Food in the City

Find out what historical food spots you can find in the City of London…

Simpson’s Tavern

Embed from Getty Images

It opened its doors in 1757 and is over 250 years ago, and still serves food today.

It is one of the oldest restaurants in London.

The tavern is known for its wood-paneled stalls, its hearty portions, and its famous stewed cheese dessert.

What is a chop house?

A chop house is a type of restaurant that specializes in serving grilled meats, such as steaks, chops, and burgers.

They are often known for their casual atmosphere and their hearty portions.

Plus they also serve traditional English dishes such as Fish and Chips, and Shepherds Pie.

Embed from Getty Images

Leadenhall Market

There has been a market on this site since Roman times.

In fact, there are remains of an arch from the Roman basilica in one of the basements.

The building we are standing in is Victorian. It was designed in 1881 by the City’s architect Sir Horace Jones–who also designed Tower Bridge.

It has been one of the busiest markets in London–first selling poultry and then cheese, and then meats of all kinds and everything else from fish and bread to leather.

Embed from Getty Images

Do you recognise it?

It was used as the setting for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter Films!

Pudding Lane

In 1666, Pudding lane was packed with shops selling pudding. This isn’t a tasty desert.

Pudding was offal – the parts of meat like liver, kidneys and hearts.

It is also possible that some of the food that was made on Pudding Lane was imported from other countries.

For example, there were a number of Dutch bakeries in London in the 17th century, so it is possible that some of the food that was made on Pudding Lane was Dutch in origin.

Embed from Getty Images

Now Pudding lane is best known as the place that the Great Fire of London began!

The Great Fire of London started in a bakery belonging to Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane in the early hours of Sunday, 2 September 1666.

The fire is believed to have been started by a spark from Farriner’s oven that ignited some fuel in his kitchen.

Embed from Getty Images