We’ve been living in London for over 5 years now and have been known to pledge unwavering loyalty to The East End. We even have a tote bag to prove our undying love for London’s most bohemian, artsy, and culturally-diverse area (and Nude Espresso, but that’s a story for another day). Look:
The other great love of our lives is food – if you’ve been reading Bruised Passports for a while, you would know that we are passionate about trying local food. At Bruised Passports, we believe that sampling local food is usually the best way to gauge the pulse of a city.
Put the two together and what do you get? A Food Tour of the East End. Hallelujah!
We must admit we got very excited when we first heard of a food tour spanning our favourite pockets in the East End – Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields. ‘Sheer Genius – why didn’t anyone think of this before?’ might have been the first words to escape our lips. We promptly booked ourselves places on Saturday’s tour and spent the rest of the week anticipating the culinary delights that would greet us at the weekend.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, we met Nicole (our tour guide) opposite the Liverpool Street Station. Nicole’s infectious smile and the size of the group (8 people) immediately put us at ease. A quick round of introductions later, we took our rumbling tummies on the culinary ride of a lifetime.
The tour started at the legendary St. John’s Bread and Wine in Spitalfields. Famous for ‘nose to tail’ cookery, an archetypal British technique that utilises every part of the animal’s body, St. John’s is revered in lands far and wide for its rustic food. We sampled (I say ‘sampled’, but it was a large portion) their famous bacon sandwiches – freshly baked bread brushed with rich butter enveloped generous slivers of bacon. This artery-clogging local sandwich is the stuff legends are made of.
St. John Bread and Wine in Spitalfields
One of the best bacon sandwiches EVER
Next Up – A traditional pub for an old British classic – Bread and Butter Pudding. The pudding was accompanied with rich vanilla custard spiked with rum. Dessert and rum for breakfast – ALWAYS a good sign 🙂
Banana Bread and Butter pudding with custard
The stodgy sandwich and pudding left us full. I remember getting apprehensive about being unable to sample the other 6 courses of the elaborate feast Nicole had planned for us. But Nicole had other plans. She made sure we worked up an appetite as she walked us through the meandering alleys of the East End, peppering the tour with anecdotal information. Everyone from Jack the Ripper to immigrant Frenchmen made an appearance.
Soon we reached the Spitalfields Markets. We worked our way through vintage cameras and clothes to reach Androuets’ cheese boutique. The cheesemongers are known for their extensive array of cheeses and we couldn’t wait to try some of their finest offerings. As we entered, three platters of different kinds of English cheese, dutifully paired with cranberries, grapes, and caramelized walnuts awaited us. Our favourite was the Blue Stilton.
A variety of gourmet cheeses at Androuet’s
Of course no Food Tour in UK would be complete without Fish and Chips. We visited Poppies, another English institution, for fried cod, mushy peas, and chunky chips. The vintage decor at Poppies did a fabulous job of transporting us to the English seaside within minutes.
Fish & Chips at Poppies
Tummies heaving, we waddled out of Poppies. Once again, Nicole came to the rescue. She reeled off cultural and historical nuggets about Brick Lane with the ease of a historian, introduced us to the street art of the area, and finally took us to her local pub to sample English apple cider. We spent a long time chatting with the rest of the group at the pub – the small size of the group ensured we were all friends by the end of the day.
Brick Lane’s stunning street art and our group
Back to the business at hand. Next, we visited Beigel Bake, one of the most renowned Jewish eateries in London. As always, the take-away was extremely busy but we did not have queue to get our bagels. Nicole was greeted with a smile by the owners and we were digging into their moist salt-beef bagels before we knew it.
Freshly-baked bagels
Beigel Bake’s famous salt beef bagels
One cannot visit Brick Lane without trying curry. Britain is a nation of curry lovers, so there is no shortage of Indian and Bangladeshi curry houses in the area. We tried some fiery chicken curry, mixed vegetables, and naan bread at a restaurant in the area.
Phew! 7 courses down, 1 to go.
By this time, we were begrudging the lack of elastic on the waistbands of our trousers. But the food babies we were carrying in our tummies could not stop us from binging on the last (and perhaps the best) course of the ‘meal’ – a sumptuous salted caramel and chocolate tart with whipped cream. A buttery crust filled with sticky caramel, chocolate ganache, and the slightest hint of salt – perfect doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Salted caramel tart – YUM!
The East End food tour is our idea of a perfect tour – delicious samples of typical English food peppered with nuggets of historical and cultural information. It is the best way to acquaint yourself with London if you’re a tourist and the perfect way to fall in love with your city (all over again?) if you’re a resident. If there be such a thing as foodgasm, it is here!
