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London Unattached - Mid-Life London Living

Luxury London Lifestyle for mid-life Metropolitans - food, travel, restaurant reviews - London Unattached

You are here: Home / Featured Post / Secret London Bridge – London Food Tours

Secret London Bridge – London Food Tours

May 28, 2019 by Fiona Maclean 14 Comments

Last Updated on May 28, 2019

London Food Tours – London Bridge.

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Food Tours are always a great way to learn more about a local food scene and its culinary heritage. Somehow that combination of food, walking and listening to an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide provides a colourful and memorable insight into what is unique and special.  And personally, I find a food tour often provides a better cultural insight than all the museums you can manage – especially in a city like London where the food is very much at the heart of things.Doughnut for British Food Tour - London Bridge

Joining a London food tour focussed around London Bridge, one of a range from Secret Food Tours, was an opportunity not to miss.  It’s an area which has grown way beyond the popular Borough Market to include sites like Maltby Street,  Vinegar Yard and Bankside.  And, the south side of the river is in the London Borough of Southwark, my own home. 

Southwark Cathedral and the Shard

The evolution of a London food scene over the last twenty years or so intrigues Londoners and visitors to our City equally.  Did we really have no cuisine so to speak until 20 years ago?  I think not – and restaurants like Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner where the menu depends on recipes dating back a thousand years or more prove otherwise.  What may be true is that we lost sight of our culinary heritage during the Second World War and in the drawn-out period of food rationing which followed.  Certainly, London in the early 1980s had a burgeoning food scene, though eating out was more of a ‘special occasion’ for most people than it is today.  Berwick Street Market was where I bought my own fresh vegetables – and I remember being excited to find fresh fish (including lobster walking around on the shop floor) around the corner, homemade pasta and olive oil at Lima stores in Brewer Street and practically any exotic Asian ingredient at Loon Fung in Gerrard Street. 

Lee Brothers Sign at Borough Market

Despite living in Clapham, South of the River, Borough and London Bridge were not on my radar – in fact, although Borough Market is an ancient food market (there are records showing it in operation dating back to the eleventh century), it almost died out completely in the 1970s with the opening of New Covent Garden for wholesale fruit and vegetables and the growth of supermarkets.  In the 80s and 90s, the evolution to what is there now had just started.  Today the market is definitely on the radar of every food-loving visitor to London – so it’s perhaps not surprising that the Secret London Bridge food tour started there, with a bacon and egg ‘sarnie bap’ and a rather indulgent Whisky cocktail at Whisky Ginger, one of the street food stands on the edge of the market. 

Bacon and Egg Roll

Matt, our guide gave us an overview of the walking tour – perfect for food lovers with plenty of time to explore Borough Market.

Borough Market Lee and Sons Sign

The revival of Borough Market in the early 1990s coincided with a new interest in artisan foods and drinks in London.  Specialist producers and importers had already taken up residence in some of the nearby warehouses – and the market capitalised on that to establish a new artisan food market.  What exists now is a carefully curated portfolio of businesses with a greater focus on street food than in the past.  But, it’s still somewhere I go when I am looking for a special ingredient – be that game, seasonal vegetables or a rare spice. 

Shellfish Borough Market Food Tour

As a local, I seldom indulge in the street food offerings (other than oysters from Wright Brothers, which I can never resist) – so it was great to get a chance to sample some new (to me) dishes.

The Ginger Pig - Secret London Bridge

I do shop at The Ginger Pig – the Borough Market branch is one of eight butchers in and around London selling meat and poultry predominantly from the UK.  They are famous not just for the quality of their meat but for sausage rolls, which we got to sample.  And very excellent they are too. 

Food tour in London - Ginger Pig Sausage Roll

Delicious flaky pastry with a substantial spicy sausagemeat filling that melts in the mouth.  I’m regretting that introduction – unlike oysters, they are definitely not low-calorie treats.  So, thank you Secret London Food Tours for adding to my diet pain!

Fish Kitchen Borough Market Secret London Food Tour

One of the advantages of being on a food tour is that often, as in this case, the guide is known to the stallholders.  Instead of queuing at FishKitchen, a winner at the National Fish and Chip Awards, we were brought a sample by Matt who explained that the chips were triple cooked (a la Heston) while the fish was delivered four times a day.  Certainly, the result was a mouthwateringly light battered fish and very moreish fluffy centred chips with a crisp shell.  Fish and Chips Borough Market - London Food Tours

We had plenty of time on this food tour to look around the market for ourselves. 

Artichokes Borough Market - London Food tours

Eyeing up the globe artichokes, I escaped having to try and cook them simply by finding a competitor for my affection in the form of new season’s English Asparagus.  Classic English food – steamed and served with a little butter or griddled and dressed up with ham and quail eggs.  I can’t think of anything better.

Kent Asparagus - Borough Market London Bridge

I was tempted by some of the cheeses at the market too, but as we had more to come on this London Bridge food tour, I knew I wouldn’t want to eat for a week or so.  And Borough Market Cheeses have their own stall at my local farmers’ market too.

Cakes Borough Market

There are plenty of places at Borough Market offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks both to consume on the spot and to take home.  We tried some unusual West Country Mead at Cartwright Brothers.  But I’m afraid, I still preferred the Rhubarb Gin Liqueur, which I sampled despite having a bottle already at home…

Well, it is all about eating (and drinking) London isn’t it.

Secret London Pub Near London Bridge

Leaving Borough Market our walking tour took us through to The Mug House, a pub that is owned by Davy’s, created from a building that was part stables and part wine cellar.  There we enjoyed a platter of English cheeses, crackers and grapes together with Aspalls Cider and then a small glass of port.

cheese port and cider - Secret London Food Tours

Next to Viva Bacchus for English Breakfast Tea and Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream.  A classic English pudding that is always a hit.

