British cuisine: from traditional dishes to modern gastronomy

British cuisine has long shed its reputation as plain and dull. Traditional dishes here blend with Indian, Asian and Mediterranean influences, and London is one of the most exciting food cities in the world.

In this guide we explain which British dishes are worth trying, where to eat them and what makes a full English breakfast special.

Traditional British dishes

Full English breakfast

Fried eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans in tomato sauce, mushrooms, fried tomatoes and buttered toast. Black pudding is often added. Almost every cafe and hotel serves it, and locals love it at weekends.

Fish and chips

Cod or haddock fillet in crispy batter with thick-cut chips. It comes with mushy peas, vinegar and tartar sauce. The best fish and chips are usually found in seaside towns and small chippies.

Pies

A pie is a closed pastry filled with meat, fish or vegetables under a crisp crust. Popular kinds include steak and ale pie and chicken and mushroom pie. The pork pie comes from Leicestershire, the best known from Melton Mowbray.

Sunday roast

Roast beef, chicken or lamb with potatoes, vegetables, gravy and Yorkshire pudding. It is the main family meal of the weekend and most pubs serve it on Sundays.

Desserts: trifle and scones

Trifle is a layered dessert of sponge, berries, jelly, custard and whipped cream, with recipes dating back to the 16th century. With tea, scones are served with clotted cream and jam.

Modern food scene in Great Britain

London is a world food capital with dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants and hundreds of places serving cuisines from around the globe. Every big city has street food markets, stylish bistros and gastropubs that give traditional dishes a modern twist.

Indian food holds a special place. Chicken tikka masala has become one of the most popular dishes in the country, and there is a curry house on almost every high street.

Tea, pubs and beer

Tea is part of British culture. Afternoon tea comes with cucumber sandwiches, scones and cakes, and in London it is offered by hotels and tea rooms.

A pub is the best place to feel the local atmosphere. Pubs serve ale, stout and cider along with simple dishes such as pies, fish and chips and Sunday roast.

British food FAQ

Which British dishes should I try?

A full English breakfast, fish and chips, a meat pie, Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, trifle and scones with tea. From modern cuisine, chicken tikka masala.