Fact File
- Eating London food tour company conducts the East End food tour 6 days a week (Mon-Sat)
- The tour is 3.5 hours long.
- Vegetarian? No worries – just make your preference known when you book the tour
- The prices of all meals and tips are included in the cost of the tour
- Wear elasticated trousers – you’re going to need them 😉
- More information about this tour can be found here: http://eatinglondontours.co.uk/east-end-food-tour/
While in London, the best way to explore the city is The London Pass (use code SPRING6 for 6% discount on all passes)
What is you favourite food in London? Tell us in the comments below:)
East End Food Tour – c/o Eating London Tours.
I have lived in East London for some time! I love the food!
Whenever i would miss Indian food, would run to east ham!
😀
East London is such fun – the food, the diversity, the street art *swoons*
woooow Savi! So tempting and mouth-watering and sooooo yummm. I want to try all that too -pleassssseee 🙂 🙂
Potential menu the next time you’re in London? 😉
This food tour seems to be a great way to enjoy London’s food-looks so yummy-shall surely go on this tour on my next trip to the city………its going to be a first on my list of to do things in London 🙂
We promise it’s worth bookmarking for your next trip to London 🙂
Please could i get the discount code? I really want to book for my mothers bday present but im a broke student lol
Dear Paulline,
We sent you the code by email – hope you received it 🙂
Hi, may I get the discount code for the East End food tour too? My daughter and I will be in London this July, 2016. BTW I found your site through a Google search.
Hey Andrew,
We’ve emailed you the code.
Cheers
Hi, I will be there next week. Any way I can get a discount code as well? Thanks!
That looks bloody wonderful. I’d been eyeing up an east London street art tour but this looks even more gratifying. Your recent posts are making me miss the UK (currently travelling Central Asia) #noplacelikehome
Ohhh! I’m taking this food tour and another street art tour next week in London. I haven’t really ever explored the East End but it certainly seems like the coolest area!
Adam I think you’ll love the East End. Are you taking the free Street Art Tour (The Alternative London Tour)? We took it last year and really enjoyed it. Will you be around in London for a while? Vid and I are leaving for Spain next week, but would love to catch up over a drink or two once we’re back 🙂
Delia I agree- there is no place like the UK. You must go on the Eating London tour once you get back – it’s lush, to say the least 🙂
Argghh this all looks tormentingly delicious! I’m moving to London at the end of September so will definitely make use of this food tour. Nicole sounds like the perfect tour guide too. I love east London… I can get lost for hours in all the food stalls and vintage shops!
Shing I think you would love this tour, especially because you have a soft spot for culture and history too 🙂 Drop us a line once you move to London? We should meet up for a drink or two.
I would love to try this one on my next London trip (which is next week!)
Micamy you should totally go on the tour. Just drop us a mail and we will send a cheeky voucher code across for a discount on the tour 🙂
Just need the promo code for the Eating London food tour. Thanks.
Hi,
Sent to your email – have a great time in London 🙂
This sounds so incredible. We will be in London for Christmas time and are hoping to make a reso for our whole family for the tour. Any chance the cheeky voucher code is still available?
Hey Erin,
Yes, it is :). Just drop us an email and we will send you the code.
Cheers!
Loved your post!! My stomach is grumbling at the sight of all of that food…I’ve been on the fence about this tour but I am now convinced! Could I cheekily ask if you’d be so nice as to send me the promotional code if it’s still available?
We’ve mailed the discount code to you Vienne. Hope you have an amazing time on the tour 🙂
Ok, this has definitely convinced me. Is it impertinent to ask for the promo code as others have done?
Dear Beth,
Of course not !
I have sent you an email with a discount code for Eating London Food Tour 🙂 Let me know if you haven’t received it.
You’ll love it. Have a great time in London.
Cheers!
Could you please send a discount code for Eating London?
Hey John,
Sent you the code through email 🙂
Hello, We will be there next week – could you please send me discount code for Eating London as well? Thanks!
Just sent the discount code to you Marjorie 🙂
How have I lived in London for 13 years and not yet done this?! It looks amazing and I’m so inspired to give it a go after seeing your fabulous account – Is it cheeky to ask if I can email you to get the details of the promo cod e(if it is still running that is)?
It’s not cheeky at all 🙂 Just drop us an email and we’ll send you the code right away! You should definitely go for the Eating London Food Tour. Cheers!
