British food

Fish 'n Chips

This dish is a must-try if you ever visit the UK, no matter where you are, you'll be able to find a delicious plate of fish and chips. The very best place to eat fish and chips is in the open air, by the sea (just watch out for the seagulls).

Bangers n' Mash

Also known as sausages and mash, this traditional dish consists of sausages and mashed potato, and is often accompanied with peas and gravy. This dish can usually be found on a menu in most pubs across the country, or can be made very easily at home. 

Full English Breakfast

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why if you are doing something physically or mentally demanding, you need to have a full English breakfast! This breakfast usually includes: bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, toast, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns and black puddings.

Sunday Roast

The Brits love their Sunday Roast dinners. This dish is made up of: roasted meat (beef, chicken, lamb or pork), roast potato, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vegetables (usually a selection of: roast parsnips, Brussels sprouts, peas, carrots, beans, broccoli and cauliflower, not necessarily all) and gravy.

Toad in the Hole

This hearty dish is another easy recipe you can make at home; it includes sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter and is often served with gravy and vegetables. Yes, you've probably guessed British people love Yorkshire puddings.

Shepherd's Pie/Cottage Pie

These two dishes are very similar; the only difference is the choice of meat used in the dish; in shepherd's pie you use lamb whilst in cottage pie you use beef. And to confuse you even more, neither of these dishes are pies in the usual sense with pastry. Shepherd's pie and cottage pie consists of: mince (lamb or beef), vegetables (such as; carrots, tomatoes, and onions), and potatoes which are on top of the meaty pie like filling.

Steak and Kidney Pie

This much loved British pie is definitely a dish you must try if you ever visit the UK. The ingredients include: beef, kidney, fried onion and gravy all wrapped up in pastry.

Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington is a fillet of steak coated in patê and then rolled in pastry. Although the dish shares its name with the famous Duke of Wellington, it actually shares no link with the British nobility. In reality, it is thought that Beef Wellington was based around the French dish filet de bœuf en croûte (fillet of beef in pastry). Beef Wellington is served in posh pubs and restaurants up and down the country, but if you're looking for something really special, then try it at the House Restaurant in Brighton's Lanes. 

Eton Mess

The perfect treat on a summer's day, Eton Mess is a dessert made with meringue, a variety of berries, and cream. The dish was first served at Eton College in the late 19th century at school cricket matches and is now popular all over Britain. Eton Mess is so simple and delicious that it's best made at home or brought on a picnic. Find out how to make this traditional British dessert with this Eton Mess recipe.

Afternoon tea

Scones, finger sandwiches, cake and tea- what could possibly be better? Although we Brits are famed for having afternoon tea every day at 5pm- that's really a bit of a myth. Afternoon tea is a rare treat that is generally taken at around 3-4pm. For a traditional afternoon tea, there's no better place than the infamous Betty's Tea Room in York. 

Cornish Pasty

A pastry stuffed full of meat and vegetables, Cornish pasties first became popular among tin miners as they were easily transportable and eaten without a plate or cutlery. Nowadays, the humble pasty plays an important part in British food culture. It's even thought that there were the inspiration for the South American empanada.
In Cornwall- obviously - you can find these pasties! But if you can't make it that far down the country, you can find delicious Cornish Pasties at most markets and bakeries. Or grab one on the go from the West Cornwall Pasty Company.