsure, consider this: you’re paying for a guided route with four meaningful food stops, not just a stroll. And if you want a day that feels like lunch plus a dessert walk in central London, this one makes sense.
FAQ
How long is the London Food Tour?
The tour lasts 150 minutes.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $119 per person.
Where do I meet the guide?
Meet outside the Cafe in the Crypt next to St Martin-in-the-Fields church, with the guide holding a blue umbrella.
What food is included?
You’ll get a Scotch egg (with your drink), a buttermilk fried chicken taco, award-winning fish and chips, and a custard bao bun.
Does the tour include beer?
Yes. At the pub stop you can choose a half-pint of London Pride, or you can have a soft drink instead.
What should I do if I have allergies or dietary restrictions?
Notify the provider at least 48 hours in advance. Accommodations may be possible, but some dishes may contain allergens and 100% allergy-free recipes can’t be guaranteed.
Is the tour guided, and what language is it in?
It’s a live tour with an English-speaking guide.
Are there different starting times?
Yes. Starting times depend on availability, so you’ll need to check what’s offered.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.






