Go for it – Eating London Food Tour is the best 🙂
Hi can you send me the promo code for Eating London, we’re going in two weeks, sounds great, i tried not to look too closely at your pics so I would be surprised! Thank you
Jessie did you get the code? We tried sending it twice
What a great post! The pictures are beautiful, will definitely take this tour next month when in London with my husband. If you have any promo codes left, we’d love to have one. Thank you so much! In Finnish: Kiitos! 🙂
Hi Petra,
Just drop us an email at info (at) bruisedpassports (dot) com and we’ll email you the promo code 🙂
Cheers
What a great post! I’ve been convinced that we need to take this tour in Sept when we are there. I emailed you to see if the promo code is still available. 🙂
Hi,
Was looking for reviews of this tour and yours was the first one I read: no doubt we’re taking this tour when we’re in london this fall! And that sreeet art tour too! Could you send us the discount code as well or is that no longer available/valid?
Hi! Really enjoying your website and reading about your travel experiences. Looking at the London Eating Food Tour. Is the promo code still valid? If so, could you send it to me? Thanks!
Hey Colleen we sent you an email with the discount code – hope you got it ok? 🙂
Hi, could you send it to me as well?
Sent it to you Leoniek 🙂
Can you please send me a promo code the Eating London tour too please?
Hey Ali – we sent you the discount code for Eating London Food Tours. Hope you got it 🙂
Thanks for a great post! It’s always helpful to hear from people who have been on these food tours–we love them! Any chance the promo code is still valid?
Hey Stephanie – we emailed you the discount code. Hope you got it? 🙂
Really loved reading this post. We will be in London within 3 weeks and would like to go on this tour as well. As we are a family of 5 , a discount code would be very much appreciated. 🙂
Trust you got the promo code Kathleen? Hope you have an amazing time on the tour 🙂
Any chance to get the promo code, we will be in London next week and want to book for the 21st thanks Jay
Hey Jay, we emailed you the discount code, hope you got it ok?
the east end food tour sounds amazing. Do you know if they ever offer discounts or promotions? My family of 4 will be heading to London next summer. Thanks!
Hey Jill – you can use our coupon code (just emailed it to you) for a discount 🙂
Great post! Any chance the promo code is still valid?
Hey Matt – the promo code is still valid. Hope you got it – we emailed it to you 🙂
Hi there, can you please send me the promo code too please?
Many thanks,
Sinead
Hey Sinead – we emailed the discount code to you. Hope you received it 🙂
Bringing my daughter to London for her first overseas trip week after next. We love the looks of this tour and would love the discount code if it’s still available.
Thanks!
Carrie
Hey Carrie – we sent you the voucher code for Eating London Food Tours over email. Hope you got it ok? 🙂
Do you have a promo code you’re able to share that will work for a tour this September?
Can I also get the promo code?
Hi Candice,
We have mailed you the code 🙂
Enjoy !
Hi! Could you email me the code too?? Thanks!
Hey Kelly, hope you got the discount code 🙂
LOVE your blog!! Is the passcode/discount still available for the Eating London tour? If so, I would love to receive it. I will be traveling to London in August, and our family of five would really like to take this tour.
Hi Angela,
We have emailed the code to you – hope you got it!
This looks wonderful – thanks for the blog post. we’d love the code!
Great blog! Please could I have the discount code as would love to book for my mom! Many thanks! Nicole
Hey Nicole, we tried sending you the code via email but it bounced back. Do you have another email address? 🙂
Hi there. I think I must have typed it incorrectly so am trying again. Thanks so much!
A friend just did this tour in October and raved about it. I am all set to book it but wondered if you still have a promo code to make the price more… affordable?! Thank you!!
Hi! I was wondering if I could get the promo code? I’m going to London in December and so looking forward to doing a food tour for the first time! Thanks!
Hi, could you kindly mail me the discount code also?
Many thanks!
Nicola
Just emailed it to you Nicola 🙂
Hi, could you kindly mail me the discount code also?
Great read. would you be kind to send us the promo code for the tour?
Hey Avi – just sent the Eating London promo code across. Enjoy the tour 🙂
Is the promo code for Eating London good for 2016? If so, would you kindly send me it? Cheers!
Hey Jaz I sent the Eating London discount code to you over email. Cheers
Hello, Avi. I was wondering if you could kindly send me the promo code for Eating London? Thanks.
Oops! Sorry I called you Avi! I was very careless. Apologies.
No problem Janie – just send the discount code to you 🙂
Great post! Would you mind sharing the coupon code with me as well? Thanks.
