London has a well deserved reputation for being the place to go for a gastronomical adventure. Over the past two decades, the capital has well and truly embraced its cultural diversity when it comes to the range of cuisine on offer. There is every kind of food and drink experience from street vendors to tapas bars and high end restaurants.
Here’s a look at the rise of this rich culinary melting pot, and how to make the most of it.
Historical influences
London has traditionally been a global hub for trade and commerce, and at the height of the British Empire, goods such as sugars, spices, teas and coffees found their way into the kitchens and dining halls of the city’s population. This has laid the foundation for a culinary culture that embraces change and diversity.
London has always been a city that has drawn immigrants from all corners of the globe, and each wave has brought their culinary skill and knowledge with them. This has led to a culture of creativity and open mindedness, with fusions of different styles of cuisine.
The street food scene
You don’t need to have a huge disposable income to embrace the diversity and quality of London’s food scene. It caters for a range of price points, with street food vendors and markets offering delicious and freshly prepared dishes for less than a tenner. These can be found in almost every London neighbourhood from Islington to Clerkenwell.
At the many street markets, you can buy freshly imported vegetables, spices, meat, and much more from the continent and beyond. These markets originally evolved to cater for immigrant communities who wanted authentic ingredients so that they could follow their culinary traditions.
However, they are accessible to all and many street markets are now also thriving tourist destinations.
Tourism
London is a honeypot tourist destination and this feeds into the already rich cultural melting pot, bringing a ready and appreciative audience for the burgeoning dining scene eager for an authentic dining experience. The constant influx of international visitors means that the city continues to cater for a diverse range of tastes, and in turn is influenced by the visitors.
Influential media
London has a media scene that commands a global audience. There’s a flourishing food media scene and all the national and many local and regional newspapers and magazines have a dedicated team of restaurant critics, wine experts, and cookery writers. This raises awareness about the best places to eat and where to buy exotic ingredients.
This is just the tip of the iceberg however, as there is an army of journalists, bloggers, influencers and enthusiastic amateurs who continually post reviews, opinions and photographs and articles on social media or blogs. This immediacy allows their followers to discover hidden gems and organically spread the word about exciting new places to eat.
Economics and market size
The sheer size of London means that it can support a range of niche markets and restaurants serving regional specialities. Within a few square miles of the city, it’s possible to find Spanish tapas restaurants, Indonesian restaurants, pizzerias, Chinese takeaways, to name but just a few.
The status of London as a capital of business and finance means that there is a constant demand for high-end dining for corporate entertainment purposes. London also has a large population of professionals from around the world, many of whom have high disposable incomes to spend on eating out and expect world-class venues.
Maybe it’s all about the ambience
While London has more than its fair share of Michelin-starred restaurants, this is not always the be all and end all of a great dining experience. For most people, it is the warmth and atmosphere of the place that makes their visit enjoyable and memorable.
Sharing dishes with ambient live music playing and a cosy candle lit table at a Spanish restaurant can be much more fun and chilled than a more formal and self-consciously trendy set up. The beauty of dining out in London is that you will never be very far away from a venue that is a joy to visit and you will return to time and again with your friends and family.