You Simply Must Try These Top 10 Foods Next Time You're in the U.K. (2024)

01 of 10

Roast Dinners

Roast dinners—the roast itself, its delicious sides, and of course gravy—are quintessentially British. Sunday lunch in the U.K. also is as aSunday Roastand is the very heart of British food and cooking.

If you're invited to Sunday dinner, you can expect to be served roasted meat (often lamb), along with roasted potatoes and/or Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, gravy, and vegetables such as parsnips, Brussels sprouts, peas, carrots, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or leeks. In addition to the traditional gravy, some families also serve cheese sauce for the veggies.

02 of 10

Cup of Tea

If you're invited to English teatime, be advised that you'll probably be getting more than just a cuppa. In addition to a strong cup of tea, you might be offered a light snack such as bread and butter, cookies, or tea sandwiches. Another variation on English tea is the "cream tea," which is usually served in the West Country (Devon and Cornwall). Cream tea includes jam and clotted cream served with scones.

03 of 10

Fish and Chips

England's beloved fish and chipsare deep-fried in a crispy batter and remain one of the U.K.'s favorite fast foods. The fish is usually cod or haddock, although pollack, plaice (also called dab, a member of the flounder family), and even tilapia can be substituted. And chips in England are what Americans call French fries.

04 of 10

Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding is often part of the traditional roast dinner and is nothing like an American pudding. In fact, Yorkshire pudding is very much like a giant popover. It's traditionally made from the drippings of a roast of mutton, which are captured as the meat cooks.

05 of 10

Full English Breakfast

The full English breakfast is famous. It's the perfect weekend breakfast and the ingredients can vary, but usually, it includes eggs, sausages, bacon, toast, beans, grilled tomato, fried mushrooms, fried potatoes, and savory black (blood) and/or white pudding.

06 of 10

Cornish Pasty

A Cornish pastyis a delicious way to eat savory meats and vegetables in a beautiful shortcrust pastry.A classic Cornish pasty includes beef, onion, and potato along with a turnip-like vegetable called a swede.

07 of 10

Strawberries and Cream

Nothing is better in early summer than strawberries and cream, which are popular as a light dessert across the British Isles.

08 of 10

Crumpets

Crumpets are the perfectafternoon tea treat served warm with jam or butter. Round muffins with a distinctive texture, they are soft and crumbly.

09 of 10

Beers

Britain is known for its amazing pubs, which include its vast variety ofbeers. British beers are now available internationally in a variety of styles including bitter, India Pale Ale, stout, porter, and lager.

10 of 10

Jaffa Cakes

These packaged biscuits, that have been around since 1927, have a sponge-cake base with an orange marmalade filling and chocolate icing. There are rectangular-shaped copycats, but true Jaffa cakes are round and sold in blue-and-yellow packaging.