Hey Miranda – I just emailed the discount code to you. Hope you got it ok?! 🙂
Hi there! I loved your post. I’ll be backpacking solo in Europe in a couple months and would like to add this food tour to my list. I’m on a budget so a discount code would be much appreciated if its still available 🙂
Hey Kat – sent you the discount code for the Eating London Food Tour – hope you got it ok 🙂
Wow what a thorough review, had my mouth watering already! Do you still happen to have coupon codes for this, would love to go!
Hey Nik – just sent the promo code across. Hope you got it ok?:-)
Loved your review of the tour, will be in London April 13-15, would love a discount code! Thank you!
Love all your post! We will be in London mid April, could we please have a discount code. We love food tours! Thanks!
Hey Pat – sent the Eating London promo code to you. Hope you got it. Enjoy the tour 🙂
Are you still giving out promo codes for this tour? We’re going to be in London in a couple of weeks and would love to try it!
Hey Renee- just sent the Discount Code to you. Hope you got it ok? 🙂
This sounds amazing! And the pictures look absolutly mouth-watering!
I will be in London in May with my sister and I think that tour would be the highlight.
May I also have the promo code? Thanks a million!
Just sent you the code Hanna 😀
My wife and I will be in London the end of April and are looking for a food tour. Can you please send us the discount code? Thank you.
Hey Brian – just sent you the Discount Code. Hope you got it ok? 🙂 Enjoy the tour
My wife and I are coming to London the end of April and are looking for a food tour. Can you please send the discount code? Thank you!
Hi – the tour sounds terrific. Could you send me the promo code – I’d like to book it next week for my husband daughter and I!
Hey Beth sent the code to you – hope you got it ok 🙂
I was wondering if you’d be kind enough to share the discount code with me? Amazing blog by the way, you guys are really inspirational
Thanks a million Norma – just send the code to you. Hope you got it ok?
Hi Savi! Great post, thank you for sharing 🙂 I’m hoping to book the Eating Europe London Tour for my Mum and I and I was wondering if I could get the discount code?
Just sent you an email 🙂
Love your blog!! Would you mind sharing the discount code?
Thanks a ton Jaclyn – just emailed you the discount code for the Eating London Tour. Hope you got it ok 🙂
Any chance you still have a working promo code for the eating London food tour?
Hey Erin just send the Eating London Promo code to you 😀
Wow, I’d really like to get on the promo code band wagon. If it’s not too late…
Hey Sarah – of course it isn’t. We just sent the discount code to you 🙂
Hi Savi, I’ll be visiting London at the beginning of September, would you be able to send me the discount code as well?
Hey Matt – just emailed the promo code for Eating London Food Tours to you 🙂
HI
How can I get the promo code for the london eats tour?
Hi Hannah,
We have emailed it to you 🙂
Enjoy!
Hi there! Excellent read. Wondering if you might be able to provide the promo code? We are heading to London next month. Thanks in advance.
Emailed you the discount code – hope you got it ok 🙂
Loved your post about the East End food tour. We are headed to London the day after Thanksgiving and would love to do this tour. Could you send the discount code? Thanks
Just sent you the discount code for the Eating London Discount Code Michael 🙂
Your blog is great and you totally sold me on the Eating London food tour. I’d have signed up at the mention of salted caramel alone, but everything sounds wonderful. Any chance there’s still a working discount code you can send me? Thanks!
Hey Debra – sent you the discount code over email. Hope you got it ok? 🙂
Hello Savi,
thank you for the detailed review and the great photos. I’ll be in London in April and look forward to taking this tour.
Is there still a promo code available? Thank you in advance.
Hey Han – I emailed the discount coupon to you. I hope you got it ok?
Sounds like fun! Any chance I could get a discount code? Thanks so much
Hi Kathryn,
We have emailed you the code. Have fun 🙂
Hello! can you please send a discount code. Thank you
Hey there – sent you the discount code. Hope you got it ok 🙂
Looking at doing a food tour in Sept 2017 – can you send a promo code? Thanks again- love your page
Hey Elizabeth – we just sent the discount code for Eating London Food Tour across to you over email 🙂
Hi Savi – Is the coupon code still available? Everything looks delicious – thanks!
Hey Haley – it is indeed. Sent it across – I hope you received it/
do you guys have any recommendations for cafes around oxford street and soho?
Hey Khushboo,
Yeah there are some nice ones in that area – try Nude Coffee and TAP (just google these names and you’ll see they are right off oxford street 🙂