RESTAURANTS AND EATING OUT

Eating out in one of the gastronomic capitals of the world is bound to be a treat and doesn't need to be expensive. Once people thought of London cuisine as simply fish-and-chips. Today, however, London is home to over 80 different cuisines and you will be spoilt for choice. In the past decade, London has become one of the best food cities in the world.

Many restaurants, even some of the most famous names, offer set menus or pre-theatre dinner at special prices from about 10 pounds. Or head from Brick Lane for authentic Bangladeshi curry or to Soho's Chinatown for Oriental specialities. Do afternoon tea in one of London’s famous hotels. And don't forget the great English pub for inexpensive fare like sausage and mash or shepard's pie.

London's dining scene alone, boasts more than 6,000 restaurants representing the cuisines of more than 60 countries, and is still booming. London has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any city but Paris.

If you are looking for somewhere to picnic, London's parks are ideal-they are also great places to see miltary displays, listen to concerts, play sport to simply watch the world go by! You will find them all over London and entry is fee. Excellent sandwich bars, such as Pret a Manger, abound and shops such as Boots and Marks & Spencer sell delicious sandwiches at reasonable prices. Perfect for that al fresco meal with no tipping required!

Time for Tea
Regional Specialties
Additional Restaurant Information

Time for Tea

Another popular British institution is afternoon tea, a delicious tradition in tea shops and grand hotels, often including tempting regional specialties such as Welsh Barra Brith, Bakewell Pudding and Scottish shortbread, as well as scones with clotted cream.

Cuisines from all over the world are represented (there are in fact more Indian restaurants in Britain than fish and chip shops!), so you're sure to find something to please. Nostalgic yearnings for British food have also produced a revival of hearty traditional dishes, though modern British cooking adopts a lighter, more innovative approach with a smattering of Mediterranean flavors thrown in. All restaurants are obliged by law to display prices outside the door. Set menus are a good way of keeping costs down, and there are a number of price-coded restaurant guides available in bookshops to help you make your choice.

Some Like it Hot

If you like spice in your food, you’ve come to the right place. Indian and Chinese are the most popular ethnic takeaways and restaurants in Britain. Expect to pay about £6.00-£15.00 at a high street restaurant, less for a takeaway meal. In the larger towns and cities there’ll be Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian and more. In London, visit Chinatown for some of the best Chinese food you have eaten (head for Gerrard Street, just off Shaftesbury Avenue W1).

Vegetarian Eating

Pizza and pasta chains are good hunting grounds, along with Asian restaurants which specialize in meat-free southern Indian cuisine (look for a Bel Phoori restaurant). In Greek restaurants, choose a selection of mezze. In major cities, look out for Cranks vegetarian restaurant or visit Neal’s Yard near Covent Garden in London, which has a vegetarian bar, bakery and a wholefood shop. Holland and Barrett is a nationwide chain of health food shops.

For more great ideas on eating out and the latest restaurant news see Gourmet Magazine online.

In the Kitchen

For our favorite British recipes, check out In the Kitchen or take a break at one of Britain's famous Cookery Schools.

The Best of Britain

Food from Britain and other British goods are now available online:

Speciality Foods, the UK's official shopping mall for regional and specialty foods has more than 100 stores online.

BBCAmerica's online British Grocer's store has some of Britain's most popular grub available.

PUBS

You must be at least 18 to purchase alcoholic drinks. In England, Scotland and Wales, the weekday and Saturday opening hours are 11:00am to 11:00pm (Northern Ireland 11:30am to 11:00pm). However, many pubs in quieter areas close in the afternoon (3:00pm to 5:30pm). On Sundays, pubs are open in England and Wales between 12:00pm and 10:30pm. In Northern Ireland from 12:30pm to 10:00pm and in Scotland from 12:30pm to 2:30pm (sometimes later) and 6:30pm to 11:00pm. Children accompanied by an adult can usually enter pub gardens, family rooms or dining areas, and certain bar areas deemed suitable environments until 9:00pm. Check with the pub's landlord.

Check out an online Pub Guide.

Eating Out Glossary