London Cuisine: Dining Out In The UK
London shares many culinary similarities with other Western European nations, but there are also important differences. In addition to traditional dishes like fish and chips or bangers and mash, London offers a wide range of authentic international food.
Classic British Foodstuffs
The British staples are many of the common staples of Western "hearty food." The cuisine centers around meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter, and eggs, generally combining them together. Fried foods and mashed potatoes are very typical, and desserts often consist of puddings. One of the most unique forms of British pudding is the bread pudding, which is literally comprised of sweetened bread.
Enjoying Tea
Afternoon tea is much less of a ritual than it was during the earlier eras of British society, but tea is still very much a part of the British diet. It is common to see tea with breakfast, and it is typically served sweet with milk and sugar.
Don't expect to see a formal high tea, but if you are inclined to accept an offer of tea, certainly feel free to do so. Dinner is often referred to as afternoon tea so if you're invited to join a business contact for tea after business hours, you can usually assume to be served a light meal.
Multicultural Cuisine
One of the best features of travel to London is the variety of cuisine available there. Because London has such a strong immigrant heritage, travelers can find almost anything made with an authentic flavor. Indian cuisine is particularly well represented, and it has become commonplace for British citizens to enjoy foreign cuisine as dinner.
If you find yourself going out to dinner with business contacts, don't presume any one kind of cuisine will be served. You may go to a traditional British dinner, but you are equally likely to go somewhere with a cultural cuisine. Wherever you go, follow the traditional travel rules of etiquette. Don't worry about adapting yourself to fit the cuisine too much - enjoy yourself and you will make a good impression.
