The short version: two or three days is enough to eat London well – a first day around Borough Market and the South Bank, a second through Soho, Chinatown and the West End, and a third in the East End (Brick Lane, Spitalfields) or Brixton, with an afternoon tea and a pub or gin evening woven in. Below is a loose, food-first shape, not a fixed schedule.
A note on how to use this: these are suggestions and options, not a minute-by-minute plan. Market days, opening hours and tour times change through the year, so treat the days as a flexible outline and confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.
At a glance
| Day | The idea |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Borough Market & South Bank – market tasting, a food tour, a riverside pub |
| Day 2 | Soho, Chinatown & the West End – food walk, afternoon tea |
| Day 3 | East End (Brick Lane, Spitalfields) or Brixton – curry, beigels, market food |
| Getting around | The Tube, buses, and plenty of walking |
Day one – Borough Market and the river
Start at Borough Market (closed Sundays for the full market) with a tasting tour of cheese, charcuterie and baked goods, then walk the South Bank. A London food tour is the best way in. End with a pint of cask ale in a historic riverside pub. See what to eat in London for the plates to look for.
Day two – Soho, Chinatown and afternoon tea
Spend the day in the West End: a Soho and Chinatown food walk for dim sum and old institutions, and – the great London ritual – an afternoon tea, whether grandly in a hotel or on a vintage bus tour past the landmarks (our afternoon tea guide helps you choose).
Day three – the East End or Brixton
Give the last day to the city’s global side: the East End for a Brick Lane curry, a salt-beef beigel and Spitalfields market, or Brixton for Caribbean and African food. It’s also a good afternoon for a cooking class or, if you have a fourth day, a vineyard day trip to English sparkling wine country in Kent or Sussex.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in London for food?
Two to three: one around Borough Market and the South Bank, one through Soho and the West End with an afternoon tea, and one in the East End or Brixton for the city’s global food.
Is Borough Market open on Sundays?
Only partially – the full market runs Tuesday to Saturday, with a reduced offering on Sunday and Monday. Plan a market tour for midweek or Saturday.
Is London good for a food trip?
Excellent – few cities match its range, from British classics and historic pubs to some of the best Chinese, Indian and Caribbean food outside those countries.
Plan your London food trip
Start with a London food tour, add an afternoon tea and a pub or gin evening, and read what to eat in London. Plan from the UK hub.
