Best Street Food in London

A Street Food Lover’s Guide to London

London is a melting pot of cultures, and its vibrant street food scene reflects this diversity perfectly. Whether you’re after breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a hearty evening meal, the city’s street food offerings are sure to tantalize your taste buds. This guide delves into 15 iconic street foods you must try, where to find them, and other essential tips for a fantastic culinary adventure.

1. Bacon Butty

Description

A classic British breakfast staple, the bacon butty is a sandwich filled with crispy bacon, often slathered in ketchup or brown sauce.

Main Ingredients

• Crispy bacon
• Soft bread roll
• Optional sauces (ketchup, brown sauce)

Where to Find

• Brick Lane Market: Various vendors serve this classic.
• Borough Market: Look for stalls like The Ginger Pig.

Estimated Cost

£3 - £5

Best Times to Visit

Breakfast hours (8 am - 11 am)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Choose stalls that are busy; this usually indicates fresh food turnover.

2. Jerk Chicken

Description

Spicy and smoky, jerk chicken is marinated in a flavorful mix of spices and grilled to perfection.

Main Ingredients

• Chicken
• Jerk seasoning (allspice, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme)

Where to Find

• Brixton Village: Head to Mama’s Jerk for authentic flavors.

Estimated Cost

£6 - £10

Best Times to Visit

Lunchtime (12 pm - 2 pm) and evenings (6 pm - 9 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Look for vendors with a 5-star hygiene rating.

3. Fish and Chips

Description

A quintessential British dish, this deep-fried fish is served with thick-cut chips and often accompanied by tartar sauce and mushy peas.

Main Ingredients

• Battered cod or haddock
• Chips (fries)

Where to Find

• Southbank Centre Food Market: Try the fish from The Fish House.

Estimated Cost

£8 - £12

Best Times to Visit

Evenings (after 5 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Opt for busy stalls, as they maintain high food turnover.

4. Churros

Description

These deep-fried dough pastries are rolled in sugar and often served with chocolate sauce for dipping.

Main Ingredients

• Flour
• Water
• Sugar
• Cinnamon

Where to Find

• Southbank Centre Food Market: Look for the Churros stall.

Estimated Cost

£4 - £6

Best Times to Visit

Afternoons and evenings.

Hygiene/Safety Information

Ensure the vendor has a clean setup and offers fresh churros.

5. Falafel Wrap

Description

A vegetarian favorite, falafel wraps are filled with crispy falafel balls, fresh salad, and tahini sauce.

Main Ingredients

• Chickpeas
• Herbs and spices
• Pita bread

Where to Find

• Camden Market: Try the wraps from Poppies.

Estimated Cost

£5 - £8

Best Times to Visit

Lunch hours (12 pm - 3 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Choose stalls with high customer traffic and cleanliness.

6. Halloumi Fries

Description

Crispy, golden halloumi cheese sticks served with a side of sweet chili sauce or garlic dip.

Main Ingredients

• Halloumi cheese
• Flour
• Oil for frying

Where to Find

• Borough Market: Check out the stalls at Kappacasein.

Estimated Cost

£6 - £9

Best Times to Visit

Evenings (after 5 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Look for vendors with hygienic setups and a good reputation.

7. Banh Mi

Description

A Vietnamese sandwich that combines a crusty baguette with various fillings, typically including grilled meats and pickled vegetables.

Main Ingredients

• Baguette
• Grilled pork or chicken
• Pickled carrots and daikon

Where to Find

• Borough Market: Visit the stall called Banh Mi 11.

Estimated Cost

£6 - £9

Best Times to Visit

Lunchtime (12 pm - 2 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Opt for stalls that are busy; this ensures food freshness.

8. Doughnuts

Description

Sweet, fluffy, and often filled with jam or custard, London’s doughnuts come in various flavors.

Main Ingredients

• Flour
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Fillings (e.g., raspberry jam)

Where to Find

• Brick Lane: Visit Doughnut Time for gourmet options.

Estimated Cost

£2 - £4 each

Best Times to Visit

Afternoons (2 pm - 5 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Choose establishments with good reviews and cleanliness.

9. Samosas

Description

Deep-fried pastries stuffed with spicy lentils, potatoes, or meat, samosas are a popular snack.

Main Ingredients

• Flour (for the pastry)
• Spiced potatoes or meat

Where to Find

• Southall Market: Try the samosas from Aunty’s Kitchen.

Estimated Cost

£1 - £3 each

Best Times to Visit

Evenings and weekends.

Hygiene/Safety Information

Select vendors with high foot traffic and visible cleanliness.

10. Tacos

Description

Soft or crunchy tortillas filled with various ingredients, from grilled meats to fresh veggies.

Main Ingredients

• Tortillas
• Proteins (chicken, beef, fish)
• Toppings (salsa, guacamole)

Where to Find

• Camden Market: Head to the El Pastor stall.

Estimated Cost

£5 - £8

Best Times to Visit

Lunch (12 pm - 3 pm) and evenings (6 pm - 9 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Look for vendors with high ratings and cleanliness.

11. Poutine

Description

A Canadian import, poutine consists of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.

Main Ingredients

• Fries
• Cheese curds
• Gravy

Where to Find

• Street Feast: Look for the Poutinerie.

Estimated Cost

£8 - £10

Best Times to Visit

Evenings (6 pm - 10 pm)

Hygiene/Safety Information

Choose vendors with freshly made dishes and good hygiene ratings.

12. Bao Buns

Description

Soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with a variety of ingredients, from pork belly to vegetables.

Main Ingredients

• Bao dough
• Fillings (pork, chicken, or tofu)

Where to Find

• Borough Market: Try the buns from Bao.

Estimated Cost

£5 - £8

Best Times to Visit

Lunch (12 pm - 2 pm) and evenings (after 5 pm