Sticky Toffee Pudding - Secret Food Tour

Finally, a walk around Southwark to learn more about the area.  At one time, this side of the River was home to everything that London itself didn’t tolerate.  Gambling, bear baiting, unlicenced acting and more – Southwark was ruled by the Bishops of Winchester and the remains of the Bishop’s Palace are still there, along with Southwark Cathedral.  Curiously, prostitution was legal in Southwark in the 12th Century – and the ‘Winchester Geese’ (the local prostitutes) paid a tax to the Bishops of the time who ruled the ‘Liberty of Southwark’.  

Remains of the Bishops Palace - Secret London Eating Tours

Looking out over the River Thames while we enjoyed a vanilla custard doughnut from Bread Ahead we’d reached the end of our secret food tour. 

Bread Ahead Doughnuts

It’s a part of London I know and love so I’m happy that it’s being shared with food lovers visiting the City.  Like Soho and East London, London Bridge has its own unique character and heritage.  And, this food walking tour just begins to introduce visitors to some of the places to explore.  If I have any criticism it is that the food tour doesn’t go far enough.  But, Borough Market itself is somewhere I can easily spend a half day, so perhaps that’s not surprising.

HMS Belfast in front of Tower Bridge

Check the link for more information about the London Bridge Secret Food Tour. Or pick from a range of food tours in London, Edinburgh and other destinations worldwide. The London Bridge tour takes around 3 hours (normally starting at 11 am so you are ready for lunch) and begins a few minutes walk from London Bridge Station. Prices start at around £59 for adults with discounts for children.

Thinking of taking this food tour?  Why not pin my post for later

London Food Tours - London Bridge Borough Market

Meanwhile, here are a few more places to eat in London Bridge and Borough.  Though I wouldn’t recommend booking anything for after the Secret London Bridge Food Tour – you may not need to eat for a week!

Bars and Restaurants to try close to Borough Market and London Bridge. Click through to read more

Rabot 1745 - Cacao Culture in Borough

Rabot 1745 - Cacao Culture in Borough

Hotel Chocolat Restaurant and Cocktail Bar offers an amazing cacao infused menu that's a must for all chocolate lovers and

Casa do Frango - A Chicken House in Borough

Casa do Frango - A Chicken House in Borough

Pimped up Portuguese grilled chicken in a lively and fun restaurant. Great value for money - expect queues

Roast, Borough Market

Roast, Borough Market

Delicious classic English food in the heart of Borough Market

Comptoir Libanais, London Bridge

Comptoir Libanais, London Bridge

Colourful Lebanese dishes that are great value for money and offer a relaxed dining experience

Brigade Bistro and Bar - London Bridge.

Brigade Bistro and Bar - London Bridge.

Restaurant with values, Brigade trains previously unemployed and homeless Londoners to produce stunning food that is great value for money too

Baluchi at the LaLiT

Baluchi at the LaLiT

Possibly the best Indian restaurant near London Bridge, Baluchi occupies a grand space in this stunning hotel.

Macellaio RC

Macellaio RC

Great Italian style meat dishes and an authentic in-house Italian bakery provides a range of dishes to enjoy

The Table

The Table

A quirky independent cafe with a great outside terrace, The Table offers an easy menu with some unusual cocktails

Hixter Bankside

Hixter Bankside

Classic British food at Hixter Bankside - worth a visit

Filed Under: Featured Post Tagged With: Borough Market, food tour, Historic London, London Bridge

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  1. Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels says

    June 2, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    I have never heard of a food tour before – those donuts look absolutely delicious. Kaz

    Reply
  2. Madeeha says

    June 1, 2019 at 4:09 am

    That doughnut is mouthwatering. I never visited borough market despite the fact that I visit London almost every week but I will make plans now. It sounds very interesting place to visit.

    Reply
  3. Playdays and Runways says

    May 31, 2019 at 10:44 pm

    Wow, that doughnut looks amazing. What a lovely way to see and enjoy London

    Reply
  4. Melanie williams says

    May 30, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Looks like a great idea. A good way to see and eat your way around London for sure xx

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 30, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      Food tours of London are one of my favourite ways to learn more about the city. I’ve done one in Paris and in Prague too – equally recommended

      Reply
  5. Maria says

    May 29, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    Oh wow, all the food looked absolutely amazing, Wright Brothers is one of my faves as well! I love Borough market but had no idea it was that old, nor did I know all the history mentioned in the post.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 30, 2019 at 6:42 pm

      I did a fabulous oyster shucking event with Wright Brothers. I still can’t shuck well – but at least I know how it SHOULD be done!

      Reply
  6. Bella says

    May 29, 2019 at 9:55 am

    What an amazing selection of food! We’ve heard of The Ginger Pig before but never sampled. So much colour in your photography. It’s making our mouths water!

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 30, 2019 at 6:42 pm

      Borough Market is a really vibrant place – It was cold and grey on that day so you get the idea!

      Reply
  7. Kara says

    May 29, 2019 at 8:40 am

    What an interesting way to see London – you had me at that donut!! LOL

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 30, 2019 at 6:43 pm

      I had to edit all those pics! it was quite a challenge!

      Reply
  8. Samantha Donnelly says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:39 pm

    We recently spent the day at Borough Market and London Bridge area, the food was amazing and far too much to sample in one day, we are definitely going back x

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      May 29, 2019 at 10:11 am

      Borough Market is a great place to browse – having a guide makes it even better as you get to skip queues and find all those hidden treasures

      Reply
  9. Treasure Every Moment says

    May 28, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    That’s so interesting about the history behind Borough Market – I absolutely love visited there whenever I’m in London, especially any of the bakery stands 🙂

    Reply

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