Last updated on November 9th, 2024 at 08:09 am
Looking for a food tour of London? Devour Tours offers one of the best. Check out our guide to Devour Food Tours (London UK).
The Family Conscience contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information. We were provided with tickets by Devour Food Tours, but the views are all our own.
Just looking to book a London food tour you know is going to be good?
✅ Book HERE for Devour’s food tour: London
London for Foodies
London is a city renowned for its fascinating history and current diversity but it has a bit more of a mixed reputation when it comes to food.
Despite some critics who cite British food as being ‘bland’ or ‘overcooked’, England’s capital actually boasts an impressive culinary scene that reflects its multicultural population. You’ll find a huge amount of choice when it comes to eating out in London – and some of the best restaurants in the world.
The United Kingdom has long been famous for its iconic dishes such as fish and chips, the hearty full English breakfast, and the indulgent sticky toffee pudding.
These traditional dishes have not only stood the test of time but have also evolved, incorporating modern twists while preserving their classic roots.
Taking a food tour of London is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in its food heritage. Not only do London food tours offer a chance to sample a variety of mouthwatering dishes, but they also provide an opportunity to learn about the history and culture behind them.
One of the best ways to experience this is through Devour Tours, a food tour company that guides you through bustling Borough Market, one of the city’s most famous food markets.
Come hungry, you’ll be treated to a wide range of London’s most loved specialities and you’ll want room for them all!
About Devour Tours
Devour Tours offers top food and wine experiences in major cities across Europe and North America (see below for where exactly).
Founded in 2012 by Lauren Aloise, the intent was to connect curious travellers with local food and people, as well as support small businesses. The first-ever Devour Food Tour was in the city of Madrid and the company have expanded considerably since then, now also offering walking and museum tours.
Devour Tours has welcomed over 150,000 guests on their tours so far. They aim to support authentic, locally owned establishments where guests can get a true taste of the city, meet the locals behind the food, and enjoy learning the story behind each bite.
All of their tours and experiences are led by expert guides who love sharing their insider knowledge and experiences.
A food tour with Devour Tours is one of our recommended Things to do in London with Teens.
History of Borough Market
Borough Market dates back over a thousand years, with its origins in the 11th century. Located in Southwark, London, near London Bridge, it’s one of the oldest food markets in London.
Its central location has made it a hub for food trade for centuries. In 1756, the market was moved to its current location after being granted a charter by an Act of Parliament, which allowed the trustees to manage the market.
The market is home to a number of artisan producers and independent traders, and products are often sourced directly from the producer. Famous stalls include Neal’s Yard Dairy (known for its amazing cheeses), Bread Ahead Bakery (huge doughnuts) and Brindisa (Spanish food).
Not just a place to buy food, Borough Market is a piece of London’s history, a must-visit attraction and one of the top food experiences in London.
Opening Hours: The market operates from Tuesday to Sunday, with the busiest days being Thursday to Saturday when the full market is open. The market is closed on Mondays.
Opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm apart from Saturday when it opens at the earlier time of 9 am and on Sunday when it closes at the earlier time of 4 pm.
How to get to Borough Market: Easily accessible via public transport, Borough Market is a very short walk from London Bridge Station, which serves both underground and national rail services.
Other underground stations close by are Borough and Southwark.
Devour’s Food Tour of London
We joined a food tour on a weekday morning, arriving to meet our guide Will and 10 others on Tooley Street, by Borough Market.
The first stop was London Bridge where we were given a quick history lesson. We also got to appreciate the view of the Thames, Tower Bridge and other more modern buildings on the banks of the river such as the Gherkin and the Shard while we listened.
Despite being a Londoner, we learned a lot from our guide who seemed to know everything there was to know about British food – as well as many other historical and fun facts.
We also got to see several film locations in and around Borough Market (I always love it when this happens on a tour)!
Our first food stop was breakfast – a perfectly cooked bacon and egg sandwich (or ciabatta roll, in fact) which hit the spot after our delayed train and mad rush to be on time for the tour.
A quick rundown of the origins of the sandwich was given. The Earl of Sandwich was a terrible gambler, so the story goes. He wanted to carry on playing cards while he ate – and the sandwich (two pieces of bread and a filling), which he could hold in one hand, gave him the ability to do so.
✅ Book your Devour London Food Tour HERE
On next to sample one of the oldest street foods – the oyster. Initially a poor man’s snack, the wealthy soon clocked on to how good these little morsels were and they’ve been sought after and expensive ever since.
There are several oyster vendors at Borough Market. Dress them with lemon, shallot vinegar or herb dressing (all on offer at the counter) and you’re good to go.
A short stroll brought us to our next foodie stop. Will picked us up some of the meatiest sausage rolls we’d ever tried from The Ginger Pig – one of the most popular butcher’s shops in London (they also run workshops and butchery classes).
Next up was our surprise stop, a sweet and Instagram-worthy treat from a popular Borough Market stall. You’ll have to book the tour to find out exactly what it is!
I was starting to get full by this point but refused to be defeated. After a bit of a break from the food to check out one of the oldest prisons in the world, some fabulous street art and another great view across the Thames, we headed for the dish the Brits are most famous for.
Fish and chips. And these were good ones. Crispy batter, flaky fish and chunky chips – what’s not to love?
Our final stop took us to a hidden drinking spot you’d never know was there. Here, we tried some traditional British cheeses, biscuits and Madeira wine.
We were also given a wonderfully British pudding (none of our group had heard of it, but I assure you it’s iconic and a favourite here in the UK). To say it was well received would be an understatement.
A great end to a fantastic London food tour which will have you feeling satisfied (and perhaps ready for a lie down).
Devour Food Tours (London UK) – Practical Information
- The tour lasts approximately three hours (ours was from 10 am until 1 pm).
- While this was a walking tour, it was centred around Borough Market and the amount of walking we did was fairly moderate. Borough is a busy, bustling part of London though – so be prepared for crowds.
- You’ll be able to purchase cheaper tickets if you book a midweek tour. Tours do sell out, especially on weekends and during the summer months – so make sure you book well in advance if you can.
- This is a tour that’s particularly great for families with teens. In fact, our group was made up of families with teens. Other than the oyster, which is perhaps a little more adventurous, the dishes are all very suitable for kids and teens. Any alcoholic drinks can be substituted with soft drinks.
- Devour Tours can cater for vegetarians, however, I wouldn’t recommend the tour for those with a gluten allergy or intolerance, or anyone who is dairy-free or vegan.
What Other Tours Can I Book With Devour Tours?
Devour Tours offers a range of different food tours in Europe and North America, plus additional walking and sightseeing tours, in the following countries/ cities:
- Italy: Bologna, Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice
- Portugal: Lisbon
- France: Paris, Bordeaux
- United States: New York, Boston
- United Kingdom: London
- Netherlands: Amsterdam
- Ireland: Dublin
- Greece: Athens
- Canada: Montreal
- Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, San Sebastian
For more information on San Sebastian, read about Where to Find the Best Pintxos in San Sebastian.
Food Tours London UK – Devour Tours: The Verdict
If you’re looking for a London food tour, then you can feel confident that this is one of the best food tours in London.
Booking a Devour Tours Food Tour is the perfect way to see the centre of London while also getting to munch on some delicious, very British, food. Every dish was a highlight.
Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and fun – come prepared with lots of questions – I’m pretty sure your guide will be able to answer pretty much all of them!
Come hungry!
